Shades of Trust

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Atwood House

6:30 p.m.

When Sophia entered the hall, Gabriela was waiting for her, hopping from one foot to the other. “Mamãe, are we going? Are we?”

“Good evening, my angel. How was your day?” Sophia said, smiling at the girl’s happiness.

“Good evening, Mamãe. My day was great,” Gabriela slowed for a second, submitting to her mother’s after-work routine. “And yours?”

“Fine, thank you.”

“Great!” She started jumping again. “Ariadne called me to say that her grandfather had invited us to Craigdale Castle. She says it’s huuuuuge.”

“Yes, we are going,” she confirmed. “Alistair’s going to pick you up. Be ready by one thirty, all right?”

“I will. Uncle Felipe called. He’s going to call again tomorrow.”

A little while later, Sophia took a long, luxuriant bath, then blow-dried and brushed her hair, taking special care covering her bruise.

She sprayed perfume in the air, and smiled at the young vibrant woman in the mirror, dressed in a dark purple silk tank top, a matching pencil skirt, and a Hermès dark-brown belt with a silver buckle.

As soon as she saw Alistair’s car, Sophia left the cocoon of the garden for the street, turning and waving goodbye to Steven, who closed the side gates.

The purring sound of the Z4 engine reminded her of Gabriel, suddenly making her sad. It’s not a time for sadness. She put a smile on her face when he got out of the car. “Hi.”

“Hi, Beauty.” His mood was light and he kissed her for a long time. He entangled his fingers in her hair and his hands cupped her face, bringing it into the light. He noticed her moist eyes and frowned. “Everything okay?”

“Fine.”

“Fine, right. So why are you sad?”

She smiled gloomily, “It’s nothing.”

He leaned on the car and pulled her between his legs, his arms around her waist. “I’m just as stubborn as you. We’ll stay here, freezing, until you tell me why you’re sad.”

“It’s really nothing. Don’t mind—”

“Ah-ah.” He put two fingers over her lips, shaking his head. “No lies. I know you. And the thing is…I mind.”

Oh, Alistair. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with you. She sighed. “Memories.”

“Gabriel?” He felt a pang of jealousy.

She breathed deep, and shoved the memories to her heart, succeeding in giving him a bright smile. “But the sadness was gone the minute you arrived. Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

“I’m hungry too.” He hauled her in his embrace and kissed her fiercely. “But it’s not food I desire.”

Shoreditch, Boundary

10:55 p.m.

“It’s impressive how you know these cozy and secluded restaurants,” Sophia remarked before placing the first spoonful of dessert in her mouth and closing her eyes to savor the chocolate soufflé with mixed berry sauce.

There she goes again. I shouldn’t have suggested a dessert. “You don’t like it here?”

She nodded, opening her eyes and licking the spoon, oblivious to the seductive way she ate dessert. “Very much. These alcoves are so charming. Dark and secluded.”

“I’ll take you upstairs after. They have a stunning roof garden terrace with two olive trees over a hundred years old and a unique humidor. Do cigars bother you?”

She laughed. “I smoke cigars, Alistair.”

Titling his head, he smiled. “Aren’t you a surprise?”

“Of course, I am. You still don’t really know me.” She shrugged and glanced at him sideways. “A good surprise, I hope.”

“Yes, a good surprise.” But I want to know you, Sophia. He shifted on the sofa.

“You smell so good,” she breathed, the spoon forgotten in her hand.

He merely smiled at her praise and directed the spoon to her mouth, feeding her. “I’ve never seen you smoke.”

“I don’t smoke in front of Gabriela. And I like company when I do it. There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other.”

“Aye, there is,” he answered quietly, a strange feeling entering him. He waited for her to finish her dessert then said, “Give me your left hand and close your eyes.”

She eyed him with a playful distrusting look.

“Come on. Indulge me. First, give me your watch.” He wriggled his fingers at her. She gave him the Aeternitas watch and he carefully set it on the table. “Good girl. Now, close your eyes and don’t open them until I say so.”

Sophia did as he asked and felt his warm hand circling her wrist. Something cold touched her skin and her eyelids fluttered.

“Ah-ah!” he warned, hastily stopping what he was doing and putting a hand over her eyes. “I’m not finished.”

Her forehead creased. “What’s taking so long?”

“It’s not every day I enslave a woman like you,” he said huskily.

“Liar,” she whispered and smiled. “You’ve already enslaved me.”

“Not the way I want to.” The statement sounded like a promise. “A few more seconds…not yet…”

She felt a cold bracelet being released on her wrist.

“You can open your eyes.” Alistair held her hand for her to look, her watch still on the table.

She looked down and then stared at him, her smile fading. “Alistair…”

“You don’t like it?” he asked, disappointed.

