Sophia crept silently through the corridors and furtively stepped into the Blue Drawing Room. She went straight to the Steinway grand piano in the corner, the attraction too irresistible for her to deny.

She hadn’t played since Gabriel’s kidnapping, but something stirred inside her when Alistair had played for her the other night.

She closed her mind to the memories of Gabriel and how much he loved her playing. Resolutely, she sat at the stool and opened the fall board. Her fingers caressed the keys and an uneasiness took hold of her. She forged on and started to play.

The door opened with no sound and Alistair entered the room. Hearing the music, he looked around and his brows shot up when he saw her. “You never told me you played, Sophia.”

She jumped away from the piano, almost falling in her haste. She felt sweat roll down her back. “Not anymore.”

Huh? “What were you doing just now?” He strode toward her and commanded as he sat on the bench, “Come. I’ll play with you.”

She stared at him almost afraid of saying something.

He smiled reassuringly at her and making room for her on the bench, stretched out his hand. “Play with me,” he invited again.

“My nails are too long and I don’t remember any song for four hands.” She stood there, glued to the ground, looking wide-eyed at him.

He played a few notes with his left hand and wriggled his right fingers in her direction. “Play whatever you want, I’ll accompany you. Come, I’m not expecting perfection. It’s just for fun.”

She shook her head, feeling her shirt getting wet under her armpits.

But he wouldn’t accept no for an answer. “Come on, I’m waiting,” he coached gently.

Oh, God. “All right,” she breathed deep, gathering courage, and sat by his side, “modern or classic?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“That good, huh? Listen…it’s been ages since I’ve played with someone. One day we can play together.” Sophia put her cold hand on his warm one and thought for a moment. “I’ll play a classical opus and a modern piece. They’re small and easy, but I love them.” She took a deep breath and lightly set her fingers on the keys. “Hope you don’t mind the sound of my nails.”

The sounds of Beethoven Moonlight, piano sonata number 14, filled the room. She closed her eyes, concentrated on the song, and her lips moved as if in prayer.

So sad. Alistair’s heart clenched in his chest. He looked at her face and was mesmerized by the many emotions.

She glanced briefly at him. Her eyes were dark brown and on her lips was an apologetic smile. Finishing, she launched into Memories by Barbra Streisand and started singing. Her head dropped a bit and her hair fell from her ear, curtaining her face.

Alistair looked at her, entranced, and very slowly so as to not disturb her, he pushed her hair behind her ear. It was then that he noticed that there were tears in her eyes. He placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed.

Sophia kept singing, her fingers moving over the keys and so much emotion in her voice, it astounded Alistair. Toward the end, she dropped her head, her voice faltered as tears fell freely.

Sophia ended the song and put her hands over her face.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice strangled, “I should have chosen another song.” She felt his arms wrapping around her and she put her forehead on his chest.

Gabriel again. “You still love him, don’t you?” he asked, despondent. Is there room in your heart for me?

Sophia understood the meaning behind his question; it was the same way she had felt about Heather not so long ago. She dried her eyes and smiled sadly at him. “I loved him. Very much. He’ll always have a special place in my heart. We were married for seven magical, joyful years. He is the father of my daughter.” She sighed and looked down at her hands. “His death was so, so stupid. If not for me and my father-in-law, Gabriela would still have her father.”

“Your father-in-law?” Alistair asked puzzled. He remembered her saying that she felt responsible for his death, but she didn’t like speaking about it, so he knew little else.

She raised her head, anger and hatred burning in her eyes. “He killed his own son. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of about twenty-million pounds. Peanuts for Gabriel. Even for his father. But, oh, no. No.” She shook her head hard. “That awful man had to negotiate Gabriel’s life. His own son’s life. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Then after eighty days, he demanded proof that his son was still alive.”

She had whispered so low that he had to confirm. “Proof?”

She stiffened and gripped his arms, her nails digging in. “They sent me…me!” She squeezed her eyes shut, as if she could avoid the image that was forever imprinted in her mind. Battling the nausea that always rose when she remembered that day, she whispered, “His finger with his wedding band.”

Christ. He breathed, profoundly shocked, as his hand stroked her back, soothing. “You didn’t have K&R insurance?”

