Trust: Betrayed

by Cristiane Serruya

  Alistair turned to his father. “We are heading to the Spa. Do you want to join us?”

  Lachlann absently stroked the jewel box before putting it back in the safe and locking it. “Good idea.”

  Alistair stopped dead in his tracks when he walked by the game room. Its windows overlooked the Elm Courtyard and he was regaled with the view of Sophia playing with the children.

  “That bloody stubborn woman,” he muttered.

  “What?” Tavish asked in a startled voice.

  “I’m going to drag her to the bedroom by the hair.” Ignoring his family, Alistair walked through the game room, fury bubbling up with each stomp.

  “Stubborn, impossible, unmanageable woman!” His voice resounded like thunder in the courtyard.

  He hadn’t realized that they had stopped their game the moment they heard him. Nor could he notice the four ancient giants elms that stood like sentinels in each corner of the courtyard, while snowdrops, viburnums, wisteria, Scottish bluebells, purple heather and pink rhododendrons exploded in color around the borders of the lawn.

  The adults followed him; Lachlann tilting his head heavenward praying for patience, Alice shaking her head, and Leonard and Tavish exchanging amazed grins.

  “I beg your pardon?” Sophia asked, with a raised eyebrow, when he stopped in front of her.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” he barked and Sophia winced. “I told you to go rest. In our chamber. In bed! I gave my word to Dr. Colton I would take care of you. You shouldn’t be on your feet. Much less outside running with the kids.”

  “Alistair Connor, that’s more than enough,” Lachlann admonished and Alistair spun to shoot his father a dark look.

  “I believe your father just suggested you’re lacking common sense,” Leonard drawled.

  “She is the one lacking common sense. Clearly, I gave her too much credit,” Alistair turned back to Sophia, “your disobedience and impulsiveness are going to get you killed.”

  “Have you finished?” she asked serenely, raising her elegant brows at him, not the least bit intimidated by his fury.

  “Nae,” he hissed. “You aren’t a child any-”

  “I’m not, but Gabriela is,” she jutted her chin to where her daughter was watching the argument, her eyes wide.

  Fuck. Alistair froze and slowly turned. They were all looking at him: the children, the employees and his family.

  Alice, who now stood near the children, grimaced at him.

  Clearly he had overreacted. God spare me these stubborn women.

  Sophia walked past Alistair, kneeling by the children. “I’ll play with you again tomorrow, all right?”

  Gabriela looked up at Alistair who had stopped next to Sophia. “Are you still mad?”

  He sighed and dropped to his haunches. “I’m not mad,” Alistair placed both hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently.

  “Oh.” Gabriela gaped at him. “So, why did you shout?”

  “Because I’m worried. Your mother promised me she would rest.” His gaze traveled from Gabriela’s face to Sophia’s. “How can I take care of her, if she doesn’t obey orders?”

  Gabriela angled her head to the side and reasoned, “Then, you have to go sleep with her.”

  With that Tavish burst into laughter.

  Alistair’s mouth dropped open. He looked to Alice for help, but his sister was too busy trying to maintain a serious face.

  “Gabriela,” Lachlann grinned and ruffled her blonde hair, “you’re an astute wee lass.”

  “I’ll go upstairs then,” Sophia smiled and kissed Gabriela on the cheek. “See you later, angel.”

  When Sophia rose, Alistair didn’t waste a moment. He bent, hauled her onto his shoulder and walked off toward the game room.

  Sophia giggled and waved with both hands to the children, blowing kisses.

  Alistair heard laughter and taunts behind him, but didn’t look back, walking all the way to the lifts with sure strides in a moody silence.

  Sophia didn’t know if she should laugh or if she should frown at him. He had every right to be aggravated with her, but that gave him no right to shout at her.

  He put Sophia down only when the lift door closed and scowled down at her, “What were you thinking? How can you be so careless?”

  “Alistair Connor,” she smiled, unable to find fault in his concern, despite his overbearing behavior. “Calm down. I feel okay.”

