Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

Chapter 29

As Steven leaned in for an unexpected kiss, Sophia's initial reaction was a startled gasp. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her hands instinctively came up to push against his chest, attempting to create some distance between them.

"Steven, what are you doing?" Sophia exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and uncertainty. She tried to convey a sense of protest, her heart racing with the sudden turn of events.

But Steven was persistent. He held onto her gently, not letting her escape, and his eyes met hers with a warmth that softened her resistance. "I couldn't resist," he confessed, a mischievous smile on his lips.

Sophia's attempts to fight off the unexpected kiss gradually gave way to a sense of surrender. As Steven deepened the kiss, she could feel the intensity of his emotions and the genuine affection behind the surprise. The tension in her body began to ease, and she slowly melted into the embrace.

After a moment, Steven broke the kiss but continued to hold her, his arms now wrapped securely around her. Sophia, still catching her breath, looked into his eyes with a mix of emotions—surprise, confusion, and a hint of vulnerability.

"Steven, you can't just spring kisses on me like that," Sophia protested, her tone softening as she spoke. However, the playful glint in Steven's eyes and the sincerity of his touch began to chip away at her resistance.

"I know, I know," he replied, his thumb gently brushing against her cheek. "But I couldn't resist showing you how much I missed you."

Sophia sighed, stepping firmly away from his embrace. “How did you get here so fast? I thought you had traveled?”

“I did,” Steven replied as he ran a hand over his hair. All he wanted to do was to reach out to her, and have her back in his arms. He could not help himself when he saw her. He had wanted her so badly that his body shook. She placed his hands into his pant pockets and fisted them, hiding the fact that they were still shaking. No one had ever made him feel this way, and he wasn’t sure how to go about it. “But I had to come back quicker than expected.”

“Oh?” Sophia raised her eyebrows, “Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, nothing I couldn’t solve,” Steven nodded. “Are you having fun?” He glanced over her shoulder.

“Oh shoot!” Sophia turned and ran back to the VIP lounge where she had left Mia.

“Girl, where have you been? I am trying to call you, and you aren’t picking up!” Mia waved her phone in front of Sophia’s face. “You took so long in the bathroom, and Danise here had something for us to taste, and oh, my! Who is that silver fox by the door?”

Sophia turned to see Steven leaning on the door frame. He had a smirk on his face as he studied them.

Steven walked deeper into the room, acknowledging Danise with a slight nod before returning his gaze to the two ladies. He stopped next to Sophia, “You must be the friend. I am Steve.”

Mia’s eyes widened, jumping from Sophia to Steven before resting back on Sophia. “Is he-” she turned her finger around, indicating the lounge area. “Boss?”

Steven chuckled, his voice deep and low, “boss?”

“That’s what Orlando calls you,” Sophia provided as she glanced at him sideways. She turned to her friend, “Yes, he is the boss.”

“Steven,” he amended fast, his eyes narrowing at Sophia, who looked away quickly from him.

“And how do you know my girl, Steven?” Mia folded her hands and fixed Steven with a dark look. “Because she has just come out of a bad relationship, and I don’t want hyenas around her.”

Sophia gasped, trying to stare Mia down to stop her from talking.

“Hyena? I thought I was a fox?” Steven did not seem offended. “But to answer your question. Yes, I do know she just got out of a bad relationship. And no, I don’t want to take advantage of her. I am only here to support her, if she will let me.”

“Why?” Mia was not buying that.

“Mia!” Sophia hissed. “I have already explained to you about him, so what more do you want?”

Mia shook her head, “Babe, even though I have been enjoying myself with all this exclusive treatment men are all the same. They cannot give you all of this; have a man pick you up from work to home to God knows where without wanting something in return from you. The world doesn’t work like that.”

“I am not that ignorant, Mia,” Sophia rolled her eyes, feeling hurt about how her friend viewed her. “I might not have dated for a while, but I know exactly how things work!” She pointedly turned away from Mia to Steven, narrowing her eyes when he smirked at her. “And why are you happy with yourself?”

“Sophia, I am sorry,” Mia moved forward and placed her hand on Sophia’s arm, bringing her attention back to her. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. And besides, can you imagine all the drama Eric is going to bring when he finds out you are dating someone?”

“We are not dating!” Sophia shook her head.

“We can handle it,” Steven replied at the same time.

Sophia turned sharply to him. “W-what are you doing?”

Steven sighed as he placed his hand around Sophia’s waist, pulling her close. “I think you, and I need to have a serious talk.”

“Now? Today? When I am only thirty percent sober?” Sophia glared at him.

Steven tilted his head, “you are right. This conversation needs to happen when you are fully sober. That said, it’s time to head home. Orlando is waiting to take you home.”

“What? Who said we were done?” Sophia stepped away from him. She could feel a bit of anger climbing in her, and she tried to control it. Even if this was his club and he had paid for all their drinks, he had no right to ask them to leave.

Mia placed a calming hand on Sophia’s arm, “he is right, you know? We still have work tomorrow. And honestly, Danise has me floating on a cloud now with all the concoctions she had us drink.”

Sophia heard her friend, but she continued to glare at Steven. He seemed different tonight. He was more forceful as if trying to let her know he was in charge of her. She narrowed her eyes on him, “We are leaving, but not because of you!”

Steven raised his hands up, “OK. I will walk you guys out.” He moved to place a hand around Sophia’s waist, but she moved away from him.

Sophia tilted her head to the side and studied him for a few long seconds before shaking her head, “I might be drunk, but I know something is up with you. First, you kiss me, and now you are trying to hold me. What’s all this about?”

A muscle ticked on Steven’s jar, “do you want us to discuss this now? With your friend here and my employee looking like she wants the ground to swallow her?”

Sophia crossed her arms, her stubborn streak a mile high. She stared at him, her eyebrows arched, “well, I am waiting.”

Steven’s gaze turned dark. His body tightened as he gazed at her chest, where her arms had pushed up her boobs. Even in the dim light, he could see that she was flushed, her eyes challenging him. He smiled and nodded his head, “Very well. I couldn’t stay away from you. I went on a business trip but found that you have always been on my mind. I worried about you when Orlando told me about your car. All I could think about was coming here, holding you in my arms, and making sure you were safe,” Steven replied confidently. His eyes were on hers, “Sophia, I know what I had promised you, to be a shoulder that you can cry on, someone to talk to. But I can’t be those things to you anymore.”

Disappointment flitted across Sophia’s eyes, but she stumped on it, raised her chin, and stared at Steven.

“And I can’t be those things because all I can think about is taking you in my arms and making love to you!”