Rouge Read Online Free PDF Page A

humiliated.
    “Hale, wait,” he called after me.
    I had my back to him and my face pressed against a post, wishing I could die. “Leave me alone,” I mumbled.
    “Come here,” he reached for my arm and turned me to face him. “Look at me.”
    But I wouldn’t. I kept my eyes fixed on the buttons of his shirt. He slipped his fingers under my chin and lifted my face to the moonlight.
    “Look at me,” he said again. My eyes flickered to his, and in the dim blue light, his pale skin and white teeth seemed to glow. “That was a terrible kiss.”
    “Oh!” I jerked my chin away.
    He laughed and caught me. “And I was going to say we can’t have our leading lady not knowing how to give a proper kiss.”
    I stopped struggling and faced him. “You mean…?”
    “I mean let me show you how.”
    A jolt of nervous excitement hit my middle.
    He slowly leaned forward, and I looked directly into his black eyes , anticipation flushing my cheeks .
    “When you kiss someone,” he murmured. “It should be soft. Like you’re taking the slightest taste of something very sweet.”
    With his thumb, he gently pulled my lower lip down and covered my mouth with his. His lips were warm and his breath whispered across my cheek. Everything seemed to stop except my heart, which beat painfully hard.
    Then he lifted his head slightly. His eyes held mine as our noses lightly touched. I couldn’t breathe.
    “This is the French way,” he whispered. He slid his hand to my cheek and pushed my lips apart with his. I felt his tongue enter my mouth and tasted the cool mints he always chewed to hide the cigarettes. His tongue moved softly against mine, and my knees melted .
    I carefully stepped back.
    “Well?” he smiled, stepping toward me. “Did you like it?”
    I could barely breathe as I nodded yes. My mind was swirling with thoughts of him touching me.
    “Now you try,” he said, crossing his arms and turning to the side. “I’ll be an unsuspecting male suitor dying of love for you. Now go.”
    My heart pounded, but I stepped forward and slipped my hands up to his cheeks. I gently pulled his face to mine, and our eyes locked. A thrill raced all the way to my toes . I closed my eyes and press ed my lips to his, urging his apart and tentatively sliding my tongue across the space .
    He embraced me and kissed me back in a way that scorched my mouth . Heat filled my stomach, and for a split second, I thought I might faint.
    Then he released me and smiled. “Perfect . That’ll keep the boys coming back for more.”
    “I… I love you,” I said, dazed . “I want to be your lover.”
    I was ready to do anything he said, ready to remove my dress on the spot, but he stopped it all.
    “No. Don’t say that.”
    I blinked once to see him frowning. Then I spun away in shame, tears flooding my eyes. He grabbed me and pulled me back.
    “Stop,” he said.
    “No!” I sobbed. “Let me go.”
    “I forbid you to cry.” He gave me a little shake. “This has nothing to do with you.”
    “Then what?” I sniffed. “Are you in love with another girl?”
    “No.”
    “Then why? I thought you cared for me.”
    “I do care for you, but…” he exhaled and released me. Then he turned and walked a few steps away, jamming his hands into his pockets. I watched his back, and after a few moments he continued. “I’ll tell you. But you must never repeat this. To anyone.”
    “Repeat what?” I tried to calm my sniffling.
    He waited another moment, then spoke. “My preference is for men.”
    Now I was frowning in confusion, but he didn’t say anything more. It was as if he were waiting for something, some reaction.
    “What do you mean?” I said.
    “I mean that I don’t want a wife. Or any woman. For my lover.” He slid his arms around me, but I struggled to get out of his embrace.
    “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
    “Stop struggling and look at me.” I looked at his beautiful face, and all I could think about was our kiss.