Free Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman by Wareeze Woodson Page B

twisted her chin from his grasp and answered, “Because I said no!”
    Adron caught her to his chest and lightly touched the telltale pulse at the base of her throat. “Wrong. I want you because you want me as well. The delicious little throb in your throat gives you away. You feel it too, so don’t lie.”
    Softly kissing the pounding vein in her throat, he trailed kisses to her mouth and covered her lips with his in deepening exploration. She couldn’t think, couldn’t move, she could only drown in the sensations created by his embrace. A movement in the corridor brought her out of the trance he had induced and she pushed against his chest.
    “Someone is coming.”
    “Too bad. Tonight, my beauty, I promise tonight,” he whispered before stepping away.
    Adron quickly turned and strode toward Melissa as she floated down the hall from the west wing of the house. Laurel stared at Melissa in her gown of creamy silk complimenting her fresh beauty. Laurel didn’t envy the young girl her beauty, but the sensation of being old and drab filled her with dismay.
    “Ah! Melissa, my dear, you look charming.”
    Laurel watched with interest when he took Melissa’s hand and threaded her fingers beneath his elbow. Melissa pouted up at him. “Only charming?”
    He patted her hand. “Charming will do, you minx.”
    Melissa laughed up at him and squeezed his arm. “And to think I hurried dreadfully, especially for you.”
    Laurel could only observe the back of his head, but she wondered if the other girl could detect admiration in his eyes. Did she long to drown in his approval as Laurel had wished to do only moments before? Laurel’s steps faltered before she continued after the couple.
    From the other direction, Rhonda glided down the hall, preening for a second in a stunning gown of crimson trimmed in gold.
    Her trill of laughter splashed down the hall. “Adron, how handsome you are. You’re taking advantage of us poor females. No ladies’ heart will be safe from you tonight. I know mine isn’t.” She kissed him beside his mouth.
    “Thank you, my dear. You are devastating as well.”
    Laurel’s heart sank as Rhonda shifted her attention, giving a self-satisfied smirk before she sauntered over.
    “Oh! Dear sister, I see you’re wearing the family jewels.”
    Laurel lowered her head in acknowledgement. “As you see.”
    With a slow almost hypnotic motion, Rhonda reached out and touched the necklace that graced Laurel’s throat. “These should have come to me as the daughter of the house, not to my brother. You should be forced to give them up.” Her eyes were sharp and disgruntled as she watched for Laurel’s reaction.
    “Rhonda I can’t oblige.” Laurel’s tone was low and fierce. “It would be like throwing Robert’s gift back in his face.”
    “Some people will do anything for wealth, marry, steal, kill—anything at all however dishonorable.” Rhonda’s harsh tone rang with accusations. “Robert wouldn’t know. He’s dead.”
    Laurel gritted her teeth in an effort to keep from spewing harsh, ugly words, but she couldn’t keep the glint of anger out of her eyes. No, he wouldn’t know but she would.
    Before Laurel could answer, Adron shot a warning glance in her direction. He linked arms with Rhonda as well as Melissa leaving Laurel to trail behind. “Come ladies.”
    With her confidence shaken, disquiet ruffled the edges of her composure. She had been looking forward to this ball, but the entire thing had fallen sadly flat and now she dreaded the party.
    Regardless of the kiss exchanged earlier, his warm greeting for both Melissa and Rhonda warned Laurel to watch for stormy waters ahead. She should never have allowed Adron to kiss her and with such passion. Of course gentlemen were known to act with less than honor when passions were ignited and he had ignored her ever since. Perhaps she should follow his lead and dismiss him as well. She lagged a little behind as Adron escorted the ladies into