Read Never Run From Love (Kellington Book Four) for Free Online

was safe to do so.
    Hal decided there were some advantages to a ton ball, after all.
    *                    *                    *
    As the gentleman from Dill’s came her way, Mel
ducked behind a pillar.  She was curious about him, but it wouldn’t do to be
recognized.  If he said anything about her activities, it would surely get back
to her aunt and uncle.  She couldn’t afford to risk that, but she also wanted
to know more about the mysterious man. 
    He was certainly handsome, not that she would be
swayed by anything so superficial as looks, especially since he’d appeared to
be inebriated the evening before at Dill’s and, if she had to guess, was in the
same state now.  She really shouldn’t want to make the acquaintance of someone
who’d been in his cups 100% of the time he’d been in her presence.  Not that he
knew he was in her presence.  He’d paid little enough attention to her the
night before, and had walked – or, rather, swayed – within a few feet of her
just now without noticing her.  Still, she was curious about him.  She decided
to follow him to learn who he was, so she’d know whom to avoid in the future.
    At least, she tried to tell herself that was the
reason.  Scoundrels really shouldn’t be so handsome.  It was most unfair.
    As he walked through the ballroom, he was hailed by
any number of gentlemen wanting to have a word.  Her mystery man paused but
never lingered.  With only a few words, he invariably made them laugh, then
moved on until he was stopped again.  Several women followed him with their eyes,
and while more than one mama watched him pass with pursed lips, Mel had a
feeling they would smile broadly enough if the man asked their daughters to
dance.
    He passed through the French doors to the terrace
and Mel followed, making sure to stay far enough behind that he wouldn’t turn
and see her.  It became clear that he was walking with purpose as he descended
the stone stairs with the grace of an athlete and, given his state of
inebriation, the balance of a circus performer.
    As he moved further away from the house and into the
darkest recesses of the garden, Mel’s curiosity was thoroughly engaged.   Was
he going to leave through a back gate?  It was so dark in that deserted portion
of the garden she was surprised he would even be able to find an exit.   She
couldn’t see him anymore, and as she realized just how isolated she was, she
decided to turn back.  But she only went a few steps before a hand reached out
and pulled her behind a massive tree and up against a broad, muscular chest. 
    Before she could scream, warm firm lips touched
hers, as two arms snaked around her waist and pulled her to him.  She was quite
shockingly pressed against a man all the way down the length of her.  And, from
what she could dimly see in the moonlight, it wasn’t just any man.  It was the
man she’d been following.
    He lifted his lips from hers, then gently nibbled
her left ear.  The sensation was unlike any she’d ever experienced.  All of
this was like nothing she’d ever experienced, since she’d never even been
kissed until a moment earlier.  And she’d certainly never stood this close to a
man, not to mention had his hands explore her body.  She felt flush all over,
with an odd sensation in her stomach.  She knew she should put a stop to such
outrageous behavior at once, but she was so breathless she couldn’t speak.
    His lips had continued their journey from her ear to
her neck.  One hand was massaging her bottom, while the other was resting just
below her left breast.  Every time she breathed, it seemed his hand grazed her breast. 
She wondered what it would be like to feel it on her.
    Mel knew she was being wicked, but she was
overwhelmed by sensation.  She didn’t know anything could feel this good. 
Through her reform activities in Philadelphia and London, she’d befriended a
few prostitutes.  She knew some