1.45 p.m.

“Fuck,” Alistair swore loudly and banged his fist on the table. “Why did Douglas give this extensive credit line to such a small firm?” He rose from the chair and strolled to the window, watching the cars passing on the street below.

“I think we should call them to a meeting, today or tomorrow,” Tavish suggested, “and demand some guaranties.”

Alistair sighed heavily and turned to look at his brother, “Aye. Do it. Today or tomorrow. Not after one o’clock, though. I need to be in London before four.”

“I did some research, Alistair Connor. And I’ve talked to Douglas. I knew he wouldn’t be so careless. There is a solid family run distillery behind this firm. The father will probably vouch for his son. I’ll set a meeting with both.”

“The sooner, the better. I want to get back to London.” He fished his iPhone from his trouser pocket and speed-dialed Sophia’s number.

“Brother, this woman is turning you head over heels. I just hope she really is different,” Tavish shook his head at Alistair and left his brother’s office, a worried look on his rugged face.

“Sophia, it’s me, Alistair Connor,” he huffed.

“Hi, Handsome,” Sophia’s mouth spread in a wide grin. “What time are you arriving?”

He exhaled loudly, “Thing is, Sophia, I probably can’t get back today. I wish I could, but I’ve just found out that the Edinburgh branch granted a substantial loan without any collateral or guaranties. Tavish Uilleam is trying to schedule a meeting for later today or tomorrow morning.”

Sophia’s smile waned, “Oh. But… is everything okay?”

“I hope so. I still have some minor problems to see to but that’s the worst. I’m sorry. I can’t return today,” a longing tone in his voice. “You were right when you said we would be apart a long time. I wish you were here with me.”

I wish, too. “Tomorrow, Handsome. It’s just a few hours. They’ll fly by.”

“They won’t,” he complained, “they’ll crawl.”

Sophia smiled, “Are you pouting?”

“It seems so,” he smiled and then frowned at his childish reaction. Stop this, Alistair Connor. Man up. “So, what are you going to do tonight?”

“I’m going to dream about you,” she sighed.

“So, will I.” And Alistair’s face split into a broad, devious smile, “Naughty dreams, Sophia? The kind that leave you horny and wet?”

Sophia felt a rush of desire travel through her body, gathering at the pit of her belly. She tightened her thighs and murmured hoarsely, “Yes.”

“And do you seek release? Do you touch yourself?”

Sophia drew a sharp breath and felt giddy, “Alistair Connor!”

His sexy laughter echoed through his office, “Such a prude, Beauty. I can’t wait to debauch you.”

“You deviant.”

“What I’ll do to you, Sophia, you can’t even start to imagine,” he whispered in a sensuous tone.

Oh, my! “Alistair Connor, is this a booty call?”

“Aye, consider it. Please. I can send the G6 for you. Now.”

Oh, yeah. Please do. “I have to work, Alistair Connor. Stop tempting me.”

“Never, Sophia, never. I have an agenda to achieve.”

An agenda… “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You. In my bed.”

Ah! Sophia bit her lip to avoid moaning out loud. She inhaled deeply. Again. “I see.”

“And?” he breathed.

“And what?”

“Will you help me fulfill it?”

Oh, God, this man is impossible. “Alistair Connor, I will consider your kind request.”

“Who said it was a request?” he laughed, quietly. “Look at it more as a warning, Sophia.”

Warning? “Be careful, it can have the opposite effect, Handsome.”

“Sophia, I’m a master strategist. I never lose. You will fall. It’s just a matter of time.”

“If I fall, I’ll take you with me, Alistair Connor,” she purred.

“I live in hope, Sophia. Believe me. I do.”


London. Leibowitz Oil Building.

3.20 p.m.

The intercom buzzed, interrupting Sophia’s thoughts. “Yes, Sarah?”

“Mrs. L, it’s Mr. Ashford on your private line. It’s his second call. He insists on talking to you.”

