Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  “I can’t keep him distracted much longer, Henry.”

  Keep who distracted? My eyes concentrated on her. What the hell was she talking about?

  “She just left? Is she going to do it?”

  “She’s always difficult, but at least she agreed.”

  Anger filled me when I realized what was happening. I walked over to her with force, snatching the phone from her hand. Her eyes went wide in shock. I looked down at the phone to confirm that it was still my father on the other end.

  “What did you do?” I said into the phone, piercing my eyes at my Mum.

  “Stefan?” My father sounded confused, “No harm was done.”

  “Actually don’t answer, you’ll lie anyway.” I ended the call, handing the phone back to my Mum. She stood silent in front of me.

  “Why were you keeping me distracted?” I snapped. “Tell me now.”

  She straightened her back, “You misheard the conversation.”

  I laughed, “Misheard? No I don’t think so. The she you were talking about was Sophia wasn’t it? What did you do?”

  “He had a conversation with her, you’re overreacting.”

  “I’m not overreacting.” I said through my teeth. “You had to keep me distracted, so that I wouldn’t check on her.” I clenched my jaw. “You faked being afraid of my father to distract me. Say that out loud one time, Mum. It sounds insane.”

  “If you would have just agreed to go to the ballet we wouldn’t have had to meet with her! She’s the only reason you’re not going!” She snapped, looking around covering her mouth as she let her emotions get the best of her.

  “This is about the ballet? Why the hell is it so important I'm there anyway? Nan coming is not the reason and I know it.”

  “Stefan, just show up.” She said firmly. “Sophia already agreed to go.”

  “This is ridiculous. You have lost your damn mind.” I waved my hands, as I walked away.

  “Stefan wait,” She called after me.

  “What?” I stopped, turning to face her. She was walking toward me slowly.

  “It’s to protect you.” She said in almost a whisper. “Your father wants you there for different, but similar reasons.”

  “Why would I need protection, Mum?”

  “Because you’re my son. We’re family.”

  I laughed, “Do you even remember what family is? The only thing I need protection from is my family.” I started down the sidewalk, “Goodbye, Mum.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sophia

  When I finally got back to my building, I was super late. I bolted out of the elevator, Kevin was staring at me. I gave him a quick smile, as I passed his desk.

  “Hold on,” He stood. “Where have you been?” He whispered.

  “I’ll tell you after work. We’re getting drinks.”

  “Ok.” He whispered again. “Wait why am I still whispering?”

  “I don’t know.” I laughed, and rushed to the back, to my desk.

  It had only been five minutes since I had returned when I saw Miss Greenberg’s assistant walking in my direction. I ducked my head, scanning through my emails. Don’t notice me, don’t notice me.

  “Miss Greenberg would like to speak with you.”

  Shit. I looked up at her, “Right now?”

  “Right now.”

  “Right now.” I took a deep breath.

  “You already said that?” She stared down at me.

  “I did, didn’t I?” I stood and followed her assistant down the hall.

  “Have a seat.” Her assistant gestured into the room. “She will be here in a minute.”

  My mouth was starting to go dry. I’ve only been back one day and I’m already in trouble.

  “Hello, Sophia.” Miss Greenberg walked around me, sitting down at her desk.

  “Hi.” I forced a smile. “I’m sorry I was late back from lunch, it won’t happen again.”

  She gave me a weird look, “What?”

  “Isn’t that why I’m here? I’m in trouble for being late.”

  She laughed, “No.”

  “Oh…”

  “I wanted to see how you are doing.” She folded her hands on top of her desk.

  “I’m fine. You gave me plenty of time off.”

  She sighed, “Sophia, pretend for a moment that I’m not your boss.”

  I looked across the desk at Olivia Greenberg’s sister, why do they even care about me?

  “I’m surviving. The world doesn’t stop just because I experienced something traumatic.” A frog formed in my throat from quoting Henry, but he wasn’t wrong.

  “Who told you that?”

  “A man who thinks he's a king.”

  She shifted in her seat, “The world may not stop when something traumatic happens, but yours did. It may have only been a moment in time, but it stopped.”

  Silence crept in for a minute, “It did stop...” I wiped a tear that formed.

  “Don’t ever let someone belittle your pain.”

  “I haven’t been myself recently.”

  “That’s understandable, but you’re still strong.”

  I sighed, “I’ll be ok.”

  “If you need anything, I’m here.” She gave me a warm smile.

  “Thank you.”

  The rest of the day flew by. I kept replaying my conversation with Henry in my head. He seemed unhinged, but calm and collected at the same time. How is that even possible? His poker face must be a class act.

  I met Kevin at his desk at five. He was shutting his computer off when I walked up, “Ready?”

  He smiled, “Ready. How was your day?”

  I rolled my eyes, “Long. Let’s go get that drink.”

  We walked to our favorite rooftop bar. The one we came to when I met Kevin’s boyfriend for the first time. I ordered a wine spritzer, and Kevin got a lime margarita.

  “So, why were you late after lunch? Randevu with your extremely hot boyfriend? Because I like those kinds of stories.” He smirked.

