* * * *
“Another wedding gift to you, darling.” Standing purposely in front of her, Jonathan brought the diamond necklace up and fastened it around her throat. His position forced him to lean into Sophie as he reached around to do the clasp. “You don’t look very happy,” he continued with a knowing glimmer in his eyes.
“Should I be?” she inquired coolly, turning her face away. She barely moved until he finally stepped back. Only Jonathan would have none of that; he wouldn’t tolerate her cold acceptance of him in front of their guests. Reaching up, he took her chin, forcing her around in an attempt to kiss her. She turned before he could complete the action.
His lips twisted into a humorless smile. “Did you shudder when he touched you?” he whispered cruelly. “When he fucked you?”
Sophie forced herself to meet his hateful gaze, not surprised at his crudeness. If there was anything she knew about Jonathan, it was how his true colors came through when something was out of his control.
“With ecstasy,” she answered softly, taking pleasure in the hardening of his jaw.
“Then I’ll just have to make certain you enjoy my possession more,” he said with relish. “It will be my pleasure taking you over and over again until I wipe his memory away.”
That wouldn’t happen in a hundred years. She could only look at him, too much a lady to respond to his coarseness. Refusing to let him see how much she loathed him, knowing it would be as good as handing him a weapon to use against her. She was careful to keep her emotions in check even though she was shocked to the core by his threat.
“What, no response to that?” He smiled.
“Have you seen my father?” He’d said he wanted to talk to her when they could steal a moment alone. So far Jonathan had always managed to be there, clinging to her like a leech and refusing to let her out of his sight.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen our host yet this evening. Why, do you think daddy is going to save you from me? You should know by now that I always get what I want. At any cost.”
“Through blackmail.” She rolled her shoulders out from under his hands, growing angry. “How does it feel knowing that’s the only way you can have me? You’ll never have my love or respect. You might take my body but even then I’ll be thinking of another man.”
Sophie no longer cared about keeping up pretenses. She casually scanned the occupants in the room, searching for Brent. She couldn’t see him but she knew in her heart he was there. She could feel him, watching her and waiting.
“He’d be a fool to show his face around here,” Jonathan said, guessing her thoughts. “My men have orders to shoot him on sight. There’s not a jury in the world that would convict a man protecting his woman from the very person who kidnapped her.” His low laugh grated on her nerves, as she was sure he meant it to. “I’d be a hero in the public’s eye.”
“And why do you think I’d want him to come here? I ran away from him to you, remember?” She frowned, looking into his eyes until guilt forced her to break the contact. In that instant she saw the answer on his smug face, somehow he’d guessed the truth.
“Because, Sophie dear, you love the bastard. You’re not as clever as you’d like to think. The only reason you ran to me was to save him. I know you fucked him on his boat; all you accomplished was sealing his fate.”
She gasped that he actually had the nerve to put it into words, facing him fully. “We have a deal, Jonathan.”
“In regard to your father only,” he reminded her.
“If you kill Brent…”
“You’ll do what?” He laughed sarcastically. “Run to daddy? Do you think his political reputation will stand the truth coming out? And what about you, my beloved, do you want the world knowing what your mother is?”
Sophie turned and walked away before she lost control, heading straight for the buffet table. Her mother couldn’t hurt her because the woman had never really fulfilled that role for Sophie. No, that wasn’t quite true. Her mother was hurting her now by keeping her from going to the man she loved. She reached for a small plate and began filling it when her father appeared at her side.
“What’s wrong, dear? You look flustered.” His expression hardened when she turned his way and he noticed the tears in her eyes. Grabbing her plate he set it down, taking her by the arm. “I think it’s time for that talk now.”
Sophie nodded gratefully, still too emotional to talk past the lump in her throat. Before she knew it they were in his library with the door safely closed and locked behind them. A father’s instinct that she needed something to calm her nerves led him to the bar where he poured her a glass of wine and a scotch on the rocks for himself.
“I have something to confess to you, dear.” By the time he turned to face her Sophie was getting comfortable on the sofa by the fireplace. “I have a feeling you’re going to need this.”
She took the glass from him without comment, watching as he sat in the chair opposite from her. Crossing his legs, he took a sip of his drink, his eyes filled with a father’s worry. He took a long breath before finally speaking.
“I’ve wanted to get you alone since Jonathan phoned to tell me he’d found you.”
“I hope you’re not going to bring up that nonsense about blackmail,” she warned him mildly, not about to go through another round with him about that particular subject. She didn’t know if she had the strength to continue denying it.
Her father smiled, slowly shaking his head. “If that were all I had on my mind, this would be easy. But the time has come for me to be truthful with you, Sophie, completely honest.”
“You’re starting to scare me,” she breathed, bringing the glass to her lips.
He expelled a deep sigh. “I’m afraid what I have to say is going to make you hate me. But keep in mind, everything I did was because I love you and wanted to protect you. Some day when you have children of your own you’ll understand. I, ah…” He hesitated, clearing his throat, and then decided to take a sip of his own drink.
