Sophia halted mid-stride when she noticed that Alistair was standing beside their table talking to the same blonde woman they had seen at The Waterside Inn in Berkshire. His face was drawn taut and his spine was stiff.

The woman was again scantily clad, although her clothes screamed money. She appeared to be wearing a very short see-through silk dress and nothing underneath. Her high-heels were Louboutin. She had enormous earrings and lots of bracelets that sparkled and clinked when she moved.

Sophia studied the stunning woman, trying to discern if she was a pro or not. Thoughts whirled in her head as she decided what she should do. She looked around the restaurant.

Alistair didn’t notice, but people had turned to look at him and the woman, whispering behind their hands.

When the blonde pouted her lips at Alistair, Sophia was spurred into action. Well, I’m not just going to stand in the middle of the restaurant. She’s the intruder.

As she walked slowly to Alistair’s side, part of their conversation reached her ears.

“—a long time, my dear.” And the woman put a hand on Alistair’s crossed arms intimately. “I miss our…” Sophia couldn’t hear the rest of the sentence as the woman stood on her tiptoes and whispered it in Alistair’s ear. She got down on her heels with a smug smile on her face.

Alistair pushed away the hand that was now caressing his biceps and stated in a dry voice, “I can’t say the same. Forever will not be long enough for me to forget, Emma. Now, if you’ll ex—” As he turned, he saw that Sophia was almost at their side. He was thunderstruck for a split second, then immediately stopped a passing waiter, took some notes from his wallet, saying, “We have to go. Keep the change.”

As Sophia approached him, he put an arm over her shoulder, ordering, “Come.”

Without waiting for an answer or saying farewell to the blonde woman, he dragged Sophia out of the restaurant, and walked in silence to the side street, where Garrick was parked, waiting.

Still brooding, he entered the BMW after her and closed the door with so much calm it was disquieting.

What just happened? Sophia was bewildered and decided to stay quiet. She enlaced her fingers and rested them demurely on her lap, gazing outside, not really seeing the passing cars and the people hurrying to and fro.

“Garrick, please, drive to my place,” Alistair said into the intercom.

Sophia’s head whipped to look at him. “Alistair, I can’t—” She stopped as she saw the anguish stamped on his features. She glanced at her watch. “Alistair, my dear, I have a meeting at two-thirty. It’s one forty-five.”

“Sophia, I have to tell you something. We need to talk.”

She looked at her watch again. “Is it so important that it can’t wait until tonight?”

I’ll lose my courage. He sighed, “Tonight, then.”

* * *

Please, sit, Alistair Connor.” Doctor Benjamin Lodes motioned to one of the armchairs. He was Lachlann’s urologist and had known Alistair since he was a baby. He waited until Alistair was comfortably seated and perched himself on the table. “How have you been feeling?”

“Uh…still a bit uncomfortable. I thought I was fine when I finished the last antibiotics.” Alistair didn’t like the grimace that crossed Doctor Lodes’ face. “Why? Did the new tests show a relapse?”

“I don’t have good news, my boy.” The doctor sighed and sat in the other armchair and patted Alistair’s knee. Alistair’s eyes rounded at the serious and fatherly tone the doctor’s voice had acquired. “Alistair Connor, you don’t have a chronic urinary infection.”

“No?” Alistair’s face showed his surprise. But that was what you told me in March and kept telling me all these months.

“Seems that the test results were wrong.” The doctor stretched out his arm and picked up a folder, taking out a sheet and handing it to Alistair. “This arrived just this morning, and, according to the result, you have contracted a serious STD.”

“What?” Alistair’s face showed his disbelief at the news. “But I thought—”

“Yeah. I know I said it was a urinary infection. It was what the tests showed. Unfortunately, that’s not all of it.” Doctor Lodes was saddened by having to give such news to Alistair. He liked him so much.

“Are you sure, Doctor Ben? My tests…last year…didn’t show any disease.”

