Page 8 of His Scandalous Siren
Four
Sofia kept her gaze averted and turned away from Drew. She hoped he didn’t recognize her. If he did, her evening would end before it had a chance to begin. They had been at the masquerade for less than an hour. Claudine and Gabrielle had decided to stick together, but Emilia and Sofia wanted to explore and had gone in separate directions. Not that the other two had realized they hadn’t stayed together… Emilia and Sofia had made a pact. They were tired of waiting for the men they loved to declare themselves. They’d had plenty of chances to do so. This was their night to explore and find something else to give their attention to. Andrew and Alexander Marsden had lost their chance, and damn it, Drew would just have to go away now.
“Who is this enchanting woman at your side?” Drew asked.
She almost snorted. There was little doubt in her mind if he’d been aware of her identity, he would not have spoken such flowery praise. She didn’t bother to glance in his direction. His comment didn’t deserve her notice.
The Duke of Sin smiled down at her. She kept her attention on him, as he was the host of this masquerade. “This siren has not yet given me her name. Even though I have confirmed this is my house. Isn’t that perfectly churlish of her?”
She lifted her lips so that her smile was as sensual as she could make it. Speaking might encourage him, but it would give Drew something else to puzzle together.
“See,” the duke said. “Still she doesn’t speak. What am I to do with her?”
Drew chuckled. “Perhaps you’re losing your charm.”
“Not likely,” the duke replied in an irritated tone. He sighed. “Perhaps I can convince you to go somewhere a little more…private?”
Sofia shook her head. If she allowed that, she’d lose her virtue before she realized what was happening. She might want to try new things, but even she realized that the Duke of Sin was a reprobate she should not allow liberties.
“The lady is not ready for that sort of activity, it seems,” Drew supplied. “You may not be the gentleman she desires, your grace.” He held out his hand to her. “Would you care to dance?”
She stared at his outstretched hand. This was a conundrum. She had danced with Drew in the past, but nothing so intimate as a waltz. He wouldn’t have allowed that to happen. This was something she had dreamed about for years. Did she take his hand and let him lead her onto the floor? It might be her only chance to experience a dance like this with the man she’d given her heart to as a young girl. Sofia nibbled on her bottom lip and considered her next move. It was best she gave up on any notion of Drew loving her, but a dance wouldn’t hurt. Slowly, she lifted her hand and placed it in his.
“Excellent decision, my lady,” he said, then led her to the floor.
Sofia still didn’t speak. Before, it had been to keep him in the dark. She didn’t want him to realize who she was and whisk her away from the party. Now she didn’t want to risk losing a chance to dance the waltz with him. He set his hand on her waist then started to lead her in the steps, but she didn’t take into account how scandalous the Duke of Sin’s parties were. Drew pulled her against his chest so she could feel every inch of him. Heat spread over her and she started to breathe heavily. Her heart raced inside her chest as she tried to control her reaction, but she lost that battle before it had begun.
“How do I know you?” Drew asked. He tilted his head to the side and stared down at her. “Were we…?” His voice trailed off, and then he cleared his throat. “lovers?”
She shook her head. Lovers… Only in her dreams. Sofia wanted him to desire her that way, but he continued to push her away. Drew had never seen her as a woman. To him, she had been nothing more than a nuisance, and if he realized her identity, that wasn’t likely to change now that they had danced so intimately.
“I’m certain I know you.” He frowned. “Will you not give me a hint?”
He twirled her around the floor, and with each turn, her breasts rubbed against his hard chest. Her body was on fire now. Need pooled through her and she wanted to beg him to give her pleasure. Would he? What if she found a way to disguise her voice and keep him in the dark long enough to have one night with him? Would she be able to go through with it? What would he do if he discovered the truth?
The strands of the waltz were starting to come to an end. Sofia would have to make a decision, and soon. If she hoped to have more time with him she would have to trick him. Otherwise he’d abandon her at worst, or berate her for her foolishness. Either of those didn’t sound pleasant. She tilted her head to the side and met his gaze. There was candlelight, but not enough to wash away the darkness completely. He might be fooled in this low light..
The music died, and Sofia made a decision. She lifted her hand and pressed it to his chest, then licked her lips. Slowly, she smiled at him as she stepped back. She lifted her hand and crooked her finger to indicate he should follow her. Then she spun on her heels and walked away from him.
She didn’t glance back to see if she had beckoned. Drew would be right behind her. Sofia knew him better than he realized. He was intrigued by her and he wanted her. At least for the moment, and she intended to take advantage of that fact. This was her one night and she would seize it. Then afterward she could move on, and hopefully squash the love she felt deep inside her soul.
* * *
Bloody hell…This night was not going at all as he had envisioned. This enchantress, no siren as the Duke of Sin had called her, had all of his attention. Drew should find his twin and do what he had wanted, but he couldn’t. Not until after he spent more time with her. She had yet to speak a word to him, and that only added to his interest. He couldn’t recall the last time a woman had intrigued him this much.
Her figure was lush, and her bosom… He wanted to pull her bodice down and cup her breasts in his palm, then suck her nipples until she moaned with pleasure. Once he finished that he would strip that seductive gown off of her and taste every inch of her delectable skin.
But first he had to get her alone…
She stopped at the staircase and glanced over her shoulder. When she licked her lips, he almost groaned as his cock hardened. What was it about her? She turned away and started up the stairs. Had she been to one of these parties before? Was that why she seemed so familiar? Drew shook his head. He was certain he knew her, but he was equally sure he’d never been intimate with her before. If he had, he would not be struggling to remember her now.
She was leading him on a slow chase, and he enjoyed every step of it. He liked the leisurely pace they kept as she put the party behind them. Drew wanted her as he’d never desired a woman before, and he hoped he would have her before the night was over. Not once, but several times. Once wouldn’t be enough. He understood that in his gut.
At the top of the stairs, she stopped and glanced down the corridor, then lifted her skirts and darted down it. Drew chuckled and took the stairs two at a time. It seemed as if she was growing impatient and had decided to hasten the pace. He could work with that. He was anxious too.
He caught up with her at a door that led to one of the many bedrooms. This one would do. He pulled her into his arms and pushed the door open, then shoved it closed. He pressed her against the door, chest first, and trailed kisses down her neck. She groaned, and it went straight to his cock. She might end up being the death of him. “Do you like that?”
She nodded. Still, she wasn’t speaking. At least she wasn’t saying no. If she did, he would have to stop even if it did, indeed, kill him. Drew never forced himself on a woman and he wouldn’t start now. He slid his hand down and pressed his palm over her stomach. She leaned her head back, giving him better access to her throat. He slid his other hand up and cupped her breast. Her moans were growing louder with each press of his lips on her throat. He pushed her bodice down and pinched her nipple lightly between two fingers. Her breath hitched.
