by Sophie Blue
Copyright © 2020 Sophie Blue
All rights reserved.
Cover Design by Sammi Bee Designs
Editing by Magnolia Author Services
Formatting by LJDesigns
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters and places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Books by Sophie Blue
About the Author
For Sam & Sybil
Thank you for being there from the very start and offering constant support and encouragement. I’m so grateful to have you in my life.
Chapter 1
Mia
Another busy shift, just my luck. I’m exhausted, my car wouldn’t start today so I had to walk to work, I arrived late which resulted in getting a lecture from my boss. Now here I am, eleven hours into my twelve-hour shift, and all I want to do is crawl into bed and hibernate for the winter.
“Sweet cheeks, can we get another round over here?” One of the guys from the back shouts over the music. I turn and offer him a polite smile and a nod, before making my way to the bar.
“Can I get another five bottles of beer please, Shawn? Put them on table thirteen’s tab,” I tell the bartender on shift tonight, resting my tray on the sticky bar and stretching my arms out. I pull my long brown hair up into a messy bun and sigh.
“You got it, love,” he says, grabbing them from the fridge, pulling the tops off and putting them on my tray.
“Thanks.” I smile. Shawn is one of the only people here I get on with; he’s got a wife and two kids at home. Both of us need the money, which is why we put up with this hellhole. It’s a job, and they’re not the easiest of things to come by around here.
Making my way back to the table of rowdy guys, I hand out their beers and turn to make my way back to the bar when I feel one of them grab my arse. Turning around, I slap him on instinct. The other guys laugh, but the one I hit looks livid. His lips curl and his eyes are black. Feeling the fury emanating off of him, I take a small step back.
“What the fuck, you crazy bitch?!” he shouts, holding his cheek and glaring at me as if I’m the one in the wrong.
“I don’t like being touched,” I say slowly, turning to head back to the bar. The other guys are still laughing as I make my way back over to Shawn, making fun of the guy who had the nerve to grab me. What the hell is wrong with people?
“You ok?” Shawn asks, looking sympathetic when I reach him. Leaning on the bar he looks over at me with a look of concern. He’s in his late forties and with his greying hair and crooked smile, he always put me at ease.
“Yeah, just another day in paradise, right?” I smile at him, leaning on the bar with a sigh.
“Mia! My office, now.” Tom, my boss, shouts over the noise of the bar and I groan internally. Could this day get any worse?
Chapter 2
Jackson
Taking another swig of my cold beer, I check my emails to catch up after my meeting ran over. I wasn’t expecting to spend so long in that godforsaken meeting, so I decided to stop off at a bar on my way home, needing a drink to unwind. Loosening my tie, I scour through more emails, deleting what I can.
This place is a dive, not somewhere I’d normally frequent, but it’s served its purpose and I’m feeling slightly less tense after the day’s events. Being a CEO is great, but it isn’t easy. Taking another swig of my drink, I look up when I hear her voice. The waitress that caught my eye earlier. Her long brown hair is wrapped up in a messy bun on the back of her head, her black dress is knee length, and she is wearing kitten heels. She’s beautiful, and I can’t help but check out her legs as she leans over the table across the room from me to hand out drinks.
Hearing the men at the table making smart remarks, I bite my tongue. Why she works in a dive like this, I don’t know. The money must be good. As she turns to leave, one of the men grabs her arse and she slaps him. I try to contain my chuckle. Good girl. She’s got a backbone, I like that. As she leaves, I go back to my emails.
An hour or so later and I think I’m all caught up. Checking my watch, I see it’s gone midnight. Time for me to get home. I text my driver, asking him to bring the car around and go to the bar to pay my tab.
Making my way out of the bar, I turn to go down the alley that leads to the car park round the back. My car should be waiting. As I make my way down the dark path, I notice it splits off into two. Straight ahead leads me to my car, and a right turn takes me elsewhere. Carrying straight on, I shake my head when I hear them. They’re laughing, clearly drunk and obnoxious. Typical young lads, I think. I’m making my way down towards the car park when I hear her. The waitress from earlier. She sounds scared and I hate it. Turning around, I make my way down the split in the alley.
Mia
After getting chewed out by my boss about customer service—the guy attacked me for goodness sake!—I finished my shift and got my bag and coat. I wasn’t looking forward to walking home in the dark, but I had no car and couldn’t afford a taxi. This wasn’t exactly a well-paid job, but it was a job. And right now I was thankful for it.
