The Accidental Courtesan by Cheryl Ann Smith

The press of his body and his wicked grin caused torturous feelings to overtake her body. She was aware of him with a painful ache that she knew wouldn’t subside until his hands were on her again. “W-we have never met.”
    He cocked up a brow and flashed a row of perfect white teeth. “Indeed? I remember the night well. Shall I tell you, moment by moment, every detail I remember?”
    Deep down she knew she should push him away, but she was pinned between his body and his arms, his hands flattened on the wall behind her. His hint of scent was brutally and sensuously male. It took sheer will not to press her face against his corded neck.
    â€œI f-fear you have m-mistaken me for another, sir.” She forced herself to remain stoic, regardless of his breach of propriety. Any reaction would confirm his assumptions. “I demand you step back, now, before I call for my cousin to eject you from the house.”
    He gave a low chuckle. Mirth lit up his beautiful eyes, and she bit back a groan. Laws should be passed to keep such a man from being allowed to move freely through the female populace. Looking down, he ran a hand along her arm and closed it over her wrist. She nearly toppled over.
    â€œMistaken? Perhaps I thought so once, before I stepped close and smelled your delicious skin.” He lifted her hand to brush his lips over her knuckles. He smiled into her eyes while she gaped like a trout. “You have a distinctive scent, my dear courtesan. There is no mistake.”
    Before she could collect her thoughts and issue a sharp retort, he released her hand, pulled her against him, and closed his mouth over hers!
    Noelle faltered against him as he stole her breath with his searching lips. Besieged with confusing emotions, she gripped his coat to keep upright as his tongue plunged deeply into her willing mouth.
    The image of his wife and children rose unbidden to quell her passionate response. She tore her mouth free.
    â€œYou are a married man, My Lord.” Hard bands of sinew bunched in his arms as she tried to break his hold. He refused to give her any freedom. “I will not be your plaything.”
    He lifted his head and his eyes narrowed. “I think you are mistaken, mistress.” He shrugged, confused. “I have no wife.”
    â€œWe both know that is a lie,” she snapped. At least he could have the decency to be honest. It wasn’t as if marriage stopped men of wealth from taking lovers. “You not only have a lady wife but children as well. You would do well to turn your affections toward your family and leave me be.”
    At that moment a couple strolled past the open door to the shadowy hallway. Noelle took the opportunity to free herself with a shove. His hands dropped away. She lifted the hem of her gown and raced to the door, quickly peered out to assure herself she wouldn’t be observed, and then hurried toward the ballroom at a rapid clip.
    Just outside the ballroom doors, she pressed her hand to her heart and counted to ten. Once she was certain panic had been removed from her face, she walked inside with the air of a queen. She couldn’t let the earl know how troubled she felt. She must continue to deny their acquaintance. If she fled now, it would further confirm his suspicion.
    In the moment she’d pushed free of him, she was almost certain she’d seen a slight, lingering doubt in his eyes. Though he’d accosted her, he wasn’t completely ready to call her out as the erstwhile would-be courtesan. And if he didn’t actually know the truth, then all his behavior over the last few minutes confirmed he was a woman-accosting cad.
    Forced gaiety kept her from hysteria for the next two hours as she stayed close to her cousins, never giving the earl a chance to approach her. It was nearing midnight when she walked through the dining hall with Brenna and spotted him leaning against a wall, talking to a group of men.
    Her composure