“Come now, Alis-”
“Sophia,” he warned, sternly. “And we can ask for the STD exams and the other stuff.”
“All right, all right. Just let me know your schedule, I’ll make an appointment with John.”
“Monday, if it’s okay for you. I’ll call him first thing in the morning. I’m sure he will fit us in. And,” he hesitated. “Does it happen every time?” He had to know. “With the others?”
“You want to know about other men?” she asked bewildered. He nodded. “Why?”
“I need to know,” he cupped her face in his hands, “I need to know every single thing, every small detail. I don’t like being in the dark.”
“But I’ve told you.” She shook her head, still astonished, “I don’t… Why I-”
“Sophia,” he warned in a hiss. Suspicion insinuated in his mind. How many men?
She raised her brows and chuckled, completely unaware of his dark thoughts, “Curious, aren’t you? God, what is the problem with British men? So nosy.”
“Nosy? Nosy? What happened to you twice-no, three times-tonight isn’t something one sees every day. You were barely breathing and you fainted the first time. I’ve never seen a woman react like that before. It’s weird, to say the least.”
“And you are an expert?” How many women, Alistair Connor?
“I could say so,” he raised his eyebrows at her. “Nevertheless, we’re not talking about my bed partners, but yours.”
“Did you know that curiosity killed the cat?” She raised her head, controlling her features but with a twinkle of amazement coloring her clear eyes. “Well,” she tilted her head and blinked twice, “I’ve always had problems with boyfriends because of this,” she waved her hand in the air, “reaction. The first three were so scared they never wanted to see me again. After Gabriel, the other twelve,” she paused, laughing so hard at his stunned look that tears appeared in the corner of her eyes. “Alistair, I’ve only had three partners. Gabriel. Ethan. You.”
Only two before me. He almost exhaled aloud, relieved. “Did you frighten Ashford too?” Jealousy glinted in his piercing green eyes.
“I don’t kiss and tell. What happened sexually between Ethan and I concerns the two of us, not you.” She turned suddenly serious. “Ethan, he’s intelligent, smart, and handsome, but he was a mistake.” She sighed. “I had been too much alone since Gabriel.”
He tenderly brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
She closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the caress. “I met Ethan at Heathrow Airport last year, in October and he gave me a much-needed ride. He was very insistent and I was too lonely. You know the drill,” she shrugged. “In January, I decided I had to let go. But as you already know, the relationship didn’t last. He had-”
“Two years,” he breathed, flabbergasted, “you were alone for almost two whole years. Why?”
“I,” she sighed, “I don’t know. Because I loved Gabriel too much? Because I was a mess? Because I was scared and sick - outside and inside? Because I was afraid? Because I had to begin everything anew? Take your pick.” Again, she waved her hand in the air. “As things are, I mistook a good friend for a… boyfriend.” Lover, don’t you forget, Sophia.
She shooed away the memories and kissed Alistair’s chest, a grin lightening her features. “Don’t worry, this, ah, weirdness, as you put it, doesn’t happen with the same intensity every time. It depends on my mood and,” she giggled, “a job well done.”
“So, I passed inspection,” he smug smiled told her he had no doubt about his performance.
“With honors, Alistair. With honors.” She put her head back on his chest, yawning, “Let’s sleep. We can talk more tomorrow.” She caressed his chest and abs with her nails until she drifted off to sleep.
He lay there, awake for a long time, mystified. He combed through her hair with his fingers and questioned why everything felt so right when she was around.
That night, as they slept clasped in each other’s arms, neither Alistair nor Sophia had any nightmares.
Chapter 23
Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse.
Saturday, March 13th, 2010.
9 a.m.
Ethan sat in the living room armchair as another gorgeous woman entered. He tilted his head to the side and ordered, boredom showing in his voice, “Disrobe.”
Unashamedly, the dark-haired woman took off her clothes and ambled through the room. She stopped in front of him and pivoted.
He looked her over and shook his head, “No, thanks. You can pick up your payment on the way out.”
Without a word, the woman redressed and left the room.
Ethan glowered at his personal assistant as the thin man entered the room, with a bright smile on his face, clutching a black leather case in front of his chest. “Goddammit, Scott. It’s been weeks and not one even comes close.”
Scott stopped and his smiled broadened even more. “Sir, I found her.” He opened the door and a young woman walked in.
Ethan sucked in his breath and rose from the armchair. Jesus! People might mistake them for twins. He motioned for the woman to stop in the middle of his living room as he strolled to her and then around her. He gripped her chin in his hand and raised her face to look into her eyes. He frowned. Yellow contact lenses. “Disrobe and undo your hair.”
She undid her bun and her long black tresses fell over her shoulders until the small of her back. Her hands lifted to unfasten the belt of her dress. But before she did, she looked at Ethan with eyes hooded by long lashes and, in a movement of uncertainty, bit her full bottom lip.
Ethan felt his body stir. “Stop!” he ordered before she started to undress. He invaded her personal space and shoved his fingers in her hair. “Your hair. Is it natural?”
“No, sir. Its natural color is light brown. But I dyed it bla-black,” the woman stammered.
He grimaced a bit and ran his fingers over her smooth face. Hmm. No makeup. “Any children?”
“No, sir,” Scott informed from behind him. “And sir, if I may?”
“Shoot.”
Scott neared the couple and spoke in a low voice to the woman, “Show him the scar.”
Ethan stepped away, giving the woman some room. Her belt clunked on the marble floor and her dress opened in a graceful movement. The woman shrugged and it fell over the belt.
Ethan couldn’t believe his eyes. On her right arm, the woman had a scar similar to Sophia’s. He surveyed her body. “Turn around. Slowly.”
She did as commanded. When she did the full turn, Ethan approached again and looked deep into her eyes. “You know the terms of the contract?”
“Yes,” the woman whispered and nodded slightly.
“You will do. Scott will show you the guest room. You’ll need for nothing, if you please me. Take a shower, pick out one of the outfits in the closet, and go up. I’ll wait for you in my room. Your name from now on is Sophia.”
Atwood House.
10.03 a.m.
Sophia awoke feeling that something was different. Then a big, warm body shifted behind her. An arm snaked around her waist pulling her toward a hard chest.
She turned her head and smiled, “Good morning.”
“‘Morning,” he grinned at her. “Sleep well?”
“Mm-hmm,” she stretched out like a dancer, her arms entwining above her head and her body undulating. She flexed the soles of her feet on his.
“You look like Sleeping Beauty, totally perfect and ravishing in your sleep,” he combed her hair with his fingers. “Your hair doesn’t even get tangled.”
“Hmm, Sleeping Beauty is blonde.” As were all your lovers before me.