The Words He Wanted to Hear (The Billionaire’s Baby #1)(7)
Author: Helen Cooper

Chapter 3

Sophie met a giddy Ella in the hallway and they went down the stairs arm in arm. Both of them excited for different reasons.

“You look great in that black dress Sophie.” Ella grinned at her. Sophie was grateful that Ella had forgotten that she had wanted to do her makeup. There was no way that she was banking on Ella not making her look like a 2bit whore.

“Thanks, you look great too.” Sophie spun around in her dress, giddy with happiness and anticipation. She was happy now that she had the black dress on; it emphasized her ample br**sts and she felt a secret thrill knowing that she had on no underwear under the dress. She was hopeful that Maxwell would see her and immediately have to have her. She even pictured them going into the bathroom stall for a quick shag; though that wasn’t really the way that she wanted to lose her virginity.

“I do, don’t I.” Ella laughed and twirled around as well. She was wearing a metallic gold dress that emphasized the gold tones in her blond hair and she had applied a dark blue eye shadow that made her eyes pop. “We are totally going to pick up some hot guys tonight.”

“I hope so.” Sophie laughed and Ella grabbed her hands.

“Why Sophie. I do believe I am rubbing off on you.” They ran down the rest of the stairs and waited in the foyer for Maxwell to join them. “Maxwell Van Harkel, hurry up.” Ella shouted up the stairs as the two girls waited.

Sophie knew he was coming before she even heard him on the stairs. She had some sort of sixth sense where he was concerned and her body knew when he was within a 100 feet of her without having to see or hear him. She turned to look at him as he came down the stairs and she felt a blaring in her ears as she watched him. He was gorgeous and he looked enigmatic. He was dressed in all black: black jeans and a black shirt and he had never looked so divine. She smiled up at him and was met with a frown.

“You going to a funeral bro?” Ella teased him. “I noticed you had gained a little weight but you didn’t have to wear all black for a slimming look.”

“Are you girls ready?” Maxwell ignored Ella’s comment and was all business. “We can’t stay out too late, I have to work in the morning.”

“What?” Ella’s voice was sad. “That sucks.”

“That’s life Ella.” Maxwell looked unconcerned at her frustration. “Let’s go.”

Sophie tried to catch his eye but he ignored her. She suddenly felt tense and tried to ignore the feeling of foreboding that she felt in her stomach.

“Hi Maxwell, you look nice.” She smiled at him, willing him to look at her and share an intimate moment with her with his eyes.

“Thanks.” He answered dismissively without turning around. He walked quickly out of the main door and Ella and Sophie followed him.

“What a sourpuss.” Ella sighed. “What is it about adults that make them so grumpy all of the time.”

“We’re adults too Ella.” Sophie’s voice was sharp.

“I know. I know. But you know what I mean. Career people. Businessmen. Workers. They always seem to be so serious. That’s why I prefer being in school. Seems to be a lot less stressful.”

“Life is hard in the real world Ella.”

“Ok. Don’t bite my ear off.” Ella looked at Sophie in surprise. “Let’s go get drunk and have some fun.” Ella walked out of the door and Sophie followed, all of a sudden she wasn’t so happy to be going out. She wanted to talk to Maxwell and see what was wrong. Could he be regretting their passionate encounter already? Was he mad at her? She frowned and bit her lip. There was no way she could cry now. It would ruin her makeup and make her look like a baby.

“You can sit in the front seat this time Sophie.” Ella called out before she slid into the backseat of the Range Rover. Sophie got into the car and looked over at Max; his hands were on the steering wheel and she saw his gold Rolex shining on his wrist.

“Nice watch Max.” She attempted to talk to him again.

“Huh?” He looked at her annoyed and she shirked back.

“I said nice watch.” She pointed at his wrist. “That’s a Rolex right?”

“Oh yeah.” He looked at his wrist. “Thanks.” He pulled the car out of the driveway and they drove to the pub in silence.

“What a girl wants, what a girl needs. Whatever makes you happy sets me free.” Ella started singing from the backseat and Sophie hummed along with her. “Come on Sophie, you choose the next song.”

Sophie thought for a moment and decided to sing one of feel good songs by Fun. “Tonight, we are young. So let’s set the world on fire, we can burn brighter, then the sun.”

“Oh I love that song.” Ella danced around in the backseat and Sophie noticed Maxwell glaring at them. “Yay, we are here.” Ella opened the door as soon as the car stopped and jumped out. Sophie took that opportunity to turn towards Maxwell and speak to him.

“Is everything okay?” She touched the arm of his shirt and he jumped back. She tried not to show the hurt in her eyes.

“I’m fine.” He sighed. “Look Sophie, what happened earlier was a mistake. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Ella.”

“I wasn’t going to tell Ella.” She couldn’t prevent the whine from her voice.

“Good. You need to find a guy around your own age. Have some fun tonight. Get over the ass**le from college.”

“But,” she tried to interrupt him.

“But nothing Sophie.” He looked at her sternly. “I am a professional businessman running a multi-billion dollar corporation. I do not have time for little girl games or dalliances. Do you understand me?”

She glared at him and felt her blood boil hot. She had just about had enough of Maxwell Van Harkel. “Get over yourself Max. You are 30, not 65. I just wanted some fun, and if you can’t provide that, then maybe some else will be able to.” With daggers darting from her eyes, she jumped out of the car and slammed the door. She was done with Maxwell. She had loved him for years and had hoped that perhaps they would have something special, but she wasn’t down for dealing with some bipolar maniac. She ran into the pub after Ella and ordered a scotch on the rocks. It wasn’t a drink she normally got but she knew that she needed some hard liquor to get her drunk as quickly as possible.

“Yay Sophie. Time to get drunk.” Ella laughed as she downed her second Rum & Coke in about ten minutes and she was dancing around the bar. All of the men in the pub were staring at them in interest and Sophie could see several of them were checking her out with lust in their eyes.