Needed Sophie.
Craved Sophie.
The moonlight streaming in through the windows was bright enough for him to see her face as she shifted with him, her soft mouth curving up into a satisfied, contented smile even in her sleep.
What would he give to be worthy of a woman like her?
Jake carefully moved his arms from around her and slipped from the bed. She made a sound of protest, a small frown appearing between her eyebrows, and he thought for a moment she might wake up and catch him sneaking out.
Open your eyes, princess, he silently urged her.
If she called him back to bed, he wouldn’t hesitate to go back to her, to take her again, to repeat what he couldn’t deny were the best moments of his life. Not just watching her come more beautifully than any other woman on earth, but the rare moments of peace he’d felt when he was holding her in his arms.
Instead, she settled deeper into the pillows, wrapping her arms around one and pulling it close. His chest was so tight he could barely breathe as he quietly pulled on his clothes and packed his bag.
It was time to leave. He’d be back in the city in ninety minutes. Less, probably, because he’d likely be the only car on the road at three in the morning.
But all Jake could do was stand in the middle of the bedroom and stare at Sophie. He knew how soft her skin was now, knew exactly what her curves felt like in his hands, could still hear the sweet little gasps and moans she made as she came for him.
Just as he hadn’t been able to stop himself from jumping her when she was naked and offering herself to him in the living room, he couldn’t stop himself now from moving to the edge of the bed and kneeling down. With infinite gentleness, he ran his hand over her hair, then down to her face. She nuzzled her cheek into his palm even as she slept and he had to close his eyes on a sharp pang in the center of his chest.
One day she’d have a husband and kids. She’d belong to someone else, to someone who would love her and take care of her the way she deserved.
But for a few stolen hours, she’d been his.
* * *
Sophie woke up alone in the big bed at first light, still able to feel the imprint of Jake’s hands, his mouth, on her skin. She listened for the sound of the shower running, but the rental house was suspiciously quiet. Maybe, she tried to tell herself as she sat up, he’d gone out for donuts. Because he couldn’t have just left like that, could he? Last night had meant something, she was sure of it. Otherwise she never would have declared her love for—
Her thoughts stuttered, then stopped entirely, when she realized his clothes, his shoes, his bag were all gone.
He’d left her.
Sophie pushed the sheets back and stepped, naked, onto the hardwood floor. The splendor of Napa Valley rolled before her as she stared out the large bedroom window, but she didn’t see the beauty.
All she saw in the glass was a woman who should have known better than to love the one man who wasn’t capable of loving her back.
He’d tried to push her away, tried to convince her to go, but she’d been so sure there was something more beneath his kiss. Something bigger than just desire, a deeper emotional connection than she’d ever had with another man. The kind of love that existed between Chase and Chloe. Marcus and Nicola. Gabe and Megan.
She’d been wrong.
Chapter Nine
Two and a half months later...
“Gabe and I are engaged!”
The women in Lori’s living room exclaimed in surprise as they jumped up to hug Megan. Sophie smiled and gushed along with everyone else as her friend gleefully showed the group of women her new diamond engagement ring from Gabe. But even through all the laughter, the joy, Sophie remained numb. Cold all over as the conversation went on around her in a buzz.
Of course she was happy for her good friend and her brother. Sophie was absolutely thrilled that they were about to embark on a new life together as a family, along with Megan’s seven-year-old daughter, Summer.
But right now Sophie wasn’t able to feel much of anything at all.
Lori jumped up off the couch in her living room and came back from the kitchen with a bottle of champagne. “Time to celebrate!” She held a smaller bottle of sparkling apple juice in her other hand for Chloe, who was looking more gorgeous than ever with her baby bump.
Lori filled a glass for everyone as they all sat down. The five of them—Lori, Megan, Nicola, Chloe and Sophie—had begun to have these girls’ nights a few weeks before Chloe’s wedding. Sophie loved spending time with a group of women this amazing. On paper, they didn’t necessarily make the most sense: a choreographer, a CPA, a pop star, a quilter, and a librarian. And yet, they were totally in tune with one another.
“To Megan and Gabe!”