Free Forbidden by Amy Miles Page B

man for the acts they’d instigated over the years, but for Nicolae to lump her in with them turned her stomach.   Roseline felt like she was going to be sick.   The world began to sway as she slumped back against the railing.
    “What the heck did you do to her?” William shouted, shoving Nicolae back.  
    “Nothing.   I don’t think she’s well,” he replied, instantly letting his geek façade slip into place.   He pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, straightened his button up dress shirt and drifted away.
    “Are you ok?” William asked, glancing at Roseline’s nearly transparent skin.   “You don’t look so well.”
    “Yeah,” Roseline cleared her throat.   She pushed back the bile rising in her throat.   “I think I need a drink.   Could you grab me one?”
    William nodded, disappearing back inside.   Roseline blew out a breath and leaned heavily on the banister surrounding the deck.   After a few moments she had herself under control.   The punch William brought back to her stank of cheap alcohol but she downed in anyway.   What did she care?   She had a high tolerance for the stuff.
    “Feel any better?”
    Roseline smiled as the cool liquid soothed the burning in her throat.   “Yes, thank you.   That guy just really irks me.”
    William turned, glaring at Nicolae through the window.   He stood on the opposite side of the room, staring intently at them.   “You know, if it weren’t for his obsession with Sadie, I’d think the guy was hung up on you.”
    Laughing weakly, Roseline nodded.   “Poor Sadie.”
    “Tell me about it,” he grunted.   “If that guy touches one hair on her head I swear I’ll lose it.”
    “Then you should probably go after her,” Roseline said, pointing at Nicolae’s fleeting figure ducking out of the room to follow Sadie down the basement stairs.
    William looked torn.   “Are you sure you’re alright?”
    “Yes,” Roseline grinned.   “Now go.   Kick his butt!”
    Grinning, William rushed back inside.   Roseline watched until he slipped down the stairs before turning away from the manic scene behind her.   And right in the middle of it was the one thing she’d been dreading…Claire and Gabriel together as a couple.   One glimpse of Claire grinding against Gabriel’s lap had sent her jealousy sky rocketing to the moon.
    “He’s just a guy.   He’s just a guy,” Roseline repeated over and over.

Chapter 4

    “Hey.”
    Roseline whirled around.   She scrutinized the guy standing in front for her, but although he looked vaguely familiar, she had no clue who he was.   “I’m sorry.   Do I know you?”
    “The name’s Conner,” the handsome boy said, casually leaning against the railing next to Roseline.   She watched him, unsure of why exactly he was speaking to her.   Seeing her confused expression, Conner laughed.   “I’m Gabriel’s friend.”
    “Oh,” she whispered, glancing down so he wouldn’t see the flicker of a smile that tried to light on her face.
    Conner leaned in, his cologne smelling heavenly.   Roseline breathed deep, closing her eyes as she savored the aroma.   “Gabriel would be ticked if he knew I was out here.”  
    Surprised, Roseline glanced up, meeting Conner’s golden flecked hazel eyes.   “Really?”
    “Of course.   Haven’t you wondered why none of the guys here have hit on your tonight?”
    “Uh…no?” Roseline wasn’t quite sure if he was trying to pull her leg or not.
    Conner’s chuckle was deep and throaty.   “Surely you can’t be that blind.   Just look around you.   You’ve had eyes glued to you since the moment you walked through that door.   All of the guys want you and all of the girls would kill to be you.”
    Roseline’s smirk faded as she glanced back towards the crowded room.   He was right.   Numerous glances shot their way.   Some envious ones were directed towards Conner but most were icy daggers sent by teetering girls whose dates were