Sophia's POV.
I watched him scrutinize my face for a fleeting moment, almost like he was trying to read me like a book.
I squirmed in my seat and cleared my throat.
“Jealous? I'm not jealous.” I lied through my teeth. The knowing smirk he gave me told me that he knew I was too.
“This is all your fault.” I snapped.
“My fault? And how's that?” He raised a brow.
“Yes. It's your fault. I would've been sleeping peacefully in the house if you hadn't insisted we go get a cake at five in the morning. You made me go to some stupid bakery on the other side of town where this customer was so shitty. She called me a bitch.”
I realized I was shaking in anger when Alex placed his hands on mine but I was quick in shaking it off.
“She was flirting with you. And you flirted back!” I snapped.
“I flirt with many girls, Sophia. What's your point? It's not like you care or anything.”
As hurtful as what he just said was, I found myself chuckling in utter disappointment.
“You see, this is the exact reason why I find you so repulsive. The reason why I'm always running from you. The same reason why Emily could blackmail you with a fake pregnancy is because you just can't keep those pants zipped!”
That seemed to have hit some nerve as a dark scowl formed on his face.
“Because this is all just a game for you, right? You like to play with my emotions. You enjoy the outcome, the way I react.” I snapped.
Suddenly, he pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to me, his scowl intact but something else overpowering it. Something that sent shivers down my spine.
“Come here, Sophia.”
“What? W–where?” She stuttered.
He held out his hand and I hesitantly placed mine in his. He gave it a little tug but I was already launching myself toward him and settled on his lap. My legs locked on either side of him.
He slowly trailed his fingers along my back, leaving tingles wherever he touched and I ducked my head down to meet his heated gaze.
A wave of heat surged through my body with the way his eyes were intently looking at me.
“Alex,” I whispered.
“Yes, love?” He muttered.
Sucking in a breath, I grabbed a handful of his hair and claimed his lips.
The moment I brought my lips over his, he seemed to lose all control over himself. The kiss knocked me breathless within a few seconds and as I tilted my head up to catch a breath, he was quick in trailing bites along the base of my neck. And biting hard.
It was crazy, maddening, and I wanted more. I didn't want him to stop this time.
“If we keep doing this, I'll have to take you in the backseat of my car right now.” He said.
I gasped when his hand slipped under my shirt. The warm touch of his hands against my bare skin drove me insane and as they traveled up to probably unclasp my bra, I didn't stop him.
“Sophia.” He whispered my name against my lips, provoking me with his passionate kisses and I reached for the hem of his t-shirt, lifting it slowly and running my fingers along his chiseled abs.
He took in a sharp breath and grabbed my hands, stopping their action. He rested his forehead against mine, breathing heavily.
“I thought you found me so repulsive.” He breathed.
My eyes immediately flew open. “Was this–? Oh my God! Wait. Did you do this to prove—”
“No, baby, no.” His eyes were wide and his voice soft as he lifted his hands to my cheeks, clearly afraid of being misunderstood.
My heart warmed when he called me baby.
“It's just... we have a cake to get home like right now and we can't do this in the backseat of my car because said cake is sitting pretty there.” He made a ridiculous face.
Home. I loved how he said home.
“I also want to fuck you in a proper bed.” He whispered.
My cheeks turned red as I realized our position. And I had forgotten about the cake. Oh God! What was I doing?
Placing my hands on his chest for support, I pushed myself off him and settled back in my seat, breathing heavily while looking ahead at the road.
I could feel Alex wanting to say something to me but he kept hesitating. “I'm fine. Just drive.” I muttered to him.
With a little nod, he started driving again and I reached forward to play a song on the stereo. I wanted to avoid a conversation at all costs so I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.
“Sophia.” I heard him call my name after some time and realized we were back home.
I looked at the time on my phone. 7:30 am. Hopefully, Mum wasn't up yet. When we entered the house, Mia was already up.
“I got your text.” She said to me in excitement. “And that was such a great idea, Alex.” “Sophia?” We heard my Mum's voice from upstairs.
“She's up.” Mia and I said at the same time. “Come on.”
We took the cake up to her room. She was busy looking for something in her cabinet.
“Surprise!” We all shouted at the same time.
“Oh my God!” Mum looked up at us and her eyes lit up in surprise as she walked towards us and hugged me, then Mia, and then Alex. “Thank you all so much.”
I chuckled and pecked her cheek. “Happy birthday, Mum. I love you.”
“I love you, Soph.” She said as a teardrop ran down her cheek which I wiped away.
The relationship I had with my mum hadn't been strong but right now, I just can't see myself going through life without her.
Mia set the cake down on the dresser table. “Now blow out the candles and make a wish.”
We clapped while singing her the birthday song as she cut the cake. “Oh, I love chocolate cakes.”
Alex turned to me with a side wink at that. We devoured the delicious cake. After that, I went to take a shower and till noon, Alex was busy watching movies with Mia.
A few hours later, I went to help Mia with something in her room and when I returned, Alex was nowhere to be found. After about fifteen minutes, he came downstairs, his hair wet and his clothes changed.
“I hadn't taken a shower since morning and was waiting until it was party time.” He smiled sheepishly.
Well, I guess I should go change for the party. We had organized a mini get-together for my mum and a few of her work friends for that evening.
I made my way upstairs and changed into an ocean blue flowery dress that reached my thighs and matching sandals to go with it. Leaving my hair down, I applied some mascara and some lip gloss.
But just as I was about to make my way downstairs, I noticed something strange on my neck.