“Seven o’clock, sharp.”

“Ah, Ethan-”

“See you there, Sophia.”

Sometimes Ethan is insufferable.


Eaton Square.

4.57 p.m.

Sophia arrived at her apartment in a hurry. “Hello,” she called.

Gabriela came running, almost knocking her over on the floor.

“Hello, my love.” She got down on her knees, hugging the little girl and showering her face with kisses.

“Mama, you’re home early today. How was your day? I missed you. I did a pretty drawing for you. And I learned how to write my name and yours. Can I show you? Can I? Can I?” The girl jumped excitedly.

Sophia laughed, standing up with her daughter cradled in her arms. “I missed you too, my angel, and, yes, you can show me your drawing. But I have to run to a meeting. You can write our names for me tomorrow. How’s that? In fact, Maria, I’m not sleeping here tonight.” She looked up at the nanny. “Have Steven and Lucy returned from their day off?”

“Yes, Mrs. Leibowitz. They’re already here.”

“Good.” Sophia breathed relieved. “Don’t forget my instructions, Maria. No one, and I mean no one, is authorized to come up or speak with Gabriela. Not even on the phone.”

“It’s perfectly understood. Mrs. Leibowitz, Lucy informed me when she arrived that everything is ready for us to start moving the furniture and clothes tomorrow and settled in the house by Friday, if this is your wish.”

“Great, Maria. Please, ask her to inform the new cook that she starts tomorrow then.”


Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse.

6.55 p.m.

Sophia rang Ethan’s doorbell and examined herself in the mirrored wall. She liked what she saw. The sleek, tight black dress with a drooping gap at the back did wonders to show off her body and left little to the imagination. She had coiled her hair in a high, loose bun.

She also wore her new gift, a Rolex day-date in white gold and square diamonds, one of the three Ethan had given her. She smiled wickedly. He’d had trouble choosing them, but decided on a diamond pavéd Franck Muller Crazy Hours Totally Crazy watch, a Tag Heuer Calibre Sixteen, and the one she wore tonight.

“Like what you see, Sophia?” Ethan leaned on the doorjamb, looking at her with a small smile on his lips, noticing she had complemented the dress with the spectacular Oiseau des Paradis set he had given her as a Christmas present.

“Yes,” she didn’t heard the door opening. She smiled at him, “Do you?”

His arms wound around her waist, his lips moved close to hers. “Yes, very much. You’re delectable. As always. I think I’m going to cancel dinner and eat you.” He kissed her with so much passion she felt lightheaded.

Oh, my, the man knows how to kiss.

“We have half an hour before the guests arrive. Come inside before I make love to you in the hall.”

He went directly to his bedroom, flinging her clutch on the armchair in his sitting room. He crooked a finger in her direction. “Come here. I want to taste the dessert before the main course.”

She laughed. “Ethan! I’m all dressed and ready for dinner.”

He pursued her, pushing her dress down her shoulders, kissing, and nibbling them. He gazed in her eyes, an intense, hungry look in his blue ones. “I want you. Now. Don’t deny me.”

She laughed again and her hands went to his shirt, undoing the buttons. “You’re unbelievable.”


Sophia, retouching her lipstick in the bathroom mirror, heard Ethan call. “They’ve arrived. Hurry.”

She held her breath and sprayed her favorite Creed perfume around her, shaking her hair to let the perfume rain on it; she redid her bun. Then she re-pinned the magnificent bird clip Ethan had given her above her heart.

A party of four men and two women had gathered in the reception room. The sound of French was a treat to Sophia’s ears. She loved the language.

Ethan welcomed her by putting an arm on her shoulders and made the introductions in French. “These are my friends, Sophia. François Lefebvre, his wife, Aimée, and his younger twin brothers, Guy and Giles. And,” he motioned to a couple on her left, “Annaïs Fitzroy and her husband, Alain Lambert.”

“Bon soir. Comment allez vous?” she greeted them, grinning.

One of the handsome blond twins, Guy, said to her, with intimacy, “Tu parles a parfait français, Sophie.”

Sophia’s eyes widened slightly. He had used the second person tu to congratulate her on her perfect French, implying a familiarity that didn’t escape Ethan. His arm tightened around her shoulders, his other hand cupping her jaw to turn her face in his direction.

Ethan answered for her, in his perfect French, “Yes. Sophia,” he stressed her name, “speaks French fluently. In fact, she speaks six languages perfectly.” And she is mine. He kissed her lightly on the lips, bringing her closer, stating his hold on her.

