Shades of Trust

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Sophia Leibowitz’s Penthouse

4:37 p.m.

Sophia arrived at her apartment in a hurry and called out, “Olá!”

Gabriela came running, almost knocking her over. “Oi, Mamãe.”

“Hello, my love.” She got down on her knees, hugging the little girl and showering her face with kisses.

“You’re home early today. How was your day? I missed you. I did a pretty drawing for you. And I learned how to write my name and yours. Can I show you?” The girl jumped excitedly. “Can I? Can I?”

Sophia laughed, standing up with her daughter cradled in her arms. “I missed you too, my angel, and, yes, you can show me your drawing. And yes, you can write our names for me. But then I’ll have to run for a meeting. Maria will tell you two stories tonight. How’s that?” She looked up at the nanny. “Maria, I’m not sleeping here tonight. Have Steven and Lucy returned from their day off?”

“Yes, Mrs. Leibowitz. They’re already here.”

“Good.” Sophia breathed, relieved. “Don’t forget my instructions. No one, and I mean no one, is authorized to come up or speak with Gabriela. Not even on the phone.”

“It’s perfectly understood. Mrs. Leibowitz, Lucy informed me when she arrived that everything is ready for us to start moving the furniture and clothes tomorrow and be settled in the house by Friday, if this is your wish.”

“Great, Maria. Please ask her to inform the new cook that she starts tomorrow then.”

Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse

6:55 p.m.

Sophia rang Ethan’s doorbell and examined herself in the mirrored wall. The sleek tight black dress with a drooping gap at the back did wonders to show off her body and still left a lot to the imagination. She had coiled her hair in a high, loose bun.

She also wore a Rolex day-date in white gold and square diamonds, one of the three watches Ethan had given her. He had finally convinced her to take her jewels home and to start wearing them.

Ethan leaned on the doorjamb, looking at her with a slight smile. “Like what you see, Sophia?”

“Oh, I didn’t hear you.” She smiled at him. “Do you?”

His arms wound around her waist, and his lips moved close to hers. “Yes, very much. You’re delectable. As always. I think I’m going to cancel dinner and eat you.”

He kissed her with so much passion she felt lightheaded. Oh, my, the man knows how to kiss.

“Come inside before I make love to you in the hall. We have half an hour before the guests arrive.” He went directly to his bedroom, flinging her clutch on the armchair in his sitting room. “Come here. I want to taste the dessert before the main course.”

She laughed and ran away. “Ethan! I’m all dressed and ready for dinner.”

He pursued her, pushing her dress down her shoulders, kissing, and nibbling them. He gazed in her eyes with an intense, hungry look in his. “I want you. Now. Don’t deny me.”

She laughed again and her hands went to his shirt, undoing the buttons. “You’re unbelievable.”

7:31 p.m.

Sophia, retouching her lipstick in the bathroom mirror, heard Ethan call out, “They’ve arrived. Hurry.”

She held her breath as she sprayed her favorite Creed perfume around her, shaking her hair to let the perfume rain on it and redid her bun.

A party of four men and two women had gathered in the reception room. The sound of French was a treat to Sophia’s ears. She loved the language.

Ethan welcomed her by putting an arm on her shoulders and made the introductions in French. “These are my friends, Sophia. François Lefebvre, his wife, Aimée, and his younger twin brothers, Guy and Giles. And,” he motioned to a couple on her left, “Annaïs and her husband, Alain Fitzroy.”

“Bon soir. Comment allez vous?” she greeted them, grinning.

One of the handsome blond twins, Guy, said to her, with intimacy, “Tu parles a parfait français, Sophie.”

The use of the second-person tu to congratulate her on her perfect French, implying a familiarity, didn’t escape Ethan. His arm tightened around her shoulders, his other hand cupping her jaw to turn her face in his direction.

Ethan answered for her, in his perfect French, “Yes. Sophia,” he stressed her name. “….speaks six languages fluently. In fact, she does everything perfectly.” He kissed her lightly on the lips, bringing her closer, stating his hold on her.

His behavior and possessiveness irritated Sophia, but she let it go.

