Trust: Betrayed (14 page)

“The family motto. One I fiercely believe.” His fingers kneaded her shoulders. He bent his head down and whispered in her ear, “I’ve booked a massage to relax you.”

She whirled and put her arms around his waist. “I don’t need a massage to relax.” She flexed her shoulders. “I’m relaxed.”

He smiled. “Believe me, you’ll need it after I’m through with you.”

“You pervert,” she slapped his butt. “You’d better book one for you too.” She laughed mischievously. “Don’t you forget that I’m younger-”

His mouth cut off her words in an intense and lustful kiss that left her panting, before he said, “And I’m stronger, lass. Better watch your mouth.”

She laughed again and gave him a kiss on the lips, “Never, my lord, never. It’s so much fun to provoke you. Come on, we are providing a show for your guests and employees.”

“Hmm,” he gripped her slim waist keeping her in place and looked into her eyes. “I think I’ll cancel that massage and give you one myself. Right now.”

“Do you only think about sex?”

“When I am with you? Aye,” he confirmed, unabashedly. “I can’t get enough.”

“If you behave,” she smiled and, standing on her tiptoes, murmured in his ear, “I have a surprise for you tonight.”

His eyes flamed, “I love surprises. Come, I want to show you a few of the rooms before we go to the gym.” He put his arm over her shoulder and started for the doors.

She looked around the majestic hall. “It’s so grand, Alistair.”

“Aye. I love Ells Hall. Let me warn you,” he said as he climbed the stairs to the first floor and turned left into a small corridor, dramatically paneled in black and gold damask silk, “so you don’t have a shock.”

“What?” She smiled at his teasing bow when he opened the last door and she entered the anteroom of the master chamber. It was paneled with oak and had walls hung with ancient tapestries. To the right, through an open door, Sophia could see striking antique furniture composing a small dining area.

“I don’t have OCD. So don’t expect my dressing-” He laughed as she slapped his biceps.

“Stop teasing. I don’t have OCD.”

“Maybe something worse, then?” his grin was positively naughty. He directed her to another door that lead to the enormous bedroom. “Through here.”

The bedroom was sumptuous and testified to tradition and power. On the floor, an enormous Persian rug gave the room even more grandeur. It was unlike any Sophia had ever seen, covering the floor entirely. Near the windows, there was a seating space with what looked like comfortable but very old armchairs and a sofa facing a large Regency secretaire library bookcase.

Against the farthest wall, an enormous four poster bed with a gothic headboard, lavishly draped with embroidered black and gold velvet, completed the dramatic ambient.

“My, Alistair Connor.” Sophia stopped in front of the bed. “How many can sleep in here?” She looked at him over her shoulder, “It would comfortably fit you, Tavish Uilleam and your father together.”

Why? Do you want them too?
He shooed the thought away and focused on her question. “This bed was commissioned by my great-great-grandfather for his wedding night. He and his wife were both unusually tall and large so they needed space to-”

She whirled around, and slapped his arm again. “Spare me the details.”

When she looked at him, he wasn’t smiling any more. A strange expression lit his face.

Sophia stepped back.

“What?” she breathed.

“You like to hit, don’t you?” He grabbed her upper arms, hauling her flush to his body. He asked in a smooth voice, “Do you like to be hit too?”

“I... I don’t know what you mean.”
The pain and violence thing again.
“I was just playing around.”

I would love to introduce you to a few new games, Sophia.
He sucked on her lower lip before saying, “Sophia. Beware of what you propose as a... recreation. I may like it.”

Sophia stared at him, openmouthed and breathless. She didn’t know what to say or what to think.

Hmm. Should I introduce you to them today?
Alistair felt a rush of desire fill him as he thought about the possibility of having Sophia under his control and kissed her with such force that they tasted blood as his teeth bit Sophia’s lip.

She gasped and broke the kiss, putting her fingers on her mouth. When she drew them away they were bloodied. She stared at them for what seemed like an eternity to Alistair, as he waited for her reaction.

“You like it, don’t you?” she whispered so low that he had to strain to hear her.

Slowly, he released her upper arms and wound her hair around his hand, lightly tugging it to make her look into his eyes. “What?”

