A Night of Forever Read Online Free PDF Page A

hips hard to his. Mary Ellen gasped, but the sound of surprise
was lost against his mouth. Never had anyone touched her this way!
She didn’t understand the aching need twisting low in her gut.
Didn’t understand the little voice that taunted her, urging her to
get closer, ever closer. The nervousness she felt returned. He was
too sure, and she was too far gone. There...edging its way through
her foggy desire was the terrifying realization that she just might
let him have her completely.
    Frantic, Mary Ellen tore her mouth from his.
“No.”
    With as much strength as she possessed, she shoved
him away and pushed aside the curtains. What had she been thinking?
Because of one passionate kiss she might have ruined every dream
she’d ever had! She ducked under his arm and raced across the
room.
    “Mary Ellen,” Aidan called, but she ignored him.
    With trembling hands she gripped the knob and tore
open the door, but luck was not her friend. Instead of escaping
Mary Ellen ran directly into Elizabeth. Startled, she drew
back.
    “Why, Mary Ellen.” The woman gave her a sly smile.
“You look quite flushed. Whatever are you running from? Or should I
say whoever?”
    “Nothing.” She gripped the handle and started to
pull the door closed. With Aidan’s kiss still stinging her lips,
she lied. “No one.”
    But the woman shoved her way around Mary Ellen and
surged into the room. Resisting the urge to groan, Mary Ellen
prayed Aidan had the good sense to hide. She turned. The only
hiding place in the room was exposed, the drapes were thrown back,
the room empty. No one was there. How very odd. Tentatively, Mary
Ellen stepped inside, following Elizabeth, who was determined to
see her ruined. The girl turned toward her, suspicion written
plainly across her fair face.
    Mary Ellen forced herself to smile. “Like I said,
nothing.”
    She hadn’t a clue where Aidan was, she only thanked
God that he’d disappeared.
    “Darling?” Meg suddenly appeared in the doorway like
a guardian angel. She’d never been so happy to see her sister.
“We’ve all been caught.” She strolled into the room, saving Mary
Ellen from Elizabeth’s spite. “Shall we return to the parlor?”
    “Of course,” Elizabeth said with an overly cheerful
smile, as if she hadn’t just been planning Mary Ellen’s demise.
    Close, she’d been so bloody close to being ruined
forever. She must take care in the future. She had been given a
reprieve, and she had a feeling she would not be so lucky next
time.
    Meg slipped her arm through Mary Ellen’s and led her
toward the hall. “It looks like you’re the winner.”
    Mary Ellen gave her sister a tight smile.
“Indeed.”
    She might have won this round, but she had a
terrible feeling the games had only just started.

Chapter 3
     
     
    Why he’d kissed her, Aidan hadn’t a clue.
    Perhaps because he was a man, she a woman, and they
had been enclosed in a bedchamber…alone. Whether he was merely man
or animal, it was only natural something should have happened.
Wasn’t it?
    Or maybe he just couldn’t help himself any longer.
The beast had taken over and the temptation was too great. He raked
his hands through his hair, his footsteps quickening, as if he
could outrun his problem.
    Or maybe, just maybe, he was merely a selfish
bastard.
    Aye, most likely he was a selfish bastard. He’d
thought kissing Mary Ellen would ease the ache that constantly
pulsed beneath his skin. But tasting her had only made his need
worse. So much worse. The cool breeze and long walk through the
countryside hadn’t calmed his troubling emotions and that kiss
hadn’t lessened his attraction. He was losing control. Hell, he
hadn’t lost control since he was a lad. What was it about her? What
made her different from any other woman he’d come across? If only
he knew, he might be able to cure himself of his feelings.
    Not ready yet to head inside, he followed the trail
into the woods near the back of the property, the leaves