  I laughed, “Not quite.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, Henry basically lunchnapped me.”

  “Lunchnapped?”

  I gave him a look, “Yes, it’s a new word I just made up.”

  “It sounds kinky.” He sipped his marg.

  “Ew, no.” I scrunched my nose. “He was basically downstairs and demanded that I get in the car with him.”

  “You were totally lunchnapped.”

  “Catchy isn’t it?” I smirked.

  “Why did you go?”

  “There was something in his eyes that scared me.”

  “He sounds very intimidating. I’ve only met Stefan, who is breathtakingly intimidating. An older salt and pepper version, I couldn’t even handle.”

  “Again...Ew.”

  He laughed, “I get it though.”

  “Stefan won’t.”

  “You haven’t told him you were lunchnapped yet?”

  “He doesn’t handle his family plucking me from my life for their games very kindly.”

  “I wouldn’t either.” He sipped his drink again. “What did he want anyway?”

  “There is a charity ballet coming up and for some reason Stefan needs to be there.”

  He laughed, “Is he dancing?”

  “No. Although I would love to see him try.” The thought of Stefan doing a pirouette made me smile. “He is a very good dancer though.”

  “Stefan’s father didn’t give you any idea of why he needs to go?”

  I sighed, “No. He has a great poker face.”

  He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair, “Well I think there’s only one way to find out.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You have to go.”

  I bit my bottom lip, my eyes traveled to the window, “I know.”

  We spent about an hour talking about Stefan’s insane family, until Kevin had to meet Daniel for dinner. We quickly finished our drinks and we went our different routes h
ome. I pulled my phone out after I said bye to Kevin; three missed calls from Stefan. I tapped his name to call him back.

  “Where are you?” He half snapped.

  “Uh…” I was shocked by his attitude. “I’m on my way home.”

  “It’s 6:30”

  I laughed in annoyance, “So? I got a drink with Kevin. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Oh…” He paused. “I will see you when you get here.” The line went dead.

  What the hell? I looked down at my phone. If he knew the day that I had, he wouldn’t be acting like a complete prick. I’m so tired of another Edwards acting like they can have an attitude whenever they want, even if it is the one Edwards that I love.

  By the time I reached the brownstone, I was pretty hyped up from Stefan’s short conversation with me. I opened the door, searching for him. Noise came from the kitchen. When I turned the corner into the kitchen his back was facing me as he sipped a beer.

  I cleared my throat and he turned around. I dropped my purse on the floor, “You didn’t have to be such a dick earlier?”

  “I wasn’t a dick.”

  I laughed, “Could have fooled me.” I put my hands on my hips, “I wasn’t aware that I had a curfew right after work.”

  He rolled his eyes, “You don’t. I was worried about you.”

  “Why?”

  “Your lunch date?”

  “Oh.” I stepped back. “How do you know about that?”

  He took another sip of his beer, “Were you not going to tell me?”

  “I was...I just…”

  “You just what? Trying to protect me?”

  “Don’t start with the protect shit with me. You should look in the mirror if anyone tries to protect the other.” I turned, storming out of the kitchen.

  He followed, “When were you going to tell me? At the ballet that you agreed to go to?”

  I clenched my jaw, turning around to face him. He was inches away from my face. I stared into his concentrated eyes. He’s so infuriating, but his closeness sent butterflies into my stomach. I pushed them away, reminding myself that I was pissed.

  “Screw you, Stefan! I can’t help that your father lunchnapped me! You don’t know what it’s like when they throw their demands at me. All I think about is what’s best for you!”

  “Lunchnapped?” He shook his head confused.

  I balled up my fists, “From all that, that’s what you heard? It’s not the point.”

  “I heard you.”

  “Then understand it’s hard to say no to them. I don’t even know if no is in their vocabulary.”

  He sighed in annoyance, “It’s not.”

  I relaxed my arms, “Then why are we even having this conversation?”

  He stayed silent, staring at me.

  “Plus why were you indisposed? Your father said he kept you busy?” I crossed my arms.

  He turned to walk back into the kitchen, “No isn’t in their vocabulary remember? They always get what they want in the end.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He stopped at the island, taking another sip of his beer, “My dearest Mum faked a fight with my father, convincing me to stay with her until after lunch. That’s why I didn’t come home from my run.”

  “Wait that’s…”

  He turned, “Insane, crazy, complete bullshit? I know.”

  “Yeah,” I walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but it might be worse if we don’t.”

  He took me by the chin, placing a sensual kiss on my lips, “I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

  “We don’t have to talk at all.” I whispered, pressing my lips back on his.

  He picked me up, setting me on the counter, leaning into me. I pulled him closer, kissing him harder. He ran his hands through my hair, sending a shiver through my body.

  “What do you want?” I asked against his lips.

  “You.”

  “Then take me.”

  He pushed my skirt up, pulling me to the edge of the counter. My heart was beating fast, he dropped to his knees as he placed kisses up my thighs, his hands dancing along my skin. He found my spot, I bit my bottom lip. “Stefan.” I cried. He continued to please me in the best way. He knew every inch of me, every piece of me that ignited my soul, sending me to that place.

