Sophia just shook her head at him. “We have a lot to discuss today.” She cocked her head to one side. “I just got the contract for the new engines,” she frowned. “I’d like you to analyze it with me.” She pulled out a brown envelope and tapped her pen on it. “Have you seen the project the students from the University of Strathclyde are developing?” As he nodded, she continued, “It’s absolutely fantastic. I’m sending a note to Williams from Tech to get a good look at it and report back to me. I think we should invest in them. Maybe we could enroll them in an internship or something. Think about it.” Sophia bit her lip and looked at her notes, underlining one of them. “I’m worried about the loan agreement. I studied the draft Mr. Wales sent. I didn’t like some of the clauses.” She stared at him. “And more, I don’t feel comfortable around him, Edward. There’s something that nags me. I want a meeting with the CEO.”
“Oh, please, Sophia, don’t start.” He thinned his lips. “Just because Wales drools over you?” She shook her head. “Instincts again?” She nodded. “It took me almost three months to get this loan as it is,” he sighed. “The rates are good. The City of London Bank is a well-known institution. What is the problem?”
“I think we can get a lower rate. And have you read the most recent draft?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
“I don’t agree with their penalty clauses and they’re asking for too many guaranties. I’m sorry but I’m vetoing it as it is, Edward,” she said, firmly.
“Heavens, Sophia!” He threw his hands in his blond hair, exasperated. “What are you vetoing?”
“Have you negotiated a hundred-and-fifty percent as guaranty?”
“No, of course not,” he balked, surprised.
“I think you should read the draft he has sent and ask for another meeting, urgently. I really don’t want to lose the bidding season for the subsalt oil in Brazil. It’s a potential gold mine of oil and gas reserves, you know. Gabriel was so excited by the discovery of the Tupi field. It is the perfect opportunity for Leibowitz Oil Brazil to forge a more extensive association with the government.”
“What do you propose?”
“We can renegotiate it. I have underlined the clauses for review. Or…” she chewed on her lips, “We could always do an IPO.”
He widened his blue eyes. “You’re going to put LO on the stock market? What would Gabriel think of this?”
“Gabriel was open-minded, Edward. It’s an easy way to raise funds. You can choose; do we have time to renegotiate the contract? If so, go for it. Otherwise, I will grant the loan to LO myself while we prepare the IPO.”
“We’re running out of time. And we definitely have no time to prepare an IPO, Sophia. Besides, I’m not allowing you to make a personal loan. We have dis-” The intercom buzz interrupted him.
“Yes, Sarah?” Sophia said in a displeased voice.
“Mrs. L, I’m sorry to disturb you, but it’s Mr. Ashford.”
Sophia rolled her eyes heavenward. “I’m busy, Sarah. Tell him that I’ll call back as soon as possible.”
“Uh, Mrs. L, he’s not on the line.”
“No?” Sophia forehead creased.
“No. He left a message saying he’ll pick you up at one o’clock to take you to lunch. His secretary is on the line; she wants to know where she should make the reservations.”
His secretary! The gall. “In hell,” she muttered.
“I beg your pardon, Mrs. L?” Sarah’s voice sounded shocked from the other side. Edward barked a laugh.
“Sarah, tell Mr. Ashford’s secretary Mrs. Leibo- Mrs. Santo. Heavens, Sophia! You have to decide what name you want to use. This is quite confusing.”
Sophia smiled at him. “Mrs. Santo for those who don’t know who I am. Easy.”
“Right. So, Sarah, tell Mr. Ashford’s secretary Mrs. Santo wants to go to China Tang at The Dorchester,” Edward finished, shaking his head at her.
“Hold on, please, Sarah.” She touched the mute button, “No way, Mr. Davidoff.” She bit her lip. If he wants me to have lunch with him, he should call me. Yes, that’s it. “Sarah, tell Mr. Ashford’s secretary that I don’t have an answer for her. And, please, only call me again if Mr. Ashford himself is on the line. I won’t answer if anyone else calls. Only his or Gabriela’s. Have I made myself clear?”
“Ye-yes, Mrs. L, I’m sorry,” Sarah stammered.
“Poor, poor Sarah,” Edward tsked. “So moody, Sophia. Why didn’t you answer his secretary?”
“Edward. He should call, not his secretary.”
“You haven’t fallen for him,” he shook his head, pity in his eyes.
Sophia thinned her lips. “I like him, Edward. That’s all. Now, if you ple-” The intercom buzzed again. “Oh, damn! Yes, Sarah?”
“Mr. Ashford on line two, Mrs. L. Are you answering the call?” Sarah’s voice sounded apologetic.
“Yes,” she sighed. “Please transfer him.”
“Sophia, darling, good morning.” Ethan’s baritone voice filled the room. “Why didn’t you answer my secretary?”
“Ethan, I don’t go out with secretaries.” Edward smiled at Sophia’s petulant answer. “You want to go out with me, you call me.”
“I see.” He inhaled. “I’m sorry. So, baby, where do you want to have lunch?” Ethan asked.
“Anywhere would be good. I don’t have much time today. Unless you want to make it after two o’clock.”
“Anytime, Sophia. I would like to take you somewhere else after.”
“Where? What for?”
“Surprise, baby. So, where do you want to have lunch?”
“China Tang at The Dorchester,” Sophia raised her brows at Edward, smiling. “Sound good?”
“Splendid. Shall I pick you up at a quarter to two?”
“I said two o’clock, Ethan. I can’t make it earlier today. Will that be okay?”
“Yes, Ms. Santo, ma’am, fine,” he mocked. “Don’t forget to leave some spare time for me after, all right? The whole afternoon, if you can. See you at two.”
Edward smiled at her when Ethan hung up. “He’s eating out of the palm of your hand, Sophia. Completely smitten.”
Sophia made a face at him. “Now, where were we?”
Outside The Dorchester Hotel.
4.03 p.m.
“You got me drunk, Mr. Ashford.” Sophia giggled. “I’m not fit to go back to work like this.”
“Good. I missed you during the weekend. I want to make up for it today.”
His driver opened the door to his Rolls-Royce Phantom Black-tie Edition.
“Wilkins, we’re going to one hundred sixty-five Sloane Street.” Ethan accommodated his long body on the seat and closed the partition between them and the driver. “Promise me you won’t get mad?” He turned sideways and framed her face, his azure eyes sparkling.
“Mad? Why would I get mad?” She looked at him, befuddled.
“Promise me,” he insisted and she nodded, smiling.
“Hmm. Whatever.” She flicked her hand, “I promise.” And giggled. “You really got me tipsy. Why are we going to Sloane Street? I don’t need more clothes.”
“No more clothes,” he agreed. “For now.”
“Aren’t you mysterious, Mr. Ashford?”
“I want another promise from you, Sophia. You’re going to spend the night with me.”
Sophia sobered on the spot. “Tonight?” Oh, damn. Gabriela! I must tell him sometime. How long can I keep it from him? She bit her lip.
“Please, baby?” he huskily asked and his thumb caressed her mouth with a light touch. “You have to stop doing this.” His mouth descended to conquer her lips in a sensuous kiss. He twisted her long braid on his wrist, keeping her pinned to him. “Promise me, Sophia.”