Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,377

much as we did, and working all day, I’m tired.

“Don't think either of those women up there ever eat pizza.”

“Fine, I’ll get salads too.”

“Do you want company?”

I lift an eyebrow. “Maya?” I say, laughing as Ryder turns away from me, not answering.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, man.” I lock the door as he hops on his bike, then I jump into my truck, pondering what awaits me at my place.

I struggle to open my front door, holding onto our dinner and two bottles of white wine when it’s pulled open and I’m greeted by Sofia’s smiling face. She reaches out, taking the bags from my hands and placing them on the coffee table. I head into the kitchen and put the wine in the fridge.

Maya picks up her phone from the table. “Oh my God. Where has the time gone?” She stands up, picking up her purse.

“You can stay for dinner, I got plenty,” I say, placing the pizzas on the kitchen counter.

“No, no. Thank you, Jett, that's so kind of you, but Brad will be wondering where I am. Sofia, call me whenever you need me.” She hugs her, kissing her cheeks before leaving.

I grab some forks and napkins and bring them to the couch. “You hungry?” I open the boxes, grabbing a slice of peperoni pizza, and bite into a heavenly slice.

“The day got away from me. Sorry about the mess. Maya got a little carried away.”

“I can see that.” There are literally bags, clothes, and shoes all over the floor and chairs.

“Dig in,” I say, taking another slice. “I got a few different ones, not knowing what you like, including a vegetarian one. Oh, and some salads, too, if you don’t eat pizza.”

“Who doesn't eat pizza?” she says as she unpacks the salads and pulls out the sodas I bought too. When everything is out, she gets up and walks to the kitchen, bringing back a beer.

“You didn’t need to go get that. But thanks, Sofia.”

She places the beers in front of me and opens up a can of Coke. She takes off the lid of one of the salads, then opens the pizza boxes, checking out what I got. She grins at me as she takes a slice of the pepperoni, taking a bite. I watch her lips as she does.

“Mm, I don’t get to eat pizza much, but when I do, I never remember why I don't eat it more often.”

“I’m not much of a cook, so I eat it often.”

“I can tell. Your fridge is empty, except for beer.”

“I don’t normally have company here. If I did, I’d probably have a better stocked fridge.”

“The life of a bachelor; as long as you have beer, it's all good.” Her mouth twitches.

I laugh, then shrug my shoulder. “I tend to eat out a lot, and I don’t spend much time here.”

“What about a woman? Have you ever thought of settling down?”

If any other woman asked me this, I would probably get defensive or change the subject, but not with Sofia. She’s generally just curious.

“No, not really. I like having my space. When I want a woman, we go to her place, so I can leave when we're done. I’m happy, and they're happy, so it works for now.”

She looks at me, her face questioning if I mean what I said. But she changes the subject as she wipes her hands on a napkin, then leans back on the sofa, facing me.

“So, when you’re not working, what do you like to do?”

“There's nothing much to tell. When I’m not at work, I’m either on the road on my bike, or over at Roxie's.” I take a bite and mumble, “What about you?”

She tenses up, so I squeeze her knee.

“Tell me something about you, Sofia, something no one knows.”

She looks down at her hand drawing circles on the back of the sofa. “I started an online business. It has grown into a thriving business too,” she says softly, before shifting her eyes back to me.

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“Yes, I think so. But there are only a few people who know about it.”

“Why doesn't anyone know?”

“I…”

“If you don't want to tell—”

“No, I do.” She moves to the side, crossing her legs on the couch. “You’re going to find out soon enough. It may as well come from me.” She takes a deep breath in and then exhales. “Have you heard of the Winters Palm Hotels?”

Well shit. “Yeah, they're everywhere.”

She nods. “Well… Oliver Winters is my father. He was always