But her eyes were glued to her reddened fingers as she murmured, “This pain and violence thing. You really like it, don’t you?”

And you, Sophia? Do you like it?
“Look at me,” he ordered and she lifted her eyelids. “I told you I did.”

“How much-”

“The amount that is pleasurable to the partner.”

“Partner...” she breathed.
Dammit. Here I go again. Stop it, Sophia. Stop. It. Say you don’t like pain. Say it!

“You, Sophia. You’re my partner. If it’s not pleasurable for you, then it’s not for me.” His other hand pressed on her butt, making her feel his arousal at the idea. “Do you want to do it again?”

Sophia’s heart was beating so fast that she felt dizzy. She was hypnotized by how the green of his eyes had darkened and how his voice had turned husky. She opened her mouth to say ‘no’ but a strangled moan left her throat.

His breath hitched and, as he lowered his head to kiss her again, a knock sounded on the outer door.

“Fuck,” he muttered low. Shaking his head, he said, “We are going to take a rain check on this conversation, Sophia.”

“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked, breathlessly.

“That way,” he pointed to the far door, as he went to open the door for the bellboy with their luggages.

Sophia pushed the door open and found another huge room that served as a walk-in dressing room. It had a dramatically painted ceiling. She noted, pleasantly surprised, that his closet was perfectly organized. Separated by a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, there was a gothic chapel-like bathroom with a shower room and an adjoining whirlpool bath to one side and on the other, a double sink with a vanity space with gilded mirrored gothic panelling. In a corner there was another door, that she supposed was the toilet.

Dark and elegant... As he is.
She mused as she looked around.

She sat on the chair in front of the mirror, observing her own pale face and slightly swollen lip.

She saw as he entered the dressing room with her small suitcase and his bag.

He glanced at her face and dropped the luggage on the floor in the middle of the room.

Oh, fuck.
With three long strides, he was by her side, hauling her into his arms. “Don’t freak out. I’m not going to hurt you. Never.”

“I don’t understand this fascination of yours,” she whispered. “And I don’t know if I want to understand.”

“There’s no rush.” He put a hand at the back of her head and brought it to his chest.
Don’t freak out. Please, don’t freak out.

Sophia could hear his heart galloping.
Is he... scared?

As if to answer her unspoken question, he murmured on her hair, “Your face was so pale... You frightened me.”

She moved her head to look into his eyes, and ran her hands over his broad shoulders until they cupped his face. “I was... stunned at your reaction and-”
Say it, dammit.
“Afraid. I don’t want to-”
be covered in black-and-blue bruises again.

“I’m not...” he exhaled loudly. He sat on the chair and pulled her onto his lap. “Sophia, on our first night together, I tied, blindfolded and hit you. What part of that didn’t you like?”

Remembering the sensations and sifting them, Sophia bit her lip and stifled a wince.

“Don’t,” he breathed, caressing her lip with his thumb. “It arouses me.”

She nervously licked her lip.

And he tsked twice, “That only makes it worse.”

Damn. What’s your problem, Alistair Connor?
“Should we turn off the lights then?”

A low laugh left his chest with a rumble, “Nae.” He shook his head amused. “I prefer to make love with the lights on.”

“We are not making love. We’re having a conversation... Or, at least, we are trying to.”

He flashed her a crooked grin, “Okay. So, talk.”

“What I didn’t like...” she repeated thoughtfully and looked down at her hands. “Well. I didn’t like it when you hit my thighs. And... But-”

“And? But?” He gripped her chin and made her look at him. An amused glint gleamed in the depths of his green eyes. “Are you shy- Ashamed to tell me what you like?”

“I’m not used to having this kind of conversation, Alistair Connor.”

“No?” His brows lifted. “Didn’t you talk about sex with Gabriel?”

She blinked at the question. “No. We made love like other people, nor-”

“Normal people?” He smiled.

You and your big mouth, Sophia.
“Yes. What was there to talk about?”

