He watched as her mouth worshipped him.
Her hands grasped the base of his erection as desire shot through her body. She loved giving pleasure.
Seeing was too much, and Ethan pulled her by the arms onto his lap before the orgasm shattered him. “Ride me,” he ordered, gripping her hips.
Her fingers gripped his shoulders and slowly, torturously she sheathed him with her body as he plunged into her at the same time. “Ah, Ethan,” she gasped throatily 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 as he entered her mercilessly.
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,” he said hoarsely with a fierce thrust.
“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, her fingers in his hair and holding him tightly as an orgasm consumed her. “Ethan,” she whispered again on his lips.
Every motion and spasm of her body frayed the threads of his self-control. And with another shove, he let go, his climax hitting him hard. With it came a rush of happiness that filled him with wonder. He let himself sink into her soft body.
“Sophia, 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, her arms flung around his neck and back.
He felt safe.
He felt secure.
And above all, he felt loved, as he never had before.
Chapter 9
London. Leibowitz Oil Building.
Tuesday, February 9th, 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 calls. 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 in a voice that held 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, perhaps, are 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. “Baby, 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?” she offered.
“Just your beautiful presence. My secretary has ordered the catering from Arbutus,” he said. The Michelin-starred restaurant in Soho was one of Ethan’s favorites.
“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.”
“Ah, Ethan-”
“See you there, Sophia.”
Sometimes Ethan is insufferable.
Eaton Square.
4.57 p.m.
Sophia arrived at her apartment in a hurry. “Hello,” she called.
Gabriela came running, almost knocking her over on the floor.
“Hello, my love.” She got down on her knees, hugging the little girl and showering her face with kisses.
“Mama, 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? Can I? Can I?” The girl jumped excitedly.
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. But I have to run to a meeting. You can write our names for me tomorrow. How’s that? In fact, Maria, I’m not sleeping here tonight.” She looked up at the nanny. “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, Maria. 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 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. She liked what she saw. The sleek, tight black dress with a drooping gap at the back did wonders to show off her body and left little to the imagination. She had coiled her hair in a high, loose bun.
She also wore her new gift, a Rolex day-date in white gold and square diamonds, one of the three Ethan had given her. She smiled wickedly. He’d had trouble choosing them, but decided on a diamond pavéd Franck Muller Crazy Hours Totally Crazy watch, a Tag Heuer Calibre Sixteen, and the one she wore tonight.
“Like what you see, Sophia?” Ethan leaned on the doorjamb, looking at her with a small smile on his lips, noticing she had complemented the dress with the spectacular Oiseau des Paradis set he had given her as a Christmas present.
“Yes,” she didn’t heard the door opening. She smiled at him, “Do you?”
His arms wound around her waist, 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.
“We have half an hour before the guests arrive. Come inside before I make love to you in the hall.”
He went directly to his bedroom, flinging her clutch on the armchair in his sitting room. He crooked a finger in her direction. “Come here. I want to taste the dessert before the main course.”
She laughed. “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, an intense, hungry look in his blue ones. “I want you. Now. Don’t deny me.”
She laughed again and her hands went to his shirt, undoing the buttons. “You’re unbelievable.”
Sophia, retouching her lipstick in the bathroom mirror, heard Ethan call. “They’ve arrived. Hurry.”
She held her breath and sprayed her favorite Creed perfume around her, shaking her hair to let the perfume rain on it; she redid her bun. Then she re-pinned the magnificent bird clip Ethan had given her above her heart.