Finding Eva (Sophia Noire Series) by H.D. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

together. I just want one night with him to remember. If I could get just one night with James, it will get me through the many ugly and lonely nights to come.
 
    Sitting up, he takes his shirt and slips it on me. “Please, come with me, Sophia. Let’s sit by the fire in the living room and talk. You are so special to me. I want to do this the right way.”
 
    Although I still cannot completely understand his reluctance, he is not saying no. So maybe this night will work out if I trust him. I follow him out enjoying his glorious half-naked body as I button up his shirt. His scent surrounds me as I wear it and I am momentarily comforted by it. Maybe this night will work out after all.
 
    He flicks the switch and a roaring fire sparks in front of me. Pacing back in forth in front of me, he gestures for me to sit on the couch and I comply, watching him carefully. I am just along for the ride now—trying to predict where this conversation will go is useless.
 
    “I need to ask you something and I don’t how to go about asking it ,” James says, as he sits down next to me. I find I am shivering with fear or maybe anticipation. Noticing my discomfort James gently covers me with a cashmere blanket.
 
    “You look a little cold sitting there with just a shirt on,” he says with a concerned look.
 
    “Um...thanks?” I say it like a question because I am dying to know what he needs to ask me.
 
    “Okay, I need to know. Is your name really Sophia? Sophia Noire?” James is completely serious and I feel his insistence working against the barriers I have spent years building up.
 
    I sit there not knowing how to answer this question. I feel like there is a vice grip around my neck.
 
    After what seems like a hundred years ,I finally answer. “Actually, no,” I reply in barely a whisper. All of a sudden I feel very small and I am grateful for this blanket to wrap myself up in like a shield .
 
    “One more question and then you can ask me anything. Is your name Eva Zajak?”
 
    Hearing my real name on his lips brings forth a torrent of emotions buried deep inside me. I can feel tears well up and I am rendered speechless. I am afraid if I talk that my feelings will spill out and I won’t be able to stop. I just nod in affirmation,  attempting to hold back the flood gates.
 
    James speaks quietly and soothingly. “I see.  Eva, you have been missing for quite some time. Do you know that?”
 
    His words deeply surprise me, “What? What do you mean? I am all alone. I have no one to miss me.” I hear my voice crack and I can imagine how insignificant I look right now. Tears spring to my eyes as I look down and try and compose myself.
 
    James embraces me in a big hug. “Eva, you are not alone. Everything is going to be okay.”
 
    “What do you mean? I was taken here after my...my dad...” I couldn’t tell him. This is so humiliating. I feel so stupid for being in this situation and now it is all coming out into the light in front of this man who seems to read my thoughts and know my history.
 
    The flood of feelings tears down my defenses. I push away and bury my head into one of his throw pillows and start to sob uncontrollably.
 
    “My dad is dead. He left me.  My mom died years before. I am all alone. Don’t you get it? I was stupid. It is all my fault, I am so sorry.” As I scream this into the pillow I know that I am not yelling at him. I am apologizing to that young, naive girl that I used to be. Eva, the girl with the pretty good grades, orphaned and then swept up into this hideous life.
 
    James lifts me up and scoops me into his lap and hands me a handkerchief. I feel so secure in his arms that I let the  waves of loss and betrayal continue to pour out.
 
    “Eva, you have an aunt who is looking for you. Her name is Patti, Patti Runyan. You are not alone. You never have been. There are people who love you.” James rocks back and forth a little, with me still enfolded