  He danced his nose with mine, as he unzipped his pants; he looked me in the eyes, as he pressed into me with force. I gasped for air, letting my head fall back.

  He tilted my head back up, making me look at him. Something shot through me when our eyes connected; it was a moment so personal that I felt like the world disappeared. His lips found my neck; he left soft bites along my skin, our breathing almost matching.

  “Fuck, Baby.” He moaned into my neck.

  “Let go.” I whispered.

  He pressed his lips to mine again, as he reached his peak, pushing himself deeper. My nails dug into his back. Something about him is euphoric, and I can’t get enough.

  Later after dinner we found ourselves tangled in each other's arms on the couch watching a movie. This life of mine was starting to feel normal again, even with Stefan’s insane family, I was happy.

  Stefan

  As I ran my fingers through her hair, she slowly drifted off to sleep. I don’t think she’s ever made it to the end of a movie. I watched her sleep, as my mind ran through today. I had a bad feeling about the ballet. Protect me? What was my Mum going on about? Protect me from what?

  My mind went to Olivia Greenberg, has she made any progress? The deadline of my birthday is in a few months. We’re running out of time. I want to save the company, but I won’t hurt Sophia at the cost of it. She’s been through too much, more than most people have at her age.

  I continued to run my fingers through her hair, she nuzzled further into me. I placed a kiss on her forehead, “I love you.” I whispered.

  Chapter Ten

  Sophia

  The week flew by. It was Friday and I was finally back into my routine. I said good morning to my coffee barista Jim; I even had a little small talk with him. He lives in Queens, and has two small children, one who is starting school next year.

  Jim handed me my coffee, “I volunteer at a center every week. Our game night is tonight, if you would like to come? We’re trying to get more people involved.”

  “That sounds lovely.” I smiled, blowing on my coffee. “Can you send me the address?” I grabbed a napkin to write down my number.

  “Of course.” He took the napkin from me.

  A woman was huffing behind me. I waved goodbye, so that I didn’t hold up the line. I turned to move out of the way, adjusting the lid on my coffee. I gave her an awkward smile.

  “Sophia?” A man called my name, stepping in front of me.

  I looked up, “Tristen?” I squeaked. “What are you doing here?”

  “Better question is, why are you giving random men your number?” He raised his right eyebrow.

  “I wasn’t. That’s Jim; I talk with him all the time.” I furrowed my eyebrows. “Plus I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you.”

  “I’m sure you would have to explain yourself to Stefan.”

  I squinted my eyes at him, “Again, what are you doing here?”

  “I was in the area, and you told me how good the coffee is here. I thought I’d try it.” He gestured to his table with his laptop.

  “Why are you in the area?”

  “A meeting a few blocks over.”

  My eyes traveled back to him, “Oh ok...well it was good seeing you. I need to head to work.”

  “I’ll walk with you. I’m headed in that direction.”

  I gave him a strange look, “How do you know where I'm going?”

  He laughed as he closed his laptop, “There’s only one way to the C train from here, unless you walk around this entire block in a circle. Which would be a very odd thing to do.”

  “That was a dumb question.” I awk
wardly laughed. “Sorry.”

  “How are you?” He asked when we got outside.

  “Fine.”

  “You were very snippy through text the other night.”

  I shot him a look out of the corner of my eye, “You were...a jerk. Yep, that’s it. You’re a jerk.”

  He laughed, “Why am I a jerk?”

  “Because you won’t leave me alone when you know how Stefan feels about you.” I said firmly.

  “But how do you feel about me?”

  I looked over at him, “What?”

  “How do you feel about me? All I keep hearing is how Stefan feels, not you.”

  We crossed a street through a crowd of people. A few horns blared from the cars. Every time I’m around Tristen he makes me nervous. I shook my thoughts away.

  “So, what is it? If you hate me and want me far away, I’ll walk down this next block and never speak to you again.”

  I sighed, “I don’t hate you.”

  “I know.” He smiled.

  I glared at him, “I put up boundaries because the person I love hates you.”

  “Hmm...If he loves you, shouldn’t he let you be friends with anyone you want?”

  I stopped at the next street, “First off he doesn’t make my decisions, and second, you don’t have the best intentions.”

  He leaned in closer, “Oh my intentions are only the best.”

  “You’re delusional.” I crossed my arms.

  “On a serious note, you are doing ok? Truly?” He stepped out of the way of a person rushing by.

  “I'm better.”

  “That, I am happy to hear.” He touched my arm. “I’ll be seeing you.” He turned to walk down the street.

  “No you won’t.” I called out.

  He turned walking backwards with a smirk, “You’ll see.”

  I watched as he disappeared into the crowd of people rushing to work. I let out a loud huff, as I turned to cross the street.

  Stefan

  Tim was waiting by the curb outside my home, “Good Morning.” He opened the door for me.

  “Good Morning, Tim. I need to meet with Olivia Greenberg today. Can you take me to her office?”