“Mmmm. This is so good,” she moaned in his arms, her hands roaming freely over his strong back. “I’ll become addicted to this.”
I do hope you get addicted so when I tell you my whole story you won’t back away from our relationship.
He rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, for a fleeting second imagining what his life could have been if he could go back in time and be whole again for her. His arms tightened around her, holding her against him, as if she were the most precious thing in the world. He whispered so low that Sophia almost didn’t hear, “I love you so much.”
Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse.
9.45 a.m.
The beautiful dark-haired woman stopped at the door to the home office and knocked softly, pushing it as she heard a voice commanding her to enter.
“Good morning, Scott,” she said, stepping into the office.
“Good morning, Sophia,” Scott replied with a smile.
The woman pursed her lips. “Scott, I’ve already asked you not to call me Sophia when Ethan isn’t around. My name is Barbara.”
Scott’s smile waned and he frowned.
“So-phi-a,” he stressed the name. “You knew the rules and you agreed to them. But if you are not satisfied...” He left the threat hanging in the air.
Barbara sighed and lowered her head, “I’m sorry. I won’t ask again. I... I was wondering if I could have a day off. I need to visit my mother.”
“Ask Mr. Ashford, Sophia. I’m sure he’ll comply. He has a very big heart,” Scott encouraged her. “He’s having his breakfast. Go on.”
“I...”
“Go, go, Sophia. The real... You wouldn’t doubt- Err... Your course of action. Try to be more assertive. Mr. Ashford is not going to bite you.”
“You know I need the money,” Barbara said. “I can’t risk displeasing him, Scott.”
“You won’t.” He motioned with his hand for her to exit the room, “Now, go. Ask what you want in the next half hour. We have a meeting after that.”
“Okay. Wish me luck,” Barbara asked and bit her lip.
Scott laughed, “You don’t need luck, my dear. Just bite your lip and ask what you want. He will grant it, I’m sure.”
That made her stop in the middle of the room, “Why do you say that?”
“You do exactly what the... Ah... First Sophia did. I’m sure that’s the reason he chose you, besides, of course, your great similarity. It’s impressive,” Scott explained.
Barbara pulled up a chair and sat next to Scott, looking into his watery blue eyes, “Scott, I need to study her. I need to see her. I need to know her life. Where she studies. What she does. Who are her friends. Photos, videos. Everything. Can you get me those?”
While Scott thought about her request, Barbara continued talking, an idea forming in her mind, “Wouldn’t it be nice for you, if he was happier with me as her?”
“Come again? If he were... happier with you?”
“If I look and behave more like her, he will be even more satisfied with your services than he is now. I’m an actress, Scott. I know I can imitate her better if you give me something to work with. It’s very difficult to be someone I don’t know.”
An evil grin spread slowly on Scott’s features, “I’ll make a file for you later today.” He patted her hand, musing, “Good idea, good idea, my dear.”
She gave him a bright smile and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Ethan lowered the newspaper when he heard soft footsteps in the dining room. “Good morning, darling.”
Barbara approached him and bent down to kiss his cheek, “Good morning, Ethan.”
She fidgeted with the skirt of her dress unsure if she should speak her mind or not.
If she should sit or not.
If she should flee from the mad job she’d accepted or not.
But she desperately needed the money to repay the loan sharks or they would bother her mother again.
Not a shade of my Sophia. Ethan sighed and said, “Sit, please. Have breakfast with me.”
She sat on the chair beside him and bit her lip, remembering Scott’s words. She almost smiled as she heard Ethan’s groan.
His hand shot to her chin and his thumb freed her lip from her teeth. “Don’t.” His hand fell from her chin and he motioned to the loaded table. “Choose something. Eggs, bread, fruit. Espresso, cappuccino.” He stepped on a button under the table and, within seconds, Imelda, his housekeeper, appeared at the door.
“Yes, Mr. Ashford?”
“Please, see to Sophia’s breakfast.” He motioned to Barbara and held her hand in his. “What do you want, darling?”
“Tea and a white omelet, if you please, Imelda.”
Tea! And white omelet! Ugh! He breathed deep and turned back to his newspaper.
“Ethan,” Barbara entwined her fingers with his and squeezed lightly. “I wanted to ask if I can have today off. I’d be back tomorrow by mid-day.”
“Today? Saturday?” he frowned. “Your days off are Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“I could take Mon-Monday off, if you think it’s bet-better...” she stammered. Then Barbara remembered Scott’s words, bit her lip for a second, looking down at her empty plate. She heard his sharp intake of breath. Then she said softly, “I’d like to visit my mother. She doesn’t live in London. She’s getting old and I haven’t seen her for some time.”
Hmm. Information, Ethan. An old mother is good leverage. He shifted on his chair, sitting more comfortably, and smiled at her, “Where does your mother live?”
Ethan was a master in subtly probing and manipulating others into relaxed and revealing conversations. He had made Sophia tell him many private things without realizing it. He didn’t mind using such methods to gather all the information he could in business or, he shrugged mentally, in personal affairs. In truth, he shared Machiavelli’s idea that the end justified the means.
He smiled and nodded to the woman in front of him, devoting all his attention to her.
Barbara didn’t know she was dealing with an extremely intelligent and perspicacious man as Ethan sometimes seemed to be just a rich, bored dandy. She knew he was the president of the board at Ashford Steel. She knew he was well-read and knowledgeable.
Nonetheless, Ethan masked his sharp mind and quick-wittedness very well.
Barbara smiled inwardly as she answered his questions and chatted away, revealing all he wanted to know. She thought that she could easily deceive and spellbind Ethan Ashford with her charms.
That would prove to be her greatest mistake.
Chapter 9
Ells Hall.
11.27 a.m.
Tavish’s gaze keep returning to Sophia as if he were hypnotized. He didn’t even notice Alistair’s dark scowl. He eyed Sophia as she lightly touched the horse with her heels and smiled as she talked to Lachlann.
She was mounting Craigdale Avenger, a surprise present from Lachlann. The stallion was a young Friesian Sporthorse with a long black and white mane and tail and feathers on his lower legs.
He was stunned by how easily she controlled the big and nervous horse. One might have guessed that she had trained Avenger from the way the horse responded to her. He spurred his horse and galloped to her side, flanking her, listening to their conversation.
He was so absorbed by his thoughts that he didn’t notice Alice’s approach.
She motioned for him to slow his horse and snapped, “Tavish Uilleam. Stop it. You’re provoking Alistair Connor.”
Tavish looked at his sister, surprised, “Provoking? What am I doing to provoke him?”
“Give Sophia some room. You know he’s fiercely jealous of her.”
Tavish looked over his shoulder to where Alistair was riding with Leonard. If looks could kill, he would have dropped dead in that instant. He laughed out loud and turned to Alice. “It’s good to see Alistair Connor like that. Better than to see him dispatching one woman after another. She has tamed him, Alice.”