Chapter 4 CONQUEST

Calling Sophia Hood a conquest had been a slip of tongue brought on by the bitter taste of media hell , a hell that couldn't drag her into for just a night of fantasy. A slip that she was making him pay for and pay well.

Thirty minutes after being left alone in that courtyard, wishing he could pull back his slight. Scott was propped against a bar near the dance floor, nursing a barely touched scotch and pretending nonchalant he didn't feel.

He sipped the amber colored liquor and watched as Richy Adam, the CEO global network dance with Sophia, is far too intimate an embrace, the damn George Smith holiday tune .

Scott sipped his drink ,watched with agitation as Richy Adam slowly brushes the top of Sophia lush backside. He ground his teeth. "Oh, hell ". Before Scott could stopped himself. He charged toward the dance floor and made his way to Sophia Hood aka Maryville montenegro side . He tapped Richy shoulder and learned forward

. "Cutting in".

Sophia eyes went wide, but lit with the hint of appreciation he'd hoped for. Richy on the other hand, cast him a go to hell look." Sorry bud," Richy restored. Last dance is a complete dance.

Let the lady decide ", Sophia motioned toward Scott , " I did invite you for this dance" she offered and shrugged out of Richy arms , graciously adding

" thank you for the dance, Richy.

Scott quickly slid his arm around Sophia waist and directed her toward the center of the dance floor, away from Richy.

Sophia laughed, her expression lighting with a spontaneous, engaging a smile. "That was rude " she chided and I thought you couldn't dance with me again because of the media frenzy".

" Apparently " he told her, the soft scent of a woman flaring in his nostrils. And considering the scandal my company is going through, that not an easy task

He wanted them naked and entwined. Believe me, I wanted more than to share your last dance. "I was trying to protect you ".

He pressed his cheek to hers ,lips near her ear . What man wouldn't want to be Maryville public conquest?".

"I was thinking it would be rather fun to compete for that honor ", he suggested, privately.

She considered that and then motioned toward the table not far away. "See the feisty redhead yelling at the tall , thin man?".

His gaze took in the woman with a tape measure and sewing kit of some sort around her neck. "The one who look like she about to blow a gasket ?" He asked. Curiosity piqued at the odd shift in conversation.

Sophia hand settled on his upper arm, framing her cleavage in a delicious inviting way as she said, "she's waiting to strip away Maryville as soon as this dance end .

She drew a discreet breath that he didn't miss , a sign of nerve he vowed to pleasure away. " What did you propose?"

He wiggled a brow , the great escape, of course he offered. "You game?"

A slow smile slid ontoher face. " lead the way".

Before Sophia understood what was happening, Scott was weavin through the crowd, sidestepping one attempt at communication after another until he pulled her down a hallway and into a stairwell. The next thing she knew, they were cutting through the kitchen and approaching one of busboys.

He handed the man cash and then whisked her into the staff elevator and pushed the button for the basement level.

Sophia laughed as Scott learned against the wall tugged her against his long ,hard body and settled one hand on her lower back as he had done several times before, fingers barely brushing her backside. Again nervous clarmored within her but Sophia was living on the high moment. Fear forgotten. " I can't believe you got us out of there so fast . What did you say to the busboy?".

"A limo is picking us up in the basement ".

Her jaw dropped. " limo?".

His finger trailed over her lower lip and goose bumps chased a path along her spine. " Nothing less for Maryville, right? And it will throw at least a few people off our trail.

Before Sophia could process this announcement, the elevator opened on the basement parking level. Sophia turned in Scott arms to find the limo ready and waiting, back door opened. Her heart raced, all the nerves she'd combated this night suddenly colliding in an instant of panic. She couldn't do this! What the heck was she thinking?.

Walking a runway without falling down did not make her a seductress ready to take on a man like Scott-Ocean. No matter how fancy the costume. She started to bolt, to seek escape, but warm, powerful arms wrapped around her from behind. Does the car meet your satisfaction?".

Sophia swallowed hard. Scott breath tickling her ear, her neck ." Oh, yes ", she whispered, thinking more than the car met her satisfaction. The man did , too .

Because no man had ever affaffected like Scott. A look, a touch, a simple word spoken in that deep baritone voice, and she was ready to give herself. The reaction he created in her was both terrifying thrilling the same Breath.

"That's what I was hoping you would say ", Scott replied, and walked her forward, toward the car that look so delicious and precious.

She was getting into that limo with him , she realized , not because he wanted her to ,but because but because she wanted to ,she'd come so far tonight-too far to toss away the ultimate reward.

He was simply the man who fit the fantasy, and that fantasy was about being darling. Daring to let go of her inhibitions, if only for one night and even better, a night that came with benefits to her business. This night wasn't self indulgent . It was about a better future, a better for her clothing shop, a confident self.

The minutes the limo pulled away, Becky Cross exited from the shadows and crossed to a van parked in the dark corner spot, light out. The back door popped open-Michael had obviously noted her approach and she lifted her shirt to awkwardly climb inside, not missing the raised eyebrows as Fred flashed her .

"Easy now , darling ", he taunted . I'm not the target. "Just tell me you've got the background on Maryville ", Becky grumbled , turning away to shut the door so he wouldn't see the flush of her cheeks.

"Terrible, "don't you dare ", she said, jerking around to sit in the chair in front of a monitor, that exactly where he should be focusing instead of giving her.

A low , baritone chuckle escape his lips you aren't in a good mood Michael said. "We do have a man on that limo, right?"

He pointed to a monitor on the far left . "The limo service will be calling us with the drop off location " .

Good, she thought. " what about Maryville montenegro? You have anything on her yet?"

"I had it the minutes Scott made it clear he had eyes for no one but her, hours ago ", he punched few keys and sent data to Becky computer. And she's as queasy clean as they come. He punched another keyboard, Sophia owned a clothing shop at tampa, barely date ,

Before her shop , she worked for queen and suites. She visits her grandmother in Houston every week. Has no living parents, no siblings. Doesn't own a pet , no parking ticket, not even one.

"Unless something goes drastically wrong tonight he'll be back "

"You can't know that for sure "

" I saw up close and personal how he looked at her ,I'm sure he will ".

"I got an idea, Sophia montenegro can handle Scott-Ocean for us , let hire her if possible, any amount will be paid ". Interesting.