His smile grew. “Lots of things. You were inexperienced, weren’t you?” She nodded, confirming. “Well, then. What you like most. Where do you prefer to be kissed. What arouses you. Things, Sophia, that only enhance pleasure. How am I to know what you prefer? I’m not telepathic. You have to tell me as I’ll tell you.”

“You are doing great so far.”

“Thanks,” he smirked at her and she rolled her eyes upward. His smile only grew and he continued, “But I really want to hear you. So. You don’t like that I hit you on the thighs. What else?”

“This is so awkward.” She tried to move her head, but her chin was firmly gripped in his fingers and he instantly put the other arm around her body.
Enough, Sophia. You are a lawyer. You can face this.
She breathed deep. “All right. The first time you hit me, it wasn’t bad. I think it’s okay, if it’s just a slap or two in bed. Teasing. But the next slaps were on my thighs, and...”

Oh...
Understanding dawned on him. “And on your clit?”

She blushed. “I appreciate your candor, Alistair Connor.” He almost laughed. “Yes, I liked it. But they were... Err... Softer and fewer. As long as it is just for pleasure and it doesn’t hurt.”

“The ties and the blindfold?” His eyes searched hers.

She shrugged, “It was my first time. It’s okay, I guess.”

“Okay? A good okay?”

Sophia blinked a few times before answering softly, “Yes. A good okay. But not every night. And... And, since we are talking about it, you know what I found weird? That need that you have to be reassured. As if I could be thinking about another-”

His fingers stopped the rest of her reasoning, and he whispered, resting his forehead on hers. “Don’t say it, please.”

She kissed the fingers resting on her mouth and enlaced them with hers.

“Don’t you know how intense you are? No woman would think about another man while with you, Alistair. You fill the entire space with your presence. And I don’t mean it only physically. You command the eye.”
And the heart.

I wish.
He lifted his head to stare at her beautiful face and gave her a sad smile, “Do you know that I love you?”

The City of London Bank Headquarters.

Wednesday, May 21
^st
, 2008.

7.55 p.m.

“Good evening, Baptist. I was waiting for you.” Alistair opened his office door and welcomed the burly man in.

“Good evening, Mr. MacCraig. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance at last.”

“Please, sit,” Alistair motioned to the sofa and sat in his favorite armchair that faced the view of the river.

Baptist handed Alistair a large brown file. “This is what I gathered in the last few days, but if you want me to take a deeper look...”

Alistair felt his mouth dry, suddenly.
I need a whisky.
He snapped opened the folder and took out the first set of photos. His heart stopped in his chest as he flipped through them.

He glanced up to look at Baptist. The man had a sympathetic look on his face.

Alistair cleared his throat.

He opened and closed his mouth twice but the words didn’t come.

“Mr. MacCraig, I’m sorry but there is no doubt. Your wife is cheating on you.”

Ells Hall.

Friday, March 19
^th
, 2010.

7.44 p.m.

“I’ve put the girls and Maria in that room,” Alistair pointed to a door on the other side of the corridor as they came back from the spa. “It connects with Alice’s bedroom. So, if they need something, they can bother her.”

Sophia dried her nape with a small towel as she tsked twice, walking beside him to see the room. “So, Alice is Gabriela’s new mother. That’s not right, Alistair Connor. Why don’t you put them near us?”

“We are too loud,” he said, matter-of-factly.

“Oh.” Sophia paused, disconcerted. “You think so?”

He pushed open the door of a suite, luxuriously done in pink and pale yellow damask silk, smiling at her, “Nae. I’m teasing you, Sophia. This room has a secret passage. Gabriela will love it. It leads to the stone tower. And it has a cosy window seat, like ours. Come and look.” He walked past two single four poster beds straight to the curtains and pushed them open to reveal a large window seat with fluffy cushions. It overlooked the softly illuminated forest.

“It’s beautiful. Gabriela will love it.” She pushed up and stood on the tips of her running shoes and kissed his lips, dropping back graciously onto her soles. “Thanks.”

“Nice move,” he noted. “Do that again.”

She put her hands around his neck and pushed up on her tiptoes, kissing him on the lips again. He hauled her up his body by her ribcage, deepening the kiss. Immediately, she wound her legs around his waist and moaned as she rubbed against his erection.