Truth or Dare Page 7

  “Thank you, Charlotte.” Margaret excused herself from the table.

  As soon as Margaret left the room, Sophie turned toward Ashton. “You think you’re really funny, don’t you?” Sophie asked, throwing a cold glare toward him.

  “I know I am.” He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin on his face.

  Sophie tried to reach under the table to kick him, but the massive table was too big. A chuckle erupted from Ashton when he realized her intent. Evil can be so seductive. Don’t let him get to you! Sophie leaned back to stretch her leg further, but he still evaded her determined assault. She sat up and stared at him across the table.

  “Must suck to be short,” Ashton teased, pushing out her chair easily with his foot.

  “That’s it!” Sophie threw her napkin down on the table before climbing under the table.

  “Now this is more like it,” Ashton said with enthusiasm.

  Ashton moved quickly for his size, dropping down under the table to meet her. They came face to face underneath. Sophie raised her hand with the intention of slapping his face. He grabbed her wrist before she could follow through. He intercepted her other hand as well. Holding both her wrists hostage, he pulled her closer.

  “What are you going to do now?” he asked in a breathy voice. His laughter died away and his mood turned serious. The question lingered in the air. Sophie found herself mesmerized by his entrancing eyes and her gaze lingered on his lips. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to feel his lips on hers again, teasing her flesh. Her anger was forgotten. She moistened her lips with her tongue as she leaned closer. She looked up into his seemingly hungry eyes. If she didn’t know better she would have thought that he wanted to kiss her as well.

  “Ashton? Sophie?” Margaret called out. Sophie was so wrapped up in the moment she hadn’t heard Margaret return. Sophie jumped in alarm, bumping her head under the table.

  “Ouch…I dropped something under the table.” Sophie retreated quickly. Sophie could not understand why her body continuously betrayed her in Ashton’s presence. All her hard work to keep a level head escaped her when he looked at her with those bottomless blue eyes.

  Sophie climbed out from under the table, straightening her clothes. She could feel the blush heavy in her cheeks. “I dropped my…my…”

  “Bracelet,” Ashton finished for her, tossing her small silver bracelet on the table. She hadn’t even realized that it had come off.

  “Yes…my bracelet.” She retrieved it off the table.

  “If you will excuse me, Grandmother.” Ashton nodded affectionately toward her before he left the room. He didn’t even acknowledge Sophie as he left, leaving Sophie to cringe at her ridiculous behavior. She was making the situation worse by not being able to control her emotions.

  Sophie quickly changed the subject to ease her guilty conscience. “I should mention that my apartment building is being resolved of its current…rodent problem.” Sophie admitted, embarrassed. “I will be staying at a motel for a few days. I am hoping that it doesn’t affect my schedule but I have to figure out the bus route from where I’m staying. I am hoping to sort it out this evening.”

  “Why don’t you stay here, dear? We have more than enough room in this big house.” Margaret beamed.

  “I appreciate the offer but I couldn’t possibly impose,” Sophie demurred. “You have already been too good to me. Dinner was wonderful. I feel confident that I will sort things out. I can be here first thing tomorrow morning. I just wanted to let you know just in case an unforeseen problem does arise.”

  “Well, the offer remains open, should you change your mind.” Margaret smiled and patted Sophie affectionately on the shoulder. “We would love to have you stay with us. Ashton is gracing me with his company for the time being, keeping an old woman company.” Ashton was fortunate to have such a wonderful grandmother. She wondered what her life would have been like if she had extended family that consisted of more than just her mother and her. She immediately thought of Mrs. Martin and how much she loved the short amount of time they had together. Sophie returned her smile with genuine feeling.

  “Thank you again for the lovely meal, Margaret.”

  Charlotte shuffled in the room and began clearing the dinner plates.

  “Hold on, dear.” Margaret placed her hand on Sophie’s arm and turned toward Charlotte.

  “Could you collect Ashton for me, Charlotte, please?”