Turning down the alley that leads to town, I pull my thin coat tighter and start the long walk. I hear them before I see them. The unpleasant laughter of the drunk idiots from earlier. I can’t face dealing with them again, so I turn around ready to take a different route home. As I turn, I come face to face with another two of the men from the bar; they’re smiling sinisterly down at me and I feel my heart race.
“Hey sweet cheeks, fancy seeing you here,” one of them says, walking toward me with a smirk.
I walk backwards, backing away from him. Unfortunately, I back right into the rest of the men. I jump forward when I bump into one of them and they laugh cruelly. One of them grabs my arm and pulls me close.
“I think you owe our friend an apology, sweetheart. You hurt his feelings earlier,” a blonde guy with cruel eyes says, laughing. His beer breath makes me cringe.
“Please, just leave me alone,” I say quietly, trying to pull away, but he isn’t having it. His grip stays strong and I’m powerless.
“You need to say sorry, sweet cheeks. He doesn’t like being made a fool of,” another one says, closing in on me, with a lit cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
I try to remember to breathe. “I’m sorry.”
“Not good enough sweetheart, maybe you should kiss him better?” They all laugh and the one holding my arm shoves me into the guy I slapped earlier. He looks down a
t me with his callous eyes and pulls my head back by my dark hair. I cry out in pain and can feel the tears starting to fall.
“Aww, you’re hurting her, Ty.” One of the others chuckles darkly, enjoying the scene that is unfolding.
“You’re a prick tease, and someone needs to teach you what happens to prick teases,” Ty says, grinning down at me. He leans in and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. The tears are falling freely now and I would do anything to be back in the shitty bar with Shawn.
“Cry all you want, slut. It won’t make us go easy on you.” Another one of them laughs as he grabs my arse from behind. I cry out and try to free myself, but Ty’s hold on my hair is too strong.
“I think it’s time for you gentlemen to go home,” a velvet voice says from behind us.
“Who the fuck are you? Mind your own fucking business,” Ty barks at the stranger, menacingly, not loosening his grip on me.
“No can do, I’m afraid. The police are on their way, and I don’t want to get in trouble for fleeing the scene of the incident,” he says in a calm tone.
“The police? Fuck,” one of the other guys shouts. “We don’t want no trouble.”
“Then you should probably be gone by the time they get here,” he says calmly, staring them down.
A couple of them take off down the alley. Ty lets go of my hair and pushes me, causing me to fall onto my knees. “Stupid bitch isn’t worth it,” he sneers as he takes off with the rest of his friends.
I see the stranger’s hand come into view, offering me help to stand. I gratefully take it and pull myself up, rubbing down my sore knees.
“Thank you so much,” I whisper, looking at the ground in embarrassment. “I dread to think what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up.”
“Then let’s not dwell on it. What are you doing walking down this alley at this time of night?” he scolds me. I’m still looking at his shoes, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. Fancy black leather loafers.
“My car broke down and I need to get home,” I defend myself, feeling like a chastised child.
“Why didn’t you call a taxi?” he demands, sounding almost angry and it gets my back up.
Looking up at him, trying not to notice how attractive he is, I say, “Look I appreciate you helping me, really I do. But I don’t answer to you and I won’t be interrogated.”
“You’re right, I overstepped. I apologise. Can I please give you a lift home? I don’t like the thought of leaving you here in case those wankers come back.” I shudder at the thought. If I never see them again, it’ll be too soon.
“That would be amazing; thank you,” I say to him, smiling a genuine smile. The sooner I’m in bed, the better. This night has been a train wreck.
“My car is this way,” he says, leading me back to the fork in the alley and towards the car park.
“What’s your name?” I ask, intrigued as to the name of my handsome hero. He’s tall, dark and handsome, as cliché as that is. Wearing a suit with a navy tie hanging loose around his neck, he looks like he’s just stepped off of a movie set.
“Jackson Carrington,” he answers, pointing to a swish black Audi a little further ahead. Fancy name, fancy car. What on earth was he doing at a bar like this?
“I’m Mia,” I offer as we reach the car and he opens the backdoor for me. I notice as I scoot in that there is a driver already in the car.
“Martin, we need to drop Mia home first. What’s your address?” he asks as he slides in the back next to me. I rattle off my address, embarrassed that he’ll see where I live when it’s clearly worlds away from what he’s used to.
“I’ve never seen you at the bar before,” I say, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence that has settled over us.
“I’ve never been before. I had a business meeting out of town and stopped in on my way back home.” He looks at me, and in the light of the car, I stop to appreciate the beauty of this man. He has dark hair and a short beard, his eyes are the colour of the ocean, and I have to tear my eyes away from him to avoid embarrassing myself even further.