“Lucky you, mon ami,” François interceded smoothly and glowered discreetly at his brother. He was aware of Ethan’s jealousy and Guy’s flirting ways from long ago and didn’t need a problem this night. “So, I heard that you’re also a spectacular lawyer in the oil field, Ms. Santo.”

Sophia grinned at him. “Please, Monsieur Lefebvre, call me Sophia.” She looked at Ethan; he imperceptibly blinked his approval, smiling.

9:53 p.m.

“Un moment, mon ami.” Ethan unfolded his long body from the sofa where he’d been talking with François then stalked up to Guy and scowled at him, letting him know that he didn’t like the way he looked at Sophia and held her hand.

Ethan snaked an arm around Sophia’s waist, bringing her back close to his body.

“Ethan, you startled me.” She turned to him, with a smile on her face.

“Seems that you and Guy are getting along very well.”

“Sophia is a very intelligent and beautiful woman.” Guy smirked at him. “I could spend the whole evening with her. I’m sure time would fly.”

“Indeed.” Ethan’s blood boiled. “Sophia? Come with me for a second.” He didn’t wait for her answer and tugged her behind him to the guest room.

As soon as the door closed, he said in a low, harsh voice, “What do you think you’re doing, Sophia? I thought you were a well-bred and decent woman.”

“You thought…” she exhaled, aghast. “What am I then?”

“You looked like a mare in heat—” he interrupted himself, grabbed her arms, and shook her violently. Her hair tumbled free and the long earrings swung back and forth. “You’ve flirted with Guy all night long. You let him drool all over you and even hold your hand.”

She put her hands on his chest, pushing him back. “I think you’ve said enough, Ethan. You’re creating a storm in a teacup. He is a nice, young man. That’s it, nothing more.”

“Young?” He felt slapped. Yes, Guy is only three years older than she is. “Do you want a younger man?”

“Ethan, I don’t want anything. This jealousy is ridiculous.”

“I’m not jealous.” His eyes were blazing with fury. His fingers dug into her flesh. “I cannot approve of such behavior in my own house from my lover.”

“Let go!” she hissed. “You’re hurting me.”

He released her arms, but stayed where he was, glowering at her, enraged.

She massaged her scarred left upper arm. Really? His lover? I’m his lover! “Everyone out there must be wondering what’s happening in here.” She pinned her hair back and adjusted her dress. “Are you coming?”

They went back out, Ethan holding Sophia’s hand, but François gave Sophia a knowing look and soon after their return, he rose with his wife and they said their farewells.

10:27 p.m.

Sophia climbed down the staircase from Ethan’s room with her clutch in hand. “I’m going, Ethan.”

“Aren’t you staying the night?” He watched her as she approached.

“No.” She gave a light peek on his cheek. “I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

“Look, Sophia. I’m sorry. You’re too beautiful. Guy was making advances, and you weren’t repelling him. You were right. I was jealous. Please, stay.”

“I understood your point of view, Ethan.” Sophia gave a little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “My behavior as your…lover was unacceptable.” She strolled out to the lift. “Goodbye.”

She closed the door softly behind her, giving him no time to answer.

He stood there rooted to the floor. Despair lodged in his chest. I can’t lose Sophia.

He picked up his BlackBerry and speed-dialed a number. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for Leonard Allenthorp to answer his call. “Allenthorp, good evening. It’s Ashford. Sorry to be calling at this hour, but it’s almost an emergency.”

“Good evening, Ashford. Almost an emergency? What is almost an emergency?” Leonard chuckled.

“I think I just busted things with Sophia,” he blurted.

“Oh.” Leonard sounded surprised. “How?”

“I said something I shouldn’t have. She’s mad at me,” he said. “I need a favor from you.”

“Name it.”

“Alice is planning a small get-together this weekend at Galewick Hall, isn’t she? Could she invite us? Could she call Sophia for me? That way Sophia won’t refuse the invitation.”

“Sure thing, Ashford,” Leonard said. “Send a card, with flowers and chocolates. She’ll forgive you.”

Flowers and chocolates? “Thank you, Allenthorp.” Ethan hung up and walked to his office, calling his assistant. “Scott? Good evening. First thing in the morning, buy some exotic orchids, and stop by Harry Winston for a diamond set. Something for the day, stud earrings and tennis bracelet. No. I’ll deliver them personally.”