She shook her head. “Brazil stopped being rated as a high risk country. Our cars were armored. We had bodyguards…” She shrugged.

“And your bodyguards?”

“Murdered. I don’t know how, I don’t remember.”

“Why didn’t you pay the ransom?” he asked, astonished at the absurdity and horror of the whole story.

“Gabriel’s father blocked any access to the police or the kidnappers and he appointed himself as the negotiator. I didn’t have the money. Not like that.” She snapped her fingers. “I didn’t have the access to Gabriel’s accounts. I had my own money and properties, and we had a small joint account. I never cared about his money. He gave me everything I could want…” she breathed. “Felipe tried to help me, but Gabriel’s father had too much influence.”

Alistair didn’t understand. “But you were his wife…in a situation like that surely the police would—”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t well for a long time. I got an infection from the gunshot wounds at the public hospital where I was first taken. Although they saved my life, the doctors at public hospitals in Brazil work under precarious circumstances. My grandparents moved me to a private clinic and I underwent two more surgeries on my arm over the next month. Also, from the minute I regained consciousness after the first surgery, I was unwell, depressed. I had amnesia and terrible panic attacks.” Her eyes turned to blistering fire and she hissed, “And my father-in-law kept me drugged.”

He frowned. “Drugged?”

She nodded vigorously, “I suppose he paid off a doctor.”

His brow creased more. “You suppose?”

“I was kept heavily-medicated for almost two months. Psychiatric drugs. They controlled the panic attacks, but made me apathetic and dizzy. The amnesia worsened. They were prescribing a much stronger dose than was needed. My grandmother took me to a different specialist when I—” She looked into his face and whispered, “When I forgot Gabriela’s name.”

“Jesus Christ, Sophia.” His eyes flamed with anger and his fist clenched on her back. “How could anyone be so cruel?”

“He never liked me.” She stood up and paced the room. “To make a very long story short, after they sent me his finger, I realized I was going to lose Gabriel. I stopped taking all the drugs, even the painkillers. I called the Federal Police Chief in Rio de Janeiro, a very good friend of Gabriel’s—”

“Why? The police weren’t helping already?” Alistair asked, confused.

“Not the Federal Police. It has no jurisdiction in kidnappings,” she explained. “Well, they started an unofficial search for him. After sixteen days, the police discovered where Gabriel was being held captive. The kidnappers suspected the police were closing in and killed him before escaping.”

This part Alistair already knew. Somehow, coming from Sophia’s mouth it seemed more barbaric and cruel.

“No one,” she shook her head, “no one harms someone I love and gets away unpunished. His parents will never see Gabriela again. Never. They convinced a judge that I was a threat to my own daughter, based on the medical reports of corrupt, unethical doctors. A judge ordered that I have no access to Gabriel’s money, properties and business based on those reports and his parents became Gabriela’s tutors.”

Alistair thinned his lips and started to rise from the bench, but she raised a hand to stop him and keep him away as she paced the room shoving her hands into her hair. If he touched her right now, she would lose it.

“Gabriela had a nervous attack when they came for her three days after Gabriel’s funeral with a warrant and policemen. Policemen, do you believe it? She was only two years old. Two!” she shouted, her body trembling with wrath. “Oh, but he thought he was the über powerful man and I was the young idiot. He was nothing,” she hissed as she slashed her hand in the air and paced away. “I had many lawyer friends and my grandparents had connections in the High Courts. The next morning, I had Gabriela back and they were humiliated.” She dug her nails in her palms and breathed in and out, trying to calm herself. “I sued them for everything I could devise.” She turned to look at him, her chest heaving with labored breaths. “I had the last laugh, but it was bitter.”

He was frozen on the bench, thunderstruck, looking at a woman he didn’t know. Gone was the gentle and happy Sophia and the sensible lawyer who had a charitable foundation. The former glimpses he’d had of her as the avenging angel were nothing compared to this. Sophia looked like she was possessed by the devil himself.

He lifted an eyebrow. “Was it worth it?”

“No.” She shook her head with conviction. “They lost their only son, I lost my husband, and Gabriela lost her father. And I—” I got eleven men killed.

