Seduction in Mind

jacket pocket and held it out to her. 'Ruskin. People either like him or hate him.'

'I find him long on theory and short on experience.'

Sam slipped the book back into his pocket. 'I'll have to think of something else you might like, then.' His voice was rich with insinuation.

Taking issue with his cheekiness, she asked crisply, 'Why are you here?'

His impudence vanished and it took him a moment to reply. 'I'm not sure,' he said finally. 'Maybe the same reason your cheeks are flushed.'

She swept her hands upward and briefly pressed her palms to her cheeks as though gauging her fevered sensibilities.

'I'm sorry,' he said, 'I intended to be obliging, but you're highly provocative. I don't suppose I could just carry you inside and make love to you and we could decide why we're feeling this way later?'

A carnal flame spiked through her senses, but her voice when she spoke trembled only slightly. 'I'm afraid not.'

'Are you still angry?'

'Like you, I'm not sure.'

'I should have controlled my temper.'

'Perhaps I as well.'

'I do want to stay.'

For how long, she wished to ask even as she understood how completely irrational her response.

'And in order to accomplish that, I'm quite willing to-'

'Perform good deeds for me?'

'Exactly.' With difficulty he kept from smiling. 'I couldn't have said it better.'

There was no point in pretending she didn't want to make love to him. She had from the first moment she'd met him, and if he was willing to show such deference, perhaps it would be counterproductive to be churlish. And it had been a while since Leon. 'Do come in, Ranelagh,' she said, her mouth lifting in the faintest of smiles. 'I apologize for my temper as well.'

He stepped aside as she approached the entrance, then leaned forward to push the door open once she turned the knob. 'I'm pleased you came back,' he said.

'I feel the same way-about you.' Her brows rose. 'Although I'll probably live to regret it…'

'I doubt it.'

'The voice of experience?' she observed sardonically.

Following her in, he shut the door. 'Just a feeling I have.'

She was walking before him, her gait sure, almost brisk, and he wondered for a moment how many other men had followed her like this-wanting what he wanted.

The hall carpet was museum quality-he'd not had time to notice before-the pine paneling a lustrous honey color in the afternoon light, the paintings on the walls small landscapes and London scenes in the airy impressionist style he'd first seen at Durand-Ruel a few years earlier. So she wasn't Leighton's protegee in matters of style, he thought, strangely cheered by this revelation. When she was posing nude for the artist, he'd assumed other things. Not that artistic differences meant they couldn't sleep together. Nor did it mean he viewed Leighton as a rival if they did. When women were only transient amusements, rivalry wasn't an issue.

But if the viscount had been more perspicacious, he might have realized his consideration of the issue, however briefly, was in itself novel.

Alex's only debate at this point was whether she could restrain her urges sufficiently to appear the lady. 'Please, pour yourself a drink. I'll be right back,' she said half over her shoulder as she entered the main room of her studio. 'The liquor table's over by the terrace door.'

Coming to rest at the entrance to the large room, Sam took in the enormous space with a discerning gaze. As a collector of sorts, he'd been in numerous studios, and while Alex's was luxurious, it had a charming intimacy despite its size. Furniture was arranged in groupings on colorful carpets, vases of flowers were scattered about, the gas lamps had hand-painted shades, an occasional bit of clothing was draped over a piece of furniture. Her paintings were stacked everywhere, a large unfinished canvas of a summer garden was on her easel. Her talent was considerable. For a brief moment he didn't know if that further indication of her superior qualities offended him or not. He'd never known a woman so far removed from average.

'What do you think?'

Her voice came from behind him, and as he turned from the easel, he saw her in the doorway of what looked like a kitchen. 'You're damned good.'

'Is that a problem?'

He smiled. 'Forgive me. My masculine biases are showing. Your technique is masterful. You're a woman of great talent.'

'There, you see, Ranelagh. I'm broadening your horizons.'

'Perhaps I can do the same for you,' he replied pleasantly.

'Oh, you're definitely outside my normal scope.'

'I meant you might have predisposed ideas as well.'

'About you.'

'About men.'

'About men like you.'

He grinned. 'I rest my case.'

She smiled back. 'I forgot. You have charitable impulses as well.'

'Among other things. I expect you have a life beyond the superficial too.'

'Would you like to hear about it?'

His smile formed slowly. 'I'd love to-in about an hour or so.'

'And I'd love to tell you-in an hour or so.'

'You can't be accused of being shy.'

'If you wish shyness, you've come to the wrong place.'

His gaze slowly surveyed her. 'I think we're both in the right place,' he said. 'And I'm not really in the mood for a drink.'

'So I should hurry.'

'If you don't think me too demanding.'

'There are moments when 'demanding' appeals, my lord,' she said softly.

'I'll be sure to remember that,' he said equally softly. 'And your work is better than most I've seen in Paris. I just wanted to say that… now.'

'Are you planning on leaving quickly?'

'Not at all. The way I feel, you might find it difficult to push me out the door.'

'So I'm not alone in my rapacious lust.'

He shook his head. 'I'm there.'

'But exceedingly polite.'

His grin was boyish. 'I'm trying.'

'Don't you usually?'

'Nothing about this is usual, Miss Ionides. I hope you understand that.'

'I didn't. I don't. I'm not sure I believe you, but thank you nonetheless for so charming a sentiment.'

'If you're basing your perceptions of me on my reputation, I don't believe 'charming' is in the description anywhere.'

'I find it charming, and in the end, my lord, that's all that matters.'

'Please… my name's Sam.'

'And mine is Alex.'

'And now that we're suitably introduced… Alex,' he said soft and low. 'Might I help you off with your gown?'

'I didn't realize you were such a stickler for protocol,' she declared.

'Hardly. I'd just prefer less talk and more…'

'Sex?'