His eyes widened with disbelief when she pressed her hand onto his chest and let go in an aggressive movement. What now, Alistair Connor? His ray of sun shone so brightly in his private sky that it scared away his dark, thunderous clouds. Shall I apologize? Shall I let her go? Fuck, she is turning me inside out. And upside down.

He inhaled deep and nodded at her, “Warnings noted, Ms. Leibowitz. I’ll behave.” Jesus Christ. When did you turn into this weakling, Alistair Connor? Are you obeying orders, now? “We’re going to happen, Beauty. We. Will.” He breathed the commanding words on her mouth and his hand squeezed her nape lightly.

“We shall see,” she whispered and raised her elegant brows, throwing down the gauntlet.

“I do love challenges, Sophia.” He dipped his mouth and kissed her lightly before signaling for the waiter that they were ready to go upstairs. He retrieved her watch to put back on her wrist. His eyes stopped on the inscription on the leather band and he squinted to read it in the low light. His eyes widened a bit and sadness came over his face, before he schooled his features to look at her, tilting his head to the side. “This was a gift to Gabriel,” he affirmed.

She sat utterly still, keenly observing his reactions. “Yes,” she whispered.

“I like the words,” he said softly to her, admiration shining in his eyes. “Simple and beautiful, Sophia.”

“You speak Portuguese, too?” she asked quietly, thankful for his normal behavior.

“No. But I am fluent in Italian and French. Besides, these words are almost universal,” he shrugged and fastened the watch on her wrist, his fingers caressing her hand.

“Yes,” she entwined her fingers with his, “they are.”

“Let’s go up to the Rooftop,” he commanded. “We can have our coffee there. I want to see you smoking a cigar,” he sensuously whispered the last words in her ear, enjoying her shiver.

The waiter pulled out the table for her and she stood, bowing mockingly at him, “As you wish, my lord.” And stepped away, leaving him to follow her through the restaurant as all gazes turned to watch her elegantly stroll to the stairs.

He shook his head and scowled at her back. Alistair Connor, you are so in for it. She is going to make you eat out of her hand.


Leibowitz Oil Building.

Friday, March 5th, 2010.

1.07 p.m.

Sophia’s iPhone vibrated. Alistair? Already? She answered it quickly, “Alistair?”

“Sophia, we’re a little early. Traffic was good and,” she could almost hear him smiling, “an enchanted little girl asked me to pick her up at a twelve thirty, sharp. I’m almost there but I can wait if you want.”

“No need. I’ll be downstairs in a second.” Sophia turned off her iMac, put on her jacket, and grabbed her overcoat.

He was already waiting for her, leaning on the slick BMW. He eyed her face and became concerned. He greeted her with a light kiss on her lips. “Bad day?”

“You can’t imagine. I had a long meeting in the morning and one of Leibowitz’s platforms in Rio had a malfunction. Edward and I had an extensive conference call with the Brazilian CEO and directors. We just finished. I didn’t eat. Not just bad, it was a disaster.”

“Well,” he smiled at her, “at least you’re going to have a calm weekend. Gabriela wants to play with Ariadne every second of it.” His smile broadened, “She said she repacked your bags with Maria and that you’re going to dress beautifully for me the next few days.” He laughed heartily. “She’s an imp. You need to be careful with her. Always plotting.” He opened the back door for her. “I’m glad she’s on my side.”

“Hi, Mama.” Chubby arms hugged her neck and kisses were scattered on her cheek as soon as Sophia sat beside her daughter in the car.

“My love,” her heart busted with joy. “Ready for the weekend?”

“Ready, Mother.” Gabriela bounced in her car seat. “Come on! Let’s not waste a second.”

Sophia laughed. “All right.” She closed the back door. As Alistair entered the car through the other door, she glanced in Alistair’s direction over Gabriela’s head, smiling. “So much energy for such a little girl.”

He smiled back, “She’s a dear.”

“I am,” Gabriela concurred.

Alistair touched the intercom, “Heathrow by Invitation, please, Garrick.”

“Heathrow by invitation?” she parroted.

“You don’t know it?”

“No.”

“You’ll love it. They take care of check-in and baggage, while we wait in the private lounge. Then, they drop us off at the plane.” He smiled at Gabriela, playing with the child’s pale blonde hair. “You should have your own airplane, Sophia.”

“What for? I don’t really travel that much.” Sophia put her head against the headrest and closed her eyes, groaning. She was really tired and beginning to get a headache.

“You okay?” Alistair murmured, his fingers skimming over her forehead. He looked at her, worried. “Sophia?” he whispered.