She swallowed and fought down another wave of nausea. “I couldn’t stand it anymore so I decided to leave. It was too much for me, and for Gabriela. Edward was in Rio when the Leibowitzes took Gabriela. He knows how much she cried and screamed. The very next day after I got her back, we packed and traveled to London. Edward gave me shelter, he took care of everything for me. Everything.”

Alistair didn’t know if he should be jealous or grateful for Edward’s help.

She shook her head in disgust. “How innocent and immature I was. It was all about money. Dirty, bloody money. It can come and go so easily. They don’t see that life is what’s important. Love, friendship, trust, respect, a daily routine, someone to grow old with, siblings to cherish, family, a home; things people don’t give a damn about until they lose them, things money can’t bring back. How much is your life worth, Alistair Connor?” She heaved. “How much?”

Oh, Christ! He went to her this time, pulling her in his arms, his large frame involving her in warmth.

She lamely banged her fists on his chest. “Your life is priceless. Priceless!”

He put his chin on her head and caressed her hair, soothing her. “Shhh. It’s okay.”

They stood there for a while. As Alistair felt her breathing and heart calming down, he curled his finger under her chin to look at her eyes. The deep hurt and damage she concealed so well on a daily basis were bared to him. He kissed her forehead and murmured, “So much pain for someone so young. I wish I could ease it.”

“You do,” she whispered.

He picked up her fists in his hands and entwined his fingers with hers. He was completely serious when he spoke, “I promise you this, Sophia, I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you or Gabriela ever again.”

Sophia almost tripped on the stairs when she saw Ethan talking to Leonard in the hallway. She blinked twice not believing her eyes. What the hell is he doing here?

As if she had spoken the question out loud, he looked up and his beautiful azure eyes shone brighter. Exotic, sexy and hot, Sophia.

Leonard looked up too and his brows shot up. Despite being almost her brother-in-law, Leonard was still surprised at how beautiful Sophia was.

Sliding her palms down her Louis Vuitton pale-rose wool-and-cotton dress, she climbed down the stairs, her stomach fluttering.

Ethan approached her and kissed her cheeks as he adjusted the Emilio Pucci beige fringed scarf around her shoulders just for the sake of touching her.

“Beautiful as ever, darling.” Although her long dress covered her from her neck to the tips of her Nina Ricci leather and lace open-toe boots, she was utterly delicious and provocative.

“Hi, Ethan. What brings you here?” Sophia immediately cringed from the way she worded her question.

He raised an eyebrow. “Why, Sophia? Isn’t this the best hotel in the Highlands?”

“But—” But what, Sophia? “What about your place?”

“Altreck Caisteal is being refurbished. I have a meeting there on Monday so I came earlier to relax a bit.” He looked up over her shoulder and smiled. “Ah! There you are, Paola.”

Sophia turned and her mouth dropped open as Paola Di Luca, the supermodel, walked up to them. She had been on the cover of every magazine since she started appearing at Fashion Week events around the world. Almost as tall as Ethan, she was dressed in a Michael Kors short tight red dress, her dark-brown hair falling over the daring neckline.

“Sophia, this is a friend of mine, Paola di Luca. Paola, this is Sophia Leibowitz.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophia,” Paola bent down to kiss Sophia on both cheeks.

“How do you do?” Sophia answered in Italian and Paola’s smile flashed bright and she started chatting with Sophia in Italian, as Leonard invited Ethan to join their party in the Laird Library.

Alistair turned and his lips slightly parted in surprise as he saw Sophia entering the Laird Library on Leonard’s arm, followed by Ethan and Paola. Fuck. What is this son of a bitch doing here?

Sophia patted Leonard’s arm and disengaged herself, walking to Alistair with her hands outstretched as Alistair approached her with predator-like grace, his eyes hard and sharp as a hawk’s. The sexy smile on her lips told Alistair she knew the effect her transformation had on him.

“Alistair Connor,” she purred. His devious grin in return was enough to make her desire spark.

“Don’t you look lovely.” I want to carry you to the bedroom, rip your dress off, and fuck you right now. Alistair reached out, his hand delving in her hair, the other cupping the small of her back and pulling her onto his body, in a blatant demonstration of ownership. His lips brushed over hers gently and he whispered in her ear, “Delectable. I want you now.”

