“Shhh.” Sophia scattered tiny kisses on his face. “They won’t hurt you anymore. No one will.”
“I called my grandfather that very night and asked him if I could move in with him. He asked why but I was too shaken to explain the real reasons. But he must have guessed because he cursed Calista…the next morning when I was packing, I heard King, my sheepdog puppy, yelping.”
He whispered so low that Sophia could barely hear his voice.
“I looked for him through the house and found him in the back garden. Dead. She left a note beside his body in her childish handwriting. ‘Never reject me again.’ But I did.”
“I’m so sorry.” Pity, angst, and anger constricted her throat. Oh, my God. Now I understand why you have so many issues.
“I furtively buried King in the garden with the help of the cook and fled to Athens, only to return to England for college. I have not set foot in their house since.”
Silence reigned for a few moments.
“Unfortunately, Sophia,” he said mournfully, “that’s my story.”
“That is your past.” She put a calming hand on his chest. “Let’s make a new beginning. Today. Now.”
He breathed deeply. “You’re right. Come on.”
Chapter 14
Neither one of them had appetite, so Ethan took her around the palazzo for a bit, showing her all the beautiful individually decorated rooms and then they moved to the Noble Hall on the first floor to watch a series of outstanding performances; a joyous and sophisticated show, which distracted them and made them relax.
“Come.” He held out his hand to her. “Let’s dance.”
Sophia eyed Ethan with a wicked gleam in her eyes and undid the clasp that held her mantua closed, letting it glide off her shoulders sensuously.
“Jesus, Sophia. Do you want to un-man me here?” he whispered in her ear. His eyes sparkled with hunger as he bent to kiss her bare shoulder, running his hand over the strapless bodice that enhanced her breasts and revealed her curves. “Temptress.”
“Behave!” She gripped his hand and dragged him to the dance-floor.
The disco music throbbed as Sophia let herself go with it, the rhythm in her veins, and they danced until the small hours of the morning.
When they returned to the Pallazzo suite, two table lamps were on, softly illuminating the living room.
From the mini-fridge hidden inside a cabinet in the corner, Sophia took out a bottle of Cristal Louis Roederer. “Another toast.” She handed him the champagne bottle. “Open, please. I’ll be right back.”
He popped the cork.
“Where are the damn glasses?” he muttered, looking around.
“We don’t need glasses,” she whispered in his ear when she came back to the living room and snatched the bottle from his hand, laughing. Swirling away with it, she drank from the bottle, the champagne dribbling down her chin and onto her breasts. The icy liquid rolled downward. “Mmm,” she moaned and shuddered, whispering hoarsely, “it’s cold.” She dragged a hand over her neck, breasts, and flat stomach. The thin black gauze of her wrap clung to the swelling curve of her breasts and her nipples tightened.
Ethan’s mind shut down as he watched Sophia dance away from him, crossing the living room to the windows, the wrap swirling around her legs. The first light of day had started to creep into the sky outlining her lean body and long legs.
He stalked her slowly and cornered her by the window, caging her with one arm on the wall. He fixed her with his blistering gaze, took the bottle from her hands, and lifted it over her shoulders, letting the champagne wash over her.
She moaned, letting her head fall back. Her mouth curved into a slow, wicked smile. “I’ve never had a chilled champagne shower before.” She licked her lips and demanded naughtily, “I want more.”
“You little devil,” he said, stepping to the fridge, shedding his coat, waistcoat, and shirt onto a chair.
She followed him, untying her wrap, and shrugging it off. It floated to the ground in a dark cloud. She reached for him to divest him of his breeches as he opened a magnum bottle.
He toed off his shoes as he popped another cork and handed the bottle to her, ordering, “Drink.”
She lifted the bottle to her mouth, caressing it erotically with her fingers, lips, and tongue, promising with her eyes to do the same to him.
His gaze didn’t waver from the show as he finished taking off his clothes. He picked up the bottle from her and let the golden liquid pour from it slowly in a steady rivulet to soak her more.
“Don’t finish it on me.” She snatched the bottle from him with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
The soft light from the incoming dawn danced on her wet skin and flashed on the diamonds of her headband as she tipped her head to drink and her hand closed over him and traveled the length of his erection.
She reached for him and scattered kisses along his jaw, licking a trail to his earlobe. She took it into her mouth and sucked.
“So good,” Ethan groaned. His head dropped to kiss her shoulder and he lapped at her collarbone. “You and Cristal, the perfect combination.” He pulled away her nightgown and licked his way to her breast, drawing the nipple between his lips, sucking hard.
“Oh. Ethan.” Sophia threw a hand into his hair, holding him in place.
Then with a gentle shove to his shoulders, she backed him onto the sofa. She stood between his legs and slowly ran a hand over her moistened abdomen and stroked his erection in her wet palm.
“Sophia,” he moaned, “please?”
“What do you want?” She glided her hand harder, longer.
