Sophia Sullivan sat cross-legged on the floor.
She met Ethan Sullivan's gaze at eye level.
"Mr. Sullivan, you really want me to do this?"
She pinched the hair tie between her fingers, double-checking.
The request was absurd.
Yet his response came without hesitation.
And he insisted she do it herself.
Ethan's expression remained unreadable.
"Absolutely."
His voice was steady.
"I trust your taste."
Before the words fully left his mouth, her fingers were already threading through his hair.
Sophia's touch was featherlight.
The slight friction sent tiny shivers across his scalp.
Ethan's spine stiffened imperceptibly.
A current of electricity prickled down his neck.
It was just hair.
Yet his nerves reacted as if she'd touched bare skin.
Sophia remained oblivious.
"Relax."
She sounded confident.
Like a mischievous child.
She patted the back of his head reassuringly.
"You'll love it."
She gathered a small section.
His hair was too short for much—just a tiny sprout.
"Softer than I expected."
Sophia murmured under her breath.
The strands felt silky between her fingers.
Like petting a puppy.
She'd assumed men's hair would be coarse.
But his was surprisingly smooth.
Time passed in comfortable silence.
Ethan sat still as a professional model.
"Done."
Sophia's voice sparkled with amusement.
The little tuft stuck straight up.
It wobbled with every slight movement.
Ethan turned to face her.
Under the warm light, her smile outshone the lamps.
Breathtaking.
He reached up to touch the sprout.
His tone held undisguised fondness.
"I assume it's terrible."
Sophia shook her head.
But laughter escaped anyway.
"Not terrible."
Her eyes crinkled at the corners.
"Adorable, actually."
A pause.
Then she added:
"Like a whole new person."
Ethan arched a brow.
"What kind?"
"The approachable kind."
What she really meant was alive.
That silly tuft softened his sharp edges.
Their gazes locked.
The world narrowed to just them.
Sophia tilted her head.
"For fairness."
A sly grin curled her lips.
"You can make a request too."
She quickly amended:
"Within reason."
"And legal."
Candlelight flickered between them.
Ethan lowered his lashes in thought.
When he looked up again, his eyes held galaxies.
"A week from now."
His voice dipped lower.
"Are you free for a date?"
Sophia blinked.
"One-day couple."
He said it plainly.
"Never tried it before."
Silence blanketed the room.
This was the last thing Sophia expected.
She stared at that ridiculous tuft.
It still bobbed slightly.
As if teasing her.
Ethan's face gave nothing away.
"No pressure."
He shrugged casually.
"Just a thought."
Sophia's competitive streak flared.
"Who said no?"
She lifted her chin.
"It's just a date."
Leaning back against the nightstand, she mused:
"Where though?"
Her brows knit.
"Dinner? A movie?"
Then inspiration struck.
"The amusement park."
She glanced at Ethan.
"Classic couple stuff."
Something shifted in his gaze.
"Amusement park."
His choice was instant.
"Never been."
As the eldest Sullivan heir.
Play had never been permitted.
Sophia nodded.
"Then it's settled."
The moment the words left her mouth—
Thunder cracked overhead.
Lightning split the night sky.
Illuminating their faces.
Sophia's pupils constricted.
The bandage on his shoulder bloomed crimson.
"Wait—"
Her voice tightened.
"You're bleeding."