Raymond lay awake, staring at the ceiling as memories of Sophia Jones invaded his mind.
She was unlike any woman he had ever known—bold, unfiltered, irresistibly captivating.
He had never realized the depth of his feelings until he caught himself anticipating every moment she was near.
Why did she have such an effect on him? And worse, why did Ryan's constant praises about her only fuel the emotions he was trying so hard to suppress?
His brows knitted as he sat up, rubbing a hand over his face.
It was no use fighting it—he hadn't slept all night. And now, the Manchester project was happening today.
Dressed and ready, he stepped into the sitting room, only to be met with an unexpected sight—his brothers were still home.
"What's going on here?" he asked, eyes sweeping over the full house.
Mr. Smith leaned forward. "You'll be leaving with five bodyguards for this project."
Raymond frowned. "Five? Isn't that excessive?"
"They nearly killed you last time. It's clear they are targeting you specifically."
His breath hitched when his gaze landed on Sophia.
Why her? Why was she among them?
A cold mask settled over his face as he turned away, retreating into his study.
This was bad. He had been trying to distance himself from her, trying to get rid of these feelings, and now they were forcing her right in front of him.
By the time he stepped outside, the security detail was already in place. Four cars lined up, ready to escort him. His heart clenched when he spotted Sophia in the driver's seat of the car he was meant to ride in.
She wore a pair of sleek goggles, her face impassive as she focused on the road ahead.
Swallowing down his reluctance, Raymond slid into the passenger seat beside her. She said nothing, simply started the engine and followed the convoy.
At the warehouse…
Raymond stepped onto the podium, scissors in hand, prepared to cut the ceremonial ribbon. Sophia stood behind him, alert.
That was when it happened.
Her goggles flashed red—a warning.
Her sharp gaze darted to the skyscraper across the street. A glint of metal. A sniper rifle.
Without a second thought, she shoved him hard.
A gunshot rang out. The bullet whizzed past where his head had been a second ago, piercing one of the decorative balloons instead.
Chaos erupted. People screamed, diving for cover.
Raymond barely had time to process what had happened before Sophia grabbed his hand, pulling him into the warehouse.
The other bodyguards returned fire as they rushed inside.
Panting, he turned to her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How did you—?"
"The goggles," she cut in, voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
His chest tightened. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms.
"Thank you, Sophia. You saved my life."
She stiffened in his embrace, clearly startled. But he didn't let go. His hand brushed over her forehead, wiping away the sweat.
"I'm sorry for putting you in this position."
Sophia swallowed hard. "You did nothing wrong."
Her voice was soft, but there was something unreadable in her gaze.
His fingers tightened on her cheek, holding her there as he searched her eyes. "I don't know what you've done to me, Sophia Jones."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Gunfire crackled outside, but inside this moment, there was only the two of them.
Then, impulsively, he leaned in—
His lips brushed against hers.
Sophia froze. Her first kiss.
Raymond pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with something she couldn't quite define. "I don't think I'm in my right senses anymore."
Before she could respond, he kissed her again—deeper this time.
A shaky breath escaped her as she felt the warmth of his lips, the raw emotion in his touch. And when he finally pulled away, she was stunned to see tears brimming in his eyes.
"I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Sophia."
Something about his vulnerability made her chest tighten.
Gently, she wiped a tear from his cheek.
"Let's go home, Ray."
***
Raymond barely made it through the front door before collapsing onto the couch.
Sophia helped him sit, but before she could step back, his fingers curled around her wrist, holding her in place.
"Don't leave me, Sophia," he murmured, his eyes still shut.
She stiffened. The room was silent. Too silent.
Mrs. Smith had seen it. Everyone had seen it.
Even Sammie, their doctor, looked visibly shocked.
"You should stay," Mrs. Smith said gently. "He's afraid."
Sophia bit her lip. Afraid? He was a grown man, but as she watched his exhausted face, she sighed.
She stayed.
When Raymond's fever finally broke, he stirred, his arms instinctively wrapping around her.
Sophia panicked.
Too many eyes. Too much attention.
The moment Mrs. Smith took over, she escaped.
***
Catarina entered, carrying a tray. "You skipped lunch. I don't want you skipping dinner too."
Sophia took it, though her face was guarded.
Catarina hesitated. "You've been avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?"
Sophia let out a humourless chuckle. "I was stupid to think we were friends. Turns out, I was just being a fool."
A flicker of guilt crossed Catarina's face. She knew what this was about.
Ryan.
"You found out." It wasn't a question.
Sophia sighed, placing the tray aside. "I forgave you the moment you brought me food."
Relief washed over Catarina.
"I didn't mean to keep it from you. I just… thought you'd try to talk me out of it. Tell me it's impossible."
Sophia frowned. "Why would I say that?"
"Because I'm a maid, and he's a Smith."
Sophia's eyes darkened. "And? You're talented, Catarina. You're starting your own fashion store. Don't sell yourself short."
Catarina hugged her tightly. "I love you, my dear friend." Then, she pulled back, studying her face. "You didn't get hurt today, did you?"
Sophia hesitated, then looked away, blushing.
"I… had my first kiss."
Catarina gasped. "Wait. What? With who?"
Sophia blinked. "Who do you think?"
"…Sir Raymond?"
Sophia nodded. "There were tears in his eyes when he kissed me. Like he meant it."
Catarina stared at her in shock. "…Your first kiss?"
Sophia nodded again, almost shy.
Catarina sighed. "This is complicated, Sophia." Then, her expression turned grim. "Amelia is coming back tomorrow morning. And you're the one picking her up."
Sophia's stomach dropped. "Amelia Grande?"
Catarina nodded.
"She's an event organizer for Royal functions in Great Britain."
"And she's obsessed with Raymond."
A heavy silence fell between them.
***
The Next Morning
Raymond slipped on a shirt Amelia had gifted him three years ago.
It was stupid, but he hoped it would help reset his mind.
He needed to get Sophia out of his head.
But when he opened his bedroom door, she was already there.
Waiting.
His heart clenched.
This was going to be a long day.