Chapter 154: Honored to Be Your Exception
Sophia worked late that evening. Michael, equally exhausted from his own overtime, still insisted on picking up the woman he loved.
"Baby, what do you feel like eating?" Michael leaned into the passenger seat, fastening Sophia's seatbelt before stealing a kiss.
"I'm exhausted. I don't want to eat out." Sophia's voice carried a rare softness—almost pleading.
That sweet, coaxing tone sent shivers down Michael's spine. His smile widened involuntarily.
His voice dropped into an even gentler register. "How about I have Celestial Peak Hotel prepare something for us to take home?"
"Perfect. I'll call the restaurant manager." Sophia lowered her head to scroll through her contacts.
Michael watched her profile, unable to look away. The more he stared, the more adorable she seemed.
The moment the call connected, he couldn't help himself—he leaned in and captured her glossy lips.
Sophia startled, her eyes widening in surprise, her words cut off mid-breath.
"Miss Johnson? Miss Johnson, are you there?" The manager's confused voice filtered through the phone.
The voice snapped Sophia back to reality. She pushed Michael away, shooting him a look of mock grievance before steadying her racing pulse. "Prepare my usual favorites. I'll pick them up shortly."
"Of course."
Before the manager could say another word, the call ended.
Inside the Maybach, Michael grabbed the phone with his left hand while his right caught Sophia's chin, pulling her back into a deeper kiss.
Desire flickered in his eyes as Sophia found herself swept into his relentless assault.
She felt it. She surrendered to it.
Their rhythm synchronized, reason teetering on the edge, passion threatening to ignite.
Their noses brushed together as Michael pulled back, breathing hard, swallowing thickly as he fought to rein in his body's demands.
He wanted her.
He was losing his mind with want.
But unless she gave the word, he wouldn't take what she wasn't ready to give.
After a long moment spent calming himself, Michael started the car and drove to Celestial Peak Hotel.
He collected the takeout without lingering and headed straight for Applewood Estate.
On the way, Sophia called Mary to let her know she wouldn't be coming home.
The estate's interior hadn't changed much over the years. Only the two walk-in closets had been updated with new clothes. With Sophia living there more frequently now, the place had gradually taken on a warmer, more lived-in feel.
They settled onto the living room couch, turned on the projector, and selected a movie—James's award-winning film.
The cinematography was flawless, the plot fresh, every actor delivering solid performances. Sophia found herself genuinely engrossed.
James really did belong on the big screen.
By the time they'd finished eating, the movie was still playing. Michael retrieved grape juice from the fridge and poured two glasses. They relaxed into the couch, side by side, immersed in the story.
"There are no absolute heroes, and no absolute villains," Sophia mused when the credits rolled. The antagonist—a ruthlessly profit-driven businessman who exploited his workers—struck an uncomfortable chord. As a businesswoman herself, she couldn't entirely deny the seductive pull of profit.
Vertex's policies and work culture were nothing like what the film depicted, but at the end of the day, the goal was the same: maximize value from employees.
Ultimately, it all came down to profit.
Michael chuckled softly. "I suddenly feel incredibly honored."
Sophia tilted her head up from where she rested against his chest. "Why?"
"Because the rational, composed Sophia turns into an affectionate little Persian cat only when she's with me. I'm honored to be your exception."
Sophia flushed, half-embarrassed, half-annoyed, and burrowed back into his embrace.
After a long pause, she murmured, "It's getting late. Maybe... you should just stay tonight."
This wasn't the first time Michael had spent the night at Applewood Estate. Whenever he came over and didn't have an early commitment the next day, staying was routine.
But the deliberate way Sophia phrased it this time gave her words a weight they'd never carried before. Michael's entire body went rigid.
He looked down at the crown of her head, noticing the flush creeping up to the tips of her ears. His heart hammered against his ribs. His voice came out rough. "Sophia... do you mean what I think you mean?"
Sophia lifted her gaze to meet his burning stare, deliberately teasing. "What do you think I mean?"
She'd understood perfectly but was pretending otherwise. Michael saw through her game instantly and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Are you sure?"
Sophia's face went scarlet. She looked away. "Michael, I'm twenty-three years old."
Michael's restraint shattered. He swept her up into his arms and headed for the stairs.
Preparation always came first—like taking a shower.
Sophia stood at the bathroom vanity, having just removed her makeup, when Michael suddenly lifted her onto the counter, his kiss fierce and sudden.
The cold, wet surface made her arch instinctively. His arm locked around her waist, pulling her flush against his heat.
From the vanity to the shower, water mingled with escalating tension. Nearly two hours later, Sophia emerged boneless and trembling in his arms.
Her face was flushed pink from the steam. She'd nearly passed out from lack of oxygen.
Michael sat her on the edge of the bed and carefully dried her hair before the main event.
He lowered her onto the bed, trailing delicate kisses across her skin.
Then, abruptly, awareness returned. He exhaled deeply, forcing himself to pull back.
The surprise had come too suddenly. He wasn't prepared—he couldn't risk hurting her out of impulse.
He pressed a tender, lingering kiss to her forehead. "Sophia, let's get some sleep."
He turned to leave—headed back to the bathroom for a cold shower.
Her fingers caught his wrist.
He looked back. Sophia lay there, eyes dark with desire.
"Nightstand... drawer."
Michael's gaze flickered. He pulled open the drawer and found five neatly arranged boxes of condoms, each a different color.
He drew in a slow breath, then turned back, grasping her hand as he leaned over her, gently pinning it above her head.
"Sophia," he murmured, voice thick with restrained hunger. "You really do know how to push my buttons."