The Accidental Mistress by Kate Harper Page B

door.
    It was herself she feared.
    For the first time in almost twenty-two years, Sophie wanted to throw caution and breeding and manners to the wind and explore the extraordinary attraction that this man held for her.
    If she didn’t run, she had the awful feeling she’d move the other way, losing her clothing, her morals and herself in the pleasures she could not doubt Roxburghe would show her.
    She didn’t stop until she reached her room.
    And once again, she locked the door.

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    What the devil was happening?
    Dev lay in his bed and frowned up at the ceiling. Once again, little Sophie Hartwell had set his blood pounding with just a touch and he could hardly blame it on the wine or his own foul temper this time. It was as if some kind of lightening flash occurred whenever she touched him. Hell, whenever they were in the room together, for she had effectively dragged him out of his half stupor.
    He had known the moment she had walked into the room.
    What to do about the unexpected attraction was more problematic. If she was like Alice Gaskell it would have been easy. He would have taken her to bed and worked her out of his system by making love to her. Dev always grew tired of his lovers and mistresses in the end; it could take a day or several months but it happened eventually.
    How long would it take to grow tired of Sophie?
    What makes you think you’ll ever grow tired of her?
    He blew out a breath. He’d let her go, running from him like a frightened deer because he’d sensed that she was overwhelmed and he wanted to give her time. Like a gentle man. His lip curled at the idea that he could act honorably. It had been her shocked reaction that had sent him into a tailspin down in the dining room because, as drunk as he was, he’d recognized her innocence as much as he’d wanted to deny it. He released a slow breath, knowing that he’d come close to committing a truly shocking act. Desire and alcohol, coupled with a ruthless need to punish Sophie Hartwell had nearly brought them both undone.
    Thank God she’d had the presence of mind to stop him!
    The sneer on his lips turned to a slow smile when he thought of the measures she’d taken. How many women would have had the nerve to hit him with a bottle? Most would have swooned away – or given in to the need to finish what he had started for he knew perfectly well that she had wanted him. He’d discovered as much in her soft mouth and the way that she’d responded to him, pressing herself against him with the same fervor he himself had felt. He had to admit, the girl was intriguing. Not beautiful, no, and not in his usual style at all. But his usual style clearly did not agree with him, which was why he kept looking, searching for somebody who would… what? Save him from himself?
    Dev shook his head and let his eyes close. He hadn’t wanted her to leave but he’d realized it was the safest course. They both needed to sleep. Tomorrow he could consider the matter with a clear head, decide what was the best course of action for dealing with Miss. Sophie Hartwell. Because he knew it was possible he’d committed an unpardonable act, stealing her away as he had. She was not who he’d thought she was. Somehow, he had to make amends.
     
    Sophie had spent an uncomfortable night, locked away in her room while she did battle with herself and the unexpected demons that now plagued her. Roxburghe had upended her world and, no matter how this disastrous adventure resolved itself (and she had little faith it would be in her favor), she knew that everything had changed. She had changed, irrevocably. Not one to live in a romantic fantasy like many of the girls she knew, Sophie was still girl enough to know that her feelings for Roxburghe had somehow slid from hostile to… what? Yes, he had aroused her in a way no man had before. It had taken every ounce of resolve she had to stop him from doing what they both so desperately desired to do.
    But