  “Of course.” Charlotte left the room with a nod and tender smile, her soft humming lingering behind her.

  “Ashton will drive you where you need to go tonight. That way you don’t have to catch a bus at this hour,” Margaret informed Sophie.

  “That’s not really necessary. Besides, I’m used to taking the bus at all hours. It comes with the territory of not having a vehicle.”

  “Nonsense. He will meet you out front.” Margaret waved away Sophie’s excuse. “It’s not safe for a girl like you to be out unescorted so late.”

  Sophie decided not to argue the point with her. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Sophie.”

  Sophie stepped out onto the front step and breathed in the cool night air. She pulled her phone from her pocket and realized it was later than she had realized. The afternoon had flown by. A smile graced her lips as she noticed a recent message from Jack.

  Jack: I can’t think of another option. I am sticking with my original idea of sleeping with him.

  Sophie: Argh…remind me never to get you to help me devise any evil schemes. You are a typical man that thinks that all problems can be solved with sex.

  Jack: You mean they can’t?

  Sophie: Funny…BTW Ashton is the grandson of the woman that I am working for! He is staying with her. Did you know that?

  Jack: Actually yes. Sorry about that. I didn’t think it would involve Ashton. I knew you would have probably not taken it had you known. I didn’t want you to miss the opportunity. Sorry I didn’t warn you ahead of time.

  Sophie: I guess I will forgive you but you are on probation. Ashton is going to drive me home now. Hopefully he won’t drop me off in the middle of nowhere.

  Jack: He would never do such a thing.

  Sophie: Don’t be so sure. I practically threw myself at him a few moments ago. He is probably laughing his head off right now. What is wrong with me? I should hate him. Scratch that. I do hate him.

  Jack: You’re right, you should hate him…but it sounds like you might not be so against my plan after all.

  Sophie: Not going with your plan. Tonight was just a lapse in judgment. Talk to you soon. He is waiting.

  Sophie opened the door and climbed stiffly into Ashton’s car. She knew the drive would be painfully awkward after she practically begged him to kiss her under his grandmother’s table. So embarrassing. The realization of her actions were settling heavily and she was dreading being alone with him.

  “Just so you know, I only agreed to you driving me because of your grandmother’s insistence.”

  “I know.”

  The interior of the car smelled so intimately of Ashton, it was as if she were leaning in and smelling his alluring scent against his skin.

  Sophie didn’t speak a word to Ashton, turning her gaze toward the night sky. Her stomach was twisted with uneasy emotions. Luckily he did not feel the need to make the unnecessary exchange of words either and she was grateful. When he pulled up in front of Sophie’s building, Sophie finally spoke.

  “Thank you for the drive. Your grandmother is an amazing person and I’m looking forward to working for her. I’m sorry for my actions earlier, it won’t happen again. I promise to stay out of your way. In fact it’s probably best to ignore each other for the rest of eternity. Thank you and goodnight,” Sophie rambled off as fast as she could. She made a quick exit and practically ran to the front door of her apartment.

  When Sophie reached the door, she rummaged through her seemingly endless purse trying to find her keys. W
hen her fingers finally brushed the cool metal, she let out a sigh of relief. Sophie startled when someone unexpectedly leaned over her shoulder. “Rodent problem, huh?”

  Sophie stumbled backwards. “Holy hell! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  Ashton leaned against the frame of her door, crossing his arms with a bored expression. Sophie, on the other hand, struggled to calm her racing heart.

  “What are you doing here?” Sophie scowled heavily.

  “You spoke so fast I didn’t understand a word you said…except I did catch the part about you wanting to kiss me earlier and how you wished my grandmother didn’t interrupt us because you wanted to have mad-hot-crazy sex with me.” Ashton tilted his head as a smile played on his lips. Reaching up, he grabbed the top of her door frame. The hem of his shirt pulled up, revealing his hard, chiseled stomach. This is ridiculous! His stupid stomach is ridiculous. No one is actually built like that! Why does the universe hate me?

