A Mortal Sin Read Online Free PDF

little fellow hasn’t got a scratch.” She ruefully surveyed her bleeding knees.
    “It was a plucky thing you did. You might have been killed.”
    She forced a smile even though her knees stung, because Paul looked so anxious.
    “You’ll have to let me drive you home now,” he said.
    “I suppose you think I did it on purpose to cadge a lift,” she teased.
    “I don’t care why, but it was the bravest act I’ve ever witnessed. I say, you look awful.”
    “I think I’m going to faint.”
    When she came to she was sitting on the ground supported by Paul. “How idiotic of me.” He looked as white and sickly as she felt. “I’m all right now.”
    “I better get you home.”
    On arrival at the boarding house, he parked the car and followed her inside.
    “My room is at the end of the hall. I’ll be fine, thank you. We aren’t supposed to have men visitors,” she apologized, giving a nervous giggle. “Hello, Mrs. Rogers.”
    “My dear, what have you done?” She glanced at Daphne who was inspecting her battered knees.
    Briefly he explained what happened.
    “Well, what a courageous little lass you are.”
    “I’m all right, Mrs. Rogers. Honestly, Paul’s making too much out of it.”
    “Would it be all right if I help Miss Clarke to her room, and see she attends to the lacerations on her knees?”
    “Of course, I can see you’re a gentleman, and Daphne’s a real little lady.”
    The hallway was carpeted. When they came to her room, he took the key out of her trembling hand and opened the door. It was a bed/sitting room combined, but she kept everything fresh and pretty.
    “It’s small, but it suits me,” she said, making no apology for the humble room. She gnawed the inside of her lip. “You shouldn’t be in here, I mean, it isn’t proper.”
    “I’m not about to ravish you, even if I am an Englishman. Some of us are quite civilized.”
    She realized he was having a little jibe at her.
    “There’s some cold water in the jug and disinfectant in my first aid kit.”
    His hands when they bathed her knees were gentle. She liked him so much it terrified her. Love at first sight? She had always scorned such a notion before, but now?
    His eyes were a warm chocolate brown, his black lashes thick and long. His hair, though cut short, was nevertheless, an unruly mop. It was dark, but some of the strands were shot with gold. Heat burned her cheeks when he glanced up and caught her staring.
    “Do you think you might recognize me next time, Sunshine?” The way he lowered his voice when he said the name gave her goose bumps. He smiled, revealing a deep cleft in his chin.
    “You’ve got a dimple.” She blurted out the first thing she thought of to cover her confusion at the feelings he aroused. Danger, warned a little inner voice.
    “And you’re beautiful.” His face moved closer, so she could not avoid his questing lips when they fastened on to hers. His mouth felt warm and firm, his caress sending tingling sensations all the way through her. She had been kissed on a few occasions before, but never like this. When he pulled away, she trembled.
    “This isn’t just a line, but I like you more than any woman I’ve ever met before?” He watched her lips tremble. “I’m twenty-four, unmarried. It wouldn’t be reasonable to expect me to, well… I mean there have been a few women like Kitty. Are you disappointed in me?”
    “No.”
    “Will you let me pick you up tomorrow? About ten? We could go for a drive in the country, maybe see a picture show in the evening.”
    “I’d like to, thanks, Paul.”
    After he departed she sat on the couch gnawing her lower lip. It was foolish allowing emotion to cloud her better judgment. Nursing had been an all-consuming, driving ambition for years. Not being academically brilliant, she had worked hard to obtain good marks. But she was smart enough to know that this incredible attraction for Paul could prove dangerous, especially when they knew so little about