She flexed her shoulder muscles and as she remembered her chat with Felipe the day before, a daring smile twisted her mouth. She returned to her table and picked up her iPhone to call Alice. Ariadne answered the phone.

“Hi, little princess. How are you?”

“Hello, Sophia. I’m fine, thank you. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too, darling. Is your mother home?”

“Yes, hold on.” She shouted, “Mummy, Sophia’s on the phone.” Returning to the speaker she said, “She’s coming. How is Gabriela?”

“She’s okay. Planning our next trip,” Sophia chuckled. “She’s always plotting against me.”

“Can I come with you? Can I?” Ariadne begged.

“Sure, darling. Well, I mean, if your parents allow it.”

Sophia heard Alice’s voice, “Let me talk to Sophia, Ari. Go finish your homework.”

“Bye, Sophia, don’t forget me.”

“As if I could, dear.” Ariadne had won a special place in her heart. In truth, the whole family had.

“Hello, Sophia. How are you?”

“Hi, fine, thanks, Alice. And you?”

“I’m fine, dear. But I bet you’re better. There’s something different in your voice today. I’d say, uh, that you’re happier. Am I wrong?”

Sophia’s laugh tinkled in her office. “No. You’re right. I’ll confide in you, since I need your help. But you have to give me your word that you’ll keep this a secret until I, uh, tell you that it’s not a secret anymore, all right?”

“Oh! I love secrets!” she said in a whispered voice.

“Look, I haven’t decided yet because I haven’t talked to-Well, before I let know you know what I’m planning,” she said nervously, “I need to know if Gabriela can stay with you tonight?”

Sophia heard Alice catch her breath on the other side of the line.

“I don’t believe it,” she gushed. “You’re- Alistair- You decided to-” Alice didn’t know how to say it.

The whole idea so excited Sophia that she laughed huskily at Alice’s attempt to phrase her thoughts and asked, “How do you know we haven’t done it?”

“Oh, come on, Sophia. I know my brother. In fact, I think everyone can feel his tension when you’re near him. You’ve been giving Alistair a hard time.”

“Indeed. But it wasn’t my intention. However, I have decided to give him a chance. He’s too much of a temptation. Besides, he’s been a gentleman so far.” She laughed again, “I’m going to end his suffering. Alice…” she turned serious, “What do you think?”

“Sophia, you’re the best thing that could have happened to Alistair. I’ve never seen him happier than he is now.”

Sophia felt a chill envelop her, “But?”

“I- I don’t know if I ought to say this, but he still carries a heavy burden. Heather was-”

Sophia cut Alice short, “I’d prefer to hear the story from Alistair first, Alice, if you don’t mind. I know he still feels a great pain about Heather and Nathalie and their deaths, but I also have a past. I think we can, at least, try to work it out together.” She exhaled, feeling the cold seep away from her, “I don’t know about Heather, but I’m certain Gabriel wouldn’t want me miserable. Plus,” the smile returned to her face, “I like your brother as he is.”

“In that case, dear, if he does accept your invitation, tell Maria to bring Gabriela over. Anytime you want. And she can spend the weekend with us. How’s that?”

“Wow! Fantastic. Let me call Alistair.” She paused and asked, “Alice, do you think he won’t expect it? Will he be shocked? Would he prefer to take the lead?”

“Shocked? No, not at all. But then, tell me, what man wouldn’t like a surprise like this? Be bold.” She laughed, “I like this hidden side of yours.”

“Call you back in a few minutes.”

Sophia tapped her nails lightly on her keyboard absently, trying to decide what to do, what to say, excited and aroused by the prospect of making love to Alistair.

She picked up her phone and called him. At the first ring, he answered with his deep voice.

“Sophia,” he breathed, “I’ve missed you.” His way of answering the phone always amused her. No words or time wasted.

“I’ve missed you, too. How was your trip?”

“It could have been better. Nonetheless, I solved some big problems that required my attention. I’ve just arrived. I’m heading home. No more work today. I’ve had enough for a whole year.”

“You’re not pleased, are you?”

“Nae. I’ll have to go back, probably next Tuesday. It’s terrible.” His voice gruff.

She started to doubt if this was a good day to seduce him. “Listen, I thought that perhaps we could do something different today.”

“Like what?”

“Of course, if you’re up for it-”

He cut in, “I’m up for everything with you, Beauty. Just tell me what it is and I’ll be there.”

“Oh, nothing special. I thought about a quiet evening. You like pasta. I cook a mean pasta with carciofi. We could drink some of the French wine I bought and had no one to share it with,” she babbled. “Perhaps, we could watch a film. At my place. I mean if you like the idea.”

“Sounds great. Better than anything I could think of. I love pasta with artichokes. Want me to pick you up or shall we meet at your house?” His voice grew lighter.

Talk about mercurial moods. Sophia exhaled the breath caught in her lungs. “If you can pick me up at six, that would be fantastic. Call me just before you arrive, I’ll wait for you in the hall.”

“Perfect. Until six then, Beauty.”

Well, well, well. Until now, everything is going as planned.

Sophia called Alice first to tell her about what she had arranged with Alistair. Then she spoke to Maria, informing her that Gabriela and she were going to spend the weekend with the Allenthorps. And finally, Lucy, her housekeeper, giving some instructions for the evening.

From that minute on, Sophia couldn’t concentrate on anything. She decided to transfer the criminal case under her review to Paul Evergreen, a brilliant lawyer working for her foundation. She talked with him for a few minutes explaining her strategy. Unfortunately, the girl had killed her boyfriend, self-defense or not, with five shots. Evergreen could only try to alleviate the verdict.