She tsked and whispered to him, “Remember the doctor’s orders: Light exercise.”

He shook his head in amazement and let her go, putting his arm over her shoulders as he turned to greet Ethan and Paola.

Sophia watched as the two men measured each other and exchanged civil greetings. Both were so breathtakingly handsome and male. Ethan controlled his masculine nature more than Alistair did and that was what attracted her to Alistair from the beginning.

The danger of the unexpected and the wildness of his personality provoked strange feelings in her.

* * *

I still don’t understand why Sophia works so hard to remain…terra incognita.” Ethan squeezed her hand and released it.

And if you think you’re going to explore that territory once more, think again. “Sophia is anything but mysterious.” Alistair bristled from the other end of the table and received a kick on the shin from Alice.

His mood hung over the dining room like a storm cloud. Alice wasn’t sure others felt it, but she did, and it was wearing on her nerves.

Alistair Connor, you should have proposed already. Alistair wanted a real engagement ring on her finger, not a commitment ring. He wanted to shout to Ethan to take his paws off Sophia. He wanted to drag her by the hair to his bedroom and make love to her until she didn’t know up from down. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m going to do as soon as this dinner ends. He smiled darkly and received another kick on the shin from Alice.

“I’m going to end up with a black-and-blue shin, sister dear,” he hissed.

Tavish, who was sitting in front of him, murmured back, “Then stop being an ogre and pay attention to the conversation.”

Alistair looked at the other end of the table where Ethan was seated, his hand over Sophia’s. “As if he weren’t conceited enough. Father gave him an unfair advantage placing him next to Sophia.”

“If you had been paying attention instead of fuming,” Alice said, “you would have noticed that she’s been repeatedly trying to bring you into the conversation.”

“She just said your name again a few seconds ago, but you didn’t even notice.” Tavish scolded.

Alistair huffed and raked his hand in his hair, trying to control his disordered emotions as he turned to the center of the table where Sophia was sitting.

“Adding insult to injury,” Ethan was saying, “he’s kept you to himself for all this time.”

“An eternity,” mocked Sophia. “Edward was just trying to help, Ethan. Don’t you think, Alistair Connor?”

“Aye,” Alistair snorted. “He had no interest in keeping you to himself. You are so naïve, Sophia.”

“Have you noticed too, MacCraig? Davidoff is fiercely protective of Sophia.”

Sophia rolled her eyes at the ridiculous banter. Both men are jealous of dear Edward. Ridiculous!

Paola, who was sitting in front of her, was observing the whole scene with keen eyes. Sophia looked at her apologetically and the beautiful woman just shrugged discreetly.

“My mother is looking forward to seeing you again, Sophia,” said Leonard. “She told me she’s invited an Afghan lecturer to speak in a month’s time and she would love it if you could participate too.” He stifled a sigh as he noticed that Ethan’s hand was over Sophia’s again.

“Darling,” Ethan said, “I didn’t tell you before because you canceled our meeting on Friday, but I’m planning to host a gala ball to announce our partnership. Perhaps at The Dorchester. Their ballroom is beautiful. What do you think?”

What? A public event? Not ever, Mr. Ashford. “Ah, Ethan. I will have to think about it and talk with Mrs. Chanda and Edward—”

“My darling,” he drawled, “I must insist. We will make it very refined and small. Around two hundred guests. Seating could be charged at ten thousand pounds per person and it will help us raise a greater amount for a cause we are so passionate about.”

Dammit, Ethan! “Yes, I know. It would be great—”

“It will be great, Sophia. You and I will share our motivations and I’m sure it would be a huge success. I can’t wait,” Ethan picked up Sophia’s hand and kissed it.

Lachlann, who was entertaining Leonard and Paola, stopped mid-sentence at the gesture.

Before Alistair could lunge across the table and strangle Ethan, Alice rose and said, “Shall we move to the Game Room for coffee, chocolates and a movie?” She walked over to Sophia and linking arms, said, “I bought those chocolates and macaroons you brought my father the other time. They are absolutely delicious.”

Paola and Lachlann followed them out of the room, leaving Tavish and Leonard behind to try and simmer down the animosity brewing between Ethan and Alistair.

