“I’ve done my part,” he said as he lifted her in his arms and walked to the pool, “I have decided the bride, the day and the place. That’s enough for me.”
“But-but... What about the best man, pageboy and flower girl, menus, music, cake, seating plans, rehearsal dates, photographers, the honeymoon,” she listed as he walked into the pool.
“I’ll take care of the honeymoon. Have you finished?”
“No, of course not. There’re the favors, the gifts for the-”
“I think you have,” he opened his arms and dropped a screaming Sophia in the water.
From his place, Tavish said to Leonard, “It’ll be fun to watch Alistair Connor squirm under her thumb.”
An angelic smile split Leonard’s face as he regarded a sputtering Sophia splash Alistair with water. “He has no idea, Tavish. No idea.”
Atwood House.
8 p.m.
Oh, no, Alistair Connor. This is too much. She drummed her nails on her desk and tried to sound calm. “Are you always going to be moody like this?”
“I’m not moody. I don’t feel altogether comfortable having your... Err...” Ex-lover!
“Ethan,” she supplied, pursing her lips. Sophia did not know if she should be irritated or flattered by Alistair’s jealousy.
He narrowed his eyes at her and rose from the armchair, pacing the length of her home office, until he faced her back garden. “Aye. I don’t want you to invite him. In fact, I think you should leave all the business dealings to your employees.” His tone was even and calm, but danger brewed in his eyes when he whirled to look at her. “Ashford was your lover!”
She leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms over her breasts. “Alistair Connor. Are you serious? I don’t like what I’m hearing.”
“Well, me neither.” The silvery light outlined his powerful and masculine frame in the dim room as he mimicked her pose, crossing his arms over his chest.
Damn. He is serious. His reaction threw her totally off guard but if she submitted now, he would become a despot and she knew that she should stand her ground. “Well, I’m so sorry, Lord Caveman. I’ll continue my dealings with Ethan in the same way I always have. He is my friend. I like him. And I don’t usually take orders from overbearing, jealous men. Future husband or not.”
Fuck, Sophia! His sensual lips, so full of wicked promises, thinned to a harsh line. Alistair glared at her and stalked up to where she was. He bent and caged her inside his arms as his hands gripped the arms of her chair. “Are you always going to be so damn independent?”
Yes! “Probably. It’s a character trait.”
His gaze ran from her lips to her eyes, and she didn’t miss the flicker of desire and admiration she saw in those green pools.
“More of a character flaw,” he mumbled, straightening. No one gainsays me, Sophia, but you. And I don’t know if I like it.
She saw in his eyes he was fighting his emotions. But he eased off, walking back to the windows, and stood there with his hands clenched at his sides.
Alistair flinched when she laid her head on his back and her arms circled his waist.
“We are not going to fight over such an inconsequent thing, are we? He is just a friend. You, Lord Difficult of Jealous-land, are the man of my life. I don’t have eyes for anyone else.”
Warmth flowed over him at her gentle touch and loving words. He just couldn’t stay mad at her for long. Fuck, this is what I want. Her. Just her. My independent, stubborn Sophia.
Alistair spun her in his arms, tucking Sophia against his chest as he burrowed his nose in her hair.
“He doesn’t mean anything to me, Alistair Connor. He’s just a friend.” Her hands stroked the length of his spine, soothing him. “No need to be jealous, my love.”
“I won’t lie. I’m a jealous man. I want to beat the hell out of any man who’s had you, Ethan included.” He pulled her tight against his hips and took her mouth in a fierce kiss, his hands roaming under her silk top. Her skin felt silky and smooth beneath his palms. He wanted to feel her bare breasts against his chest, have her legs wrapped around his waist as he drove into her. He wanted to do the things to her body his tongue was doing to her mouth.
Sophia broke the kiss long before he was ready to let her go. His sweet masculine scent and his hungry kiss left her lightheaded. Her fingers slid into his silky, raven hair, as she softened her voice, “Eu te amo.”
He looked down at her and ran his tongue over his lips, still tasting her. I’ll let you have your way, sweetheart, if you give me a bonus. “How about we make a deal?”
You’re big into making deals lately. She raised an eyebrow waiting for his proposal.
“Tell you what. I’ll close my eyes to your business deals with Ashford, if you agree to a trip on your birthday.”
“Alistair Connor. I’ve already explained why it’s impossible to take a week away now.”
He leaned in closer until his lips were millimeters from hers. “Davidoff is competent enough to handle matters alone.”
She bent her head back and stared seriously into his eyes. “Yeah, he is. But who will make all the decisions for our hasty wedding? You’re no help. I have to decide everything alone.”
Christ, woman! “If I help you, will you agree to come?”
Battle won. She stifled a smile and nodded, “Yeah.”
Battle won. “Good. So a week in the Perhentian Islands.” He smiled triumphantly at her. “We are going to sleep in my new boat, the Sun Ray. Gabriela will love to sleep aboard and you’ll love the scuba diving there.” And I’ll have you all to myself for a whole week.
So sure of yourself, Lord I’m-so-powerful-and-I-know-it. Haven’t you realized I got the best deal? She couldn’t stop her victorious smile from opening and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Alistair lost himself in her kiss, but a second later he realized she had maneuvered him to do exactly what she wanted. Breaking the kiss, with an amused smile on his lips, he shook his head at her, whispering, “Witch!”
Ah! Too late. She threw her head back in a happy laugh, “Be careful, my prince. I can turn you into the Beast.”
He growled and picked her up in his arms, heading for her bedroom.
London, Knightsbridge. One-O-One.
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010.
2.17 p.m.
Sophia looked around the brightly lit room, with its soft, sea blue tones. Large green cushions littered the sofas and sat upon low earthy taupe armchairs. The ambient was unpretentious, graceful and comfortable, perfect for a relaxed and intimate encounter.
Exactly what Ethan wants. To be intimate with me. She scrutinized the handsome man as he walked back to their table. Ethan’s hair was lighter, with streaks of blond mixed with the caramel and dark-brown, his azure eyes were even more startling now that his face was shaved. As always, he was fashionably dressed in a dark-gray tailored suit with a blood-red tie and a pristine white shirt. A handsome, intelligent man any woman would be happy to be with. Any woman, but me.
His smile was joyful when he sat beside her on the sofa.
“I loved lunch, Ethan. The pan-roasted Halibut was delicious. And the smell of the truffles, hmm. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such lovely truffles out of season!” Sophia was babbling idiotically, but she was too nervous to stop. “You know I did a Cordon Bleu course, don’t you? This was sensual, epicurean eating. Wow!”