Perhaps, if the girl had gone to the authorities asking for help as soon as the guy started beating her, the crime wouldn’t have happened. But if is a word that life doesn’t consider. She shook her head aggravated at the way women let themselves get involved in damaging relationships.

Now Leibowitz’s problems. She touched the intercom, “Edward, could you please come here for a second?”

“Yes, Sophia?” Edward entered her office and stopped dead in his tracks. He raised a finger, silencing her. “Don’t tell me. I already know.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Sophia, you are as transparent as glass.” He perched a muscular thigh on her desk. “You decided to give the big guy a chance, huh?”

She laughed, nervously, “Yes, I think so. I planned a quiet evening at home. Pasta, soft music, and you know…”

“Hot sex,” he grinned at her.

“Edward!” she blushed.

“I didn’t know that grown women still blushed.” His grin widened at her blush. “Let me give you some advice.”


At a quarter to six, Sophia stood naked in her office bathroom and drying off from the shower she’d just had. Trying to get herself somewhat ready for the evening, she regretted arranging for Alistair to pick her up at the office, instead of meeting at her house.

Now, I’m still wearing the same clothes I put on this morning. Damn! Way to go, Sophia!

She did her best. She put on a few drops of her favorite perfume from Creed, Sublime Vanilla - Sublimely Alistair - brushed her teeth and styled her hair until it shined. She dressed, putting on the heavy silk ivory blouse and long, loose caramel silk skirt. A varnished brown belt clung to her small waist and varnished brown peep toe pumps covered her feet.

When she exited the bathroom, she found Edward waiting for her. He leaned on her bookshelf with an open book in his hand. He whistled and turned his finger for her to twirl, “He won’t be able to resist. Don’t worry.” He closed the book and put it in its place.

“That’s not what’s worrying me,” she laughed nervously.

“Hey, love.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and curled his fingers under her chin, making her look at him, “There’s no need for this. Don’t try to impress him. Just be yourself. You’ve already caught him. I’m sure he isn’t expecting any more than you’re willing to give. Got it?”

“Thanks,” she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re the best friend a woman could want.”

“I’m glad you’ve met someone worthy of you. And you know what they say about number three, don’t you?”

She looked at him, puzzled.

“It’s the charm, love. Number three is the lucky one.” He swatted her butt. “Go. Enjoy your night. I’ll want a full and detailed report on Monday.”

She blushed and he laughed.

She threw her Louis Vuitton monogram bag on her shoulder, picked up her redingote, and exited the office. While heading to the lifts, she looked at the iPhone screen. Two calls from Alistair.

Damn! I hate being late.

She sprinted through the corridors and tapped her shoe while waiting for the lift to go down, looking at her Cosmograph Daytona Rolex. The seconds glided fast, making her even later. As soon as the door opened on the ground floor, she ran to the sliding doors, almost slamming into them.

He stood waiting for her next to his Range Rover. A lock of his hair, still damp from a recent shower, fell across his eyes. He looked absolutely incredible with a six-button double-breasted gray cardigan with its collar up. He had tied a long black-and-white scarf around his neck Ascot style. The scarf’s tips ended below his cardigan. His dark gray faded jeans hugged his long legs and made her mouth water.

When he saw her running, he grinned widely and scooped her by the waist, lifting her up, “Where are you going in such a hurry?” He kissed her on the lips.

“I’m late, sorry.”

“You’re worth the wait. You smell good,” he nuzzled her neck with his nose. “So, are you going to cook for me tonight?”

“Are you hungry?” she asked, her lips near his.

“Famished,” he said with a sensual innuendo in his voice and pulled her into his embrace for a real kiss, before opening the door for her.

He sat behind the steering wheel, starting the car, “How was your day?”

“Nothing special,” she said, plugging her iPhone into the car stereo and choosing a song list to play. “I missed you so much I couldn’t concentrate on what I was doing.”

“That’s bad,” he said dryly.

“You think so?” she stared at him, a gullible look at her face, imagining he was joking. “Why?”

“You shouldn’t let me disturb you,” he answered, seriously. “If you feel disturbed, it’s because your emotions are out of hand.”

Out of hand? OUT OF HAND? “You didn’t disturb me today, Alistair,” she said, hurt showing in her voice, “I missed you. You were away the whole week. I…” Damn you, Alistair Connor! Here comes one of your dark moods. “Stop the car!”

He looked at her, flabbergasted, “I beg your pardon?”

“I said: stop the car! Now, please!” She said with a low voice, but loaded with strength.

He found a place to park and turned to stare at her, “All right. I have stopped the car. What are you going to do now?”

“Talk. We’re going to talk, because either you meant something completely different from what I heard, or I heard it right and I didn’t like it.” He started to speak but she interrupted him, “I’m not finished. We have been going out for nearly a month. We see each other almost every day. Before this started, you once mentioned the attraction between us. You have been trying to get me in your bed since then. Now, pray tell me: Why shouldn’t I miss you? Why shouldn’t I think about you?” She frowned and shook her head. “What do you think I am? A robot? That I can switch on and off as I want?” She pierced him with a fierce gaze, “You didn’t disturb me, Alistair. On the contrary. I missed you, a lot. I like being with you. But, if this is bothering you, we can solve this problem right away. I won’t burden anyone.”

Alistair watched her as she vented her frustration, trying to remember what he said that had generated that outburst. He pinched the bridge of his nose, “Let’s start from the beginning. What did I say that hurt you so much?” Damn mercurial woman.