Sophia blew out an irritated breath, “Transfer it, Sarah, please. And call Edward for me, will you? Tell him to come in without knocking. I’ll leave the door open.”


Edward entered Sophia’s office quietly and looked around. She stood by the windows looking at the River Thames while she talked on the phone.

“No, I’m sorry. I can’t,” she said softly but firmly.

He paused in the middle of the room and admired Sophia’s elegant and lean body delineated against London gray sky. He cleared his throat, catching her attention.

Sophia turned with a smile on her face and rolled her eyes heavenward making a face at the phone. “Ethan,” she mouthed to Edward.

He smiled back and walked up to where she stood, kissing her brow.

“I didn’t promise that, Ethan. Maybe we can schedule a lunch next week, but I’m busy this weekend.” She listened and replied to him, “Okay. I’ll make time for it next week and let you know, all right? I really have to go. I’ll send you an e-mail as soon as I make the reservations.”

Edward sternly shook his head at her and she waved his scowl away.

“Yes, okay. Do it and e-mail me. Take care, Ethan. Until next week.”

“Sophia, I don’t like this,” Edward frowned at her. “He’s being very insistent. It’s obvious that he still has feelings for you.”

“Please, Edward. We’ve talked about it. He’s just a friend. Nothing more.”

“You feel guilty. I don’t understand why. But I bet that is why you keep answering his calls. It’s not healthy. You should talk with Dr. Kent about this.”

“I will, I will. But really, I don’t see any harm in going out for a lunch. He’s a gentleman. And I have so few friends here.”

“Hmm. Just promise me you won’t encourage-”

“Edward! I don’t encourage anything. This isn’t funny. I would never play with Ethan’s feelings. He understands that we are just friends now. We had a lengthy talk over a lunch last Tuesday.”

Edward gapped at her.

“What?”

“You went out with him again,” he whispered.

“Oh, please, Edward. I didn’t go to bed with him. We had a quick lunch together. That’s it. I owed it to him.”

“Sophia, you owned him nothing. The guy hurt you. You should have gone to the police and pressed charges.” Edward’s temper spiked and he bristled, “I don’t believe what I’m hearing and I don’t believe I have to convince you of this. It’s your specialty. You worked on those kinds of cases in Brazil. How, tell me, how can you forgive an abuser like Ethan? He’s a violent man. You have to stop seeing him, Sophia.”

“Edward, you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. I’m involved with Alistair and what happened with Ethan is in the past.”

“So leave it in the past. Don’t answer his calls and don’t go out with him anymore. If you meet him, be polite, but from afar.”

Sophia studied Edward’s face, “Okay, all right. Maybe I’m being too lenient with Ethan. Maybe your view of the facts is correct.”

“Sometimes your inexperience in these sexual matters baffles me, you know?” He shook his head, “There is no maybe here, Sophia. Listen to my advice. I know what I’m talking about.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll obey your orders.” Sophia kissed his cheek and walked to her chair.

He smiled at her tease and sat in one of the armchairs by her desk, “So, what did you call me for?”


Atwood House.

10.49 p.m.

Sophia’s cell phone pinged, stopping the music for a second. She picked up her iPhone, programmed the music separately on the Wi-Fi, and searched for the message.

10:49. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Are you sleeping?

10:49. Sophia: If I were, I’d have gladly awoken.

10:49. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: I’m at a boring dinner. Another one. The same blah-blah-blah.

10:50. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: What are you wearing?

10:50. Sophia: Ha-ha!

10:50. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Indulge me. I’m hundreds of miles away.

10:51. Sophia: Pay attention to your dinner partners.

10:51. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: I can only think of you.

Sophia smiled naughtily and texted.

10:52. Sophia: Nothing.

10:52. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Nothing, what?

10:53. Sophia: I’m naked. I sleep naked.

10:53. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

10:53. Sophia: NA-KED!