Free Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key) by J.D. Hollyfield, Skeleton Key Page A

of Christof’s grip, I pick up my dress and run toward the main entrance of the castle, pushing my way passed gaping eyes as I run outside, down the stone pathway. The sky is dark, making it hard to figure out where to go. I head toward the one place I know, the rose garden. I make it into the center of the gardens and find an exposed spot. It’s then I slide to the ground, placing my face into my hands. I can’t help but let the tears fall. Why did Locke bring me here if he knew no one wanted me here? If he didn’t even want me here? I shake my head in my hands as the tears begin to turn into sobs. I just want to go home. I want out of this stupid place.
    “Are ye alright?”
    I whip my head up to see Locke’s silhouette in the darkness. My sadness immediately turns to anger. I jump up, throwing myself at him. I raise my fists up and push hard against his chest. “Am I alright? Am I alright? No, I am not alright, dammit!! Why did you bring me here?! Why are you doing this to me?” I begin slamming my closed fits into his chest, and he allows me to do so, over and over until I grow tired.
    “Because this is where ye belong.”
    His answer only ignites more fire in me. I lift my arms and push him again, but he doesn’t budge. “God, stop saying that! You know I don’t! Send me home. Give me that damn key.” I’m struggling to catch my breath. My hands are now at my sides, my fists turning white.
    “I cannot do that.”
    Again, I go wild. I go to hit his chest again, but this time he catches my hands, bringing our bodies crashing against one another. “Ye will calm down, at once. Ye are acting crazy.”
    He clearly has never had a girlfriend. Because if he did, he would know that was the absolute wrong thing to say to a female if he wanted her to calm down. Therefore, I go off.
    “You big ol’ ogre, you don’t tell me I’m acting crazy! I swear to God, I am going to beat the living daylights out of you!” I try and fight out of his hold, but he is only gripping me tighter to him. “Let me go or I am going to scream my head off.”
    “And I won’t ask again. If ye don’t calm down, I am going to silence ye,” he says, his eyes practically glowing in the moonlight.
    “Give me that key,” I demand, panting in his arms.
    “No.”
    I open my mouth to scream just as he slams his mouth onto mine. With a crushing force, his lips make contact, and he certainly does silence me. His lips, so soft and perfect, mold around mine. He doesn’t move until he feels me slightly give in. Which is me slightly melting into his arms. He slowly lets go of my restrained arms, grabbing at the back of my neck. Allowing no room to escape, he puts more pressure into his kiss, his tongue beginning to graze my lower lip. My knees begin to weaken. I make a small attempt to fight and rip away from his attack, but he forces my mouth open and his tongue dives inside. I react strangely and instead of continuing to fight him, I moan into his kiss. My brain shuts down and I try to memorize this feeling. How my first real kiss feels like. My arms begin to lift, wanting to wrap them around his neck and never let go. It’s when he presses his body closer to mine and I feel how hard he is, that I realize what is happening between us. I panic, pushing him off me.
    This time he allows the release, and I wipe at my tingling lips. “What the heck was that for?” I heave.
    His breathing isn’t any calmer than mine. “I told ye I would silence ye.”
    “You kissed me! Why did you kiss me?”
    “Well it worked, didn’t it?” His smug smile makes me want to take my boot to his forehead.
    “Yeah, by now making me want to wash my mouth out with bleach!” I wipe at my mouth again. He comes at me, grabbing for my wrist, my birthmark exploding with heat. “I think ye actually liked it. And I also think that—”
    “Ahh, there ye two are.” We both turn to see Christof approach. Locke releases my wrist immediately and steps back. “I was