What you want is immaterial, Alistair Connor. You shouldn’t rush her into making a life changing decision so quickly. Besides, she has a daughter to consider,” Lachlann muttered, rubbing his nape as he watched his son intently. “It’s too soon.”

“I can’t wait. I’m afraid of losing her. And I can’t lose her. Or Gabriela, for that matter,” Alistair countered, gazing sadly at Nathalie’s photograph on his father’s desk. “I waited too long once before and lost everything.”

With these words ringing in his ears, Lachlann rose from the chair. “So be it. You have my blessing. And, I’m sure, your mother would give hers too.” He walked to a cabinet and opened its door to reveal an enormous safe. He punched in a code, unlocking the safe. He motioned for Alistair to approach and looked up into his son’s eyes. “When you got married…well, my son, Katherine and I were very disappointed in your choice. For many long nights, we talked about what we would give you as a wedding present. We know you were surprised that we didn’t give you your share of the jewels, as well as the properties, like we did with Alice.” He waved his hand at the bottom shelves. “You can have them now. I’m sure Sophia will be steadfast and will bring you the happiness that has been missing in your life. Sophia is everything your mother and I have always hoped you would find.”

He hugged his father, the absence of his mother pressing on his heart. “Sophia already makes me happy, Father.”

“Good.” Lachlann cleared his throat as he picked up an old green jewel box from the upper shelf and caressed it reverently. “If I could choose the engagement ring for you…it would be this one.”

As Lachlann opened the box, Alistair saw that it was his mother’s favorite ring. The one she wore every day of her life. Alistair closed the box, putting his hand over his father’s. “It will be this one, then.”

“Take the jewels with you on Monday.”

Alistair nodded. “I will. Thank you, Father.”

A loud knock on the door interrupted them. Tavish opened the door and complained, “It was supposed to be a five minute talk. Leonard and I are waiting. Come on, Alistair Connor.”

Alistair turned to his father. “We’re heading to the Spa. Do you want to join us?”

Lachlann absently stroked the jewel box before putting it back in the safe and locking it. “Good idea.”

* * *

Alistair stopped dead in his tracks when he walked by the Game Room. Its windows overlooked the Elm Courtyard and he was regaled with the view of Sophia playing with the children.

“That bloody stubborn woman,” he muttered.

“What?” Tavish asked in a startled voice.

“I’m going to drag her to the bedroom by the hair.” Ignoring his family, Alistair walked through the Game Room, fury bubbling up with each stomp.

“Stubborn, impossible, unmanageable woman!” His voice resounded like thunder in the courtyard.

He hadn’t realized that they had stopped their game the moment they heard him. Nor could he notice the four ancient giant elms that stood like sentinels in each corner of the courtyard, while snowdrops, viburnums, wisteria, Scottish bluebells, purple heather and pink rhododendrons exploded in color around the borders of the lawn.

The adults followed him; Lachlann tilting his head heavenward praying for patience, Alice shaking her head, and Leonard and Tavish exchanging amazed grins.

“Pardon?” Sophia asked, with a raised eyebrow, when he stopped in front of her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he barked and Sophia winced. “I told you to go rest. In our chamber. In bed! I gave my word to Dr. Colton I would take care of you. You shouldn’t be on your feet. Much less outside running with the kids.”

“Alistair Connor, that’s more than enough,” Lachlann admonished and Alistair spun to shoot his father a dark look.

“I believe your father just suggested you’re lacking common sense,” Leonard drawled.

“She is the one lacking common sense. Clearly, I gave her too much credit.” Alistair turned back to Sophia. “Your disobedience and impulsiveness are going to get you killed.”

“Have you finished?” she asked serenely, raising her elegant brows at him, not the least bit intimidated by his fury.

“Nae,” he hissed. “You aren’t a child any—”

“I’m not, but Gabriela is.” She jutted her chin to where her daughter was watching the argument, her eyes wide.

Fuck. Alistair froze and slowly turned. They were all looking at him: the children, the employees, and his family.

Alice, who now stood near the children, grimaced at him.

Clearly he had overreacted. God spare me these stubborn women.

Sophia walked past Alistair, kneeling by the children. “I’ll play with you again tomorrow, all right?”

Gabriela looked up at Alistair who had stopped next to Sophia. “Are you still mad?”

He sighed and dropped to his haunches, and placing both hands on her shoulders, squeezed gently. “I’m not mad.”

“Oh.” Gabriela gaped at him. “So, why did you shout?”

“Because I’m worried. Your mother promised me she would rest.” His gaze traveled from Gabriela’s face to Sophia’s. “How can I take care of her, if she doesn’t obey orders?”

Gabriela angled her head to the side and reasoned, “Then, you have to go sleep with her.”

Tavish burst into laughter.

Alistair’s mouth dropped open. He looked to Alice for help, but his sister was too busy trying to maintain a serious face.

“Gabriela,” Lachlann grinned and ruffled her blonde hair, “you’re an astute wee lass.”

“I’ll go upstairs then.” Sophia smiled and kissed Gabriela on the cheek. “See you later, Angel.”

When Sophia rose, Alistair didn’t waste a moment. He bent, hauled her onto his shoulder and walked off toward the Game Room.