“No. I mean, yes.” Damn! She shook her head, staring at the Cartier Love collection bracelet in white gold, paved with diamonds and bigger diamond studs. “It is exquisite. I love it.” This bracelet symbolizes both love and possession. So the question is, what is the meaning behind this gift? She grinned at him. “It’s just that you surprised me with it.”

“Why?” He didn’t look convinced.

“This is a slave bracelet.”

“Aye, it is.” He cupped her face in his hands and gazed intently into her eyes. “And I’m keeping the screwdriver.”

Oh, my. How significant he made a gift become with a simple sentence. “You are keeping it,” she repeated breathlessly, totally ensnared by the beacon of his forest-green eyes.

She mused about the difference between Ethan’s and Alistair’s gifts.

Ethan had showered her with extremely expensive presents just because he could; a way to buy her affection.

Now, Alistair was giving her a much simpler jewel, with so much emotion and meaning attached to it.

And her thoughts turned to the similarities between Alistair and Gabriel and it made her heart squeeze in her chest. “I’ll treasure it. Thank you.”

“Allow yourself to become one with me, Sophia. Let me possess you.” His lips hovered close to hers. “All of you.” His mouth descended on her and his tongue licked her bottom lip. As she parted her lips to breathe, he kissed her, heatedly.

“Alistair Connor. We’re in a restaurant,” she whispered, escaping from the kiss. “What’s your problem in restaurants? Some fetish?”

He chuckled and shook his head, his hair softly swinging around his rugged face. “Nae, you’re my fetish. Sleep with me tonight.”

“I can’t. If you want me to go with you to Craigdale, I’ll have to get up early.”

“Then stay with me in Craigdale.”

“In your room, you mean?”

He nodded.

“The first time I’m going to your father’s home? Of course not. I won’t feel comfortable.”

“Of. Course. Not,” he repeated slowly, rolling the words on his tongue. “Is this some kind of punishment, Sophia?”

“Punishment?”

“Do you want to punish me for something I did that you didn’t like? Is that it? Do you want to see me on my knees? Begging? Because I’m almost there. I can switch once in a while with you, if you want me to.”

“Switch?” She frowned, “Switch what? Alistair, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Sophia narrowed her eyes a bit and creased her forehead. What the hell? “The best way to get the right answer to something is to be direct and honest. What do you want to know?”

“Dominant or submissive, Sophia?” he blurted, teetering in the suspense.

She opened her lips to answer dominant, but thought better. “Uh? What?”

“Never mind.” He flicked his wrist, dismissively. But his eyes betrayed his disappointment. “I have my answer.” He raked his fingers through his long hair.

Sophia laced her fingers with his. “What’s going on, Alistair? You’ve been strange ever since this afternoon.”

“I’m going crazy with this ‘slowdown’ of yours, Sophia.” He inhaled deeply. “I have a high s*x drive and I don’t like to jack off alone, which incidentally, I have been doing almost every night since I started going out with you.”

Sophia gasped, shocked. Disentangling her fingers from his, she hissed, “There is no need to be so crude.”

“Crude? Nae, it’s the truth.” His mood darkened. He spread an arm over the back of the sofa and his hand encompassed her nape firmly in his grip. “Would ye rather I lied to you and went out with an escort?”

An escort? She was speechless for a second. “Alistair Connor, this is getting worse by the second.”

“Or would you rather I turned to an ex to do it?” His hand tightened on her neck, almost painfully.

“Are you…threatening…coercing me into having s*x with you?” she said between clenched teeth, her dark lashes fusing for a split second.

“Nae.” He bent his head toward her mouth. “I’m just warning you.”

How on Earth did we get into this conversation? Her hand shot up to stop his advance, palming the center of his chest. “Very well, Alistair Connor Davenport MacCraig, let me warn you, then. I don’t take threats well. Nor do I like being cornered.” She sustained his searing gaze. “I only do what I want, whenever I want, and with whomever I want. You are free to find an escort or an ex.” Two can play this game, Mr. High-s*x-drive. “But let me give you another warning. If you do let it happen, it’s the end for us. It will end before it begins.”

His eyebrows rose with disbelief when she pressed her hand onto his chest and let go in an aggressive movement. His ray of sun shined so brightly in his private sky that it scared away his dark, thunderous clouds. He inhaled deeply and nodded at her, “Warnings noted, ma’am. I’ll behave.”

“Good.”

His hand squeezed her nape lightly, and he breathed commanding words on her lips, “We’re going to happen, Beauty. We. Will.”

“We shall see,” she whispered, and raised her elegant brows, throwing down the gauntlet.

“I do love challenges, Sophia.” He dipped his mouth and kissed her lightly before signaling for the waiter that they were ready to go upstairs.

Retrieving her watch to put back on her wrist, his eyes stopped on the inscription on the leather band. “This was a gift to Gabriel.”

She sat utterly still, keenly observing his reactions. “Yes.”

