Seduction in Mind

'What the hell do you have to do?'

'Catch up on all the appointments I've missed since I met you.'

'You needn't sound so cheerful.' He was astonished at his discontent. As though he hadn't lived his entire adult life fleeing entanglements.

'I will miss you.'

'You'd better not see Harry.'

'I have no intention of seeing Harry. Does that mean you'll be celibate as well?'

It took a stunned moment to digest the word celibate, and then another moment to fully absorb it, and a moment more to persuade himself he could withstand the shock to his system. 'I suppose if you can, lean.'

'You sound unsure.'

'Not unsure precisely.'

'Unwilling?'

'I don't think so.'

'How reassuring you are.'

'Give me time to-'

'Fully understand what it means?'

'I suppose.' His shoulder rose in an unconscious shrug. 'It's in the way of an aberration for me, that's all. But I'll play golf while you're gone. That way I won't drink too much and, well, never mind. You did say two days.'

'Just two days.'

'No, it's two whole days,' he countered. 'What happens if I can't wait?'

'You have to wait.'

He softly growled. 'I wouldn't do this for anyone else, you know.'

Her purple eyes held a gleam of amusement. 'I'm flattered.'

He suddenly grinned. 'You should be. Now, when do these two days begin? I mean… would we have time now for-'

'I'd love to if I didn't have to meet my mother at our school's musical competition. And believe me,' she said with a smile, 'I'd much rather stay here with you than listen to her ring a peal over my head.'

'I'll go with you. We can bend the rules if I don't touch you, can't we?'

'If you're interested in bending the rules,' she suggested, 'after we see my mother, we could have tea with your mother.'

A low groan greeted her remark.

'That's what I thought,' she said briskly, sitting up. 'Why don't I meet you back here in two days.'

'No Harry,' he reminded her.

'No women.'

He didn't answer, but then, he took orders poorly. He said instead, 'If you leave now, the two days will begin that much sooner. I'll help you dress.'

'Have you no patience?' she teased.

'Do I look like I have patience?'

'Actually, you look slightly impatient,' she judged, her gaze on his beautiful erection.

'It wouldn't take long,' he whispered.

'I don't know…'

'Another few minutes won't matter…'

But it turned out to be much longer, because pleasure wasn't so easily relinquished, nor desire curtailed, particularly in two people who had found a rare, enchanting Cytherea in a previously commonplace world. She said, 'I have to go' twice, then twice more, to which the viscount always replied, 'Yes' and then kissed her again. Or made love to her again… or made her laugh again.

She was very late leaving.

Chapter Twenty-six

'It's about time,' her mother hissed as Alex slipped into the seat beside her.

'I'm sorry. I overslept.'

Her mother's examining gaze swept her. 'Overslept indeed,' she said, tight-lipped. 'I can still smell his cologne.'

Already flushed from hurrying to dress and reach the school, Alex turned a deeper shade of red and quickly looked away, directing her attention to the stage. She tried to concentrate on the youngest children, who were lined up in two wobbly rows, singing. The sight of their scrubbed, cherubic faces brought an instant smile to her lips, and her mother's displeasure took second place in her thoughts. Before long she was humming along to the familiar tune.

As she watched the various classes perform, each child as familiar to her as any of those in her family, she realized how much the school meant to her, how her interest went well beyond charity. These wonderful children had come to fill a void in her life, brought her joy… gave her life meaning.

As a child of her own would.

She caught her breath at the astonishing thought. Did she truly want a child, or was this sudden perception predicated more on her reaction to the birth of Tina's baby? Or did her powerful new feelings for Sam prompt this shocking notion? Whatever the reason, it was impossible, of course. As impossible as were such wistful yearnings in relation to Sam Lennox, she firmly reminded herself. Turning her attention back to the stage, she listened to the children's clear, bright voices, their song one of joy and thanksgiving. How much she had to be thankful for herself, she realized, mindful of the great bounty in her life.

Even if she had no children of her own.

She'd been sensible to insist on this small hiatus, she decided. Two days without Sam was exactly what she needed to regain her equanimity.

After the program was over, in an effort to repress any further ill-starred fantasies, she threw herself into the reception as though she were personally responsible for everyone's good cheer. She spoke to each child and teacher, helped ladle out the punch, handed out cookies and sandwiches, gave a short speech before the prizes were awarded, and flitted from group to group with a nervous energy that didn't go unnoticed.

In search of normalcy, feeling the need to escape her thoughts, she immersed herself in the full gamut of activities.

Her mother remarked on her restlessness as they left the building. 'I'm not sure you're required to bring happiness to every last person in that school. You looked positively giddy today.'

'I like to make people happy. Is that a crime?' Alex's tone was defensive. 'And if you don't mind, Mother, I'm not in the mood for chastisement.'

Mrs. Ionides surveyed her daughter. 'Did the viscount put you in poor humor?'

'No, Mother, he didn't. If you want to ask me something, just ask it. There's no need to beat about the bush.'

The two women stood at the curb before their waiting carriages.

'He'll never take you home to meet his family.' [8]

Her mother's remark struck a nerve regardless of the fact that Alex had no wish to meet Sam's parents. 'It's not a problem for me,' she said.

'They look down on families like ours.'

'I understand; it's their loss. But you don't want to meet Ranelagh either, so you're hardly one to take offense.'

'I never said that.'

Alex softly exhaled. 'If not precisely in those words, you've insinuated as much in every nuance of our conversations since I met him. Or would you like me to bring him to dinner?'