  He snorted and dragged her down the long corridor, shoved her inside his bedchamber and slammed the door behind them. “Stubborn, infuriating woman. To the shower. Now!”

  Ignoring his order, Sophia stopped in the middle of his room. It was the first time she had set foot in Alistair’s bedchamber at Craigdale. It was completely different from the one at Ells Hall. Huge windows that faced the loch let light flood into the high-ceilinged room. The pine paneling glowed softly on the lower half of the walls, while the upper half was covered with ivory silk and dark-caramel damask. An antique desk and a high backed chair stood in a corner facing two armchairs and a small round table. Set against the furthest wall, a giant ornately carved four posted bed, faced the windows. The decor imparted an airy, uncluttered atmosphere.

  He shook his head and sighed as she looked around.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “My mother’s work-” Fuck. What am I doing? “Shower, Sophia.”

  “You’re funny, you know that?” she said, amazed.

  What the fuck? Funny? Half of his anger drained away by the absence of defiance on her face when she turned to him. “And you’re mad. Completely and utterly mad.” He advanced and started to tug her long-sleeved shirt out of her jeans and to undress her as if she were a disobedient child, “You are taking a shower and going to rest. Rest!” He pinned Sophia with the full force of his glare. “Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my lord,” she mocked even more amused than before and raised her arms so he could pull off her shirt. “Are you going to wash my back?”

  Alistair’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. Women had always been afraid of him when he was displeased. And he liked his dominance. Be it by love or fear. But he didn’t know how to deal with a fearless Sophia.

  Sophia smiled, endeared, wrapping her arms around his waist. She kissed his jaw and apologized, “I’m sorry, Handsome, but I couldn’t say no to the children. Besides, it was only a silly ball game.”

  “I worry,” he sighed, his anger further deflated by her gentle embrace.

  “Let’s shower,” she invited.

  Alistair was too busy shaking his head, struggling to reason with his inner self, to notice the mischievous smile that spread on Sophia’s lips.

  9.57 p.m.

  “I think we should call it an early night,” Alistair said to Sophia as they exited the dining room.

  Finally! The shower was sexless and she’d been aroused ever since. She turned to the rest of the family and eagerly waved, “Good night, everyone.”

  They exchanged greetings and Alistair directed her to the lifts.

  As soon as the doors closed, Sophia nipped him on the jaw with her teeth.

  “Stop,” he growled. “Not tonight.”

  “Why not?”

  “You are going to sleep.” He chuckled at the hunger showing in her eyes. “I don’t want you to exert yourself. Dr. Colton said light exercise.”

  “Haven’t you missed me touching you like this?” she asked, in a scorching whisper as she rubbed her hand over his crotch.

  Alistair groaned and his hand gripped hers impeding her advance. He tightened his hold. “I can deal with cuddling for a week.”

  She huffed and shook her head helplessly. “You try my patience, stubborn Highlander. I know you’re as aroused as I am.” She cupped him over his jeans to prove her point.

  “My first priority is you, not my cock.” He pulled her hand away from his erection. “I don’t believe sex fits into the category of light exercise.”

  Sophia laughed at this and grabbed
her iPhone. “Let’s see.”

  “You are going to call your doctor at this time of night?” He gaped at her. “You are too spoiled. Hasn’t anyone ever told you nae?”

  “Oh, yeah, they have. That’s why nowadays I don’t accept it so easily,” she smirked at him. “Dr. Colton? Hi, it’s Sophia Leibowitz. Don’t worry, everything’s perfectly-”

  “Give me this,” he took the phone from her hand and she rolled her eyes at him. “Dr. Colton, Alistair Connor MacCraig. Sorry to disturb you at this hour, but Sophia is misbehaving.” He frowned at Sophia’s laughter. “Aye. Well, after a full day, flying up here, playing with the kids, rowing- Nae, I did. And-” He paused to listen to something the doctor said while he entered his room and flung himself in the armchair. “Okay, so I have a question. Is sex allowed?”