Sophia giggled and waved with both hands to the children, blowing kisses.

Alistair heard laughter and taunts behind him, but didn’t look back, walking all the way to the lifts with sure strides in a moody silence.

Sophia didn’t know if she should laugh or if she should frown at him. He had every right to be aggravated with her, but that gave him no right to shout at her.

He put Sophia down only when the lift door closed and scowled down at her, “What were you thinking? How can you be so careless?”

“Alistair Connor.” She smiled, unable to find fault in his concern, despite his overbearing behavior. “Calm down. I feel okay.”

He snorted and dragged her down the long corridor, shoved her inside his bedchamber and slammed the door behind them. “Stubborn, infuriating woman. To the shower. Now!”

Ignoring his order, Sophia stopped in the middle of his room.

It was the first time she had set foot in Alistair’s bedchamber at Craigdale. It was completely different from the one at Ells Hall. Huge windows that faced the loch let light flood into the high-ceilinged room. The pine paneling glowed softly on the lower half of the walls, while the upper half was covered with ivory silk and dark-caramel damask. An antique desk and a high backed chair stood in a corner facing two armchairs and a small round table. Set against the furthest wall, a giant ornately carved four-posted bed faced the windows. The decor imparted an airy, uncluttered atmosphere.

He shook his head and sighed as she looked around.

“It’s beautiful.”

“My mother’s work—” Fuck. What am I doing? “Shower, Sophia.”

“You’re funny, you know that?” she said, amazed.

What the fuck? Funny? Half of his anger drained away by the absence of defiance on her face when she turned to him. “And you’re mad. Completely and utterly mad.”

He advanced and started to tug her long-sleeved shirt out of her jeans and to undress her as if she were a disobedient child. “You are taking a shower and going to rest. Rest!” He pinned Sophia with the full force of his glare. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, my lord,” she mocked, even more amused than before and raised her arms so he could pull off her shirt. “Are you going to wash my back?”

Alistair’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. Women had always been afraid of him when he was displeased. And he liked his dominance. Be it by love or fear. But he didn’t know how to deal with a fearless Sophia.

Sophia smiled, endeared, wrapping her arms around his waist. She kissed his jaw and apologized, “I’m sorry, Handsome, but I couldn’t say no to the children. Besides, it was only a silly ball game.”

“I worry,” he sighed, his anger further deflated by her gentle embrace.

“Come. Let’s shower,” she invited.

Alistair was too busy shaking his head, struggling to reason with his inner self, to notice the mischievous smile that spread on Sophia’s lips.

* * *

I think we should call it an early night,” Alistair said to Sophia as they exited the dining room.

Finally! The shower was sexless and she’d been aroused ever since. She turned to the rest of the family and eagerly waved. “Good night, everyone.”

They exchanged goodnights and Alistair directed her to the lifts.

As soon as the doors closed, Sophia nipped him on the jaw with her teeth.

“Stop,” he growled. “No’ tonight.”

“Why not?”

“You are going to sleep.” He chuckled at the hunger showing in her eyes. “I don’t want you to exert yourself. Dr. Colton said light exercise.”

“Haven’t you missed me touching you like this?” she asked, in a scorching whisper as she rubbed her hand over his crotch.

Alistair groaned and his hand gripped hers impeding her advance. He tightened his hold. “I can deal with cuddling for a week.”

She huffed and shook her head helplessly. “You try my patience, stubborn Highlander. I know you’re as aroused as I am.” She cupped him over his jeans to prove her point.

“My first priority is you, no’ my cock.” He pulled her hand away from his erection. “I don’t believe sex fits into the category of light exercise.”

Sophia laughed at this and grabbed her iPhone. “Let’s see.”

“You are going to call your doctor at this time of night?” He gaped at her. “You are too spoiled. Hasn’t anyone ever told you nae?”

“Oh, yeah, they have. That’s why nowadays I don’t accept it so easily.” She smirked at him. “Dr. Colton? Hi, it’s Sophia Leibowitz. Don’t worry, everything’s perfectly—”

“Give me this.” He took the phone from her hand and she rolled her eyes at him. “Dr. Colton, Alistair Connor MacCraig. Sorry to disturb you at this hour, but Sophia is…misbehaving.” He frowned at Sophia’s laughter. “Aye. Well, after a full day, flying up here, playing with the kids, rowing—Nae, I did. And—” He paused to listen to something the doctor said while he entered his room and flung himself in the armchair. “Okay, so I have a question. Is sex allowed?”

Sophia tried to discover what Dr. Colton was saying from Alistair’s reaction, but his poker-face gave nothing away. She shrugged and entered his dressing room, taking her nightie and wrap from her suitcase. She was about to enter the bathroom when she noticed he was leaning on the doorjamb, hands shoved in his pockets.

“So?” she asked, already guessing the answer.

He looked sheepishly at her and muttered under his breath, “Stubborn woman.”

“Stubborn Highlander!” she retorted as she sashayed to the bathroom, swinging her bordeaux lace nightie by the thin straps on her index finger in blatant defiance.

As Alistair followed her trail, he thought that no sane man, much less himself, could resist the happy and naughty smile that illuminated Sophia’s face.