Shades of Trust

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“Here. Put this on.”

Sophia swiped her hands over her eyes and found Alistair standing in front of her, his overcoat opened for her.

She obediently put the coat on and it covered her down to her toes.

“A great man said,” he murmured, “‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.’”

“Nietzsche died insane, you know?” she replied, as she took the handkerchief he held out to her. “We have a tragic vein in our family. Felipe, Carolina, and I insisted that my parents come to Angra that evening, contrary to my father’s wish to arrive the next day. Felipe was driving the car when Renata died. And I…I must have done something very wrong to ensure Gabriel’s death.”

The laugh she let out chilled him. “Sophia…”

“We’re cursed.”

“There’s no such thing,” he murmured. “I know your pain, Sophia. Even your guilt.”

“I was a coward. Gabriel was killed because I wasn’t brave enough to face life and do what I should have done.” She turned to look at him. “I’m the one who should be dead. Me, not him.”

“I forbid you to say that,” he ordered, putting two fingers on her lips. Even in the dim light, he could see the fierce pain that brewed inside her eyes. And he could understand what she was going through. Pulling Sophia into his arms, he put a hand on her nape, making her rest her head on his chest. “It’s okay, Beauty. Everything will be okay.”

She listened to the beat of his heart; his caresses on her hair soothed her distress.

“Beauty?” Sophia lifted her face to stare at him, frowning.

He smiled widely at her. “That is my nickname for you.”

She laughed. “I might be pretty, but I’m no beauty.”

“You don’t have a mirror at home?” he asked, feigning shock.

“Oh, come on.” She huffed and ticked away the reasons for her statement on her left fingers. “I’m not tall. I’m not thin. I don’t walk in the way beautiful, fashionable women do. My hair doesn’t have highlights or anything stylish and it’s too long and too black. My eyes are big and an absolutely common brown. I am pretty at best.”

“You’re either blind, in dire need of glasses, or want compliments.” He stroked her hair, feeling its softness beneath his fingers. “Your hair is gorgeous; silky and shiny, not harsh or rusty with highlights or dyes, long enough for a man to picture your body covered only by it and a tiny leather skirt. You have the perfect height, not too short, not too tall; your skin is like a peach and your body is amazing—”

She tsked. “You haven’t seen my body.”

“Oh, I have.” His eyes twinkled. “Last time we were here. In that blue-and-white Brazilian bikini.”

“Oh.” She blinked. “You remember it.”

“I do. As I remember the feel of your body, of you, virtually naked in my arms.”

Sophia flushed.

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t have picked you for a shy woman.”

“I’m not usually shy.”

His hands wandered over her shoulders and neck until they reached her face. “Your beautiful face. And your perfect skin.” His index finger ran over her forehead and down her nose. “Your nose, so straight and elegant.”

Sophia stood mesmerized by his words. As he continued, his gaze making love to her face and his deep voice purring, “Your expressive eyes. Such an unusual color. I can’t decide if they’re like golden-honey or yellow-diamonds. They reflect your feelings, turning light or dark. And, last but not least, your mouth.” His thumb caressed it. “Your mouth is a whole different story. Lush, dewy. Decadent.” His tone deepened. How can such a wonderful creature not know her power? “If I could kiss you—not a stolen quick kiss, but really kiss you, I would spend a whole day just worshipping your mouth. Then another full day making love to you.” His hands cupped her face and his eyes burrowed into hers. “Shall I?”

“Shall you what?” she whispered, totally unaware of her parted lips and uneven breath. His eyes and voice had hypnotized her. She shook her head slowly, as if to break the spell that ensnared her.

Thirty-five days. For thirty-five days, I’ve been waiting to do this again. He lowered his head an inch more. One hand held her nape, tilting her head toward his, the other meandering to her waist to hold her where he wanted. “Kiss you?”

“Kiss me?” she asked breathlessly.

Why am I asking? His head lowered of its own volition, his mouth finding hers, just a feathery touch. He felt her hands tentatively touch his waist and go around his back. The force of his need made him close his eyes and haul her body onto his.

Her hand clutched his waist and she opened her lips, the tip of her tongue meeting his. He slanted his head and deepened the kiss. It’s too much. It’s too little. I want more. His tongue touched the seam of her lips, firmly and smoothly probing for entrance.

Sophia did not refuse him.

Desire exploded in his body. He hardened even more and pulled her fiercely to him, molding her entirely to him. I’m going to spontaneously combust.

She tasted of fresh honey. She smelled of spring, of white roses in bloom sprinkled with orange juice. Sophia reminded him of a garden. And he wanted to taste all of her.

He listened to her sharp intake of breath. And he heard a moan. His.

Alistair opened his eyes, breaking the kiss to look at her. A vision of paradise. Head thrown back, blood-red lips parted, and her eyes opened to look at him. They were the color of yellow-diamonds. He’d never seen eyes change color like this.

At each deep breath she took, her breasts stroked his chest. He couldn’t resist the temptation. And dropped his head again, being bolder this time.

Oh. This is good. His kisses drove her crazy. She tangled a hand in his silky, long hair, pulling him closer, her body melting on his. Her n*****s were aching for his touch, and he knew it, his hand cupped the fullness of one of her breasts. Instinctively, she arched on him, moaning low in her throat.

“Sophia.” His other hand roamed under her turtleneck sweater, caressed her waist and roamed up, his thumb circled a n****e over her bra.

Sophia broke the kiss, and gripping his wrist, she whispered, “Stop.” She left his arms, and walked to a bench that circled a huge tree, sitting there with her feet under her legs.