She opened her eyes to glance at him and closed them again. “I’m okay. It’s just a bad headache.” You gave me too much to think about yesterday, Lord I-give-the-orders. She took her sunglasses from her bag and put them on.


The Heathrow by Invitation driver dropped them off on the tarmac. A silver-and-dark green G650 waited for them.

Next to the stairs, the captain and the copilot prepared to greet them, “Mr. MacCraig, ma’am, good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Muir, Kincaid,” Alistair nodded at the two men as Sophia and Gabriela said, “Good afternoon.”

This is getting monotonous. She looked at him, frowning.

“What?” he asked her, smiling.

“Do all British men have G650s?” she teased.

“All?” He frowned. “How many British men do you know that have a G650?” His smile vanished from his face.

There he is. Lord Jealousy. I’ll have to keep track of his many nicknames. “You and Ethan.”

“Indeed.” His brows rose. “Mine is newer.” Alistair Connor. Don’t be a child. His face taut, he still didn’t smile. “Time is money, Sophia, especially for a banker who travels continuously.” He bent down to enter the plane, too tall for the size of the aircraft. “Good afternoon, MacDouglas.”

“Mr. MacCraig, Ms. Leibowitz, and young lady, good afternoon.” He took their coats and turned to hang them in the small closet.

Sophia whispered to Alistair, “Are all your employees Scottish?” She counted on her fingers, “MacKeenan, Garrick, Munro, Muir, Kincaid, and MacDouglas.”

He frowned and his lips curled upward in a ghost of a smile. “Not all, but the majority are. I have a contract with the University of Edinburgh to place trainees and newly graduated students.”

The floor plan and decor of Alistair’s airplane differed completely from Ethan’s. The ivory leather, dark green carpet, and dark green-and-ivory plush cushions of Alistair’s was homier and more spacious with fewer seats.

“Only six seats and a sofa?” She looked around.

“No,” he flashed a crooked smile and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward a door. He opened it to show a beautifully done stateroom with an amazingly big bed and another sofa.

“Wow! This is nice,” Gabriela ran her little hand over the mattress.

“It is, isn’t it?” Alistair picked her up in his arms and flung her on the soft bed, where she fell, giggling.

He turned to Sophia, his hand caressed her jaw line. “Why don’t you sleep until we reach Plockton Airstrip? The flight is an hour and fifteen minutes. Enough time for you to rest. Gabriela and I will keep quiet, won’t we, Fairy? We can see, mmm…”

“Beauty and the Beast,” Gabriela hopped on the floor.

“Beauty and the Beast, it is then.” He smiled at the little girl, scooping her back in his arms.

“Alistair Connor,” Sophia breathed and gaped at him. “You are a saint even if you don’t think so,” she mumbled the end of the sentence, massaging her right temple.

No saint here, Sophia. He shook his head, smiling. “How about a sandwich and a Tylenol?”

“Lovely.”

“Come.” He grabbed her hand leading her to the other side of the aircraft to the bar. “MacDouglas, please, set up the bed in the stateroom for Ms. Leibowitz.”


Sophia slept the whole flight and woke up to Alistair nuzzling her neck.

“Come on, Beauty. Wake up. We’re landing in ten minutes.”

“Mmm.” She stretched on the bed and smiled at him. “It was a great suggestion. Thanks. I’m feeling much better.”

He smiled with mischief at her. “One day, I’ll have you here.”

“Here?” she squeaked.

His smile turned darker and devilish and he nodded, “Yes, here. Shocked?”

“Yes,” she confirmed. “Quite.” And smiled, stretching again. “But isn’t it a wonderful idea, Alistair Connor?” She liked the way his full name tasted on her tongue.

“Prepare for being fully shocked, Sophia.” He laughed, throwing his head back, his forest-green eyes twinkling. “You can fulfill all your fantasies with me. I love role-play.”

“Hmm,” she purred and jumped from the bed. “I’ll give it great thought.”

He swatted her butt, chuckling. “Yes, please do.”


Scotland, Highlands, Plockton Airstrip.

3.44 p.m.

Sophia breathed deep as she stepped out of the plane and grabbed Alistair’s hand.

“Nervous?” he asked and she nodded. “Don’t be. My father will love you.”

Sophia spotted Lachlann Aindreas MacCraig right away. Although, he didn’t look much like Alistair, his towering height and width gave him away. He had an easy smile and graying auburn hair. With the same green eyes, lean, almost as tall and broad as Alistair, although much older than his son, he remained a handsome man.