His behavior and possessiveness irritated Sophia, but she let it go.

“Lucky you, mon ami,” François interceded smoothly and glowered discreetly at Guy. He was aware of Ethan’s jealousy and Guy’s flirting ways from long ago. No need to have a problem tonight. “So, I heard that you’re also a spectacular lawyer in the oil field, Ms. Santo.”

Sophia grinned at him. “Please, Monsieur Lefebvre, call me Sophia.” She looked at Ethan; he imperceptibly blinked his approval, smiling.


“Un moment, mon ami.” Ethan unfolded his long body from the sofa where he had been talking with François and stalked up to Guy and scowled at him, letting him know that he didn’t like the way he looked at Sophia and held her hand.

Ethan snaked an arm around Sophia’s waist, bringing her back close to his body. She jumped. So engrossed in the conversation, Sophia hadn’t noticed him approaching.

“Ethan, you startled me.” She turned in his direction, with a smile on her face.

“Seems that you and Guy are getting along very well.”

“Sophia is a very intelligent and beautiful woman.” Guy smirked at him. “I could spend the whole evening with her. I’m sure time would fly.”

“Indeed.” Ethan’s blood boiled. “Sophia? Come with me for a second.” He didn’t wait for her answer and tugged her behind him to the guest room.

As soon as the door closed, he said in a low, harsh voice, “What do you think you’re doing, Sophia? I thought you were a well-bred and decent woman.”

“You thought…” she exhaled, aghast. “What am I then?”

“You looked like a mare in heat-” he interrupted himself, grabbed her arms, and shook her violently. Her hair tumbled free and the long earrings swung back and forth. “You’ve flirted with Guy all night long. You let him drool all over you and even hold your hand,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

“I flirted with Guy?” Sophia’s voice expressed her shock. She put her hands on his chest, pushing him back. “I think you’ve said enough, Ethan. You’re creating a storm in a teacup. He was admiring the magnificent ring you gave me. I wasn’t flirting with him. He is a nice, young man. That’s it, nothing more.”

“Young?” He felt slapped. Yes, Guy’s only three years older than she is. “Do you want a younger man?”

“Ethan, I don’t want anything. There is no need for jealousy.”

“I’m not jealous.” His eyes were blazing with fury. “I cannot approve of such behavior in my own house from my lover.” His fingers dug into her flesh.

“Ethan, please let go. You’re hurting me.”

He released her arms, but stayed where he was, glowering at her, enraged.

She massaged her scarred left upper arm. Oh, damn! His lover? I’m his lover? “Everyone out there must wonder what’s happening in here,” she sighed. There is no reasoning with jealousy.

She pinned her hair back, adjusted the clip on her dress, and held out her hand to him, beseeching him to take it. “Please, my dear, come with me.”

They went back out, holding hands.

François gave Sophia a knowing look and soon after the couple’s return, he rose with his wife, saying their farewells.

Sophia climbed down the staircase from Ethan’s rooms with her clutch in hand. “I think I’d better go too, Ethan.”

“Aren’t you staying the night?” He watched her as she approached. I’ve crossed the line.

“No, it’s late.” She gave a light peek on his cheek. “Tomorrow, I have a lot of work to do.”

“Look, Sophia, I’m sorry. You’re too beautiful, Guy was making advances, and you weren’t repelling him. You were right; I was jealous. Please, stay.”

“I understood your point of view, Ethan.” Sophia gave a little smile but it didn’t reach her eyes. “My behavior as your… lover, was unacceptable,” she strolled out to the lift, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I should go, I’m really tired. Good-bye.” She closed the door softly behind her, giving him no time to answer.

He stood there rooted to the floor. Why do I feel like she just left me? Curse it. This time I’ve really messed things up. She looked hurt. Despair lodged in his chest. I can’t lose Sophia.

He picked up his BlackBerry and speed dialed a number. He tapped his foot impatiently waiting for Leonard Allenthorp to answer his call. “Allenthorp, good evening. It’s Ashford. Sorry to be calling at this hour, but it’s almost an emergency.” He sounded incoherent.

“Good evening, Ashford. Almost an emergency? What is almost an emergency?” Leonard chortled.

“I think I just busted things with Sophia,” he blurted.

“Oh.” Leonard sounded surprised. “How?”

“Err, it’s kind of private, but let’s just say that I need I favor from you.”