Reckless Moon Read Online Free PDF Page B

Beth shuddered delicately, unable to look, unable to speak, certain only that she wanted this miracle to continue.
    Bram sat up, undoing his shirt quickly with one hand, impatiently. He pulled it off with a single swift gesture, and he was back with her in a second, descending to Beth’s welcoming arms.
    The shock of his bare flesh excited her, and Beth kissed his chest, running her hands over his smooth shoulders, lifting her mouth for the return of his. She thought he wouldn’t stop now; he was sure, purposeful, accustomed to carrying these preliminaries to their logical conclusion. But when he reached for her briefs, he seemed to step back for a moment and realize what was happening.
    “I can’t do this,” he muttered, withdrawing his hand. “It isn’t right.”
    Beth pressed his big hand with her small one, clinging to him. “Yes, it is,” she protested. “I’ve never felt this way before, Bram. This is what all the songs and poems are about. It must be right.”
    Bram’s face shadowed with concern. “Wait, Beth, listen to me...”
    Beth answered him with a kiss, showing him what she’d learned in his arms, and his scruples vanished in the heat of renewed passion. “I’ll lock the door,” he murmured against her mouth, and at the same instant the door opened and Beth’s father walked through it.
    Beth would never forget the look on his face as he took in the two of them prone on the couch, half naked, their discarded clothes in a heap on the floor. Carter Forsyth’s eyes widened with shock. Then he assumed a carefully blank expression and turned his back.
    “Bethany, dress yourself,” he directed in a quiet voice.
    Bram leaped to his feet, handing Beth her robe and placing himself between her and her father, as if to protect her from attack. “This isn’t Beth’s fault, sir,” he said quickly. “I’m responsible.”
    Beth’s father turned back to face them. “I know that,” he said coldly to Bram. “But my daughter had to offer you some encouragement. This situation doesn’t look like rape to me.”
    “Wait,” Bram began, but Beth’s father held up his hand to forestall argument. Beth, belting her robe, could see Bram decide that he would only make the situation worse by contradicting Carter Forsyth.
    “I want you to leave this house,” Beth’s father said to Bram. “I am bitterly disappointed in you, Curtis. I invited you here, and this is how you take advantage of my hospitality. It seems that my late wife’s affection for you was misplaced. I never put much stock in what was said about you, but it now appears that I should have listened.”
    “Daddy, that isn’t fair,” Beth protested, but Bram reached back to squeeze her arm, silencing her.
    “I’ll go,” Bram said to her father, his mouth tight with some unnamed emotion. “But I want to talk to Beth first. Alone.”
    “Absolutely not,” Carter fumed, reddening.
    “I insist,” Bram said in a low tone that indicated he meant it.
    Carter blinked, and then, to Beth’s amazement, nodded. She had never seen him back down to anyone before.
    “I’ll be right outside the door,” he said to Beth in parting.
    Bram turned to Beth immediately and enfolded her in his arms.
    “Mouse, I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I am so sorry.”
    Beth burrowed into him, drawing sustenance from his strength.
    “Beth, listen to me,” he went on. “You are not to blame for this. I led you into it. I should be shot for putting you in this position.”
    Beth didn’t answer, her horror at her father’s reaction fading in the warmth and security of Bram’s embrace.
    “I don’t want you to feel guilty about this. Do you understand?” He held her off to look into her face.
    Beth nodded, lost in his eyes.
    He pulled her close again, stroking her hair. “Oh, baby, listen to me. Don’t let your father make you feel ashamed. Your feelings are normal and healthy and one day you’re going to be a fantastic lover for some lucky man.”
    “I