“Excuse me, Miss. This is the address?” The driver interrupts, confusion evident in his tone as he’s pulled into the run down motel’s car park.
“That’s right, thanks. You can just drop me here.” I say, eager to get to bed. I go to open the door and Jackson’s hand on mine stops me. The warmth from his touch seeps into my skin, giving me goose bumps.
“You live in a motel?” he asks, his distain evident.
“Just temporarily while I get enough money together to rent somewhere more permanent,” I defend, looking anywhere but at him. I don’t need his judgement.
“Jesus,” he mutters under his breath. “Martin, head back to my place, please.”
“Yes, sir,” he says, turning the car around and heading to the exit.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to my house. I can’t leave you here in this godforsaken place. God knows what trouble you could attract,” he says, rolling his eyes in irritation.
“I don’t attract trouble! Let me out, now,” I say, growing tired of this man’s attitude. My twelve-hour shift is catching up with me and I don’t have the energy for this right now.
He sighs. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. Please, would you consider staying in my guest room tonight? After the events of this evening, I’ll sleep better knowing you’re somewhere safe.”
I must look skeptical as he reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out his wallet. He retrieves his driving licence and holds it out to me. “Take a photo of my ID and text it to a friend, then they’ll have my name and address.” I don’t want to make myself seem more of a loser by admitting I don’t really have any friends, so I take a photo and pretend to send it.
He puts his wallet away and leans back against the leather seat, looking out the window at the world passing by.
I do the same, wondering how this night took such a wrong turn.
Chapter 3
Jackson
I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know is that I saw red when I discovered she was living in a shitty motel. Those places aren’t safe, especially for a young, attractive woman living alone.
Turning to look at Mia, I chuckle when I notice she’s fallen asleep. She is every inch as beautiful as I remember from the bar. Long brown hair, pale skin and long legs. Aside from her beauty, I find her innocence endearing.
Martin pulls into the car park and brings the car to a stop outside the entrance. I slowly nudge Mia as to not startle her.
“Mia, we’re here,” I say softly as her eyes slowly open. She mumbles something unintelligible and I stifle a chuckle; she’s adorable. “Mia, wake up.”
She opens her eyes properly this time and remembers where she is, sitting up straight in her seat and rubbing her face.
“I’m sorry, it was a long night,” she admits sheepishly, stifling a yawn and running a hand over her eyes.
“I bet; how long was your shift?” I ask as Martin comes round and opens her door.
“Twelve hours,” she sighs, climbing out and thanking Martin. I hear her gasp when she sees where we are.
“This is a hotel,” she says, and I laugh.
“Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“Why are we at a hotel?” she asks, following me up the stairs and into the vast reception.
“Because it’s my hotel. And I live here,” I state, nodding to the doorman and walking straight to the elevator. She follows me inside, still taking in her surroundings.
“You own Carrington’s?” She gasps, as I put my penthouse key in the elevator and press the button.
“I do,” I admit, smiling at her shock. It pleases me that she’s heard of my chain of hotels.
“This is the best hotel in the country,” she says, impressed, and it makes me smile. I’ve worked my backside off making sure that is the case. It’s nice to have some recognition.
“It is. But I’m biased.”
I smirk as the doors open and I lead her to my home. Unlocking the door with my key card, I hold it open and usher her in.
She looks around in awe, taking in the ostentatious space. My designer really went to town on it. With a black and white theme, it’s both modern and luxurious. Open plan with a kitchen, dining room and lounge all in one, it’s a brilliant space.
“Holy crap!” she exclaims, making me laugh. She’s a breath of fresh air. It’s refreshing to be around someone who appreciates these things.
“Let me show you to the guest room,” I say, leading her down the long hall and stopping in front of said guest room. Opening the door, I motion for her to enter.
“Oh my god! This is stunning!” She gasps, running her hand along the feather duvet on the king size bed. With white bedding and white walls, there’s a feature red wall to bring some colour into the otherwise plain space. A dressing table sits opposite the bed and a wardrobe and chest of drawers are at the back of the room next to the door to the en suite bathroom.
Chuckling I say, “I’m glad you approve. The bathroom is through there. Would you like a drink or anything?”
“No, thank you. I’m ready to pass out. Thank you so much for tonight. For helping me earlier and letting me stay here tonight. I really do appreciate it,” she says, smiling up at me in gratitude. This woman is something else. I smile back at her.