He sat close, facing her, and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. She seemed so vulnerable, huddled on the seat. Unable to resist, he rested his palm against her cheek. “Did I scare you?”

She pressed her face onto his hand.

Alistair froze at the intimate movement, at the gesture of trust, of her seeking comfort from him. It’s been so long since anyone’s reached out for me like this. So gently. Such innocence, such need. Slowly, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. For a long moment, he didn’t move. He just closed his eyes and reveled in the taste of her skin. A sweetness that made him want to drop his head and kiss her again.

Her voice broke his line of thought. “No—Yes—I don’t know.”

“Well, which?” He smiled gently. “Aye or nae?”

She breathed deep, trying to steady her heart. “Too soon, too much.”

After a moment of complete silence, Alistair asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, it’s just—I’m not used to things going this fast. We only started going out a few days ago.”

“You’re right. We have been dating for a few days.” Here we go. A relationship. For now.

“Dating?” she squealed.

“Dating,” he repeated, his smile broadening. “However, we’ve been attracted, even before the day I took you out to dinner.”

“Before?” Her breathing was calmer now, but the desire still raged in her eyes.

“Come on, Sophia. Don’t tell me I was the only one affected.” If I want to f**k her, I have to accept her terms. He smiled, remembering her words at the bank meeting. “That day you entered the meeting room at the bank, January nineteenth, my world turned upside down and it still hasn’t righted itself.” He chuckled. “I doubt it will anytime soon.”

She stared at him and then smiled. “Well, I would be lying if I say I wasn’t affected as well. Still. I don’t usually make out with a man I barely know.”

“I’ll have to amend this strangeness. Promptly.” He stood and picked her up, grabbing her upper arms, lifting her as if she were a feather. “Let’s go. Your lessons start now.”

“My lessons? With you?” She looked as if she wanted to run away.

“Worse. With Leonard.” He smiled at her as he started to walk back to the house. “After an hour with him, you won’t think me a stranger anymore.”

She eyed him, confused.

“That SOB can destroy anyone’s reputation in five minutes with that angelic smile of his.” He laughed. “I will be grateful if you don’t run away after he finishes telling you all my dark secrets.”

She blinked. “And you want me to know all your dark secrets?”

“Aye.” He grinned at her and laced their fingers. “That way, you won’t be able to use that excuse to stop me again by saying I’m, ‘a man you barely know’.”

They were laughing when they entered the library and Alice breathed relieved and looked at her husband.

Leonard nodded, smiling, and whispered, “The sparks of attraction are in their eyes. Sophia is the right woman for him.”

“Alistair deserves some happiness,” she whispered back. “It was a good thing that Ashford messed things up with her.”

“Yeah. Not that I don’t like him,” Leonard said. “But I like this brother of yours more.”

“Leo, I have a mission for ye,” Alistair said as he neared. He nudged Sophia lightly in Leonard’s direction.

“Hey, your accent is showing. See what I told you, Sophia? In a few minutes, you won’t be able to understand a word of what he says.”

“Pay attention, Leonard,” Alistair ordered.

“Very well,” he acquiesced. “What’s the mission?”

“Sophia thinks I’m a stranger, a man she barely knows.”

“I didn’t mean it that way—”

“Yer words, lass,” he tossed back. “Leo, tell her aw ye ken aboot me.”

“God!” Sophia said drolly. “Does Alice speak like that too?”

“She does!” Leonard laughed.

“I do not.”

“You do too. A heathen mixture of Scots words, English, and Scottish Gaelic drawl in a very strong accent.” Leonard rubbed his hands, grinning angelically. “You’re sure, Alistair?”

“Ach! Aye, verra sure.” He joked and winked at Sophia. “Next time, she won’t use this excuse.”

“Next time? Excuse for what?” Alice asked.

Sophia flushed.

A deep laugh bubbled from Alistair’s chest and he stared at Sophia with a wolfish smile. “It’s a secret, Alice. Don’t be nosy.”

“Come on, Sophia.” Leonard rubbed his hands and pulled her toward the sofa.

She went along and sat beside him. She thought it comical the way Leonard enjoyed this.

“Hey, he’s my brother,” Alice said. “Take care what you’re going to gossip about or you’ll sleep in the stables.”

“Alice, I’m more afraid of what Sophia can do to me if I don’t enlighten her about this jerk of a brother-in-law than of your threats.”

“Can I help destroy your reputation too?” Domitila asked Alistair.

Alistair smiled and answered, “Nae! Aw is tuilled ’s a’ chòir.”

Sophia looked over at Domitila, “What did he say?”

“Sophia…” She chuckled. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“He said that one is more than enough,” Alice explained. “Our nanny was a fierce Highlander and she only spoke Gaelic with us.”

“How are you able to understand them?” Sophia asked, astonished.

“Practice,” Leonard replied and shrugged. “And sometimes, I don’t. When this happens, I just say to Alice, ‘Yes, my love’ or ‘Of course, my flower’ and she calms down.”

“Ah! You!” Alice hurled a cushion at Leonard.

He caught the cushion in his hands, throwing his head back in a happy laugh.

“Alice.” Alistair dragged Alice with him to another sofa. “While Leo discloses to Sophia all of my dark secrets,” he said, looking over at Sophia, his eyes burning with desire. “You can tell me all the gossip your husband has given you about the bonnie lass.”

“No dark secrets in my past.” Now it was time for Sophia to laugh. Then her eyes darkened and a strange look transformed her face, a completely different woman appeared in front of them—a dark avenging angel. “At least, none that he knows.”