“This is a silent disease, Alistair Connor. It’s called Mycoplasma genitalium. And not very easy to detect. I only included it on my list for obligatory exams recently. As you were once a…let’s say…ah—”

“Promiscuous,” Alistair supplied to ease the doctor’s discomfort.

“Yes, unfortunately you fall into the category. As I was saying, I included that exam in your tests. It’s not very common at your age to have such a continuous inflammation as you’ve had this year. Heather has to be tested as well. I would guess that she has it too.” He pulled another sheet from Alistair’s file. “I wrote a prescription for you. It’s for azithromycin. I’m recommending a prolonged course. It means a strong dosage for a longer duration.”

This is wrong. It must be wrong. I’ve never had a sexual disease before. “But shouldn’t we do another test? Maybe this is the wrong one…”

“We can do more tests, yes. But I’m not willing to take any risks here. If you really have Mycoplasma genitalium for this long, without treatment…” The doctor shook his head, slowly.

“But how could that have happened?” Heather always does her tests. She is clean too.

“How? Alistair Connor, you’ve had multiple partners.” Disapproval was apparent in his voice. “And we both know that you don’t always practice safe sex. No matter how many times I’ve warned you about the risks. Have you, ah…had any new partners lately?”

“Nae,” Alistair answered, bewildered. “Not for a long time.” He ran two fingers over his square jaw, thinking. “Since Heather got pregnant.” It has been only Heather and I. And Emma. Don’t forget Emma, Alistair Connor.

“I treated your supposed urinary infection with tetracycline and, although, you could have been cured, it seems to me that Heather might be infected because you keep returning here with the same problem. And I’m sure the relapse is going to be more difficult to treat because the bacteria may have become stronger and more resistant.”

Alistair frowned at that. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing to be scared about now. I’m requesting new tests to be done after you complete the treatment.”

“Okay. I’ll inform Heather that she has to do the test.” And Emma.

“Yes. And she has to be specific with her gynecologist because it requires a specific test to be detected. Here’s the name of the test she has to do.” Doctor Lodes handed two other sheets to Alistair. “And this one is for you to do in four weeks after you finished the azithromycin. They’ll inform me of the result and I’ll call you, my boy.”

Alistair rose from his chair, unsure of his feelings. There were so many questions on his mind in that moment that he felt dizzy. “Thanks, Doctor Ben.”

“I hope you’ll take better care of yourself from now on.” The doctor gripped Alistair’s hand in his and looked deep into his eyes. “Alistair Connor, I could be your father, so I’m going to say what I’m sure your father said a long time ago: get rid of Heather.”

Alistair swallowed his anger with difficulty, out of respect for Doctor Lodes, a gentle middle-aged man, and one of Lachlann’s closest friends. “Doctor Ben, Heather is the woman I married, I don’t—”

“Alistair Connor, you have always been stubborn, haven’t you?” Doctor Lodes put a hand on Alistair’s shoulder, shaking his head. “I know your parents don’t like her and you think it’s unfair. Then, why don’t you talk to Mark or to Johansson instead? Both are good friends of yours.”

Alistair eyed the older man and something in his face made him answer, “I will, Doctor Ben.”

* * *

You don’t need to accompany me, Lucy. I know the way. Thanks,” Alistair dismissed the housekeeper and climbed up the stairs to the second floor, going to Gabriela’s room.

He paused at the door, enchanted by the sight. That’s exactly what I need in my life. Alistair leaned on the doorjamb and let the scene wash over him.

Sophia was sitting on the floor, with her back against the wall, in loose jeans, a white cotton T-shirt, a colorful scarf around her neck, barefoot, her long hair still damp from a recent shower. Gabriela was perched on Sophia’s legs with her new doll on her lap.

Alistair’s mouth dropped open when Gabriela spoke with the doll in French, as naturally as she spoke English and Portuguese.

As he walked into the room, Sophia’s head came up and she smiled at him, her face brightening even more.