“Don’t tease, Sophia.” His hips jerked on the sofa and his breathing quickened.
She tightened her hold and stopped, causing him to moan in pleasure and anticipation.
“I want you,” he growled. “Take me in your mouth.”
“Mmm, let me see what I can do about that,” she murmured, her tongue licking his parted lips leisurely.
He sucked her tongue between his lips, grunting with desire as his hands caressed her hips and buttocks.
Her hand left his arousal for his chest and she handed him the bottle, “Drink.”
Her fingers lightly caressed his hard chest and she bent to kiss one nipple and then another, sucking them both hard.
Ethan grunted in instant appreciation.
Sophia nipped her way down the center of his stomach to his navel, dipping her tongue in.
His fingers found her curls and he tugged. “Down.”
She dropped to her knees, between his thighs, her hand motioning for the bottle. She drank a gulp and smiled sinfully at him. Her hands glided over his thighs to his knees, then she used her nails on the way back up, scraping the inside of them.
“Damn, Sophia.” Heat blazed his body.
She bit at the skin beneath his navel and he drew in a long and ragged breath. She slid her cheek along the pulsating length of his hard arousal, moving up from the base to his smooth rounded tip, lightly blowing on him. She drank a gulp of the chilly champagne and took him fully into her cold mouth.
His hands held her shoulders, digging his fingers in her flesh. His stomach muscles tightened and flexed as he thrust forward between her lips.
She sucked him into her mouth and grasped the base of his erection as desire shot through her body. She loved giving pleasure.
He watched as her mouth worshipped him. Seeing it became too much, and Ethan pulled her by the arms onto his lap before a pending climax could shatter him. Gripping her hips, he ordered, “Ride me.”
Her fingers gripped his shoulders and slowly, torturously she sheathed him with her body as he plunged into her at the same time. She gasped as he filled her again with a hard thrust.
He gave her a heated kiss, deep and lascivious, dragging his hands over the silky skin of her ribs, down her back to the curve of her bottom.
He broke the kiss and watched her.
Lost in her pleasure, Sophia’s eyes closed
and her mouth parted, her head thrown back. Her curls brushed his hands as they moved together.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, as he cupped her hips in his hands. “So soft. I love touching you. I love tasting you. Love watching you respond to passion.”
She opened her eyes to look at him.
“How your eyes turn into this yellow feline color when you’re aroused.” He shoved harder into her and she gasped. Ethan felt her body tightening the moment his finger touched her clitoris. “Sophia, you’re mine.”
“Ethan,” she gasped, and pushed down against him.
He plunged into her again and she shattered.
She flung her arms around his neck, dragging him to a searing kiss, with her fingers in his hair and holding him tightly as an orgasm consumed her.
Every motion and spasm of her body frayed the threads of his self-control. And with another shove, he sank into her soft body and let go, his climax hitting him hard. With it came a rush of happiness that filled him with wonder.
“I love you.” He buried his face in her curled hair and her sweet scent enveloped him. This is heaven. I want to be here every single day of my life.
She shuddered one last time in his arms and he stroked her back waiting for their hearts to calm.
“I love you,” he repeated in her hair. “You are my only and lasting love.”
She purred, her face resting on the hollow of his shoulder.
Ethan felt safe.
He felt secure.
And above all, he felt loved, as he never had before.
London
Leibowitz Oil Building
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
4:20 p.m.
The intercom buzzed, jolting Sophia. “Yes, Sarah?”
“Mr. Ashford’s on the phone, Mrs. L. I informed him you were busy, but he was quite insistent,” Sarah said in an apologetic voice.
“It’s okay, Sarah. I’ll take his call. Please hold all others, except Gabriela’s. Any excuse will do, all right?”
“Yes, Mrs. L. I’m sorry.”
“No prob.” Sophia sighed and picked up the receiver. “Hello, Ethan.”
“What took you so long, Sophia?” Ethan said, in an annoyed voice.
“Good afternoon to you, too, Ethan,” Sophia said with a hint of ice. “I was working. I have responsibilities, you know. Lawsuits with final judgments, contracts to review, essays to mark. Small things that are, perhaps, far from your big world but they make up my daily life.”
“Sorry, darling, it’s just that I’m having a stressful day,” Ethan explained himself. “I’ve changed our plans for this evening. I’m hosting a small dinner for some friends who came over for a business meeting. They’re French and I would like you to help me receive them.”
“Okay. Do you need me to bring anything?”
“Just your beautiful presence. My secretary has ordered the catering from Arbutus,” he said.
“I’m already salivating.” Sophia loved the exceptional modern European food prepared by Chef Anthony Demeter. “What time do you need me there?”
“Seven o’clock, sharp.”
Oh, please. Not seven. “Ah—”
“See you there, Sophia.”
She hung up, sighing. Sometimes, you’re insufferable, Ethan.
Chapter 15
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.”