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Something else. That was a good thing, right? All she knew was that she had just experienced the most precious thing she could remember in her life.
She was in love. It hit her like a brick to her head. And she knew, in her heart and soul, that if she hadn’t been in love with Zach Newland, she never would have given him her virginity. He had shown her so much pleasure, had given her such an amazing gift—she would love him forever, whether or not he ever returned her feelings.
She began gathering her garments.
“Let me help you, love.”
“I need to…wash first.”
“Of course. Forgive me. I should be taking care of you. Unfortunately, I don’t have a basin in here. Wait here, and I will get one.”
Sophie warmed all over. How kind of him to take such good care of her.
Had she bled? She looked down at her thighs and saw a couple of rust-colored smudges. Not too much.
When she heard the door open, she smiled, ready to see Zach’s face.
But then she dropped her jaw toward the ground.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Well, well. I see now why Zachary made you his leading lady.” Nanette Lloyd pursed her lips and stared at Sophie’s naked form on the divan. “Quite a tight little body you have. Just his type.”
Sophie shuddered in embarrassment. “I assure you that this is not what it appears to be.” What rubbish. It was exactly as it appeared, but what else could she say?
“Really? Because what it appears to be is you trading your sexual favors for the leading soprano role in Zach’s production.”
“This has nothing to do with my role,” Sophie said. “Now if you would kindly leave—”
Nanette let out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going anywhere. Wait until I have a little chat with Zach about this new development.”
“Whatever is going on between Zach and me is not any of your business.” Sophie tried to stop the redness she knew was coloring her cheeks…and the rest of her.
“Actually, it is my business, because Zach Newland is mine. I’ve told you before to stay away from him.”
Anger rose within Sophie. Who did this woman think she was? Zach had chosen to make Sophie the lead soprano before they had begun any type of relationship. And now that she had found something heavenly with Zach, Sophie intended to keep it for as long as he’d have her. Neither Nanette Lloyd nor anyone else would stop that. She stood, her nudity be damned, and faced Nanette. “You don’t scare me, Miss Lloyd. I intend to see Zach as often as I want.”
“We shall see about that.” Nanette landed a punch to Sophie’s nose.
Sophie cried out, landing back on the divan, blood trickling from her nose. Oh, how it hurt! Like a chisel going through her nostrils into her brain. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father had punched her in the nose
once. It was the worst pain she could remember, worse than the caning, worse than the kicking. Blood trickled into her mouth, the metal tang hitting her tongue.
A few minutes later, Zach returned with a basin of water and some cloths. “Oh my God! Sophie, what happened? Are you all right?”
Sophie sniffed. “Nanette… She came in here… Is she gone?”
Zach knelt at Sophie’s feet. “What in the hell was she doing here? I’m so sorry, Sophie. What did she say to you?”
“Same thing she always does. Warned me to stay away from you. And this time, she punched me in the nose.”
“My poor sweet love. I’ll take care of you. I’m so sorry.”
“Believe me, I’ve been through worse.”
“So you’ve said. I’m afraid that doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Sophie didn’t respond. What was there to say? She didn’t feel like rehashing the abuse she had taken at her father’s hand. She flinched as Zach wiped the blood from her face.