  Sophie closed her eyes with a sigh. “Noooo…” she drew out slowly, trying to lid her anger. “I said I would never try to kiss you and I wanted to make sure you knew that. If you thought otherwise, you were mistaken. Have you forgotten that I hate you? People don’t try to kiss people they hate.” Sophie pushed Ashton’s body out of the way and opened her door. When she tried to close it, Ashton pushed his way in.

  “I wouldn’t rule it out,” Ashton said, following her inside.

  “How surprising…and oh my god! You’re coming into my apartment now?” Sophie said in disbelief as she watched him stroll into her small place. “Do you want me to pay you for the ride or something?”

  “That depends on what you have in mind for payment.” He raised his eyebrow suggestively. It was strange seeing Ashton in her space. It made her apartment seem so much smaller with his imposing form. He seemed genuinely curious about her things as he took everything in.

  “Don’t touch that!” Sophie grabbed a small sculpture out of his hand he had picked up off the shelf.

  “Did you make that?” he asked curiously.

  “Yes. And it is very breakable,” Sophie scolded.

  Ashton walked over to a stack of canvases that lined the wall, flipping through them. “These are actually good.” He ran his fingers over the texture of the paint.

  “Geez…don’t sound so surprised.” Sophie rolled her eyes.

  “And what is this?” Ashton announced with a satisfied tone.

  “What? Oh my god!” Sophie rushed over to the painting that sat on her easel, grabbing a large rag she’d thrown over the painting to hide the image. “Could this night get any worse?” Sophie gasped to herself in disbelief. To her horror, Ashton saw the painting she had done of him—naked.

  “Now why would you paint a picture of someone you hate?” he stated condescendingly.

  “It’s not you,” Sophie blurted out. “It’s just this guy that I have a thing for.” The words continued to stumble out of her mouth.

  “Me,” he confirmed matter-of-factly.

  “No, not you…why would I have a thing for you? Never, nope. His name is Sam…Sam from my restaurant.” Sophie could not believe what was coming out of her mouth. She wanted to scream.

  “And this Sam looks just like me? With the same tattoo?” Ashton lifted up his shirt to expose the tattoo of the words ‘Life is what you make it’ stretched around the left side of his chest toward his back.

  “Ah…yep. Quite the coincidence. Why are you here, anyway?” Sophie tried to take the attention away from the painting in question.

  “On orders of my grandmother I am to take you to where you will be staying temporarily while they deal with your rodent problem.”

  “Not necessary,” Sophie cut in. “You can leave now.”

  “If I go home and leave you without making sure you are where you need to be, my grandmother will not be happy with me.”

  “How is that my problem?”

  “It is if I tell her you propositioned me in her very sacred dining room that has entertained many precious family memories over the years.”

  “You wouldn’t!” Sophie gasped in horror.

  “I would.”

  “Fine. You are such a jerk. I have to pack. So…you have to wait and don’t touch my stuff.” She was grateful she wouldn’t have to take the bus with all her stuff she needed for the next few days, even if it meant spending more time with Ashton. The war of emotions battled on within her as she tried not to pay attention to Ashton lounging on her sofa.

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Sophie complained.

  “I knew you always had a fucking thing for me…painting pictures, so you could fantasize about me and shit,” he said smugly as he stretched his long legs out. “Since I’m here do you want me to pose for another?”

  “No! I don’t fantasize about you! It’s more like the ‘and sh—’ part.”

  Ashton sat up with widened eyes. “What did you say? And sh—?” He laughed a deep throaty sound. “Say shit,” he coaxed.

  “What? I can say it. I just choose not to right now. In fact, I swear all the time, especially when I see you,” she proclaimed. Ashton pushed himself off the sofa and stalked toward her. He closed the distance quickly with his long legs. He stopped so close that he stole the breath from her. Reaching out, he touched her bottom lip.

  “You lie…especially when you say you don’t want me.” His breath warmed her skin as he leaned in close.