* * *

Alistair’s blood was bubbling with anger and jealousy. “He’s still in love with you.”

But I’m not with him. “Of course not. Alistair Connor, he is just being courteous, and besides, this is just work.”

“You don’t need his money.”

“No, I don’t need his money. However, my foundation cannot waste this opportunity. It’s fifty-million pounds, per year. We don’t receive a donation like that every day.”

She caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes before he dismissed the amount with a slight gesture of his hand. “It’s no big deal.”

Indeed. “No big deal,” she repeated the words sarcastically. Don’t create reasons for a fight, Sophia. Appease him. She put her hands on his chest and standing on her tiptoes kissed him lightly on the lips, trying to soothe his fears. “You shouldn’t worry when other men try and get my attention,” she stated. “I’m with you, Alistair Connor. I won’t look at anybody else. I don’t need anybody else.”

She felt his gaze drift downward along her body and back to her face. “It’s unavoidable. You are too beautiful, too enticing.”

“And you’re fiercely protective and jealous, Lord Caveman of Distrustful-land,” she said, trying for a lighter mood.

“Aye, I am.” He lowered his face until their noses touched and he hissed, “Get used to it.”

Sophia rolled her eyes.

She was trying to be patient and understanding. She reminded herself that men could be the most irrational of creatures and that he had a past that didn’t help. She told herself a great many sensible things, yet she felt her temper slipping. “I’m sorry if I hurt your manly pride, but Ethan and I are friends and we have business together. There is nothing to be jealous of.”

“I don’t want you around him.” He impatiently raked his hand in his long ink-black hair. “Fifty-million pounds or no’.”

Before she could respond, Tavish approached. And just in the nick of time, because Sophia was strongly tempted to pick up his mother’s antique Ming Dynasty vase and smash it on Alistair’s skull.

“Monopolizing Sophia again, I see,” said Tavish.

“She’s mine to monopolize. When I wish, as I wish,” Alistair answered darkly.

“Right, Lord Caveman.” Sophia turned and winked at Tavish. “I’m going to—”

Alistair’s eyes widened for a second and his hand shot up to her arm, keeping her in place. Frowning ominously at her, he said, “Don’t you dare go over there.”

She looked at his hand on her arm and back at his face, with a raised eyebrow. “Take back what you said.”

He gaped at her. “What did I say?”

“He is incorrigible, Sophia.” Tavish laughed. “Get used to his overbearing personality. We are going to watch a movie. Will you join us, Sophia?”

Fuck! Don’t even think of saying yes.

Sophia looked at Alistair. “Why not?”

“That’s enough!” Alistair exited the Game Room through the glass door towing her by the arm with Tavish’s laughter following them out onto the Elm Courtyard. He stopped and whipped round to look at her. “Don’t provoke my ire, Sophia.”

She put a hand over her heart. “God forbid, my lord Marquis of Don’t-anger-me. God forbid.”

He exhaled a forceful breath and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her hard and hungrily, before saying, “I want to show you something. Come.”

Sophia licked her lips and prayed for patience as he muttered something under his breath about independent and stubborn women. She followed him to the other side of the courtyard to stop at very tall double doors flanked by two large windows.

He opened one and allowed Sophia to enter. He banged the door shut behind him and almost tripped over her standing at the entrance of the room.

She could discern tall, wild trees and tropical plants in the moonlight that came in through the huge glass panes that formed the rocky walls and part of the roof.

She looked around bewildered. The room was enormously wide and three stories high; a kind of a greenhouse. “This is magnificent.”

“My great-grandmother built it after a fire that almost collapsed this whole part of the castle. After her, all the duchesses have been adding to it, making it more and more enchanting.” He paced away from her to the far end of the greenhouse, near a small artificial rocky cascade that led into a lake in the center of the room. “It is one of my favorite places in Craigdale.”

He took off his blazer, threw it on a chair and sat in one of the beautiful and antique settees scattered around the room, patting the place beside him. He said gravely, “We need to talk.”

Alistair wasn’t a man that discussed or asked. He simply took. Without explanations. Without apologies. But in deference to Sophia and especially because of his feelings for her, he would try to explain a few things. He examined her, still standing by the door. “What’s the problem?”

