Seduction by Amanda Quick

stared up
    into Julian's heated gaze and tried to detect some sign of cloudiness in his
    glittering eyes.
    "Julian, could you grant me just a few more minutes? I have not finished my tea.
    Perhaps you would like another cup?"
    "Don't sound so terribly hopeful, my sweet. You are only trying to put off the
    inevitable and I assure you the inevitable is going to be quite pleasant for
    both of us." He deliberately ran his hands down her sides to her waist and then
    to her hips, drawing the fabric of the fine lawn nightgown close to her figure.
    "Very pleasant," he whispered, his voice growing husky as he gently squeezed her
    buttocks.
    Sophy began to burn beneath his intent gaze. The desire in him was mesmerizing.
    She had never had any man look at her the way Julian was looking at her now. She
    could feel the heat and strength in him. It made her as light-headed as if she
    had also drunk a cup of the herbed tea.
    "Kiss me, Sophy.' Julian tilted her chin with his fingers.
    Obediently she lifted her head and stood on tiptoe to brush her mouth across
    his. How much longer? she wondered frantically.
    "Again, Sophy."
    Her fingers dug into the fabric of his dressing gown as she touched his mouth
    with her own once more. He was warm and hard and curiously compelling. She could
    have clung to him all night like this but she knew he would insist on much more
    than simple kisses.
    "That's better, my sweet." His voice was growing thicker but whether it was from
    the effects of the sleeping tonic or his own desire was not clear. "As soon as
    you and I have reached a complete understanding, we are going to deal together
    very well, Sophy."
    "Is this the way you deal with your mistress?" she asked daringly.
    His expression hardened. "I have warned you more than once not to talk of such
    matters."
    "You are always giving me warnings, Julian. I grow tired of them."
    "Do you? Then perhaps it's time you learned I am capable of action as well as
    words."
    He picked her up and carried her over to the turned-back bed. He released her
    and she dropped lightly down onto the sheets. When she scrambled to adjust
    herself the fine lawn gown somehow succeeded in working its way up to her
    thighs. She looked up and saw Julian's eyes on her breasts. She knew he could
    see the outline of her nipples through the soft material.
    Julian shrugged out of his dressing gown, his gaze sliding along her body to her
    bare legs. "Such beautiful legs. I am sure the rest of you is going to prove
    just as lovely."
    But Sophy was not listening. She was staring at his nude figure in amazement.
    She had never before seen a man naked, let alone fully aroused and the sight was
    staggering. She had thought herself mature and well informed, not an
    unsophisticated girl who could be easily shocked. She was, as she had so often
    informed Julian, a country-bred girl.
    But Julian's male member seemed tremendous to Sophy's reeling senses. It thrust
    aggressively out of a nest of curling black hair. The skin of his flat stomach
    and broad, hair-covered chest was drawn tight over sleek muscles Sophy knew were
    quite capable of overpowering her.
    In the glow of the candlelight Julian looked infinitely male and infinitely
    dangerous but there was a strange, compelling quality about his power that
    alarmed her more than anything else could have done.
    "Julian, no," Sophy said quickly. "Please do not do this. You gave me your
    word."
    The passion in his eyes flared briefly into anger but his words began to slur.
    "Damn you, Sophy, I have been as patient as a man can be. Do not bring up the
    matter of our so-called agreement again. I am not going to violate it."
    He came down onto the bed, reaching for her, his big, strong hands closing
    around her arm. She could see his eyes were finally beginning to glaze and Sophy
    felt a shock of what must have been relief when she realized he was about to
    sink into sleep.
    "Sophy?" Her name was a drowsy question. "So soft. So sweet. You belong to