“I think he was there because of me.” Max looked at her thoughtfully. “Maybe Benny tipped him off that we were coming.”
“Do you think he would do that?”
“If he was paid well.” He looked at Sophie carefully. “He must know about Jacob. Maybe he’s worried.”
“Why would he be worried?” Sophie bit her lip.
“He’s married. His wife’s father has a lot of money. He’s the one that got Frank into the senate. He has a lot to lose if his wife finds out he’s been unfaithful.”
“She doesn’t know he cheats?” She looked at him incredulously.
“Oh she knows he cheats.” He laughed bitterly. “But she wouldn’t put up with a baby by another woman.”
“Oh?”
“There’s a lot he would do to keep that secret.”
“Maybe you’re overthinking things.” Sophie swallowed, trying to forget the feel of the senator’s fingers on her clit, rough and quick.
“No I don’t think I am.” He sighed. “I’m going to need to talk to Alexis.”
“Why?” she cried out upset. “It’s not our fault.”
“Alexis was my girl at the club, I have the baby. I’m the one that can make things difficult for Frank.”
“So wouldn’t he just ask you nicely to keep it quiet?”
“That’s not how he works.” Max sighed. “He’ll want something over me.”
“Oh.” Sophie felt faint.
“Are you okay, my love?” Max looked at her in concern. “Don’t worry. He can’t harm me. All my business dealings are above board.”
“So then everything is fine then?” Sophie asked hopefully and looked at Max who was thinking carefully.
“I don’t know.” Max stared at her intently. “Frank plays dirty. If business is fine, he’ll come after my family next.”
“Oh no.” Sophie gulped and clutched the table next to her. “What would he do?”
“I don’t know.” Max frowned. “But we can’t go back to ‘The Games’ I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t need to go back.”
“It wasn’t too bad, was it? When Gina blindfolded you?”
“No, it wasn’t too bad.” She smiled at him briefly.
“I didn’t intend for that to happen you know.” He kissed her cheek. “I don’t need those clubs; I hope you know that, Sophie. I just want you.”
“I know.” She stared into his eyes. “I’m sorry for making you take me.”
“It’s okay. You wanted to know what its like and now you do.” He stroked her hair and hugged her. “That’s not a good place for a princess like you. I don’t want to drag you to such depraved places anymore.”
“I’m not going to break, Max. I enjoyed myself.” She spoke softly.
“I’m glad.” He laughed. “And thank God, we got out without Gina trying to pull any crazy stunts.
“Yes. That was good.” She smiled weakly and turned around. “I think I’m going to go walk to Whole Foods now. Do you want anything?”
“Ooh maybe get some dumplings.” He grinned. “If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” Sophie went and got her purse. “I’ll be back soon.” And with that, Sophie hurried out of the door. She couldn’t stand to be around Max with her guilty feelings. She needed to talk to someone. She thought about calling Ella but wasn’t sure she would know how to tell her friend what had happened. She didn’t think Ella would judge her but she knew that her friend would look at her differently.
She decided to go and sit in the park for a bit. Let the air clear her head. She smiled as she walked to her usual bench and saw Nick there. Part of her had hoped that she would see him again. She had resolved that there was nothing wrong having a friend who was a male, she loved Max and was never going to cheat on him.
“Hi Nick.” She smiled widely at him as she approached the bench. He looked up surprised to see her.
“Hi Sophie.” He tucked his phone in his pocket and stood up and hugged her. “It’s nice to see you.”
“You too.” She looked around. “Are you here by yourself?”
“Yes.” He smiled briefly. “Well, I was here with someone but they had to go home.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, a first date that didn’t go so well.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“So, how are you and your fiancé?” He looked at her kindly, changing the subject.
“Good.” She smiled sweetly at him, studying his face. He looked anxious and she felt like at this time he was the one who needed a friend. “Are you okay Nick, you look preoccupied.”
“I’m fine.” He rubbed his temple. “It’s been a long day and my boss is asking demands of me that I’m not sure I can complete in time.”
“Oh, can you tell him that?” she inquired. “He’ll surely understand?”
“No.” He laughed. “He doesn’t want to hear any excuses.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” She frowned and rubbed his shoulder.
“It’s okay.” He smiled at her. “I’m glad to see your lovely face. You’ve brightened my day.”
“Tell me about your date.” She leaned into him. “What happened?”
He sighed and then grinned at her. “You women really love the details, huh?”
“Duh.” She grinned at him. “Let’s hear it.”
“She just wasn’t my type really?”
“Oh?”
“She was beautiful.” He paused. “But I’d prefer a girl like you.”
Sophie made a face, “What do you mean by that—ugly?” She laughed.
“No.” He groaned. “I mean, a downhome, genuine normal pretty girl.” He picked up her hand. “With normal nails, normal clothes, normal hair. I want a good girl that doesn’t need all the extras.”
“I certainly don’t need all the extras,” she laughed.
“I bet. What does your fiancé do?” He looked at her. “Let me guess? He’s a teacher?”
“How’d you know?” Sophie lied. She didn’t want to disappoint Nick by letting him know she was engaged to one of the richest men in New York.