Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  Something came over me, an urge that had been simmering since he last felt my body. I don’t know what it was about this moment, maybe the fact that we were finally alone, or maybe just because I was allowing myself to fully fall for him. I was falling hard. My mind was going somewhere, and I wasn’t going to try to stop it this time.

  I looked up into his eyes; my fingers slowly loosened each button down my shirt. Then my hands made their way to the clasp on my bra. I dropped it to the floor. His eyes were dancing with lust. I placed my hand on his chest, pushing him backwards toward the bed.

  He picked me up, wrapping my legs around him. My fingers glided through his hair, my chest was rising and falling from every breath against his skin. He turned and slowly laid me down on his bed, pulling his shirt over his head, his pants fell to the floor. He gripped my legs pulling me closer, resting himself in between my thighs. This was different than our first time. Our first time was aggressive and full of passionate hunger. This time he was giving me something more. He unbuttoned my pants, peeling them off me. He dropped them on top of his clothes. His hands wrapped around me moving me toward the head of the bed. He knelt over me, my legs resting on his thighs. My body was aching for him, I needed him.

  I watched as his eyes took me in. I pulled him down to me, he held himself up with his arms. His lips took pieces of me, as they always do. One by one, each piece I gave willingly. His hips thrusted against me, rubbing himself up and down against my body. His sensual kisses lead down my stomach, to the inner parts of my thighs. I clenched the sheets, and let out a soft gasp. My sex clenched. My head fell back. I looked down, and found him watching me.

  He made his way back toward my mouth, resting his lips against mine. “Little one, you’re going to make me lose control.” He whispered.

  “I need you, I need you now.” I said in almost desperation, because that’s what I felt.

  His hand cupped the side of my face, kissing me again. His hips began to move again. He then reached down, moving himself to line up with me. Then in a swift moment, we collided. Thrusting his hips forward. His eyes stayed connected to mine. A soft moan released from my mouth. He moved in and out, back and forth, each motion more intense than the last.

  “Fuck.” He whispered. “You feel so tight.” He thrusted as deep as he could; holding himself there, and then retreated, slamming into me again.

  I could feel him, every movement. He opened a part of me that I would never want to close off. My heart burned inside from every touch. My body tingled at every movement. I didn’t know I needed this, needed him. This is what coming up for air feels like; I was alive for the first time. His touch was everything. My body suddenly shuddered, my back arched. He took me to a place that I had never felt before. He simultaneously came to his peak.

  I laid there taking in the sinful sight in front of me. This is what I want, this is what I need. I wanted all of him.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Sophia

  I woke up to Stefan climbing out of bed. My eyes fluttered open, I watched as he pulled his joggers on and a grey t-shirt. Running, he must be going running I told myself. He walked back toward me, and placed a kiss on my lips. I pulled the covers closer to my chest. Then slowly drifted off back into darkness.

  An hour later I woke up to the sound of my alarm. A small spout of panic came, until I realized where I was. I leaned back into the pillows; thoughts of last night ran through my mind. I realized I was biting my bottom lip, replaying each emotion in my head. I laughed and climbed out of bed, heading to the shower to get ready for work.

  I got down stairs, no one was around per usual. Which I didn’t mind most mornings. My brain isn’t fully functioning until I get my morning coffee anyway. I walked outside, and pulled my coat closer to me. It was quite windy. I started walking toward the subway, and I felt the uneasiness of a car following me while I made my way down the sidewalk. A window slid down, but I proceeded walking trying to ignore it.

  “Sophia Brooks.” A man’s voice called out.

  I turned to find Stefan’s father sitting in the blacked out car that had been following me. I gave him a half smile, “Good Morning.”

  “I can give you a ride to work.” He said.

  I started to walk away, “No, I'm fine with walking. Thank you.”

  “That wasn’t a question.” He said firmly.

  I laughed under my breath and looked back at him. I saw the seriousness in his eyes. It would have to come full circle, wouldn’t it? I already had run ins with Thomas and Evelyn. Why not Henry as well?

  “No, I said I'm fine.” I repeated.

  “Get in the car, or I will make one call and tell them you are not coming in indefinitely.”

  I looked at him with shock, “You wouldn’t.”

  “Do you want to find out?”

  I pressed my lips together, “Fine.”

  The driver put the car in park, and stepped out to open the door for me. I slid in next to Henry, who was dressed in a smart blue suit with a matching tie and gold cuffs.

  “How was your trip home?” He asked.

  I looked at him hesitating my answer. “How did you know...”

  “I have people everywhere.” He motioned for the driver to drive. “Your trip, how was it?”

  “Fine.” I pulled out my phone and texted Stefan what was happening.

  “That’s wonderful.”

  I know Cam told me that Stefan’s family can find anything out, but I was still surprised by every new thing they found out about me. I checked my phone again to see if Stefan responded. Nothing.

  “I heard you met my wife.” He said calmly.

  “I did.”

  He looked over at me, “She has good intentions, but I think she was a little too harsh.”

  “You do?”

  “She has her ways, I have mine.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Let’s just say my ways are more precise. I don’t miss the mark.”

