Free Forever by Margaret Pemberton

continued to drive out of the city and towards the woods and the lakeside. It was what Gussie had secretly wanted him to do ever since their first date. She swung round in her seat.
    â€˜Just where do you think you are going, Bradley Hampton?’
    Bradley changed gear, slipped a look into his driving mirror and said leisurely, ‘Taking you somewhere quiet and dark so I can kiss the hell out of you.’
    Gussie choked, her eyes glazing. ‘You turn this car round immediately, Bradley Hampton! If you want to take anyone to the woods, take Desirée! She’d love every minute of it!’
    â€˜I dare say she would,’ Bradley agreed with infuriating calm. ‘Only I’m not taking Desirée, I’m taking you.’
    â€˜Oh no you’re not! I’m not one of your cheap little tarts! One of your easy pick-ups!’
    The city lights were behind them. The road was shadowed by trees and was dark. Bradley pulled over to the verge and switched off the engine.
    â€˜I never made a habit of going out with tarts,’ he said, his lazy Southern drawl suddenly very pronounced. ‘Neither have I ever made it a habit to go out with people who bore me. I’m very likely to do just as you demand, Gussie, and turn the car around and drive you home. Because that’s what you’re beginning to do – bore me.’
    Gussie sobbed and drew back her hand to deliver a stinging blow to his cheek. Her wrist was caught in a steel-like grip. There was amusement in his blue eyes.
    â€˜If I didn’t know you better, Augusta Lafayette, I’d say you were jealous.’
    Gussie struggled but could not free herself. ‘How dare you say such a thing! Me? Jealous of Desirée? And because of you?’ The more she writhed to escape his grip, the more his amusement deepened.
    â€˜I think I’ve been patient with you long enough, Gussie.’ His eyes lingered on her mouth and a little pulse began to beat wildly in her throat. At last he was going to kiss her. Against her will and by force.
    â€˜I meant what I said this afternoon, Gussie, and before I take you home this evening, you’re going to say the same thing to me.’
    â€˜No …’ Her breath was coming in harsh gasps. ‘Never!’
    She tried to pull away from him, but he held her easily, his mouth coming down on hers in swift, unfumbled contact. She twisted violently, freeing one arm, but instead of pushing him away she circled his neck, her lips parting willingly beneath his, her body aflame with the desire that had previously existed only in her imagination.
    â€˜Gussie, sweet, darling Gussie.’
    There was a depth of feeling in his voice that startled her. This was no casual encounter. This was the real thing. This was Bradley Hampton telling her he loved her. That he wanted to marry her. Bradley Hampton who was heir to millions; whose family was as prestigious as the Lafayettes. Bradley Hampton, whom every girl in New Orleans would have given a year of her life to date. Bradley Hampton, who had dark hair and laughing blue eyes, and whom her father would approve of.
    He wound his fingers in her hair, pulling her head back so she was forced to meet his compelling gaze.
    â€˜Tell me you love me, Gussie.’
    There was a menacing edge to his voice.
    Gussie wanted him to kiss her again, to feel the sweetness of his lips on hers.
    His hand twisted tightly in her hair. ‘Tell me, Gussie!’
    Desperately she thought of Beau, but Beau was dead. Beau would never hold her as Bradley did. Beau would never kiss her until her bones melted.
    â€˜I love you,’ she whispered helplessly. ‘I love you, and I’ll marry you.’
    The Hamptons were pleased. Mrs Hampton had not anticipated her only son marrying so young, but, she reflected, Bradley had never yet made a decision he had regretted. Mr Hampton silently congratulated himself for his good fortune. Augusta Lafayette was one of the three