Does my little fairy speak French? “Parlez vous français, ma petite fée?”

Gabriela jumped off Sophia’s lap and ran to him, her doll under her arm. He scooped her up in his arms and she hugged him, kissing his cheeks and answered, “Oui, bien sûr. Merci pour ma pupée.”

“You’re welcome, Fairy.” He looked at Sophia and commented on Gabriela’s words, “Of course, my fairy would speak French.”

Sophia smiled, “Well, she is my daughter, isn’t she?”

She started to rise but stopped as he sat on the floor, beside her, in a fluid movement, putting Gabriela on his lap and bending his head to kiss her lightly on the lips.

Sophia sighed inwardly and melted at the sight of him, murmuring, “I don’t know how, being so big, you manage these graceful movements.”

He stared at her, bewildered, “What?”

“You just sat on the floor with Gabriela in your arms as if you were a…ballet dancer.”

“Ballet dancer? Ballet. Dancer?” he repeated, shocked. “You offend all my years of Karate training.”

“Ah. That explains it, then. I always wanted to learn Karate, but my grandparents wouldn’t let me. Instead, they made me take ballet classes.”

He smiled. “I can picture you dancing, but not fighting.”

“Oh, but Mama fights,” Gabriela said.

“Does she?”

“Yes, some funny Japanese fight and big, heavy swords,” the little girl bobbed her head, confirming.

“Japanese fight? Big, heavy swords?” he frowned at Sophia.

A big smile spread over Sophia’s features at Gabriela’s explanation. “It’s not Japanese, Gabriela. It’s Chinese.”

“Whatever, Mamãe. I like it.”

She chuckled, looked at Alistair and explained, “Tai chi chuan. And the swords are only big and heavy for Gabriela. They are mere fencing swords, a sabre.”

“Right. Of course, you would go for the heaviest one.”

She shrugged. “I thought it’d be more challenging. A heavier sword, smaller target area, faster pace.”

Gabriela hummed and Alistair glanced at her. The girl had a dreamy look on her face.

She smiled at him, saying, “You should come to see Mama’s lessons. She flies. I want to be just like her when I grow up.”

“You’ll be much better, Angel,” Sophia said and changed the subject. “Why don’t you show Alistair what your doll can do?”

“Oh, yes.” She shifted on his lap and said, “Sophia speaks four different languages—”

“Sophia?” He raised a questioning black eyebrow at her.

“My new daughter’s name is Sophia,” she explained. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

He flashed his most endearing smile at her and winked at Sophia, “Indeed. After yours, the most beautiful name in the world.”

Sophia looked at the two of them and the love she saw in their eyes made her heart burst. Oh, my. Have I found my angel in disguise?

* * *

She watched him unabashedly as she dipped her spoon in the box and licked its back. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing sinewy forearms. His shoulders were wide, and vibrant energy was rolling off him in thick waves.

I want you. She closed the refrigerator door and walked lithely, fixing him with a devious stare, until she was mere inches from him.

Alistair shifted on his feet, unsure. Me. Hesitating. Inconceivable!

He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the island, standing between her legs.

Sophia giggled, holding out a spoonful of the frozen treat. “Tangerine.”

“I prefer orange topped with vanilla sauce and rose petals.” He smiled and allowed her to feed him, and when she leaned forward, her tongue darted out to lick his lips, he found himself lightheaded. Images from a movie flashed through his mind.

“Have you seen 9 1/2 Weeks?”

She creased her pretty nose, “Never heard of it.”

Aye, you were a child. “Mmm, then close your eyes,” he purred, “let me surprise you.”

“Hmmm.” She licked the spoon again. “No. I don’t think so.”

“Ah. No, you said?” he tsked and closed the refrigerator door. Slowly, he pulled the dishcloth from its hanger. “Sophia, that was your one chance. Now, you’ll do as I want.” He stretched the dishcloth between his hands, folded it and put it over her eyes, tying it at the back of her head, murmuring on her lips, “You’ll have to learn to obey my commands.”

