Absolute Pleasure by Cheryl Holt Page B

she was assessing him much as he was scrutinizing her. Apparently, she'd felt some of the same odd sensation that had just swept over him.
    Desire, too? Could it be? She appeared perplexed and confused by the prospect.
    "I'm early," she mentioned.
    "So we have the perfect opportunity to chat."
    "Actually, Mr. Preston—"
    "John, please." He interrupted her, absurdly overcome by the necessity of hearing his name on her lips.
    She hesitated, not overly comfortable with the ramifications of familiarity, but then she courteously tipped her head. "As you wish ... John."
    When she didn't suggest reciprocal informality, he couldn't stop himself from requesting, "May I call you Mary?"
    Once again, she studied him, but as there was nothing untoward in his entreaty, she acquiesced. "I guess that would be acceptable."
    "Good, good," he inanely replied.
    What was it about the woman? Her presence had him thoroughly tongue-tied!
    An awkward silence ensued, as they gawked and evaluated each other. Finally, Mary broke the bumbling contact. "Do you think Lady Elizabeth will be long?"
    "No, I'm sure they're almost done." Shifting on his seat, he was dazed to recognize that his trousers were unaccountably tight. He was becoming aroused! Just by being near her! He exhaled very slowly. "For all of Mr. Cristofore's eccentric proclivities, he does keep to his schedule. I harp at him about it."
    "So the session should conclude on time?"
    "Right at four," he promised, which was likely a lie. "Would you care to see how they're coming along?" He extended the invitation even though he had no intention of letting her anywhere near the studio.
    Although it was only Lady Elizabeth's initial consultation, there was no telling what one might stumble across in the sensually appointed cottage. After all, she was a beautiful, enchanting woman, and Gabriel a handsome, virile man. They'd been sequestered for almost three hours; anything could have occurred.
    He wouldn't allow Mary Smith within rock-throwing distance.
    On cue, the maid entered, bearing a tea tray. She set it down on a table, then departed, shutting the door.
    "It's such a dreary afternoon," he noted. "Let's warm up first, shall we?" Prudently evading his prior allusion that he would squire her outside, he proceeded to prepare a cup of tea to Mary's specifications.
    As he extended it, their fingers touched, their gazes linked, once more, and he was visually trapped, held fast by her astute appraisal. The fire crackled in the grate, an icy rain pinged at the window, and he could have lingered forever in the cozy salon, watching her, and having her keen regard flit over him.
    She broke off the connection, settling herself further onto the sofa, and sipping the hot beverage. Confounding him, she quietly said, "Is there some reason you don't want me to visit Mr. Cristofore's studio?"
    He jerked upright. '*Why wouldn't I?"
    "You tell me."
    "If you're worried about Mr. Cristofore's intentions toward Lady Elizabeth, I can assure you that—"
    "He's your son, isn't he?" she interposed. "Why do the two of you pretend no relation?"
    How did she fathom so blasted much?
    He stammered and stuttered but couldn't respond coherently. There was no simplistic explanation for his and Gabriel's sustaining affection for Selena, or for Gabriel’s need to honor her memory. They both held themselves responsible for her untimely demise. John, because he'd whisked her away from a desperate predicament, thus enraging her volatile male family members. Gabriel, because he'd been born, his very existence the precipitating cause of her slaying.
    Mary scowled, the elemental gesture spurring him to silence.
    "Your paternity is so blatant," she said. "Don't insult my intelligence by disputing it."
    As she stared him down, he felt stupid. There was no point in defending the undefendable. The woman was no fool.
    Lamely, he supplied, "It's just easier to avoid clarifications."
    "Easier for whom?"
    He wasn't about to get into the