by S M Mala
But in all the time she waited, Sophie wondered what to tell him.
The last thing she wanted was for his career to take a downward turn for the worse.
She knew Harry well enough to realise what he was capable of. He had boasted how he wrecked the careers of many people who had pissed him off.
‘Where’s Milly?’ he asked, putting her down.
‘Sleeping.’
‘Can I see her?’
Grabbing his hand, she led him to the room where the door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open, he followed her in and looked at the baby sucking her thumb.
‘Oh my God! She’s beautiful!’ Jonah gasped. ‘What a gorgeous child and I missed most of it.’ When his eyes welled up with tears she realised how genuine he was. ‘Tell me what she’s like, I want to know.’
‘When you meet her, you’ll see.’
They walked back out and she led him to the living room.
‘It’s small but I like it,’ she said, watching him look around the flat. ‘It was hard to find something for the same money so I had to move a little further out, but not too far.’
‘Soph,’ he said and hugged her tightly. ‘I missed you so much.’
She didn’t want to cry but couldn’t help it. Being in his arms is what she dreamed of and now it was happening. The silent tears fell.
‘Tell me everything,’ Jonah whispered.
‘I can’t.’
‘Why not?’ he asked, pushing her gently away. ‘I need to know where’ve you been and what happened.’
‘There are some things you don’t need to know.’
‘Then tell me on a need to know basis.’
They sat on the small sofa and he told her first about knowing about Harry antics, but not wanting to hurt her. He said he would never betray her, and desperately wanted Harry to tell the truth. For that cover up, he felt ashamed of his actions, knowing it was going to hurt her either way.
Sophie told him everything that happened.
But she omitted Onya, not wanting to hurt him just in case this was a whim, and he would walk away into the sunset with that slut.
If he had been with Sophie, she would have openly killed him for snogging another woman. It was then she recalled not wanting to do that to Onya, just feeling sorry for Jonah at the time.
The deceit Harry and Onya had put the poor man through, not to mention her.
When she finished speaking, it was up until the divorce, the death of her father, and seeing Harry last, Jonah’s face was like stone. He got up and asked where the bathroom was.
Eventually, he returned, his eyes a little red.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked, watching him slowly sit beside her.
‘I don’t believe it,’ he whispered, looking straight at her. ‘He came to my home that same night saying you had a fight. Never once did he say he hurt you. And the woman? What did she do?’
‘I think she was shocked before running out.’ Placing her hand on his face, she could see he looked devastated. ‘He just bruised my face and lip and banged my head twice. The last one was when I knew it was all over. It’s fine now.’
‘It’s not fine!’ he said, starting to get angry. ‘You should have told me! That’s why your face was covered that morning, wasn’t it? Fuck! Why didn’t I figure it out?’
‘I didn’t know what to think, and I was upset with you.’
‘Don’t you remember what happened before you went home? What we did and said?’
‘I said; you didn’t say much.’
‘I was overwhelmed.’
‘Jonah, I’m not sure if you being here is a good thing. With Harry and-.’
He kissed her deeply, and all she could taste was his sweet lips while feeling his tongue against her own.
As much as she wanted to let him go; she couldn’t.
Then she pushed him away.
‘You’re with someone,’ she whispered, feeling his soft lips against her face.
‘I’m with you and that’s what matters. From now on, it’s me and you and Milly.’
Then he kissed her again and she let him touch her body through the clothing, as she did the same to him.
If Harry found out, he would go ballistic but she didn’t care.
Leading him to the bedroom, and making sure her door was open enough to hear Amelia as well as checking the baby monitor, she turned to see him sitting on the edge of the bed.
When he took off his shirt, she held her breath. His body was muscular and toned.
‘You look amazing,’ Sophie grinned. ‘I’m not taking my clothes off.’
Jonah grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, looking up with a grin.
‘I’ve seen you naked before. Remember?’
‘I was giving birth.’
‘It was the sexiest thing ever.’
She laughed out loudly, putting her hand over her mouth as his hands gently glided over her clothes.
‘I want to see you naked again,’ he whispered. ‘Then I’m going to make love to you.’
Sophie stopped laughing. It felt like her breath had left her body.
She watched his fingers pull her clothes away from her skin, and drop to the floor. Jonah stood up and gently embraced her in his arms, before undoing her bra and taking off her knickers, until she was stood naked in front of him.
Then he unbuttoned his jeans and removed all his clothes, putting his finger under her chin so he could kiss her gently on the lips.
There was not one ounce of insecurity about him seeing her body.
To Sophie, it seemed natural as he led her to lie on the bed, before stroking her skin, up and down.
Jonah was beautiful, as he lay looking down at her. She pulled his head to reach her lips, searching his mouth with her tongue. The groans of delight were coming from her as she wanted him with all her might.
Foreplay wasn’t going to happen as he seemed eager to get to where they wanted to be.
Together.
As her thighs parted to let him join, she looked at him smiling down and did the same, but when he touched her, Sophie gasped on feeling Jonah inside.
It wasn’t just the physical action. It was her emotions that made it all the more intense, knowing she had wanted him for such a long time.
