She blinked and looked at him as if she had forgotten he was beside her.
This is new. Another blow to my ego.
“Yes,” Sophia stepped down from the clouds, “yes, I did.”
“Why were you crying?” His hand traced her cheek.
“I cry easily,” she smiled sheepishly at him, “and a lot.”
“But what triggered your emotions?” He asked. “It’s only a film.”
“Maybe. But it’s as profound as that rabbit hole Alice falls into. And it’s so artfully done. Children won’t understand half of what Burton put in it. Well, I don’t think it’s made for them to get everything anyway.” She sighed and rubbed a hand over her heart as if it hurt. “Everyone manipulates Alice’s life as they want. Then her own dream crashes and burns, but she still struggles to survive in a land she doesn’t understand, where she feels alone. Everyone wants to boss her around until she decides that harnessing her own dream - her life - and keeping it under a tight leash leads to happiness. There’s no room for laziness or mistakes, unless she wants to go crazy or,” she smiled, “be beheaded.”
“I see.” So that’s how she feels. That her life has crashed and burned. But… Doesn’t she like being ordered around? “How is your house renovation going?”
Sophia flung an arm over her eyes and moaned. “Don’t ask me about it!”
“Well…” He looked confused.
She laughed, “I’m joking.” And she launched into an explanation about the refurbishment and the implementation of her ideas, captivating Alistair with her passionate words and her pride in her siblings’ work.
The topic changed and it was Sophia’s turn to sit, mesmerized, while Alistair talked about his work at the bank, with the horses, and his father. She felt as if he caressed her each time his deep and masculine voice said her name. He had plenty of stories to tell about his childhood and Craigdale Castle, where he lived with his parents until he moved to Oxford.
The waiter approached the table. “Excuse me, would you like any dessert?”
Sophia stared at Alistair. “I will have what you suggested earlier. We can have both and share them. What do you think?” She licked her lips in anticipation. “I love creamy, rich desserts.”
Deliver me. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “We will have the raspberry mille-feuille and the dark chocolate mousse. To share,” he informed the waiter in a throaty voice.
“Thank you, sir.” He entered their order on his PDA and served them more of the Bordeaux wine Alistair had chosen, Château Pape-Clément. “Would you like another bottle, sir?”
Alistair shook his head, “No, thank you. I’d like to choose a dessert wine.”
A few minutes later, Sophia dipped her spoon in an impossibly soft chocolate mousse. Her eyes shone like a child who had just received her most treasured toy.
He stared at her, hypnotized, his eyes greedily following the movement of her hands and mouth. He almost asked her not to eat it.
Christ! He inhaled deeply and shifted on his seat as she closed her lips around the spoon, her eyes shut with an expression of pleasure so blatant he pictured her in bed, lapping up his erection, her head bobbing up and down, her lips stretched to accommodate his wide girth. His body reacted immediately. He fisted his hands, struggling with his raging desire.
“Good?” He didn’t recognize his voice so hoarse it was. He cleared his throat. Again.
“Open your mouth,” she commanded.
Gladly, but it is not the dessert I want. And this time he pictured himself going down on her, teasing and licking and sucking until she screamed and begged for him to finish her. But he complied and did as she asked and she put a spoonful of chocolate mousse between his lips. He clamped it between his teeth for a second staring at her with flaming green eyes, pinning her with his glare. I want you.
Sophia almost jumped out of her chair, surprised by the intensity of the desire swirling in his gaze. You cannot play with fire and come away unscathed, Sophia.
Palace Gardens Terrace.
Friday, February 26th, 2010.
1.05 a.m.
The mirror reflected Alistair’s taut body under the shower. His head was thrown back. His eyes were squeezed shut as he fisted his stiff arousal and remembered Sophia’s stunning body in his arms. His left hand moved almost violently, working the rigid flesh. He licked his lips and grunted as his body tensed. He pumped faster and his muscles bulged, his stomach tightened. He gasped as the pleasure built when he imagined Sophia going down on him, sucking, licking his erection, and he tightened his hold on himself and quickened the pace. Alistair put his right hand on the wall, steadying himself as an almost painful orgasm exploded through his body. With a loud groan, he came heavily, his semen spilling on the marbled floor, mingling with the water, and going down the drain.
He stayed there under the hot water for several minutes, his body shaking from the pleasure and intense release.
Fuck. How will I feel when Sophia and I do it?
Chapter 13
Essex, Saffron Walden. Galewick Hall.
Friday, February 26th, 2010.
Late afternoon.
Sophia and Gabriela arrived late at Leonard’s country house. When she entered the reception room, she immediately noticed Alistair sitting at the shadowed end of the room.
Seems he likes dark places no matter where he is.
Immediately Gabriela squeaked and jumped from her mother’s arms and ran in Alistair’s direction. Sophia marveled as Alistair’s face split in a wonderful grin and he pushed off his seat to pick her daughter up.
When Leonard greeted her, Sophia scowled and whispered to him, “You didn’t tell me he would be here. You set me up. And worse, by manipulating a little girl’s desire.”
“I didn’t.” He gave an impish smile. “I know you have been seeing him. Are you displeased?”
“No, of course not.” She shook her head lightly. “If you didn’t, who did? It’s obvious this is a plot.”
“Don’t tell them I told you,” he whispered back. “It was Alistair’s idea with Alice’s help.”
“Leonard! Sophia! What are the two of you gossiping about like two old maids?” Alice came to greet her, “Hello, my dear. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you, Alice. How are you?”
“Not bad, not bad.” Alice looked down as an excited Gabriela approached.
“Alice, where is Ariadne? She asked me to bring my DS and some new games.”
Alice smiled at the girl’s enthusiasm. “Come, I’ll take you to her. She’s outside with Michael.”
After dinner, the adults moved to the library.
What a perfect weekend for more intimacy. No more stolen kisses, Sophia. You’re in for it. Alistair sat next to Sophia on the sofa. He spread an arm behind her shoulders and felt exultant when she relaxed into his embrace.
Immediately, his body reacted to the attraction that sparkled between them. He’d spent almost two hours that morning between the treadmill and the pool. But it did nothing to diminish the sexual frustration that tied his body in knots.
Leonard smiled at him, noting the look on his face and turned to Sophia. “Sophia, you will have to start learning Scots and Scottish Gaelic. It will add to your curriculum and help you understand Alistair.”
Sophia looked at Alistair, who shrugged. “I can understand Alistair perfectly well.”
Leonard gave them his angelic smile. “When he gets nervous or excited, he doesn’t speak English but an entire different language I’ve never managed to fully understand.”