Free Southern Beauty by Julie Lucia

came into my life you have done nothing but given me heartache,” she said in anger.
    He was surprised by her words again. Her words were like ice.  He wanted to take her in his arms and love her madly and forever.  He slipped her into an adjacent room that was deserted. 
    “What do you mean by that? You know I never meant to hurt you,” David needed her to know. “Do I have to remind you?  You betrayed me.  You made me believe you wanted to kiss me so your rescuer could assault me, how clever you are.”
    “I didn’t know he was there,” Johanna confessed.
    They gazed upon each other with mixed feelings of love and loathing. He leaned in closer.  He had to kiss her, he had to have her.  He loved her so much.  He felt like his heart was going to burst. 
    She didn’t know why he was tormenting her.  He looked at her with intense love in his eyes.  How could this man do this to her?  She had given away so much with her silly jealousy.  But despite all her anger, she wanted his kiss, his touch.  She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she loved him so much it hurt.  Inches away from one another, they could feel their breaths colliding, their hearts pounding.  He kissed her madly.  She let him. 
    “I…I can’t do this,” she confessed as she halted their passionate moment.  Johanna then ran off into the crowded ballroom, escaping her desire for David. 
     
     
    #   #   #
     
    David stunned by their steamy passionate kiss and then her quick change of heart left him frozen in place.  His hesitancy left him no time to retrieve her before she disappeared into the crowd. 
    “What happened to you?”  Mary Alice noticed how Johanna seemed flushed and a little out of sorts.
    “I must be coming down with something.”  Johanna whispered holding her forehead and feeling her hot cheeks.
    “Well, you will be happy to know that Rene has been asking about you,” said Mary Alice with excitement.
    Johanna didn’t say anything, her head and heart still spinning from the encounter with David. 
    “Did you hear me?  Rene.  Rene Beauregard was asking me about you.  What a blessed evening you are having,” Mary Alice said.
    “More like cursed.  I think I am going to be sick,” Johanna’s heart pumping even faster now, felt like the room was spinning and everyone in it was slowly darkening.
    “Oh, Johanna , you’re fainting.”  Mary Alice noticed as Johanna started to fall backwards. 
    “I got you,” Rene was coming up behind Johanna and as perfect timing showed and she fell into his arms. 
    The crowd was all in a tizzy, especially the ladies near her at the ball.  “Can you believe she fainted into Rene’s arms?” said one girl. 
    “I know, she is so lucky, I wish I would have thought of that,” said another.
    Johanna woke up on the couch in a very familiar room.  It was the same room that Johanna and Rene met and David and she kissed. 
    “Are you okay , Miss Johanna?” asked Rene.
    “I am fine, thank you, ” she tried to smile. “I guess I was a little overwhelmed.” 
    “I guess, ” Rene smiled back at her.  “It seems here we are again alone.” He looked around at the emptiness. 
    “Oh Mr. Beauregard , you stoop this low as to take advantage of a woman in distress?” Johanna smiled.
    “No, I never take advantage, I just think of it as opportunity.”  He smiled wider this time. 
    “Very funny,” she said.
    “If I can amuse, I count that as progress,” he laughed.
    “I am sure you do,” she laughed too.
    “Now, I am a little disheartened you came here with Malcolm,” said Rene.
    “He is taking me to Virginia,” she said.
    “I’v e heard.  Well, I shall miss our encounters.  Maybe I will come and visit you,” Rene announced.
    “Well, you are very welcome, as a friend of course.”  She insisted.
    “Of course,” he grinned.
    “Every time I turn around you are with someone else.  I am feeling a little slighted by you, Miss Lee,” Malcolm