“No butterflies, right?”

He smiled and shook his head, “Nae. No butterflies. Come here.”

Sophia crossed the room in awe, her hands touching the big leaves and exotic orchids like the ones found in Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon forest, or in some places in Africa.

“I could take some beautiful photos of Gabriela here,” she said to him as she sat on the divan, shed her high-heels, and tucked her feet under her legs. “Imagine her looking for fairies here.”

He smiled as he rolled the cuffs of his shirt up. “I’ll suggest my father brings her here tomorrow night.”

“So, talk, Lord Caveman.” She turned to him expectantly, toying with the hem of her long gown as she admired his muscled forearms.

“Sophia, I know that you are an independent woman. And that you value this. And I do too, mind you. I know that you are still wary about me—”

“Wary about you?” She shook her head at him. “No, I’m not.”

You are. He let it go. “But maybe we have to establish some rules about control and your behavior, if we want our relationship to continue smoothly.”

Sophia’s eyes widened but she didn’t dare utter a question or opinion, barely humming, “Hmm.”

“I have always been the dominant partner of every…er…relationship I’ve engaged in, be it in the bedroom or out of it.” What good did that do me? Just to remind you, you stupid dominant, Heather cheated on you. He shooed the thought away. “Do you have any idea what that means?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Please, explain to me, the in the bedroom part first,” she said.

“I like to control, to give the orders. So, you on top is not my favorite position.”

I thought men loved this position. “Why not?”

Just talking about it awoke Alistair’s cock from its semi-asleep state and his voice turned husky as he said, “Because I prefer to be the one in command. Unless I’m in a mood to switch.”

Huh? “And what else?”

“I like you beneath me or on all fours. I also like you bound and blindfolded under my mercy. I like you on your knees, sucking me hard. And I’m dying to show you new things. This morning…it was great. But there is a lot more I want to show you. This innocence of yours…” He put his hands under her dress and ran his hands over her smooth legs, completely forgetting what he meant to say as he bent over to kiss her while his fingers played with her frilly lace thong. “You drive me crazy, Sophia.”

He rose and lifted her by the waist, setting her on her feet before him, facing one of the glass walls. He flicked a switch and a soft light from a table lamp flooded the room.

Sophia blinked at her sudden image mirrored in the glass.

Alistair shadowed her from behind as he slowly undid the back of her dress. “Look at you. So discreetly and elegantly dressed, covered from head to toe, and you still set my imagination on fire.” His long fingers pushed the dress from her shoulders, baring her upper torso to the light. His hands cupped her breasts. “No bra. I like that.”

Sophia licked her lips and whispered, “What are you doing?”

He bent his head and traced the shell of one ear with his tongue before taking the earlobe in his mouth, gently biting it. His eyes met hers in the glass. “A fantasy of mine. I’ve always wanted to make love here.”

His deep voice murmuring the words in her ear and his thumb and forefinger rolling her nipples sent a sharp thrill of molten desire racing through her.

She shuddered and gasped, putting an arm over her breasts. “Someone might—”

“No one will see us.” He brought her arms down to her sides and again he met her gaze. “Keep your eyes open and watch my hands. Just feel. I want you to give me everything; every gasp, moan, scream. I want your pleasure. All of it.” His words were low and hypnotic, as were the rhythm of his hands.

Sophia couldn’t drag her eyes from his hands caressing her breasts.

He kissed her neck and whispered, “Concentrate on the sensations.”

She moaned as his fingers swirled, then squeezed her nipples with light pinches, sending shivers through her body. Her legs started to tremble and she leaned back onto his chest, feeling his hard muscles covered by the fine Egyptian cotton against her bare back.

His hands left her breasts for a second to unbutton his shirt as his mouth descended on her neck and shoulders. His shirt fluttered to the floor and instantly his hands were on her again, opening the last buttons and pushing her dress down. As soon as it slithered down her legs, one of his hands splayed across her stomach, holding her flush against his hard arousal sheathed by his trousers.

Sophia ignored the dress as it pooled around her feet in a rosy cloud, too entranced and mesmerized by the sight of his hands roaming freely over her almost naked body in a room anyone could enter at any time.

