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?"
"If you don't mind."
"If I minded… Sam… you wouldn't be here right now."
He opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, and closed his mouth.
She chuckled, understanding the reason for his restraint. "How gallant you can be."
He tipped his head gently toward her. "I have my moments."
Her gaze traveled slowly down his well-formed body and settled on his obvious arousal. "Because of your erection."
"Do lady
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?"
"If you don't mind."
"If I minded… Sam… you wouldn't be here right now."
He opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, and closed his mouth.
She chuckled, understanding the reason for his restraint. "How gallant you can be."
He tipped his head gently toward her. "I have my moments."
Her gaze traveled slowly down his well-formed body and settled on his obvious arousal. "Because of your erection."
"Do lady
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