  I kept my gaze on him, while I tried to process what he just said.

  “Don’t worry, Sophia. You will like what I have in store for you. If you know what’s good for you.” He wasn’t paying any attention to me studying him. “This isn’t our first time down this road with Stefan thinking he knows what he wants. He’s just misguided. You can help him see what’s good for him.” He looked at me again. “Your Mother lives in a rundown home; we can change that for you. You like your job, we can hand you promotions plated in gold. You just have to do one thing.”

  I squinted my eyes at him, “What would that be?”

  “You need to leave my son alone.”

  My mouth dropped open. He was being so direct; I didn’t know how to respond. As the car stopped in front of my building, he waved to the driver to stay in the car. Henry stepped out walking around to open the door for me. He held his hand out to assist me. I looked up at him with uncertainty, and placed my hand in his.

  “Think about what we talked about, Miss Brooks.” Henry smiled.

  I looked away from Henry, he was making me uneasy. My eyes went wide from the sight of Stefan walking up, still in his joggers and grey shirt. With every step, I saw the anger in his eyes grow. His fists were clenched. I squeezed my eyes closed, hoping he wasn’t about to punch his father in the middle of the street.

  “I told you to leave her alone.” Stefan snapped, slamming the car door shut, making me jump.

  His father adjusted the buttons on his suit. “I don’t take directions from my children.”

  “Can we not do this here?” I said quietly to both of them.

  “The girl is right.” Henry started to walk toward the building.

  “Where are you going?” Stefan snapped.

  “I have business to attend to.” Henry said, as a small woman walked up to him with a briefcase. “Have a good day, Son.”

  Stefan turned to face me.

  “I’m sorry.” I blurted out. “He told me I would lose my job if I didn’t go with him.
”

  “It’s fine, I'm not mad.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. You’re already under their skin. They won’t leave you alone now. You just have to be smart. Play smart.” He pulled me closer.

  “I’m really good at chess.” I joked, running my fingers through his.

  He laughed, “I don’t know how much that will help.”

  “Your father tried to bribe me to leave you.” I admitted.

  He clenched his jaw, “Of course he did. What did he offer you?”

  “He talked about my Mom’s house and promotions.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I will handle things.” He kissed my forehead, and then wrapped his arms around my neck, resting his chin on the top of my head.

  I pulled out of his grasp, “I better get going before my boss freaks.”

  “I’ll see you after work.”

  “Hopefully you shower.” I laughed, pressing my fingers to my nose.

  “You think you're funny?” He leaned down, placing one last kiss on my lips.

  I rolled my eyes, and made my way toward the building. I touched my lips, and turned back to look at him. He smiled and walked toward the road where Tim was waiting to pick him up.

  My empty desk was waiting for me. My stomach started to turn a little, because I knew how Ms. Franklin was when people missed work. I set my purse down, and turned my computer on.

  “Good Morning.” Cam walked out of his office.

  “Hi, Cam.”

  He leaned down on the desk, “Where have you been?”

  “Was Ms .Franklin mad?” I asked nervously.

  “She was pissed, but she’s always pissed.” He tried to console me to make the blow better.

  Cam nodded behind me, and I turned to look. Ms. Franklin was heading in our direction. He quickly walked back toward his office, half leaning out of his door.

  “Sophia, that is no longer your desk.” She snapped.

  “Wha...wait what?”

  She continued to walk down the hall, “Follow me, and don’t take forever.”

  I grabbed my things, and hurriedly followed after her.

  “This is you.” She gestured to an office two doors down from Cam.

  “Can I ask why?”

  “Don’t ask questions.” She snapped, and walked off. Leaving me standing there confused.

  I walked into the new untouched office, and set my things down on the brown L shaped desk. The bookshelves were covered in files, and the computer was much nicer than the one I previously had.

  “Why do you get a window office?” Cam appeared in the doorway.

  I started adjusting the blinds, “I didn’t ask for this.”

  He shrugged his shoulders, “I guess that’s what you get when you date the new owners son.”.

  “No, you don’t get it. This is bad.” I sat down in my new chair. “This is a bribe.”

  He walked in further and sat down in the chair in front of my desk, “How so?”

  “They’re following me now, they took my job at Joe’s, and now I randomly get a promotion.” I waved my hands in the air gesturing to my office. “Think about it. Ms. Franklin didn’t even mention my absence.”

  “I guess it doesn’t sound very good when you put it that way.” He leaned back in the chair. “But why do you think it’s a bribe?”

  “Because, the very scary Henry Edwards told me that he could hand me promotions on a golden platter this morning if I left Stefan.”

  He shook his head, “What did you just say? When did you see him?”

  I sighed, “This morning. He showed up outside Stefan’s apartment and didn’t give me a choice on my way of getting to work. He basically told me that I wouldn’t have a job if I didn’t get in the car.”

  “Shit, Soph. That’s not good at all.”

  “Tell me about it.” I half laughed.

  Stefan

  I had Tim stop by Joe’s on the way home. I needed to think things out, and Joe is pretty good at that kind of stuff. My father on the other hand is really good at silently fucking you. They think they have her, but I know her better. She will see right through their bullshit.