  Sophia tried to discover what Dr. Colton was saying from Alistair’s reaction, but his poker face gave nothing away. She shrugged and entered his dressing room, taking her nightie and wrap from her suitcase. She was about to enter the bathroom when she noticed he was leaning on the doorjamb, hands shoved in his pockets.

  “So?” she asked, already guessing the answer.

  He looked sheepishly at her and muttered under his breath, “Stubborn woman.”

  “Stubborn Highlander!” she retorted as she sashayed to the bathroom, swinging her bordeaux lace nightie by the thin straps on her index finger in blatant defiance.

  As Alistair followed her trail, he thought that no sane man, much less himself, could resist the happy and naughty smile that illuminated Sophia’s face.

  Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse.

  Saturday, March 27th, 2010.

  1.05 a.m.

  Goddammit. Ethan had checked and rechecked his BlackBerry for Scott’s email. His assistant hadn’t been able to obtain Sophia’s medical report yet, but he had informed Ethan that Alistair MacCraig had taken her to Loch Carron for the weekend.

  He was worried.

  Ethan emailed Scott giving new orders. He drank his port, remembering their first night together. And another night, from long ago, superimposed it. Eve...

  Niarchos Angepopoulos’s House.

  Sunday, January 29th, 1989.

  9.51 p.m.

  Niarchos squeezed Isis’s hand, calling her attention to him.

  “Oui, mon chèr?” she purred.

  Niarchos smiled at her and raised his hand to his lips, kissing it. “I owe you.”

  “Oh-la-la!” She put her hand dramatically over her heart dragging his attention to her full bosom. “This is not something my old heart could endure. Niarchos Angepopoulos owes me.”

  “Look at him, Isis. Three days and he is different already.” His sharp eyes noticed how Ethan put his arm on Eve’s waist and boldly pulled her to him. “I was so worried.”

  Isis pursed her lips in a charming pout. “He is very handsome, Niarchos. Eve is delighted and she promised she’s going to take good care of him,” she smiled. “I just wish I was younger.” Her finger caressed her nipple and her tongue licked her lips slowly.

  A hungry look came over Niarchos’s face. He stood up lithely and commanded, “Come. I’m going to show you that experience is better than youth.”

  Isis threw her head back in a laugh and eyed Niarchos’s fit body with unmasked pleasure. “Niarchos, mon chèr, your grandson has much to learn before he can step into your shoes.”

  Monday, February 6th, 1989.

  12.01 a.m.

  A low knock on the door startled Ethan. His hand stopped and gripped his stiff arousal. He cursed softly and redressed quickly, pulling his T-shirt loosely over his tented pajama shorts.

  “Yes?” he asked when he was by the door.

  No one answered.

  He cursed again and turned back to his bed to finish masturbating.

  He was going crazy over Eve’s playing. He wanted more. He wanted everything. He had come in his trunks, in her hand, on her belly. But she didn’t allow him to make love to her saying she was still a virgin and she was afraid.

  Another knock made him turn again. This time a hesitating one, followed by his name spoken softly.

  Ethan heaved as undiluted desire made his erection even harder. Is it possible? Then he remembered it was February six. My birthday. I’m sixteen years old.

  He opened the door and his heart leaped in his chest.

  Eve was wearing a white see-through nightgown, a matching wrap and minuscule white lace panties. As the soft corridor lights illuminated her from behind, creating tantalizing shadows, Ethan’s imagination went crazy.

  “Come in,” he whispered. As she hesitated, he asked, “Please?”

  She swayed from one foot to another, biting her lip, and looking at him from her lowered lashes.

  “Eve?” Ethan held her hand gently, tugging it.

  She lifted her beautiful brown eyes and looked at him shyly. “I don’t know if I should. But... I can’t resist you,” she murmured.

  He tugged again, “I won’t do anything that you don’t want.”

  Ethan felt powerful when she entered his bedroom and looked from his face to his big bed, biting her lip.

  “Happy birthday,” she whispered shyly.

  He locked the door, put one hand on her waist and breathed on her lips, “Thank you.”

  Blinking, Eve wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body onto his, “Oh, Ethan, you make me feel so good every time we’re together. I want...”

