Sophia's POV.
His question caught me off guard. The last thing I wanted was to be cornered by him and asked about that kiss.
It was embarrassing enough for me as it is.
“Because.....” I trailed off. I didn't know what to say. How do I explain to him that I kissed him because I missed what we once shared?
The ground would have to open and swallow me first!
“Because it was my birthday?” He completed it for me.
The reluctant look on his face confused me. “I don't know, Alex.”
“Please, Sophia.” He lifted his palm to my cheek. It was just a slight brush of his fingers and I found myself wanting to lean in further. My gaze fell to his lips.
“I need to know if you'll ever do that again. If we're done with this boss-employee crap.”
“I–I....” I was speechless.
“Tell me. If I kiss you right now, would you respond like you did last night? Like you always did when we shared passion?”
Breathe, Sophia, breathe!
There was only one way to find out.
He grabbed my face firmly and claimed my lips. His hungry lips moved against mine in urgency as he sucked, bit, and teased. All in a hurry like we were running out of time.
My back was pressing against the dresser and I wrapped my arms around his neck for support, afraid that I might fall. I gently skimmed my fingers along his naked torso.
“Fuck!” He whispered between kisses and pulled away for a second, just watching me. Both of us were breathing heavily.
I let out a frustrated groan, looking down at his lips.
Just like he knew what I silently wanted, he wasted no time in hoisting me up on the dresser and stepping between my legs. I found myself wrapping them around him.
I felt him smile against my lips and soon his mouth was on my neck, running kisses all across my jawline.
I slowly shut my eyes in ecstasy.
Suddenly, the ringing of my phone made my eyes snap open and we both froze.
Oh God! No!
Alex didn't pull back but he was staring at nothing in particular, his eyes distant, almost like he was having an inner conflict.
“Caroline.” He called after a few seconds. “Look at me.”
Swallowing, I met his gaze. “Are you okay?”
I blinked at him. I guess he underestimated how he made me feel because, despite the circumstances, I felt exactly like I'd always felt in our previous numerous makeout sessions and lovemaking.
I was in seventh heaven and he was asking me if I was okay?!
“I should take that call,” I muttered, hoping he would step aside and let me get out of this position but he didn't.
“I asked if you were okay.”
“I am,” I replied curtly.
“I don't want you to be embarrassed about what happened. Or for whatever you think is going to happen to me in the future. Don't you ever feel like that? Okay?”
“You can't tell me what to feel,” I muttered.
“Let me rephrase that. You have nothing to be self-conscious about around me, Sophia O'Brien. Emily is just a part of my past and well, as for the baby she's carrying, I plan on filing for sole custody.”
I didn't want to have a conversation as heavy and deep as this, this very bright morning.
“I really should get to my phone, call back whoever it was. It might be important.”
He held my gaze for a moment.
“Okay. I'll take a shower and then we can go down to the beach?”
He asked that hopefully, probably to make sure I wasn't upset. I nodded at him. “Okay.”
A look of relief crossed his face. “Great.”
He went to shower while I checked the missed call on my phone. I quickly dialed the number back.
“Mum,” I said.
The relationship with my mum has been rocky over the years since my dad died. But now, I'm more invested in having a relationship with her as she's my mother and the only family I have.
“Oh. You're alive!” My mum said sarcastically.
I chuckled. “Okay. I know I haven't called.”
“Called?” she gasped. “You have not just not called, you have also not picked up my calls for some time now but now I understand where you've been busy.”
“What do you mean?” I raised a brow.
“There was a certain picture that popped up while I was browsing through the internet this morning.” I could hear the smirk in her voice and immediately began to understand. Oh God. Not again!
“So, Alexander Hayes, huh?” My mum continued.
“Mum, there's a lot of backstory her—”
“And you're in Florida right now? You didn't even bother telling me you were moving.” “Moving? Oh no! We're just here for vacation.”
There was a long silence.
“What kind of vacation, Sophia? Is it your honeymoon? Oh God! Don't tell me you're secretly married now.”
“Oh my God, Mum, breathe. No, I'm not married. I'm here with the Hayes’ and other families to celebrate my boss,
Alexander Hayes’ birthday. Even Stephanie is here too.”
“But the news of you two dating? That picture? Is that true?”
“Um....it's complicated, Mum.” I heard her sigh.
“Oh, Soph.”
“Anyway,” she continued, “whenever you visit, bring him along.”
“What?! Um...” I was knocked speechless by her words.
“Oh! Okay, I gotta go. Love you, Soph!”
She hung up even before I could say the words back to her. What just happened?!
I placed my phone down and shook my head. It's been a long time since I talked to her and I smiled despite myself.
The bathroom door clicked open and Alex stepped out, thankfully, not shirtless. “Let's go?” He walked up to me.
I nodded.