He couldn’t resist the temptation. And dropped his head again, being bolder this time.
Sophia didn’t refuse his entering. She met desire with desire. His kisses drove her crazy. She tangled a hand in his silky, long hair, pulling him closer, her body melting on his.
Oh, my, this is too good. She moaned low in her throat.
Alistair gripped her rump and pressed her flush to his erection. Sophia startled as she acknowledged the passion in him and gasped in his mouth. Her nipples were aching for his touch and, as if he knew it, his hand cupped the fullness of one of her breasts over her clothes and his thumb circled a nipple over her clothes.
His other hand roamed under her turtleneck sweater. I’ve touched heaven. “Sophia,” he moaned. This is pure bliss. Her skin was smooth, like velvet. His hand caressed her waist and roamed up to find her bra.
Sophia broke the kiss, panting when his fingers hovered over the lacy bra to find her breast. Her hand gripped his wrist. “Stop, Alistair. Please,” she whispered and withdrew from his embrace.
He stood there a few seconds gazing at her trying to gauge her reaction. What have I done wrong?
She moved to sit on a bench that circled a huge tree, putting her feet under her legs and leaning her head on its trunk, her eyes closed. He faced her and sat close. Their knees touched and he tucked a lock of her endless hair behind her ear, enjoying the silky touch of it. “Did I scare you?”
She seemed so vulnerable, huddled on the seat. Unable to resist, he rested his palm against her cheek. She pressed her face onto his hand. Alistair froze at the intimate movement, at the gesture of trust, of her seeking comfort from him. It’s been so long since anyone’s reached out for me like this. So gently. Such innocence, such need. Slowly he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. For a long moment, he didn’t move. He just closed his eyes and reveled in the taste of her skin. A sweetness that made him want to drop his head and kiss her again. To feel her tongue against mine. To taste-
Her voice broke his line of thought. “No- Yes- I don’t know,” she stammered in a husky answer.
“Well, which?” He smiled gently. “Yes or no?”
“Yes, you did.” She breathed deep, trying to steady her heart. “Too soon, too much.” Her breaths coming quickly. She bet he could hear her heart beating.
After a moment of complete silence, Alistair broke the tension. “Sophia, I didn’t mean to.”
“Um-hmm.” Why isn’t he panting?
He looked at her, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, it’s just… I’m not used to things going this fast. We only started going out a few days ago…”
“You’re right. We have been dating for a few days.” Here we go. A relationship. For now.
“Dating?” she squealed.
His smile broadened. “Dating,” he repeated. “However, we’ve been attracted, even before the day I took you out to dinner.”
“Before?” Her breaths were calmer now, but the desire still raged in her body. If she could, she’d jump him right then and there.
“Come on, Sophia. Don’t tell me I was the only one affected.” If I want to fuck her, I have to accept her terms. And he smiled, remembering her words at the bank meeting. “That day you entered the meeting room at the bank, January nineteenth, my world turned upside down and it still hasn’t righted itself,” he chuckled. “I doubt it will any time soon.”
She sat there looking at him. Oh! But the man knows just what to say. He remembered the exact date we first met. “Well, I’m lying if I were to say I wasn’t affected, as well. Still, Alistair, I don’t usually make out with a man I barely know.” She smiled to soften the statement.
“So, I’m a stranger?” He smiled back. “I will have to amend this. Promptly.” He stood and picked her up grabbing her upper arms, lifting her as if she were a feather. “Let’s go. Your lessons start now.”
“My lessons? With you?” She looked as if she wanted to run away.
He smiled, shaking his head, “Worse. With Leonard.” He started to walk back to the house. “After an hour with him, you won’t think me a stranger anymore.”
She eyed him confused.
He laughed. “That SOB can destroy anyone’s reputation in five minutes with that angelic smile of his. I will be grateful if you don’t run away after he finishes.”
“So you have dark secrets?” She blinked. “And you want me to know them all?” What a strange wish. Careful, Sophia.
“Aye,” he grinned at her and laced their fingers. “That way you won’t be able to use that excuse to stop me again by saying I’m ‘a man you barely know.’”
Alistair stole a peek at her. Although accustomed to towering over women, with Sophia he believed he would be just her ideal height. Whether standing, sitting, on his knees, on the bed -everywhere - doing everything, no problem whatsoever.
They were laughing when they entered the library.
Alice breathed relieved and looked at her husband.
Leonard nodded, smiling, and whispered, “I knew Alistair would be able to soothe her. The sparks of attraction are in their eyes. Hmm… I just hope she doesn’t waver from her path. It’s Alistair’s chance to be saved.”
“Still, I have to set things straight with her. I’ll apologize later,” she whispered back.
“Do it if you want to, but I don’t think she’s upset anymore. It was a good thing that Ashford messed things up with her, Alice. Not that I don’t like him. But I like this brother of yours more.” He sighed softly, “Alistair deserves some happiness. Sophia is the right woman for him.”
“Leo, I have a mission for you,” Alistair said as he neared. He pushed Sophia lightly in Leonard’s direction.
“Hey, your accent is showing. See what I told you, Sophia? In a few minutes, you won’t be able to understand a word of what he says.”
“Pay attention, Leonard,” Alistair ordered.
“Very well,” he acquiesced. “What’s the mission?”
“Sophia thinks I’m a stranger, a man she barely knows.”
“I didn’t mean it that way-”
“Your words, lass,” he tossed back, his accent increasing. “So, Leo, tell her aw you ken aboot me.”
“God!” Sophia said drolly. “Does Alice speak like that too?”
“She does,” Leonard laughed.
“I do not.”
He grinned, not bothering to answer. “It’s a heathen mixture of Scots words, English, and Scottish Gaelic drawl in a very strong accent.” Leonard rubbed his hands, grinning angelically. “You’re sure, Alistair?”
“Ach! Aye, verra sure.” He joked and winked at Sophia. “Next time she won’t use this excuse.”
“Next time? Excuse for what?” Alice asked.
Sophia flushed. A deep laugh bubbled from Alistair’s chest and he looked at Sophia with a wolfish smile. “It’s a secret, Alice. Don’t be nosy.”
“Come on, Sophia.” Leonard rubbed his hands and pulled her toward the sofa; she went along, sitting beside him. She thought it comical the way Leonard enjoyed this.
“Hey, he’s my brother,” Alice said. “Take care what you’re going to gossip about or you’ll sleep in the stables.”
“Alice, I’m more afraid of what Sophia can do to me if I don’t enlighten her about this jerk of a brother-in-law than of your threats.”
“Can I help destroy your reputation too?” Andrew asked Alistair.
Alistair smiled and answered, “Nae! Aw is tuilled ‘s a’ chòir.”