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light friendliness. “I see you have a guest.” He says to Sophie.
    She turns around to look at me, then back to Eddie. “I’m all right, Eddie,” she says, firmly, “You have no reason to be worried about me.”
    That should have been enough to send him on his way, but he just had to try, one last time.
    “Are you sure?” he asks her, his voice grating on my senses, “Because if there’s anything you need, you should know that I would help.”
    The insinuation that she might not be safe with me is irritating, as is the assumption that she would turn to him for help. “She said she’s fine.” I tell him, my tone conveying my impatience with his presence. “She doesn’t need you to take care of her.”
    “And she needs you?” His pleasant face turns into a sneer. “Don’t pretend that you give a damn about her.” He accuses. “We all know what happens now that you’ve had your fun, don’t we?” He adds with a bitter laugh. “The rich playboy strikes again, too bad you couldn’t find someone your own age.”
    He’s only a boy. I tell myself as I rein in my annoyance. That’s the only thing that prevents me from teaching him a lesson he wouldn’t forget in a hurry. “You should go now.” I tell him. “And try to remember that from now on nothing about Sophie is any of your concern or your responsibility.”
    I watch him weigh his options. Then he turns on his heel and disappears.
    Sophie shuts the door quickly, a frown on her face. “I’ve never seen him like that before.” She says musingly.
    “Really?” I ask, jealousy clouding my senses. The fact that he wants her is unmistakably clear to me, and the knowledge that when I’m gone, he’ll find another excuse to come back and inveigle himself into her life is almost unbearable.
    “Really.” She replies with a frown.
    “Really?” I ask again. She is still standing by the door, and I move towards her until she’s backed up against the hard wood, and my body is so close to hers I can feel the heat of her skin. I place a finger under her chin and lift her face towards mine. “Because anybody can see that he’s in love with you.”
    She looks nonplussed. “Why would he be in love with me?”
    “You really have no idea, do you?” I sigh in equal parts exasperation and wonder. “Somebody should have told you how beautiful you are.” I drop my hand from her chin. “I promise you that as soon as I’m gone he’ll be back to offer you his ‘help’ again.”
    She takes a deep breath. “I don’t want his help.” She says, her voice low, with a little hint of stubbornness. Although it’s what she doesn’t say that I hear.
    She would rather have me.
    Her eyes are green pools of invitation. Desire flares in my brain. I slide my hand into her robe and up her smooth thighs. She parts her legs in an invitation I can’t refuse, and my fingers move upwards. I let out a low groan when I find her hot and wet.
    The only thing that stops me from spreading her legs and burying myself in her is the knowledge that it might be too soon for it not to be uncomfortable for her. I tease her with my fingers instead, watching as her face contorts in pleasure while the sweet ache of my arousal fills my pants. I concentrate on her, keeping a tight rein on myself as I stroke her pulsing core, bringing her body to a shuddering climax.
    I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing her cry as she comes. I press her body against mine, unable to control the consuming desire to possess her in every way. I feel as if I have no control. She belongs to me, not to the Eddie Newtons of Ashford.
    “Don’t forget who made you feel like this.” I whisper against her ear.
    She trembles, “Take me with you.” She says, taking me by surprise with the soft words.
    At that moment, there is nothing I want more than to lose myself in the pleasure of her body again and again and again. I feel her stiffen in my arms, and I pull her closer, kissing her hair. I’m not usually