Daddy's Best Friend

35

CHAPTER 35

SOPHIA's POV

Flashback lastnight

I stormed into the house, my frustration at yet another argument with Henry still simmering beneath the surface. My heart raced as I tried to put some distance between us, heading for the stairs and my room, desperate for some alone time. But, as usual, he wasn't about to let things slide.

"Wait, Sophia," he called after me, his voice tinged with irritation.

I paused, my hand on the banister, and turned to face him. "What is it now, Henry?"

He took a deep breath, his jaw clenched as he chose his words carefully. "Look, I know things have been... tense lately, but I just need to say this."

I crossed my arms, steeling myself for whatever he was about to throw at me. "Fine, go ahead."

He took a step closer, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "Now that your dad's gone, I don't want to see Jason in this house anymore."

My anger flared up, and I couldn't help but lash out. "Oh, and who appointed you as the gatekeeper of this house, Henry?"

He frowned, clearly not in the mood for my attitude. "I just don't think he's the right guy for you, Sophia. I don't trust him."

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Trust him? What's there not to trust? He's a nice guy, and we're having fun together."

Henry's gaze bore into mine, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. "Fun isn't enough, Sophia. You deserve more than just 'fun.'"

I could feel my anger wane, replaced by frustration. "You don't get to decide what I deserve, Henry. That's for me to figure out."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair in a way that made my heart skip a beat. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

I clenched my fists, my voice trembling with anger. "And who says I'm going to get hurt? I'm a grown woman, and I can make my own decisions."

His frustration mirrored mine, and he took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Can't you see, Sophia? I care about you, and I don't want to see you make a mistake."

I could feel the tension in the air, the electricity that crackled between us, and a part of me wanted to give in, to let go of my anger and frustration and just be with him. But I couldn't. Not yet.

I took a step back, my voice a barely audible whisper. "We can't keep doing this, Henry. We can't keep arguing like this."

He nodded, his expression pained. "I know, Sophia. I hate it too."

As I turned to continue up the stairs, I felt his hand on my arm, gently pulling me back towards him. Before I could protest, his lips crashed onto mine in a kiss that sent shockwaves through my body.

His kiss was a turbulent storm, a mixture of frustration and desire, anger and longing. It was a clash of emotions that left me breathless and wanting more. Our lips moved against each other with a fierce intensity, as if trying to convey all the unspoken words, all the pent-up feelings we had been holding back.

But then, just as abruptly as it had started, he pulled away, his breath ragged, his eyes filled with regret. "We can't, Sophia. We shouldn't."

I was panting, my heart racing, but I couldn't bring myself to argue. Instead, I reached out and pulled him back into a searing kiss, a kiss that said more than words ever could.