“I like the words,” he said softly to her, admiration shining in his eyes. “Simple and beautiful, Sophia.”

“You speak Portuguese, too?” she asked, thankful for his normal behavior.

“Nae. But I am fluent in Italian and French. The words are practically the same.” He shrugged and fastened the watch on her wrist, his fingers caressing her hand. “Universal.”

“Yes.” She entwined her fingers with his. “They are.”

“Let’s go up to The Rooftop. We can have our coffee there. I want to see you smoking a cigar,” he said, sensuously whispering the last words in her ear, enjoying her shiver.

The waiter pulled out the table for her and she got up and bowed mockingly at him, saying, “As you wish, my lord.”

Then she stepped away, leaving him to follow her through the restaurant as all gazes turned to watch her elegantly stroll.

Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse

Friday, March 5, 2010

9:00 a.m.

Ethan sat in the living room armchair as another gorgeous woman entered. He tilted his head to the side and ordered, boredom showing in his voice, “Disrobe.”

Unashamedly, the dark-haired woman took off her clothes and ambled through the room. She stopped in front of him and pivoted.

He looked her over and shook his head. “No, thanks. You can pick up your payment on the way out.”

Without a word, the woman dressed and left the room.

Ethan glowered at his personal assistant as the thin man entered the room, with a bright smile on his face, clutching a black leather case in front of his chest. “Goddammit, Scott. It’s been weeks and not one even comes close.”

Scott stopped and his smile broadened even more. “Sir, I found her.” He opened the door and a young woman walked in.

Ethan sucked in his breath and rose from the armchair. Jesus! People might mistake them for twins.

He motioned for the woman to stop in the middle of his living room as he strolled to her and then around her. He gripped her chin in his hand and raised her face to look into her eyes. He frowned. Yellow contact lenses. “Disrobe and undo your hair.”

She undid her bun and her long black tresses fell over her shoulders to the small of her back. Her hands lifted to unfasten the belt of her dress. But before she did, she looked at Ethan with eyes hooded by long lashes and, in a movement of uncertainty, bit her full bottom lip.

Ethan felt his body stir. “Stop!” he ordered, before she started to undress. He invaded her personal space and shoved his fingers in her hair. “Your hair. Is it natural?”

“No, sir. My natural color is light brown. But I dyed it bla-black,” the woman stammered.

He grimaced and ran his fingers over her smooth face. Hmm. No makeup. “Any children?”

“No, sir,” Scott informed from behind him. “And sir, if I may?”

“Shoot.”

Scott neared the couple and spoke in a low voice to the woman, “Show him the scar.”

Ethan stepped away, giving the woman some room. Her belt clunked on the marble floor and her dress opened in a graceful movement. The woman shrugged and her dress landed on the belt.

Ethan couldn’t believe his eyes. On her right arm, the woman had a scar similar to Sophia’s. He surveyed her body. “Turn around. Slowly.”

When she completed a full turn, Ethan approached again and looked deep into her eyes. “You know the terms of the contract?”

“Yes,” the woman whispered.

Ethan looked at his assistant. “I trust you have her examined and her background checked, and rechecked.”

“Of course, sir,” Scott said, patting his black portfolio. “It’s all in here.”

“She will do,” Ethan told Scott. And then he said to the woman, “You’ll need for nothing, if you please me. Scott will show you the guest room. Take a shower, pick out one of the outfits in the closet, and go up. I’ll wait for you in my room.”

“Anything else, sir?” Scott asked.

“No, thank you. By the way, good job.” He walked to the stairs. Before he started climbing the steps, he turned and said, “One thing more.”

Two pair of eyes looked at him, expectantly.

“Your name from now on is Sophia.”

Leibowitz Oil Building

1:07 p.m.

Sophia glanced at her vibrating iPhone. Already? She answered it quickly, “Alistair?”

“Sophia, we’re a little early. Traffic was good and…”

She could almost hear him smiling.

“…an enchanting little girl asked me to pick her up at twelve-thirty, sharp. We’re almost there but we can go upstairs to wait, if you want.”

“No need. I’ll be downstairs in a second.” Sophia turned off her iMac, put on her jacket, and grabbed her overcoat.

He was already waiting for her, leaning on the slick BMW. He greeted her with a light kiss on the lips, and then asked concerned, “Bad day?”

“You can’t imagine. I had a long meeting in the morning and one of Leibowitz’s platforms in Rio had a malfunction. Edward and I had an extensive conference call with the Brazilian CEO and directors. We just finished. I didn’t eat. My day wasn’t just bad, it was a disaster.”

“Well…” He smiled at her. “At least, you’re going to have a calm weekend. Gabriela wants to play with Ariadne every second of it. And the little imp said she repacked your bags with Maria and put clothes she thought I’d like more.” He laughed heartily and opened the door for her. “I’m glad she’s on my side.”

