Chapter 120: Better Than Any Male Model
Joshua had just finished fending off a cluster of female classmates begging for graduation photos when his gaze instinctively searched for Sophia's voice.
As she walked out of the auditorium, he caught up with her. "Sophia."
Sophia stopped and turned back. "Was there something else?"
Joshua approached slowly. Amelia immediately stepped between them, forcing him to halt. He smiled faintly. "I look forward to working together someday."
I'll become someone valuable to you. Then I can stand before you openly, without shame.
Sophia returned the smile. "I'm sure we will. Congratulations on graduating."
"Congratulations to you too." Joshua's expression was polite and restrained—the same mask he wore for strangers.
But when he looked at Sophia now, the hostility that once clouded his eyes had vanished completely.
Amelia narrowed her eyes at Joshua suspiciously before dragging Sophia away.
What a strange guy.
At the school gates, Michael's car was waiting.
The rear window rolled down, revealing Michael's strikingly handsome face bathed in golden sunlight—like a god descended from the heavens. His eyes locked onto Sophia and never wavered.
"Sophia, you're not working today. Where are you planning to go?"
Sophia's lips curved into a soft smile. "Amelia said she's taking me to a bar…"
Amelia's eyes widened in alarm. She lunged forward, clamping her hand over Sophia's mouth. If Michael finds out, he'll lose it!
Too late.
"…to hire a male stripper."
The last words slipped out crystal clear. Michael's expression darkened instantly. Wayne's jaw clenched hard enough to crack teeth.
Amelia!
The air turned ice-cold, oppressive as a gathering storm. Amelia forced an awkward grin, rubbing her nose sheepishly. "Just kidding! As if I'd actually take Sophia to a place like that!"
Michael snorted coldly. "You'd better mean that."
Wayne's eyes narrowed to slits, his smile laced with danger. "So if you're not taking Sophia… does that mean you'd go by yourself?"
Amelia's whole body shuddered. She avoided Wayne's piercing stare. "Of course not! I'm a perfectly upstanding, pure-hearted girl! Why would I go looking for… those kinds of people?"
But she didn't dare reveal her true thoughts in front of Wayne. If he tattled to the Martinez family and her parents found out she'd hired male strippers… the consequences would be dire.
Sophia! This is all your fault!
Having once again rescued their precarious engagement, Sophia hid her amusement and slid into Michael's car. She gave Amelia a gentle smile. "I'm off. Let's hang out in a few days."
Watching the Maybach drive away, Amelia pouted miserably. She'd finally graduated high school, and she'd been this close to getting her hands on those legendary abs!
Her hand, hanging at her side, was suddenly clasped. Amelia jumped and whirled around to find Wayne looking at her with a faint smile—one that felt vaguely dangerous.
"What?" she snapped.
Wayne raised an eyebrow. "Come to my place. I'll drink with you."
"You?" Amelia frowned suspiciously. "Why?"
Why is he suddenly so eager? In broad daylight? Did something happen? Is he trying to drown his sorrows?
Wayne stepped closer, his tone heavy with implication. "I'm not exactly lacking, am I? Good-looking, six-pack, never touched another woman. Aren't I cleaner than some random stripper?"
Amelia froze for a moment. When his words finally registered, her face flushed scarlet.
"Y-You're being weird!"
"What's weird about it? I'm your fiancé." Wayne slipped his arm around Amelia's waist, pulling her close. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Touch all you want."
……
Applewood Estate.
"Baby, I missed you so much."
"Michael, easy!"
The moment they stepped through the door, Michael pulled Sophia onto his lap, his large hands locked around her waist, preventing any escape.
Perhaps because it had been too long, Michael was more urgent than usual. His kisses came like a storm—relentless, overwhelming. She couldn't even catch her breath.
He kissed her so forcefully that her tongue ached.
Hearing her muffled protest through the heated entanglement, Michael softened his approach, his kisses turning tender.
Some instinct always reminded them when to stop.
Michael released her swollen lips, breathing heavily, gazing into her glistening eyes. He pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye. "Just let me hold you for a bit."
Sensing the restraint in Michael's eyes, Sophia shifted uncomfortably. "Let go. I need to take a shower."
The movement of her body in his lap was torture in this moment. Michael's voice turned hoarse. "Don't move. Just… give me a second."
Sophia's ears turned bright red. She whispered shyly, "No, I'm uncomfortable."
Michael froze. He immediately released her. Sophia scrambled off his lap, too embarrassed to meet his eyes, and bolted upstairs.
Michael was still processing what had just happened when he glanced down. There was a small damp spot on his pants.
Realizing what it was, his face flushed crimson. The veins in his neck bulged. What little self-control he had left nearly snapped. He shot to his feet and headed to the guest bathroom to shower and change.
Damn it. How can Sophia be this irresistible?
……
Seaside Bay Villa No. 6—Amelia's Private Residence.
They'd originally planned to go to Cooper Manor, but with the staff around, it felt inconvenient.
And all of Wayne's properties were as empty and sterile as showrooms.
This place had alcohol, snacks—everything they needed. So they ended up at their usual hangout.
"You're sure I can touch?"
After a few drinks, Wayne lifted his shirt. Amelia stared at his sharply defined six-pack, her eyes filled with curiosity and hunger.
She'd never actually seen a guy's abs up close, let alone touched them.
Supposedly they felt soft on the surface but hard underneath. She wondered if that was true.
"Go ahead." Wayne turned his gaze away, feigning nonchalance, though his ears had already turned scarlet.
"Don't mind if I do!"
Amelia reached out boldly, poking at the firm muscle. Then her fingertips traced the contours of his abs lightly.
She didn't notice Wayne close his eyes, his breathing growing heavier, his hands gripping the armrests until his knuckles turned white.
Her cool fingertips wandered across his abdomen like feathers, stirring a maddening itch.
He'd told her to do what she wanted. But he hadn't expected it to feel this intense.