Since the first moment she set eyes on him.
‘No contact? But it’s his child.’
Jonah held her in his arms after they made love, still flying high from the adrenalin and sex rush.
And he made sure he was slow and took his time to make her come.
It was amazing.
But now Sophie opened up more about Harry and what had happened.
‘He doesn’t love Milly. I’d never seem him like that before. And when I asked about access a few months ago, he doesn’t want any. It’s as if she’s nothing to do with him. See on the window sill, over there. I got a cast made of her little hand when she was nine months old and sent it to him. He returned it. That made me feel sick to know he didn’t care.’
He felt Sophie bury her face in his chest as Jonah’s heart started to pound in anger, glancing at the small plaster cast of Milly’s palm. Had Sophie sent that to him, he would have been deliriously happy; it also would have made him see that she still cared.
Harry needed to do a lot of explaining, but for now, he wanted to comfort Sophie.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he said for the hundredth time. ‘Told me he hurt you.’
‘I couldn’t.’
‘Why not?’
That’s when he heard her breathing become heavy and felt her heart pound into his skin.
‘I was too ashamed. It was a difficult situation you didn’t need to be dragged into.’
Then he remembered something, sitting up and pulling her with him.
‘I saw the blood!’ he said, realising it was Sophie’s. ‘By the door and against the frame in the nursery. Are you sure he didn’t do anything else?’
‘He hit me and I fell against the doorframe. Then
he banged my head against it. That’s all.’
‘That’s all? And she was in your arms?’ Jonah’s head was buzzing. ‘And Milly wasn’t hurt? She was fine?’
‘Jonah,’ she said, taking her hand and cupping his cheek. He saw the gentle smile. ‘Everything is fine.’
‘But it’s not. I wasn’t there.’
‘And if you were, what would have happened? Do you think you’d be in this position with your career? Harry would have scuppered everything if he was feeling spiteful. In a funny way, maybe that’s why he has tried harder with you.’
‘Why?’
‘Because he probably likes you more.’
Again, he felt she wasn’t telling him everything.
‘I have a present for you,’ he said, getting up and walking out of the room to find his bag.
He pulled out the package and handed it over when he returned to the bedroom.
‘What is it?’ she asked, looking confused.
‘Something for you.’ Slowly she undid it and smiled. ‘I had to sign quite a few today and I kept one.’
‘‘Bitter Sweet Kisses.’ That’s amazing. How much do I owe you?’
‘It’s free.’
‘It’s far too expensive.’ Sophie looked at him and let out a sigh. ‘You don’t know how good it is to see you.’
Moving closer, he sat behind her, watching the small hands flick through the pages.
Then she stopped.
‘Look at these! My baby’s in here!’ Sophie was delighted before turning to him. ‘You never showed me some of these pictures.’
‘Do you want copies?’
‘I can’t afford to buy them right now,’ she laughed. ‘I still have to be careful with my cash.’
‘Soph, I’ll give you them for free.’
‘Are you allowed?’
‘They’re mine. I can do what I like.’ Jonah then stroked her face, letting his hand glide down her shoulder until he gently touched her breast. ‘And I want to make you happy.’ He had to smile when looking at her wide eyes. ‘Do you remember what you said to me after the christening?’ She nodded then looked away. ‘Did you mean it?’
‘You know I did.’
‘Then why did you believe what he said?’
‘Because you lied for him. You covered up his affair and-.’ She bit her lip. ‘You weren’t to know.’
‘There was no affair that I knew of. All he wanted was someone to keep your company, and help out with a few things around the house.’
Jonah knew that was half a lie.
It wasn’t one affair.
There were several.
Still he didn’t want to hurt her.
The idea that it was a single relationship was bad enough and she had witnessed it.
‘This woman you saw. Do you know who she-.’
Her hand went to his mouth and she stared into his eyes, looking upset and confused.
‘I don’t want to talk about it. It’s the past and we have to move on.’ Taking the book, she put it to the side. ‘Are we moving on?’
Gently he removed her hand from his lips, kissing the fingers.
‘I wrote something to you in the front,’ he grinned. ‘And I mean it.’
‘A dedication?’
‘Something more.’
‘I’ll read it later.’
Sophie then placed gentle kisses on his lips, turning to face him. Her arms gently glided around his neck before he felt her tongue reach into his mouth.
Jonah gasped before grabbing her waist.
The kiss was strong and passionate.
He wanted to explore the woman he had thought about for months and missed with all his heart. Half of him couldn’t believe what was happening; the other half wanted to show how he felt.
‘We have to be careful not to wake Milly,’ she whispered, slowly pulling away. ‘And not to confuse her. She’s never had someone spend the night before.’
‘Milly will know who I am.’
Sophie started to laugh which made him smile.
He had forgotten how it had sounded but now recalled it always made him feel happy.
‘She’s only little. Milly remembers when she hasn’t got her soft toy in her cot or her favourite book in the bath.’
‘I’m telling you. She’ll remember me.’
They looked at each other, and he watched her examine his face.
‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ Sophie rested her forehead against his. ‘I never thought I’d see you again.’
‘You could have called.’
