Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman by Wareeze Woodson Page A

spin out of control. However, I’m available later tonight, when Becky will be expected to be in control of the nursery,” he offered.
    She spun out of his arms and turned to face him. “You can take your invitation and go to blazes with it.”
    He laughed. “Now, now. I felt your body respond to me.” He held one finger against her lips and shook his head.  “Don’t. Your tongue lies. Your body tells a different story.”
    Laurel fisted her hands at her side and hatred blazed through her—for him and for herself because she longed to do as he suggested.
    “Not now, not ever.” She spat the words at him.
    He grinned wickedly. “Never is a long time to be without a man.” Nonchalantly strolling to the door, he turned and asked in a very aggravating tone, “You’re supposed to be on duty aren’t you?” He raised his brows. “Don’t forget dinner is at eight.”
    She bit her tongue to keep from screaming before she conceded this round to him.
    “Drat the man,” Laurel whispered, staring at the closed door. Her body still throbbed with desire, a victim of his experience and her own longings. When she’d first arrived, he taunted her and offered to share his bed. What would he do or say now if she were to appear at his chamber door in nothing but her revealing nightgown? The thought brought a smile to her lips. Of course she would do nothing of the kind, but the idea was more appealing than she dared admit.
    While he’d played the rogue, the seducer, his infuriating composure had masked his reactions, but his breath had quickened and his heart had pounded as heavily as hers. Perhaps he wasn’t in as much control as he wanted her to believe. That thought was sobering and was all the more reason to run the other way. If he ever forgot his arrogance long enough to turn that gentleness and concern on her, she would fall—hard. With such a formidable adversary, a broken heart loomed before her. Beware. The warning flashed through her mind.
    Adron shut the door behind him and grimaced. He thought to control her, to force her to follow his every dictate or suffer the consequences, but he was the one to suffer. His body still screamed to possess her. He’d nearly swallowed his tongue when she stood in her gauze thin chemise clinging to every curve of her lovely body. Adron had been totally unaware of moving from the door until he found the pulse in her throat beating erratically against his lips. He admitted he was in deep trouble.
    Heloise stepped into the hall as Adron passed her chamber. She stood aside and motioned for him to enter. “Adron, a word if you please.”
    Adron lifted his brows and entered the doorway. Capital. The one thing he didn’t need was for Gran to question him or worse, to read between the lines and discover his failings where Laurel was concerned. “What may I do for you?”
    Heloise harrumphed. “First thing, leave your frowns of disapproval and temper outside.” She waved her hand. “Be seated. You know my old bones don’t take to standing about.”
    He bowed his head in acknowledgment and perched on the edge of a fragile gilded chair. “As you wish. Now, how may I serve you?”
    Heloise hesitated as if to gather her thoughts. “I think it is high time you offered for Melissa.” She held up her hand. “Wait until I finish. Melissa is perfect for you, easily molded into a complacent wife and mother. She’s young enough not to look further.”
    Adron clenched his jaw. “You’re pushing, Gran. At present she is a self-absorbed little baggage.”
    Heloise let out an exasperated sigh. “She’s young but she’ll get older and a little more mellow. All of this doubt and delay is because of Genevieve isn’t it? Surely you are over that blonde bitch by now.”
    “Gran!” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
    “That scandalized you did it? I’m surprised. Deed I am. Now you listen to me. Genevieve used you, so what?” Heloise shrugged. “Falling for the seductive lures