“Never, sire. I’m rebellious.”

Sophia, Sophia. He started disrobing her, pulling off her T-shirt.

“In the kitchen?” Sophia was astonished.

He nibbled her shoulder before confirming, “Aye, in the kitchen. Some other time, we’re going to test the pool. How about that?”

“Okay.” She smiled sassily at him. “Then lock the door, please.”

“Don’t move or you’ll fall.”

As he crossed the room to lock the door, she pushed the blindfold up on her head, and with a naughty smile on her lips, silently jumped off the island.

Alistair continued to talk, unaware she was tiptoeing around the island to hide from him. “And I don’t want to hear any screams. It’ll be a good test of your control.”

He heard a soft thud, and when he turned, he was alone in the kitchen. He looked around and there was no sign of her. “Sophia?”

Alistair felt a strange exhilaration fill him as her stifled giggles reached him. Three months ago, if one of his friends had said to him that he would be turned on looking for a woman in a dark kitchen, he would have told them they were crazy. He picked up her soft cotton T-shirt and dipped his nose in it, inhaling her scent and palmed his arousal, shaking his head, amazed.

“Hide and seek, Sophia? What will my prize be when I find you?” He looked under the table and behind the island.

No Sophia.

No answer.

No sound.

Not in the kitchen? He swept the room and his eyes paused on the door that lead outside. Nae, not possible.

Sophia was having the time of her life. “Meow.”

Alistair’s eyes whipped to the end of the room, where the muffled sound had come from. In the soft night light that came in through the windows, he couldn’t make out where she was. “You are in for it now, lass.”

On hearing Sophia’s giggles, Alistair darted forward, but he still couldn’t locate her hiding place. He switched the kitchen lights on and frowned, “Where the hell are you?”

“Meow,” she said again.

He groped the wall and found a sliding door.

“Ah-ha!” He flicked on the lights and found her sitting on her heels in the corner of the pantry, with only her scarf around her neck, a flimsy bra and jeans, the blindfold holding her hair back. He stopped in the middle of the room and barked a laugh, “You’re completely crazy, you know? Now. What’s my prize?”

“My lord, I’m so sorry I caused you trouble.” She crawled to him on all fours, until she found his bare feet.

Alistair grunted at the sight.

She rose on her knees and opened his zipper, “Will a blow job make up for it?”

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!! Her T-shirt fell from his fingers and he shoved his hands in her hair, pushing the dishcloth away, as she tore down his jeans and briefs.

“I don’t think—” As soon as she put her mouth around him, he changed his mind, groaning, “Aye, it will.”

The corners of Sophia’s mouth curled up around his girth and she raised her hands to open his soft flannel shirt, as she slowly explored his length with her tongue and lips. Her nails grazed his waist.

“That’s so good,” he breathed. “Do it again.”

But she didn’t obey his request and raised her hands until she found his nipples and pinched them lightly.

Alistair grunted loudly and bit his lip to control the pleasure that was building up too quickly inside him, as she sucked him deeper.

When Sophia’s nails rounded to his back and unexpectedly clawed down his back all the way to his ass, he almost spilled in her mouth. He gasped loudly and withdrew from her lips, removing his jeans and briefs in a swift movement, dropping to his knees and shrugging off his shirt.

“Now, you are going to pay for what you did,” he murmured against her mouth before taking it in a fierce kiss, while his hands freed her from her bra and opened her jeans. He laid her down on the floor and pulled off her jeans and panties.

He wanted her as he’d never wanted another woman. He nestled himself between her thighs and raised himself on his elbows, nudging her with his length, “So ready, Sophia.”

“Come on. I’m wet and horny,” she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

“Talking dirty,” he tsked and smiled against her lips. “I think I’m going to punish you for that.”

“Do it and I’ll punish you back.” Undulating her body under his, she ordered, “Now. Stop talking and fuck me.”

He groaned and shoved into her in a hard thrust.