“Look at you, Sophia. So beautiful.” From behind, his knee pressed her legs apart as his lips grazed the soft skin beneath her ear. “Keep watching.”

Sophia refocused on their mirrored image and watched as his hands slid lower and his thumbs hooked on the sides of her thong and pushed it down her legs, liberating only one foot.

He knelt behind her and his long fingers trailed up, slowly and tantalizingly over her calves.

He stopped to lick the back of her knees and she gasped.

His tongue swirled up and he bit, first one round buttock then another, as his fingers roamed over her inner thighs, to tangle in her small patch of curls, then sliding further, pressing inward.

She widened her legs, allowing him better access, but he retreated and tugged her curls. He rose to his full height, towering over her from behind. “Next time I want you all bare.”

Her head fell back against his shoulder; her spine arched. She heard a low moan, and knew it was hers. Her body was fully alive, registering every touch, every knowing caress. From under hooded eyelids, Sophia watched the erotic movement of his hands. Then he shifted, his arms coming around her, surrounding her, his left hand cupping her right breast, his right hand splaying over her stomach.

He touched her softness and found her wet and hot. “Always ready, Sophia.” And stroked.

“For you,” she said breathlessly, arching. She felt the muscles of his arm shift as he reached further, felt the pressure of his hand between her thighs, felt the slow inexorable invasion as one long finger entered her. Then another. Slowly at first and then quicker and completely, so that the heel of his hand pressed on her clit with every shift.

Sensation upon sensation kindled the fire in Sophia. Of their own volition, her hands found the button of his trousers and unfastened and unzipped them, shoving them down with his underwear and pressing herself harder on his erection. His crisp hairs rasped the soft skin of her butt when his erection pressed itself between her mounds. His hand shifted as his long, broad fingers slid deeper and his thumb pressed, caressed.

Sophia moaned as lightning lanced through her veins. “I want you. Now.”

“Nae.” Even as her body tightened and arched, sensations swirling in a vortex inside her, his caresses didn’t stop, only increased in speed. “Open your eyes and keep watching.”

She opened her yellow-diamond eyes to see he was watching her intently as his fingers rolled a nipple and his other hand pushed deeper in between her thighs, a third finger joining in and his erection pressed on her cheeks, probing but not entering.

She moaned and her body tightened as his thumb circled and pressed down on her with each thrust of his hand.

Pleasure built, soared higher and crystallized. Only to fracture in a million different pieces. If Alistair hadn’t held her firmly with an arm on her waist, Sophia would have crumpled to the floor as her orgasm shot through her body and she called his name out loud.

He immediately put her on the divan, lay on top of her and plunged inside her still quivering body with a forceful thrust.

Sophia’s delighted scream tore through the quiet of the greenhouse as another climax built inside her. She looked up to meet his forest-green eyes and the fierce expression of passion in them and the way he mastered her body skillfully spiraled her lust to unimaginable heights, exploding as a super nova at the same time he shouted her name and spilled himself in her. The sudden burst of light behind her eyes turned to darkness, a calm and soothing languishment came over her.

Sophia felt him holding her as she slowly returned to reality. Head on his shoulder, she drew random designs in his bare chest with a long red nail. Even after he’d sated her, she inexplicably wanted more. Part of her mused she couldn’t have enough because she had enjoyed it as she never had before. Gabriel had been a thorough and considerate lover, but Alistair coaxed emotions from her she had never thought she could feel.

She kissed his chest and purred.

“I love you,” he whispered in her hair. He didn’t want to move from the divan, but it was getting late and she needed to rest. “Come on, sweetheart. Let me help you back to our room.”

* * *

Moonlight bathed the courtyard and the greenhouse in soft white light, illuminating the tall ancient oaks, the delicate plants, and the divan with its rumpled cushions as they exited the exotic greenhouse. They walked back to the main part of the house, Sophia leaning completely on Alistair’s strong body as his arm gathered her by the waist.

They were so involved in each other that they didn’t notice when a footstep broke the quietness of the night. A long and menacing shadow entered the moonlit Elm Courtyard. Then the figure slipped away, back into the castle through a glass door and the shadow was no more.