I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 52

Sophie just smiled faintly and didn't say a word.

Only a man with a conscience would be haunted by old flames and plagued by nightmares. A man without a conscience would simply move on to his next indulgence, surrounded by beautiful women without a second thought.

Gavin guessed what was running through her mind, and they exchanged a warm, knowing smile. He took her hand in his and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.

Inside The Royal Pavilion, Sophie and Gavin intentionally picked up their pace, weaving into the winter blossom grove.

Relishing the joy of finally shaking their unwanted shadows, the two of them hid among the blooming branches, in no rush to leave. Sophie playfully twisted her body to mimic the shape of the trees, hiding herself completely behind a thick trunk.

When she peeked her head out, Gavin happened to lean in, their faces inches apart.

"I just had some orange-flavored gum. Your favorite."

The suggestion in Gavin's voice and the raw anticipation in his eyes were impossible to miss. Sophie knew she had pulled back and retreated so many times before; it simply wasn't fair to him anymore.

She leaned in and kissed him first—a very light, feather-soft kiss. She intended to pull away immediately.

But Gavin reached up, cupping the back of her neck to cut off her escape, pulling her flush against him. His nose brushed against hers as he tilted his head, using the tip of his tongue to gently part her lips.

He wasn't forceful; he was tender and infinitely patient. When Sophie let out a soft gasp, Gavin seized the opportunity, his tongue sliding inside to tangle intimately with hers.

He steadily deepened the kiss until they were both breathless, finally pulling back just enough to let them catch their breath.

After a few ragged inhales, Gavin kissed her again.

"We should go out... they're going to come looking for us in a minute."

Gavin murmured in agreement, only to break his promise instantly, leaning back in to kiss her even deeper.

That was until Eileen's voice drifted over from right behind them. "You two... you're hiding back here..."

Sophie's face burned crimson. Looking over Gavin's shoulder, she saw Luke standing right behind Eileen. His face was a mask of suffocating darkness, his expression absolutely glacial.

Gavin turned around, shielding Sophie behind his back, and pressed a finger to his lips in a shushing motion toward Eileen.

"My girlfriend is shy, please don't stare."

After dinner, the four of them went to watch *The Eternal Vow*.

Eileen leaned her head on Luke's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably at the tragic romance.

"When I die, I want us to go together," she wept.

Sophie was forced to find an out through Eileen. "It's getting late. Ms. Harper must be ready for bed."

Sophie draped Gavin's arm over her shoulder and hoisted him up. He was undeniably drunk, his footsteps stumbling and light.

Luke helped Sophie drag Gavin up to the hotel room. By the time they got him onto the bed, he was too intoxicated to sit up. He kept slurring Sophie's name, but lacked the coordination to actually pull her into a hug.

Sophie grabbed a wet towel and wiped Gavin's face. When she turned around, she realized Luke hadn't left yet.

"What do you want?" Sophie asked coldly.

"I don't want anything. I just didn't want him doing anything."

Sophie froze for a second before the implication of Luke's words fully registered. A spike of hot anger flared in her chest. "Whatever we decide to do is none of your damn business."

Luke's body went rigid. He took a step toward her, his gaze swirling with a sorrow that looked dangerously close to begging. "At least don't do it right in front of me. Sophie, are you trying to drive me crazy?"

"Why aren't you crazy yet?" she snapped back. She had secured the contract; her patience for him had completely run out.

Luke looked agonizingly heartbroken. "Trust me, I'd rather be."