“Oi, Mamãe.” Chubby arms hugged her neck, and kisses were scattered on her cheek as soon as Sophia sat beside her daughter in the car.

“Oi, meu amor! Ready for the weekend?”

Gabriela bounced in her car seat. “Ready.”

As Alistair entered the car through the other door, she glanced in his direction over Gabriela’s head, smiling. “So much energy for such a little girl.”

He smiled back. “She’s a dear.”

“I am,” Gabriela concurred.

Alistair touched the intercom, “Heathrow by Invitation, please, Garrick.”

“Heathrow by invitation?” Sophia parroted.

“I use it when The City Airport is full. They take care of check-in and baggage while we wait in the private lounge. Then they drop us off at the plane.” He smiled at Gabriela, playing with the child’s pale blonde hair. “You should have your own airplane. Time is money.”

“I don’t really travel that much.” Sophia put her head against the headrest and closed her eyes, groaning. She was really tired and beginning to get a headache.

“You okay?” Alistair murmured, worried, his fingers skimming over her forehead. “Sophia?”

“Just a bad headache.” You gave me too much to think about yesterday, ‘Lord I-give-the-orders.’ She took her sunglasses from her bag and put them on.

The driver dropped them off on the tarmac by a silver and dark green G650.

At the bottom of the stairs, the captain greeted them, “Good afternoon.”

“Muir.” Alistair nodded at them, and Gabriela and Sophia said their greetings.

“What?” he asked her when he noticed she was staring at the brand new G650.

This is getting monotonous. “Do all British men have G650s?” she teased over her shoulder, helping Gabriela climb up the stairs.

“All?” His smile vanished from his face. “How many British men do you know that have a G650?”

There he is. Lord Jealousy. I’ll have to keep track of his many nicknames. “You and Ethan.”

His brows rose. “Mine is newer.” He bent down to enter the plane, too tall for the size of the aircraft. “Good afternoon, MacDouglas.”

“Mr. MacCraig, Ms. Leibowitz, and young lady, good afternoon.” He took their coats and turned to hang them in the small closet.

“Are all your employees Scottish?” Sophia whispered to Alistair, counting on her fingers, “MacKeenan, Garrick, Munro, Muir, and MacDouglas.”

He frowned, then his lips curled upward in a ghost of a smile. “Not all, but the majority are. I have a contract with the University of Edinburgh to place trainees and newly graduated students.”

The floor plan and decor of Alistair’s airplane differed completely from Ethan’s. With ivory leather, dark green carpet, and dark green-and-ivory plush cushions, Alistair’s was homier and more spacious with fewer seats.

She looked around. “Only six seats and a sofa?”

“Nae.” He flashed a crooked smile and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward a door. He opened it to show a beautifully done stateroom with an amazingly big bed and another sofa.

“Wow! This is nice.” Gabriela ran her little hand over the mattress.

“It is, isn’t it?” Alistair picked her up in his arms and flung her on the soft bed, where she fell, giggling.

He turned to Sophia, his hand caressing her jawline. “Why don’t you sleep until we reach Plockton Airstrip? The flight is an hour and fifteen minutes. Enough time for you to rest. Gabriela and I will keep quiet. Won’t we, Fairy? We can watch, umm…”

“Beauty and the Beast,” Gabriela said without delay, and hopped on the floor.

“Beauty and the Beast, it is then.” He smiled at the little girl, scooping her back up into his arms.

“Alistair Connor,” Sophia breathed and gaped at him. “You are a saint, even if you don’t think so,” she mumbled the end of the sentence, massaging her right temple.

He shook his head, smiling. “Nae, I may be more the beast, your child speaks of, not a saint.” He gazed at her with those emerald orbs of fire. “How about a sandwich and a Paracetamol?”

“Lovely.”

“Come.” He grabbed her hand leading her to the bar on the other side of the aircraft. “MacDouglas, please set up the bed for Ms. Leibowitz.”

Sophia woke up to Alistair nuzzling her neck. “Come on, Beauty. Wake up. We’re landing in ten minutes.”

“Mmm.” She stretched on the bed and smiled at him. “It was a great suggestion. Thanks. I’m feeling much better.”

He smiled with mischief at her. “One day, I’ll have you here.”

“Here?” she squeaked.

His smile turned devilish as he nodded. “Yes, here. Shocked?”

“Yes,” she confirmed, stretching again. “Quite. But isn’t it a wonderful idea, Alistair Connor?” She liked the way his full name tasted on her tongue.

“Prepare to be fully shocked, Sophia.” He laughed, his emerald eyes twinkling. “You can fulfill all your fantasies with me. I love role-play.”

“Hmm,” she purred and jumped from the bed. “I’ll give it great thought.”

He swatted her butt, chuckling. “Aye, please do.”