The Sheik's Son by Nicola Italia Page A

of the Rochelle Harbor,” he explained.
    “It’s lovely.” She continued to stare at it. “Very lovely.”There was a minute of silence between the two of them as they enjoyed the painting.
    “I think that you had the wrong impression of me, mademoiselle .” Sebastian said as she continued to take in the painting.
    “Perhaps,” she admitted, embarrassed.
    “And perhaps, like the time at the cricket game, you owe me something,” he told her quietly. His finger drew a line between her shoulder blades where her dress dipped. His touch made her shudder.
    She shook her head. “I owe you nothing.”
    “You play games and deny me but I know you want me too,” he said.
    She turned to face him. “Do you want me as your mistress?” she asked boldly.
    “Yes.”
    Sophie caught her breath. “Then approach my father and see what he says.”
    “You’re not the mistress type. We both know that.”
    “Then find someone who is.”
    “But I want you,” he whispered into her mouth. His lips were on hers and he was pulling her in to him.
    The firelight burned low in the room as Sebastian took her mouth, which tasted of strawberries and custard. She was luscious and alluring and he was behaving badly. So badly.
    “Please.” She pulled away from him, moving around the bed.
    “You are correct, mademoiselle . I have behaved badly. Forgive me. I had too much drink.”
    “Do you mean it?” She looked at him hesitatingly.
    No , he thought. “Yes.”
    “Then you are forgiven,” she consented. “I can do no less if you ask for forgiveness.”
    But though he was sorry for his behavior with her, he was pretending too much. He was pretending that what he felt for her wasn’t as strong as it was and he knew that it was only a matter of time. She was consuming his thoughts and that wasn’t something he was used to. Normally the women he enjoyed were married and they were lovers on the side, or ladies such as Juliette.
    But Sophie was something entirely different. Innocent and virginal, he could not claim her without paying a penalty. But he also didn’t know how much longer he could go without doing something about it. She was getting under his skin.
    “Let me escort you back downstairs,” he suggested.
    ***
    Later that evening, Dorset, Etienne and Sebastian enjoyed brandy and cigarettes and the Duke mentioned Sophie.
    “She’s quite the beauty, is she not?” he said absently to no one in particular.
    Etienne nodded and didn’t seem too concerned. He had been practically seduced by his friend’s younger sister all night long. If Leila wasn’t touching his thigh, she was touching his leg with her silken toe. When she had asked him to help turn the pages of her music, she had leaned in to thank him and actually licked his ear. She was a temptress!
    He had been rock-solid much of the evening and the Arabian woman seemed to delight in tormenting him. When she had said good evening and left with the other women, she had purposefully thanked him for being a good friend to her brother. It had been a farce. She had reached down to stroke him through his breeches and Etienne almost pushed the little tart up against the wall.
    She was a demon in the shape of a beautiful young woman. He knew he must never be alone with her again. No wonder her parents had sent her to France. He could well imagine some Arabian prince fighting to the death over her honor. He was certain Sebastian had no idea how badly his sister was pushing the boundaries with him.
    He tried to focus on the conversation. They were still discussing the other beauty that evening, Sophie. Etienne had no opinion about the woman other than the obvious, which was that she was a beautiful woman.
    “She is lovely,” Sebastian agreed with the duke.
    Etienne moved nearer the fire while Dorset clasped Sebastian around the shoulders. “I want her as my mistress, Fairfax.”
    “I don’t think she’ll suit, Dorset. She’s young, innocent. She’s never been married,”