  Joe walked around the corner holding a case of beer. “Stefan, good to see you. It’s quite early.” He tossed the case on the counter.

  “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.” I shook his hand.

  “I’m a busy man.” He laughed, and walked behind the bar.

  I pulled out a stool, “Joe, I'm really sorry about Thomas.”

  “Stefan, it’s water under the bridge. I’ll figure it out.” He started pulling out bottles. “I need to sell through this alcohol before closing day.

  “You love this bar though.”

  “Do you want something to eat? I’ll have Katie make you something.” He clicked a few buttons on the screen of the register. He was avoiding the topic.

  “No, I'm fine.” I leaned into the bar, “Why are you changing the subject?”

  “Stefan, we both know your family has done this time and time again. You forget how long I've known you.”

  “That doesn’t make it ok. If they would just let me out of this damn arrangement with the Donahue’s and forget about the merger, none of this would have happened.”

  He set a bottle down, “This is your Grandfather’s business we’re talking about, they won’t back down that easy.”

  “I’m going to fix this.”

  He sighed, looking me straight in the eyes, “You don’t need to worry about that. You need to make sure that girl stays safe.”

  “That’s what I'm trying to do.” I snapped. “They act like this merger is life or death, but I’ve seen the numbers. The company is doing fine. There’s something else going on.”

  He leaned into the counter, “What do you think is going on?”

  I sighed, “I’m not sure yet, but Thomas and my Father have been on edge, and they’re staying in town for a while. Which we both know they never do.”

  He drummed his fingers on the counter, “That is strange. What would you do if you found out what they’re up to?”

  I looked up at him, “Take them down if I could, I guess. I don’t want them poisoning my Grandfather’s company any further.”

  “Where does Sophia come up in all of this?” He asked.

  “I don’t know if I'm good for her, but I don’t want to lose her either.”

  “You’re smart. You will know the right choice when you need to make it.” He leaned against the bar.

  “This isn’t as easy as making a choice.”

  “Isn’t it, though? Stefan, you are an Edwards. You need to act like one. I knew your Grandfather a long time. He helped me get my start for goodness sake. Do what you think he would tell you.”

  I sat in silence for a few minutes while Joe kept unloading bottles from a case. My mind was in overdrive, thinking about what my grandfather would say. He was always an honest man. I don’t know how I turned out how I did, or how my family became what they are. The way we are now is nothing he would have wanted for us. He loved my Nan with all his heart and he worked up until the day he died.

  The words Sophia said to me the first night in my room came back to me. “You can’t make a difference if you’re not involved.” I said out loud.

  “What?” Joe looked at me like I had lost it.

  “Nothing. I think I know what I need to do. At least try to do.”

  He set another bottle down, “That’s a start.”

  I tapped my hand on the bar, “Thanks, Joe. I need to get going.”

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Sophia

  Today had been one of the longest days, first starting off with Stefan’s father, and then Ms. Franklin piling on paperwork, even if she didn’t bat an eye that I missed work, she made it very clear that she was reluctant to promote me. I pulled my hair back, and slid my purse over my shoulder. I stopped by Cam’s office to see if he wanted to walk together, but he had already left for the day.

 
; The sun was setting causing this warm golden glow on the city. I started on my normal trek home, but my eyes caught sight of Stefan leaning on his car. A smile instantly formed on my face.

  “Are you stalking me?” I joked, as I walked up to him.

  He opened the car door, “Funny. Get in.”

  “You and your family just can’t let a girl take the subway can you?”

  He laughed, “Don’t start.”

  “How was your day?” Stefan asked, once seated in the driver seat.

  “Fine.” I lied. I didn’t want to tell him about my office change. He would know why I got it and storm right up there and demand who the hell gave them the orders. Not happening. I’m trying to keep as low key as possible. Ms. Franklin already hated me enough.

  He pulled out into traffic, “I want you to come to my family’s Winter Gala with me in a few weeks.”

  My attention traveled out the window. The memory of Jess in my room telling me that she and Stefan were getting engaged at the Gala came back to me. It’s funny how quick life can change. The thought of Stefan’s entire family being in one place made me nauseous, but he’ll be there with me. Which made me excited, just the thought of him in a Tux and me in a fancy dress was enough.

  I kept my gaze out the window, “Ok.”

  “So, you’ll come?”

  “Yes, of course.” I smiled.

  When we got home, we could hear Keira talking on her phone in her room. I walked into the living room and set my coat on the chair. Stefan walked by me, and turned the TV on. He pulled me on top of him as he plopped down.

  “Babe, were in public.” I eyed him, trying to wiggle my way out of his arms.

  He smiled and hovered his lips over mine. “I don’t see anyone around.”

  “Gross guys.” Keira appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

  I pushed myself off of him, “I told you.”

  Keira leaned on the back of the sofa, “Joe wants us to come out tonight for one of his last night's open.”

  “That sounds fun.” I looked at Stefan in hopes he agreed.

  Stefan leaned forward and picked up the remote again. “I don’t know.”