“Ah,” Sophia moaned in pleasure. “More!”

He closed his eyes, wrestling with his desire to do it again, but she was too tight and he wanted the night to last. He moved again, in shallower plunges until he was buried to the hilt.

“Now, move.”

“No more orders from you.” He moved his hips in a semi-circle, teasing her as he dipped his head to take her breast in his mouth, sucking it hard and then lapping it with his tongue.

“Oh, please. Please.” Sophia gasped as a hot spear of desire shot through her spine. She felt his smile on her other breast.

Alistair raised his head, “That’s better. Now, don’t make a sound. It won’t be funny if Zareb or Devon come running in to save you from my cock.” He thrust in her, slowly, enjoying the way her body gripped him like a fist.

“I don’t care…move,” she rolled her lower body in a blatant sexual move. “Make me come, screaming. Loud. Let the whole world hear me screaming your name.”

“Later. In your bedroom. Now, I’ll have you quietly,” he plunged again and stilled, staring down at her with those beautiful forest-green eyes. “Unless, of course, you don’t want to come.”

What? She gripped his hair and tugged, “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Your call. Three, two—”

He would! “No, no. I’ll obey.” She wanted him to ravage her, to take her hard until she screamed in release over and over. But she would take it anyway he choose.

He laughed low in her ear, “Good. Now, relax and enjoy.”

“You’re bad,” she said as she bit his shoulder, “I’ll get you for this.”

He gritted his teeth as her soft bite sent a surge of lust straight to his arousal. “Slow or fast?”

“Fast and rough. I’m almost there,” she panted and sunk her nails in his ass.

“So eager, Sophia.” His soft laughter filled the room and his head swooped down, his tongue invading her mouth as he pumped into her, taking her to heaven until Sophia shuddered, gasped and bit his shoulder to avoid crying out as she came.

But he wasn’t done. As Sophia’s body still trembled, he ground into her, again and again, chasing his own climax, “I’m—”

He clenched his jaw to stop his shout.

Sophia’s eyes flew open astonished as another orgasm built when he shoved harder inside her.

Alistair threw his head back as he came, the muscles of his neck straining as his hips jerked against her, his long black hair flying around his shoulders.

“Mine, Sophia. You’re. Mine,” he hissed between clenched teeth as a powerful orgasm shook his big body. “My love.”

“Yours,” she whispered. The feel of Alistair coming inside of her for the first time and the image of his rugged face in release were the sexiest things Sophia had ever experienced.

“Alistair.” As a broken gasp escaped her lips, her arms dragged him back to her.

Her lips on his neck kissed him and her fingers caressed his nape, just the way he liked when he was younger.

The way he liked things before Heather.

Alistair watched her hungrily as he plunged his semi-hard arousal a little further inside her. He muttered after a few minutes, “I want more.”

She smiled at him, lazily and sated. “Upstairs.”

He pulled out and got dressed in his briefs and jeans, flinging his shirt to her and collecting the rest of her clothes that were scattered in the pantry.

He helped her put on his shirt and picked her up in his arms. He squeezed her, apologizing softly, “I was a jerk earlier today at John’s.”

“Yeah, you were,” she murmured.

“Can you forgive me?”

“You are already forgiven, oh Marquis of Distrustful-land,” she said lethargically, running her fingers through his long hair.

“Hmm,” Alistair murmured. “Aye, I behaved like a distrustful caveman. I’m sorry. I’ll try to work on it.” He sighed and buried his head in the hollow of her neck for a second, deeply inhaling her scent.

“Sleep with me tonight,” she asked.

He studied her face, as he climbed the stairs, marveling at how the feeling of having her sated in his arms made his heart beat joyfully. “Do you know what you’re doing to me, Sophia?”

She smiled at him, lazily, as he strolled to her bedroom, “Mmm, no. What?”

“You’re turning me inside out.”

“No,” she breathed on his neck, causing goosebumps to rise. “You are. Turning me inside out. You.”