  “You don’t affect me and how many times do I have to tell you—I. Don’t. Want. You.” Sophie stepped back from him so she could remember to breathe. “And for your information, I choose not use certain words. It’s a personal choice. I’m ready to go.”

  ***

  “Where to?” he asked as he rubbed his hand over the steering wheel.

  Sophie pulled the crumpled piece of paper out of her purse. “Econo Rooms Motel,” she read, and then followed with the address printed at the bottom of the coupon. She looked up at him and noticed he was watching her with raised eyebrows. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” Sophie watched Ashton shake his head in disbelief before he pulled away from the curb.

  The longer they drove, the more nervous she got about how far away this place was. She wanted to seem completely confident despite her inner turmoil.

  When they pulled up to an old dilapidated motel, Sophie held the coupon up to the light. The picture must have been taken years ago. The building now looked in dire need of repairs.

  “Stellar place.” Ashton’s words dripped with sarcasm.

  Sophie didn’t respond. She pushed open the door and walked toward the main office. A bell chimed overhead when the door opened. A man sitting behind the desk slid his feet off the counter, sending papers fluttering to the floor. His unwashed hair was brushed back off his face in a tangle of waves that met his shoulders. A mustache sat heavily upon his lip and a dark shadow covered the rest of his chin. He wiped crumbs from his shirt, watching Sophie approach the desk.

  “Need a room, beautiful?” His words seemed innocent enough, but he gave off a creepy vibe that made her insides twist with anxiety.

  “Yes, please,” Sophie responded with a small voice. She glimpsed the small television he had been captivated with when she walked in. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a porn playing. What the hell!

  Ashton pushed through the door behind her, causing the bell to sound again. The man behind the counter eyed Ashton before he addressed Sophie.

  “Just you? Or both?”

  “Just me.” A slow unsettling smile spread across his face. “I have a coupon for my stay.” Sophie handed it over to the man. When he took it from her, she pulled her hand away quickly to avoid the unnecessary contact.

  “Sorry, sweetheart. This coupon expired ages ago,” he informed her before slapping it down on the counter.

  “Mr. Cleary, my landlord, gave it to me. He said he knew the owner.” Sophie shuffled her feet uncomfortably. She hated the fact that Ashton was standi
ng behind her. She wanted to run screaming from this place.

  “My old man died five years ago,” he said casually.

  “Okay. Your standard room, please,” Sophie said quickly. She just wanted the exchange to be over. She would deal with Mr. Cleary later.

  She could tell Ashton didn’t like this guy either by the way he practically growled under his breath.

  “It’s one size fits all in these parts, sweetheart.” He smiled, dropping a grimy key in her hand.

  “Thank you.” Sophie quickly left the office with Ashton close on her heels.

  “You are seriously going to stay in this shit hole?” Ashton asked as if questioning her sanity. She ignored him as she walked up to his trunk, waiting to retrieve her things.

  “Yes. It’s not so bad. It has charm.” She tried to defend her decision but her defense was pitiful. She hated this place so much but refused to waste her money on unnecessary luxury. This creepy, rundown motel fit her budget.

  “Charm? Fuck that!”

  Chapter Nine

  Sophie pushed the door open, revealing the dark room. She flicked on the lights when she found the switch. “Not so bad.” She tried to encourage herself by staying positive. Ashton came in behind her and set her things on the bed.

  “Yeah, it’s kind of nice for a piece of shit.” As if on cue, screaming erupted from the next room as a couple engaged in a heated argument. Ashton just raised his eyebrows in an I told you so way.

  “It’s just a couple of days. There’s even a bus stop just a block away.” Sophie tried to keep her attitude positive.

  “The one the guy was spray painting a giant cock on when we drove by?” Ashton asked in disbelief.

  “It’s called freedom of expression. If he feels the need to celebrate his cock, then who are we to say otherwise.” Sophie watched Ashton tilt his head. “Don’t say anything,” she warned.

  “Come on. How can I not say anything after a statement like that?” he complained humorously. “Though it is good to know you have nothing against cocks.”