The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)

84

Sophie's pov

When Aiden leaves, I plop down on the chair with a sigh while lifting Ashton onto my lap.

I let him play with my fingers as I look at my Mila who sat on the loveseat mirroring the sofa I sat on. She's staring at me in confusion and shock. "Sophie...." She trailed off in a stunned tone.

Knowing what she was going to say I nodded. "Yes I know. I'm shocked too. Even more confused." I admitted.

She saw how Aiden acted with Ashton just a few minutes ago. He was warmer, more friendlier, and calmer than he had been years ago.

It stunned us all.

"From how bossy, arrogant, and intimidating he was earli- er to now warm, smiley and friendly is a huge leap within hours. He was so stern this morning and then in his office he

was-

I stopped and blushed furiously as I played with Ashton's tiny fingers.

Mila's eyes narrowed as her brows lift and she stared at me in amusement. "He was what?" Her lips tug up as if she was fighting a smile or a laugh.

"Yeah. He was what Soph?" Ria teased as she walked over with three mugs filled with coffee on a platter. She gives one

to Mila and then walks over to me to give me one.

"Nothing," I blushed and lifted the rim of the mug to my lips, and took a sip of the coffee.

I winced. It was way too sweet but I knew better than to tell Ria that her coffee making skills were not top notch.

Unfortunately, Mila didn't have the same thoughts as me.

"Ria you added way too much sugar in this coffee." Mila cringes as she wipes her top lip.

Ria glares at her as she plops down on the other loveseat on the left.

"Well then you should have done your own coffee bitch." She snapped.

I shot her a furious glare that she winced to and mumbled an apology.

I sighed and then brushed some of Ashton's hair.

"I seriously thought you had been kidnapped Soph when I got here and you were nowhere in sight. Mila sent me that text seconds before I was about to dial 9-1-1." Ria grumbles.

I winced. "Sorry. It's not like I had a choice too. Aiden be- ing Aiden threatened an innocent man's job. He literally threw me across his shoulder and left the apartment with me kicking and screaming."

I need to call Bernard later and set a date for coffee so we could talk about what's been happening between Aiden and me. He deserved that much for going out of his way to help.

Mila rolled her eyes. "It wouldn't be Aiden if he hadn't threatened you."

Ria snorted. "Was he always like this in high school?"

I nodded. "Annoying, rude and bossy then yes. A bully too." I grumble and then looked down at Ashton.

Sighing heavily I admitted. "But I've considered giving him the benefit of the doubt and will let him have a chance to show me if he truly cares about Ash at all. Tonight he showed he did. Hopefully, he'll continue to show me and convince me that he has changed."

Mila nods. "I agree. Give him a chance maybe he has changed. I also saw the way he looked at you two, especially you Soph-

I shook my head and cut her off. "No. Don't go there, Mila. We both know how it ends up when I give him a chance back in my heart. I'm not going to let my guard down so easily be- cause of a few stares here and there. I'm tougher now."

Well I hoped I was tougher now.

Mila nods and looked at Ria.

I knew they were thinking the same. They were doubting that I can resist Aiden.

Especially with the way he looked at me tonight while he was playing with Ashton on the rug.

But I'm about to prove them wrong.

Aiden's pov

I tried to move the tie off my neck as I closed the door be-

hind me.

That business dinner took longer than I thought but I managed to make that woman agree to sign the contract.

I scanned my eyes over the living room and stopped as I felt the heaviness in my heart.

The room was clean. Spotless. Quiet.

A few days ago I loved all three. But now, the room looked like it was missing something.

Maybe it missed toys scattered messily on the floor. Maybe it missed coffee stains on the couch.

My gaze sweep over to the couch. It was way too white.

My eyes fall to the rug. It was way too neat.

The penthouse way too quiet. Way too clean. Way too spotless. Way too lonely.

I've never felt so lonely in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found every room spotless and quiet.

There were no sharp happy giggles from my son as I tick- led him lightly on his stomach.

There were no soft giggles coming from his mother as she stared at us. As she watched me play with our son with a soft smile on her face.

I had hope then that I was reaching her. That it wouldn't

take long to get into her heart and hopefully make her forgive me for all the shit I put her through.

I was not only doing this to get into her good graces. I re- ally did want Sophie and Ashton in my life.

And clearly...

I scan over the empty living room space.

I wanted them to live with me too.

But I wasn't stupid to not know that she would definitely give me hell before she agrees.

In fact, there was a huge possibility that she'd never agree. She'd never want to leave her friends, and the apart- ment she's known for years to live with someone she doesn't

trust.

I had more work to do if I wanted us to be a family. That

much was clear,

I sighed and walked over to the huge sectional sofa.

Ashton would really love it here....

I fling the tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my head back and watched the ceiling.

I really hate this feeling of loneliness. I hated how so quiet it was right now.

I crave to hear them in here. To see them in here. To wake up to them here.

74.72

My phone suddenly blares in my pocket and I fished it

out.

My jaw clenched when I saw the caller ID.

Sergio.

I swipe my thumb over the answer button and lift the phone to my ear. "Yes?"

"I'm calling to let you know that I've received the files. Al- so, I want to have a word with you." Sergio said over the phone.

I pinched between my brows.

He must want me to go to another business meeting to negotiate.

"What is it?" I asked tightly.

I had a family to fight for, I didn't need him to stress me out right now.

"I think I found you a wife."