His obvious reluctance to continue kept her watching him with interest. It wasn’t like her father, who was usually so strong and forthcoming, to stagger and appear contrite. A man in his position couldn’t afford to be weak.
“You have my attention.” The smile on her face had nothing to do with humor, and was meant only to put him at ease. Whatever he had to tell her, she believed him when he said it was done out of love.
He took another breath and plunged on. “First, let me tell you that your abduction was a farce from the start. Brent Howard is a friend of mine. In fact, he’s a bodyguard I hired to kidnap you.”
“What?” Eyes rounding with disbelief, Sophie spilled her drink when she started to get up too fast. She didn’t know what shocked her most, finding out Brent was a bodyguard or that her father had arranged for her abduction. She’d suspected something but not this. “I don’t believe…”
The senator raised his hand to stop her. “Please, hear me out before you get all riled up. I promise all your questions will be answered.” Waiting until she sank back against the cushions, he continued, “In spite of your insistence that you aren’t being forced into this marriage, I was certain you were.”
“I told you…” She halted when he raised his hand again in a silent plea for her to let him finish.
“Jonathan Lord has a nasty reputation beneath that polished exterior, and you’re far too sweet and loving to be attracted to a man like him. That’s why I arranged for Brent to kidnap you on the eve of your wedding. I needed time to get to the bottom of this.”
Sophie hung on his every word, stunned at what he was admitting, but she didn’t hate him. How can I when his actions brought Brent into my life? He took another drink, relief visible in his eyes that she was receptive to what he said.
“I was determined to find out what kind of hold Jonathan had on you. It didn’t occur to me it could have anything to do with your mother, since she’s been out of the family for so long.” Sophie�
�s eyes flared with alarm. She opened her mouth to deny it, but he continued quickly, “It’s your mother, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she hedged, looking nervously away. It sounded like he was fishing and she wasn’t about to admit to anything until she knew for sure. It suddenly occurred to her she’d been right about Brent. He had been protecting her.
Senator Adams finished his drink in one swallow. “I know all about Ann, dear. I know she changed her name and is living a less than acceptable lifestyle these days. Though, you need to understand something, Sophie; she was very young when I married her, perhaps too young. You and Paul came along within the first two years. That was my fault because I wanted to start a family right away. She tried to be a good wife and mother for a while but everything happened so fast. Then she mixed in with the wrong people and got hooked on drugs.”
He was actually making excuses for her mother? Her ears burned hearing the truth on his lips. She jumped off the sofa with a sob, rushing to the French doors and opening them to capture a breath of fresh air. From where she stood, she could hear soft music drifting from the party, the subtle conversation and laughter of couples walking in the garden.
“Is that what Jonathan’s blackmailing you with? I want the truth, Sophie. As your father, you owe me that.” His forceful tone indicated he was back to his old confident self again.
Wiping away the moisture on her cheeks she stared into the darkness, wishing Brent was there to hold her. She should be angry with both of them for their deception, but she wouldn’t give back one moment of pleasure she’d found in Brent’s arms.
“Is it?” he persisted, breaking into her thoughts. “Tell me.” She supposed the truth wouldn’t hurt now, even if it didn’t alter the fact she was still going to marry Jonathan. She nodded slowly; knowing once the words left her mouth there’d be no turning back.
“Jonathan told me the press would have a field day if they found out what kind of woman you’d married. That it was just the thing to end your political career and ruin your reputation. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“And all he wanted in return for his silence was you,” he stated sharply.
Sophie hesitated from responding. “Yes.” Her gaze was drawn to a falling star as it streaked across the sky, prompting her to make a wish to be back in Brent’s arms where she longed to be. She leaned against the doorjamb, tilting her face into the gentle breeze, wondering if she’d ever see him again.
Why did I have to go and fall in love with him?
Chapter 19
“I’ve heard enough.”
The deep familiar voice caused a sharp gasp from Sophie. She spun around, her stomach fluttering wildly. The low, angry timbre hadn’t come from her father; it was Brent’s furious gaze she met as he swiveled around in the chair he’d been sitting in behind her father’s desk.
He’d apparently been listening the whole time! As shocked as she was she couldn’t disguise the pleasure of seeing him again. He couldn’t seem to look away from her either; the hardness in his eyes quickly thawing into a sensual warmth that caused her pulse to leap with excitement. She wanted to run to him but wasn’t up to explaining that kind of reaction to her father.
Taking advantage of her momentary loss for words, Senator Adams quickly added, “Jonathan can’t hurt me, Sophie. Do you think the public will hold me responsible for the way Ann turned out? And if they do, then to hell with them! I’ve been thinking about retiring lately.”
They were words, just words, and she didn’t believe him. Politics was his whole way of life and had been for as long as she could remember. It was in his blood.
“It doesn’t matter,” she insisted softly, her tone pleading with them to understand. “Just because you know the truth doesn’t change the fact I made a promise to Jonathan.” She met her father’s angry expression. “How many times have I heard you say that no matter what happens in life, when you give someone your word, you see it through because integrity means everything?”
