“It’s a wonder you’re so lean,” remarked Elena, seated opposite her, between Alexander and Leonard.
“Sophia has always been thin,” Alexander noted.
“But it’s no miracle. I don’t really eat much. It’s not because I love food that I eat heaps of it. And I work out to burn the calories. There’s no free lunch, is there?”
“I can just imagine the exercises you do,” Tavish muttered from the head of the table.
“That’s enough, Tavish Uilleam,” Alice rebuked, putting a hand on his arm and squeezing it hard. “Instead of dwelling in your dirty imagination, pay attention to the woman, to the human being in front of you. You’re being too creative.”
He unlocked his stare from Alistair and Sophia and glanced at Alice, “How are you so sure?”
“Do you think I’d put another Heather next to Ariadne and Michael? You weren’t the only one who didn’t like her. Although I’m the youngest, I’m no fool,” she spoke so low that not even Alistair, who sat beside her, heard the comment.
Sophia felt a prickling on the back of her neck and stiffened as she noticed Tavish’s measuring stare.
As if sensing her discomfort, Alistair gripped her hand and squeezed it. “Everything okay?” he whispered in her ear.
She didn’t look his way or answer his question, incapable of handling the uncomfortable situation anymore. How could she explain a situation she didn’t fully understand herself?
“If you make love to your dessert tonight, I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and carry you, caveman style, to my room,” he murmured in her ear.
She lifted a raven eyebrow in an elegant dare.
“And don’t moan over the chocolates you brought my father when he offers them.” His green eyes flashed. “Or I’ll have to punish you.”
With those threats, he put her in a light mood. A devious smile spread slowly on her face and something mischievous gleamed in her clear eyes.
When the soufflé with raspberry sorbet arrived, Alistair was already hard from the expectation of what she would do. Fuck. I’m in for good.
Sophia smiled wickedly at him and slowly, ever so slowly picked up her spoon and dipped it in the sorbet. She lifted the spoon and opened her mouth. Putting it between her lips, she closed her mouth around it with such a passion, in a motion so carnal he felt as if her lips had closed around his erection. Her eyes turned light gold and he sucked in a breath. She was making love, not to her dessert, but to him.
Alistair noticed as she lost her playful and teasing mood. He followed the movement her eyes had made. Tavish was watching them intently with a thunderous look on his face. She sat up erect on her chair.
He tried to lighten her mood again and, bending his head, he whispered in her ear, “So, you’re up for punishment. A spanking, maybe?”
Sustaining Tavish’s glare, Sophia whispered to Alistair, “It’s your brother who deserves a spanking.”
Lachlann chuckled.
Oh, God. I’ve been overheard. Sophia blushed.
Alistair fell in love with her pink cheeks and threw his head back in laughter, too happy to give a damn about Tavish.
Laughing at me? How dare you! Sophia smacked Alistair’s biceps, “You brutish Highlander.”
“Seems we are in greater number here, my dear,” Tavish drawled from his position at the other end of the table. “You’d better behave.”
“Should I cower because of your greater numbers?” she rebuked, raising her chin.
“Tavish, you’re the one who should show care around Dr. Leibowitz here. She’s quite fearless,” Leonard chuckled, on his seat next to Tavish. “Threats don’t work well on her.”
“Are you a medical doctor?” Tavish’s brows almost met his hairline.
“No, I’m not. I’m a lawyer with a master’s who is finishing a PhD. Not a medic, a doctor.” A doctor to be, you mean, Sophia.
Tavish’s mouth dropped opened and stayed that way as he looked to Alice who just raised an eyebrow.
“What’s happening to Alistair Connor?” he asked his sister in a whisper.
“Do you ride, Sophia?” Leonard probed when they sat down in the drawing room. As she nodded, he asked. “Would you like to go riding with us tomorrow? There are some beautiful trails here.”
“It’s one of my favorite sports,” Sophia exclaimed, excited. “If I could, I would go riding every day. In Brazil, I have two horses. Well, not anymore, since I gave them to Felipe. Black Devil is the one I rode in Rio and Lightning stayed at our house in Mangaratiba. I miss them,” she sighed. “I used to go riding at least four times a week.”
“You can ride as much as you want here and at our stables in London,” Lachlann interjected. “I have some new horses that have just completed their training. I’m sending them to London in two or three weeks.”
“To London,” she breathed, excited and turned to Alistair, “you never told me your father had a stable in London. Where is it?” she asked Lachlann.
“Near Kew Gardens, in Richmond,” answered Tavish, dryly. “In fact, I take care of them.”
“Ah, I see,” her excitement deflated.
“But I oversee the stables at Hyde Park, Sophia,” Alistair threw daggers at Tavish and pulled Sophia into his embrace, “I’ll take you there when I get back. We can ride on Rotten Row. It’s beautiful.”
“Really? On Rotten Row?” she frowned. How did I miss this?
“Rotten Row is-” Tavish started but stopped at the pointed look Sophia gave him.
“I know exactly what and where Rotten Row is, my lord. Isn’t it the most famous path? Called the King’s Drive? I’ve already ridden there,” she looked away, clearly dismissing him and turned to Lachlann. “Please, do tell me about the stables in Richmond.”
“Katherine, my wife, loved it there. It’s really beautiful. And the trails of Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park are some of the best for hacking in the south of England. More than three thousand acres of beautiful countryside right there for you. You won’t believe you are so close to Central London!”
“Ariadne has horse riding lessons twice a week at Hyde Park,” Alice said, “Why don’t you enroll Gabriela too? It’s a friendly, lively riding stable.”
“Does she like horses?” Alistair asked Sophia.
“Gabriela? She loves them. And she adores Kew Gardens.” Sophia stared at Alistair’s face. “You have to take us there.”
“The teachers there have a wealth of experience in developing the skills of capable riders and enthusiastic novices, Sophia. I can take you there,” Alice offered, “You don’t need to wait for Alistair-”
“Don’t you dare, Alice,” Alistair warned, seriously. “Sophia is my girlfriend, not yours. I’ll take her.” He put his hand over Sophia’s.
“Possessive, aren’t you, Brother?” Tavish leered at them.
Alistair’s face darkened, “Wouldn’t you be?”
“Indeed, Brother, indeed,” he ogled Sophia, from head to toe and back again, making Alistair’s temper seethe.
Lachlann discreetly nudged Tavish. “You can also go simply to ride for fun and relax. We’ll receive anyone who loves horses and riding. It will be my pleasure to take you there,” he offered, raising his brows at Tavish, “Make your plans with Alistair Connor and let me know. I’ll give you the first tour.”
“I’d love to, Lachlann. Thank you very much.” She smiled at him, “You are most kind.”
Alistair eyed her, measuring her. “One of the horses that arrived is just what I would recommend for you. Not too tall, not too nervous-”
Her laugh rang in the air. “Alistair Connor! With names like Black Devil and Lightning, my horses weren’t exactly small or meek.” She fished her iPhone from her jacket pocket and scrolled for photos. “Here. This is Black Devil.”