‘Everything was messed up.’
‘Not now. There’s nothing to stop us.’
‘Onya.’
‘I needed her when I realised you didn’t want to see me again,’ he honestly admitted. ‘I was at a loss on what to do, so I sought refuge in her company.’
‘Are you together? If you tell me now, that’s fine. You can walk away and nothing will be said. I’m not going to jeopardise your happiness.’ Sophie smiled, the forced one he knew so well. ‘I’m happy we managed to spend time together and you got to see your God daughter.’
He kissed her hard this time and pushed her back onto the bed.
Jonah needed to show Sophie how he felt. His mouth explored her as he then kissed down her neck and caressed her breast. He placed his lips over the nipple and tasted the skin, knowing it was turning him on.
She groaned and pushed her hand through his hair.
His hand travelled between her thighs and searched for something to touch.
On the tip of his finger, he felt the hard lump and stroked it.
Sophie moaned.
All he wanted to do was turn her on and then make slow love to her.
Using her juices, he rubbed slowly then built up pace as he looked at her; eyes closed and mouth partially opened.
Then he watched as she had an orgasm; knowing he felt something so deep in his gut on seeing her.
He had to get inside. There was no way he was going to stop, so pushed in and watched her fling her head back, holding her breath, then look into his eyes.
Gently he thrust slowly, as she wrapped her arms and legs around his back while he rocked back and forth. He wanted to do all sorts to her, but right now, he wanted to be close.
Their mouths were attached, and tongues rolling and touching. He felt her hand on his arse and the other one in the back of his hair. His hand felt from her calf up to her thigh, loving the smoothness of her skin while squeezing the soft flesh.
It felt hot and he could sense he was starting to climax. Seeing her look at him, her hair sprawled out and her bare bosoms exposed to his touch, jigging to his humping.
‘Soph, I love you,’ he sighed, knowing he had to tell her how he felt, as it was all escalating in his chest and groin. ‘I love you so much.’
‘I love you.’
He was about to smile but his orgasm was very sudden, and their eyes met as he couldn’t breathe, shuddering and shaking in her arms.
Resting his head in the crook of her neck, he was overcome by what was happening.
But knew it was what he had desperately wanted since he laid eyes on her.
‘Milly?’
Sophie woke, seeing it was after three in the morning, and swore she heard her baby cry.
But now there was no sound.
She jumped out of bed to see if everything was okay to find Jonah rocking her gently in his arms as the child started to fall back asleep.
‘I’m your daddy,’ he whispered, making Sophie choke up. ‘I’m back and you won’t be alone again. I love you, little one, with all my heart.’
For a moment, she had forgotten he was there.
And it was a wonderful realisation seeing he was real and what had happened between them.
It wasn’t a lovelorn dream.
‘I told you, as soon as I picked her up in my arms, she stopped crying,’ he whispered, gazing lovingly at the baby. ‘She’s as beautiful as you.’
Sophie
stared at the love in his eyes for a child that wasn’t even his own.
Again, she found herself stunned on his reactions compared to Harry’s.
‘Her nappy’s dry. I think she wanted a cuddle,’ he cooed at the child, making Sophie smile.
Sophie’s eyes were transfixed on him, watching how he carefully put Amelia back in her cot, checking the sleeping bag was zipped up.
‘Let’s go back to bed,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom. ‘We need to talk.’
He dived under the sheet and pulled Sophie in, cuddling her close to his chest.
‘About what?’ she asked, smelling his skin and wanting to lick it.
‘Things,’ he mumbled and she wrapped her leg around his body, as he grabbed her calf, pulling it up. ‘No rush.’
‘This is going to be impossible and Harry won’t like it.’ Sophie would be put on the spot in regards to deceiving Jonah about Onya and Harry. ‘And I don’t want to lie to you but I made an agreement with Harry not to press charges against him if I agreed to something. In return, he begrudgingly handed money over for Milly and plus a little extra.’
‘He never told me you got divorced,’ he said, as she glanced up. ‘Every time I mentioned your name, he simply ignored me. When I flew back after Christmas, I went to the house.’
‘And that’s when you saw the blood. I thought he’d have cleaned it up, or he wants it there as a reminder.’
‘I want to pummel him into the ground.’
‘He can’t know about this.’ She moved up to meet his eyes. ‘I take it this was all down to Ross? I told him I didn’t want you to know we’d met.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I knew, I’d crumble.’ Biting her lip she knew what she had to say. ‘Don’t treat me the same way Harry did. I’d rather you were with me, and me alone. If that’s something you can’t do, or there is a future with her, then take it. I can’t be part of your life if you are with someone else. I’m not made like that. I’m sorry.’
He looked at her, pulling Sophie on top so her legs were either side of his body.
‘I have no intention of being with anyone else,’ he said, smiling. ‘I want you and Amelia.’
‘You’re not thinking straight. He’s instrumental in your career.’ Sophie stroked his face. ‘Harry gave me a hard time for months. I had no money, due to extra expenses with the divorce and moving house, and him not contributing. If it weren't for my savings, my baby wouldn’t have had nappies. It was terrible and I felt humiliated.’
