CHAPTER 78

Sophia felt on top of the world Monday morning when she rode to work with James. Optimism, an alien concept to her until now, simmered in her mind.

So she hadn’t been able to make love to him without him being tied to the bed. Yet. But they had made love! That was a huge step for her.

She was . . . happy. When was the last time she could say that and really mean it? Her old version of happiness was merely a shell, a code word for simply existing. It wasn’t until she got involved with James that she realized just how much of her life was passing her by while she kept her head firmly in the sand.

The weekend had been utter bliss. They hadn’t made love again since Friday night, and both seemed reluctant to push too hard and too fast, but the intimacy had grown around them to such an extent that she knew it wouldn’t be long before they took the plunge again.

And maybe this time she’d pluck up the courage not to tie him up for the act.

She’d been worried about him after he’d confided about