  “What, Eve?”

  “Can I ask for a gift? Even though it’s your birthday?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  She stood on her tiptoes and rubbing her breasts on his chest, asked, “Make love to me. Show me what it’s like to be a woman.”

  Ethan’s mind flooded with desire and his arms hugged her closer, his hands wandering over her round buttocks, pressing her to his ready body. As he kissed her, he promised himself he would be as gentle and as patient as he could. That he would satisfy her as she had satisfied him. This is my birthday gift. A special gift.

  Eve didn’t usually feel pleasure when selling her body to rich men. Nonetheless, even though she knew Ethan Ashford was a virgin, shy and a bit awkward, she would make sure that, in the morning when she left his bedroom, both of them were fully sated and delighted.

  That night she would give herself to pleasure.

  Chapter 15

  Ethan breathed on Eve’s lips, “You are so beautiful.”

  She smiled and her slender fingers caressed his nape. “And you are so handsome.”

  He remembered his mother’s words. It was one thing she liked to brag about, but only because he looked like her. Of course.

  This is my birthday present. Forget Calista and enjoy it. There was a slight hesitation when his hands hovered over her shoulders for a minute and he remembered his grandfather’s firm voice and wise advice. He pushed her wrap off her shoulders.

  Aphrodite and Venus. Jezebel and Delilah. And Eve. Goddesses and revered women. Trouble and Temptation. Every last one.

  Then her nightgown also fell to the floor, and he forgot all about religion and mythology. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her.

  Kiss me. He was afraid to speak and break the magic. He willed her closer, gently pulling her forwards.

  Her fingers twisted in his hair, drawing him close. She breathed over his mouth, her tongue sliding over his lips. Just a shallow, teasing pass at first. Then, on the second attempt, she pressed in, slowly, tantalizingly. She sighed into the kiss.

  The faint sound blazed through him, kindling his every nerve ending, like a fuse. Her fingers left his hair, and he worried for a moment that she might have regretted starting this. But they wandered down, looking for the hem of his shirt.

  “Take it off.”

  Passion was an emotion he was quickly learning to identify on her face. Ethan obliged her. His hand was drawn to her full breast and he began to massage, his thumb drawing circles around her taut nipple.

 
Her palms roamed over his neck to his shoulders and down his chest until they rested over his ribs. Her fingers suddenly dug into his skin firmly and she pushed her breasts onto his chest.

  He broke the kiss and looked at her. She was so sexy with her head thrown back in abandon that he couldn’t resist and his head dropped to suck a nipple in his mouth.

  “I like that. Don’t stop,” she asked breathlessly.

  But he paused, disappointing her. It only lasted a heartbeat because his mouth moved to the other breast.

  Eve closed her eyes, stood on her tiptoes and arched her back to give him better access. He was still untrained so she coached, “Suck it harder.”

  Ethan was a quick learner and a devoted student. He decided he would learn every trick. He growled when she grabbed his head, her fingers sliding into his hair, clutching him to keep him in place and whispered, “Yes. Now, use your tongue to tease the tip.”

  He didn’t need experience to follow her directions. He released one breast to give the other his attention. Ethan was reeling. Sensations overtook everything as pleasure and need filled him. He didn’t even notice that Eve was not behaving like a inexperienced schoolgirl.

  Eve moaned and hiked up a leg as he sucked on her breast in strong tugs. A sweet ache radiated to her belly. “Ethan,” she pleaded.

  His mouth released her as he lifted his head to look at her. “What do you want? Tell me. I’ll do it.”

  The way he spoke did funny things to Eve. His voice was deep and it exposed his need, urging something inside her.

  She let go of his head, one hand cupping his face, the other sliding down, into his shorts, curling her fingers over his arousal, stroking him. “You.”

  He rumbled a grunt of pleasure and approval and undid the ribbons of her panties, letting them fall to the floor. One of his hands moved to the middle of her thighs, asking for access. He closed his eyes while his fingers probed and teased her opening gently, mimicking what he wanted to do with her.