“Bah! Not to the likes of him!” the senator roared, tossing his arms in the air and spinning around with obvious frustration. He couldn’t win that argument with Sophie and they both knew it. “You talk some sense into her, Brent.”
Her gaze swung to Brent as he slowly rose and made his way toward her, her heart tightening with emotion at the tenderness in his eyes. He was clearly prepared to win her over using a completely different tactic. She braced herself.
“What about me, princess? Do you honestly think I’m going to let Lord get you through blackmail?”
“You can’t stop me,” she said unwisely, taking an uneasy step back.
“You think not?”
“Don’t come near me!”
He halted at her impassioned declaration, his eyes narrowing on her, and Sophie couldn’t believe it was going to be that easy. Then without further hesitation, he completed his journey, promptly taking her by the shoulders and pulling her sharply against his powerful length. He ignored her gasp of surprise. She was unable to ignore the hardness of his body, or his warm, sensual scent. She felt desire building in her belly. Exquisite sensations flooding her senses.
Her gaze went to his firm lips with the longing to kiss that sexy mouth until he forgot everything but her.
“You said you love me,” he reminded her, in a whisper meant only for her ears. He wasn’t playing fair. Sophie opened her mouth but before she could get a word out Brent kissed her, and she knew she was lost. Nothing else mattered.
As soon as his lips touched hers, she went a little mad. She wanted him to love her, all of her. He swallowed her little whimpers of pleasure, tracing his tongue along the inside of her bottom lip before finally mating with hers. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment for seven lonely days and nights.” He whispered against her mouth, before deepening his kiss again.
The blood pounded in Sophie’s ears, drowning out the noise of the party beyond the room. Everything became muted except the beating of her heart against his, and the rush of excitement exploding through her body. Her hands fell to his shoulders, her nails biting into his jacket as her need escalated to match his. Her desire seemed to feed his. His grip tightened as he brought her closer to his aroused body.
Her father’s discreet cough reminded them they weren’t alone. Sophie was able to step back when Brent’s hands relaxed. It wasn’t enough though; she could still feel the heat between them. She breathed in their combined scent, filling her lungs with the heady combination of sweetness and fire that kept her blood hot. Their gazes remained locked, reflecting smoldering desire and unspoken promises.
Senator Adams broke the silence first. “You’re not getting married tomorrow and that’s final,” he said firmly, his expression turning red. “I won’t let you!” He made eye contact with Brent. “If I’m forced to have you kidnapped again…”
“I’m a grown woman, Dad. I can handle my own battles.” Her gaze never left Brent’s eyes. “Please understand,” she pleaded softly.
“You’re going through with it then?”
With hot tears filling her eyes, Sophie nodded reluctantly.
“If you’re determined to become a martyr, I guess there’s nothing more to say.” His burning gaze shot to her father, before saying in a tone that clearly revealed he didn’t care anymore. “I’m done here.”
A martyr! Sophie had never thought of herself in that way but before she could deny it, Brent pivoted, striding briskly from the room and out of her life, taking her heart with him. The soft click of the door closing behind him seemed over loud in the silence of the room, revealing the level of control he asserted. Sophie wanted to cry out for him to come back, facing her unusually quiet father instead.
He looked like a mad bull getting ready to explode. His mouth had formed into a straight line of anger turning his lips white. She couldn’t recall ever seeing him that angry with her.
“Dad…”
“Normally I wouldn’t interfere in your life but y
ou’ve made a terrible mistake, young lady. Furthermore, you’re way out of your league. Once he realizes I can and will send him to prison he’ll leave town with his tail tucked between his legs.”
“But…”
“No buts, Sophie.” He opened the door to leave, halting in the threshold to make sure he had her full attention. “You and Brent love each other. Don’t bother denying it; I can see it in your eyes. And you’re a fool if you don’t go after him!”
Sophie didn’t bother denying the truth, her father was right, though Brent hadn’t exactly professed his love for her. Still, she knew he wanted her; at least he did.
Now even that was questionable.
* * * *
After spending a sleepless night tossing and turning in the guestroom of her father’s mansion, Sophie sank down into a wicker rocker on the balcony, staring out at the elaborate gardens as the sun came up. Hours before she was supposed to dress for her wedding. She hadn’t seen her father since he’d stormed out of his den the night before. He knew she was there, though. She’d sent a servant with messages to both him and Jonathan that she was done in for the night and didn’t want to be disturbed.
Thoughts of Brent had invaded her short dreams and now her every waking moment; images of him walking out of her life replayed over and over again. She’d awakened several times crying out his name, then lay there agonizing over what she should do. Her father was right; she was a fool for letting him go. And as soon as she got dressed she would face Jonathan with her decision and then find Brent. She prayed he loved her enough to forgive her.
A loud knock at the door interrupted her silent musings. Sophie called out for them to enter, until remembering she’d locked it the night before, worried Jonathan wouldn’t respect her wishes. More than a little surprised that he had. As she walked through the bedroom she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the large gold-framed mirror over the dresser. She was a wreck.
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