"I don't care how late it is."
"I won't have time to bathe."
"Lord, Alex." He was incredulous. "The clerk at Aspreys is even now spreading gossip about my purchase there today. Not to mention Eddie's at the Marlborough Club, regaling my friends with the same story. Your servants are probably laying bets on whether I leave with or without my eyes scratched out, while your family is ready to pull up the drawbridge. Do you think I care whether you bathe or not?"
"How sweet," she said, smiling up at him. "I don't think the world realizes how sweet you are."
"I'm not sweet, darling. I'm obsessed." Lifting her away, he set her down at a safe distance. "Now go back upstairs before I do something rash; you'll be able to join me that much sooner."
"Did I say I'd join you?" she teased.
"Did you think I was giving you a choice?" he said, not teasing in the least.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're extremely brave in the midst of my family."
"I think the word is single-minded." His fleeting grin was constrained. "I'll be outside when you're ready."
"Around the curve of the drive, if you don't mind. Then I won't have to listen to my mother's exhortations. I'm going to tell her you left."
"Which I will have."
"Don't go too far." Alex arched one downy brow. "Stay within reach."
"Don't worry about that."
She looked so damned inviting, tousled and rosy-cheeked, like she'd just gotten out of bed, that suddenly his unnatural reserve snapped. He reached out and pulled her back and kissed her with a brute, fevered urgency that ignored the risk someone might walk in. Sliding his hands down her back, he cupped her bottom and hauled her into the rigid length of his arousal. "Let me lock the door," he whispered, lust drumming through his blood.
Wild desire flared through her body. How tempting he was, how impossibly tempting… his strong, muscled body pressed into hers, his erection rock hard and tantalizing, everyone upstairs… and for a fleeting moment she considered giving in to her scandalous need. But a modicum of reason still remained in the outland of her mind. Alecco's drawing room was the height of impropriety for a sexual interlude. Shoving hard against his chest, she breathlessly cried, "No!"
She didn't have the strength to hold him off if he wished to dispute her refusal. He knew he could have her if he really wished. "Are you sure?" His voice was taut with constraint; he'd not been obliged to curb his lust in recent memory.
"Go," she said. But her voice was tremulous with indecision.
"What if I don't?"
"Sam, please… I can't do this alone."
Feeling as though he couldn't breathe, he dragged air into his lungs. "How long," he asked on a suffocated breath.
"Soon… Lord, Sam, now-if I dared…"
He dared enough for both of them, but he could see the apprehension in her eyes. He forced himself away from her. "I'll wait… down the drive. You go first," he said, sheer will constraining him. "Get the hell out of here."
For a restless moment she hesitated, and his pulse leaped. Then she turned in a swirl of skirts and ran from the room.
Chapter Twenty
Alex ran upstairs as though she were being pursued by demons. Dashing into an empty bedroom, she leaned back against the closed door and trembled. No previous measure existed for the violence of her feelings, for the insatiable need he inspired, and she wondered whether she was capable of dealing with such powerful desire. Although, if the past few minutes were any indication, the answer was no.
She understood why Sam had come. He wanted sex, not conversation or friendship, not even casual affection. And unless she was completely witless, she wouldn't forget that pertinent fact. Not that she wasn't similarly inclined; this wasn't a relationship of unrequited lust. It was passion pure and simple-or maybe not so simple after all, she decided with a small smile. She recalled his ability to bring her to consecutive orgasms. Sam's sexual repertoire was extraordinary.
Inspired by that delectable memory, she faced the dilemma before her with less equivocation. She went to the washstand, where she splashed water on her flushed face and arranged her hair into a semblance of order. She smoothed the wrinkles from her gown, then gazed at herself in the mirror, carefully surveying her image for any evidence of Sam's passionate embrace. Since there were sure to be questions from her family, her mother in particular, Alex would rather not give any clues that their meeting had been anything but decorous.
As if she had to explain herself to any of her family, she reflected disgruntledly, straightening the sleeves on her gown. She was financially independent, of age, and in charge of her own life. Their approval or disapproval should be irrelevant.
But unfortunately, she couldn't so cavalierly disregard their opinions. They were her family, after all, and more important, she detested conflict. With that thought in mind, she cautioned herself to prudence. Don't argue, she admonished herself silently as she exited her room. Be polite. She smiled as she moved down the hall. And escape as soon as courtesy allows.
"That rogue has nerve!" Euterpe cried the moment Alex entered Tina's bedchamber, where the family was assembled. "Has the man no sense of decency?"
Knowing her mother wasn't interested in a substantive answer, nor one that disputed her opinion, Alex held out the package instead. "Ranelagh brought the baby a gift."
"Am I supposed to be impressed?" her mother snapped. "He can afford it with his millions."
"Mama Ionides, come," Tina implored, casting Alex an understanding glance. "It was very considerate of Ranelagh to bring a present."
Alex carried the package to Tina, who looked remarkably fresh considering she'd only just given birth. Attired in a fresh white linen nightgown, her hair tied with a pink silk ribbon, she lay back against a pile of lace-trimmed pillows.
"I hope he's gone." Euterpe scowled at Alex. "And I'd appreciate a little support, Pandias," she added, directing a scathing glance at her husband seated near the windows.
"Has Ranelagh left?" her father asked, his tone neutral.
"Yes, Father." Alex handed the present to Tina.
"He's gone, darling." Pandias offered his wife a smile. "The problem is solved."
"He's a rake and a rogue, Alex," her brother said. "Don't deceive yourself on that score."
"Alecco! Leave Alex alone," his wife chided, frowning at her husband. "Didn't the viscount drive all this way just to see your sister?"
The eldest Ionides son turned an affectionate gaze on his wife. He adored her today more than ever with their long-awaited daughter sleeping in the cradle near the bed. "I won't say another word, darling."
"Maybe she loves him as we love each other."
"Tina… you're much too romantic," Alex interposed. "I like Ranelagh and he likes me, but we're hardly in love."
"Well, it might come to that."
"And it might just as well not. Open his gift. I want to see what he brought. He said the clerk at Aspreys was surprised he was selecting a present for the baby."
"No doubt." Her mother snorted. "I imagine he's there more often buying some trinket for his ladyloves."
"Then I should ask for diamonds next time I see him."
"You needn't get smart with me, missy. Tell her, Pandias. Tell her the man is fickle as the breeze."
"I don't know him, my dear. I'd not wish to make pronouncements on his character."
"Well, all of London does. Why not you?"
"Because I don't know him. And until I do, I'll reserve judgment."
She sniffed. "Don't you care that people will talk about our daughter?"
"If people talk, I don't pay attention. If I did, I could take offense every day. You know we're not accepted at most of the better clubs, and any number of society engagements are closed to us. Bigotry exists, but I for one refuse to conduct myself in a similar fashion."