~Their last kiss was meant to be quick and chaste. But, after the first touch of her lips, fire leaped up and roared through his belly down to his groin. His fingers yanked her close, and his arms crushed her to him as if wanting to mesh them together. She knotted her fingers in his hair and bit down on his bottom lip, making him groan. His lips parted, and her tongue swept in to an erotic dance with his. There was nothing sweet or gentle in their last kiss; it was filled with sorrow, hurt, desperation and fear, of the bitter knowledge that it was their last goodbye. Her goodbye. ~

"Eva," he moaned in protest as their fingers reluctantly slid apart as she faded into darkness before him.

He sat up bolt right tangled in his sheets drenched in sweat. His heart hammered painfully in his chest. It was a dream. One of many that tormented him since she went away.
Since he sent her away.

Breathless and in a state of unease, he raked his fingers through his hair. He hasn't had a decent nights sleep since then.

Turning to look out the window, the soft dawn light was becoming brighter. He blew out a breath not ready to meet the day. He slowly layed back down. Letting the remainder of the sleep he lost, catch up.

~·~·~·~·~·~·~

Sitting at the table in the dinning room of his London town house. Adrian's eyes were fixed on the letter before him.
From Mother Superior, Sister Agatha of St. Helen's Convent.
An urgent summons on behalf of his ward, Evangeline Chenoweth.

It was the third letter he had received in the last 4 months since she has been there. None from her. She was punishing him. She was still upset with him for sending her away.

He blew a frustrated breath. She was completely acting out. Retaliating and no doubt did something to upset them. Wearily he knew he would need to move her to another convent....yet again.

He stood and walked out of the dinning room and met Penniford walking out of the nearby parlor.

"Penniford summon Harold and tell him to bring around the carriage," he spoke.

"I have to see what tempest in a teapot Evangeline started this time," he sighed.

~·~·~·~·~·

She was banished to the far end of study. Her head lowered not from shame of her actions but from fear of looking up into those eyes that radiated anger.

Her heart thudded heavily in her chest the moment his enormous frame entered the small room. He sat side ways as to look her way with a displeased glare as Mother Superior gave detail accounts of her misdeeds.
From refusing to eat to quarreling with the other girls. Then she disclosed the last detail of how she threatened the Gardner within an inch of his life with a pitch fork. His gaze fixed upon her, and the dark threat it held sent a shiver through her.

She looked away and dashed away a tear. She too simmered with anger for him sending her to this place. She had no right being here. She wanted to leave this damp, rat infested cloister.

Adrian shook his head as he listened to the nun's chatter, a reproving look in his eyes as he looked at her from across the room. His expression spoke volumes of his anger. The verdict of how he would handle this was written clearly on his features. He was here to collect her. Then he would punish her. And return her here after two weeks.

~·~·~·~·~·~

She trailed behind him with measured steps as they exited the convent and continued towards the awaiting coach.

With nary a look in his direction, she climbed in and sat in the opposite side hovered to the corner with her eyes glued to the window. The long silent ride from the countryside would prove that the emotional climate between them had changed.

What sat before him was no longer the sweet young girl he swore to care for. But, a recalcitrant sixteen year old with a brooding temper that measured his own.

He broke the silence and regarded her with a leveled tone as to not begin a heated argument.

"Would you care to explain this defiant behavior you have acquired as of late?" he spoke.

"What ever do you mean Milord?" she turned to look at him.

Damn it, the little chit was infuriating him with her studied indifference.

"You know what I mean Evangeline," Adrian glowered back at her.

"No, I do not," her emotionless gaze clashed with his.

"Do not play games with me Eva!" He shouted angrily.

"Damn it, Eva, I am not adverse to punishing you. But if you push my hand ,I will not hesitate to do so," he warned her.

"You wouldn't dare," she challenged.

"Do not tempt me," he clenched his teeth.

She glanced away from his penetrating glare.

An explosive silence fell in the wake of their heated words. He fought to control his anger.

This was a battlefield. One she would rule and would satisfactorily trample her enemy. Him.

He breathed in slowly, willing his nerves and anger to calm.

"I have arranged for Caroline to come stay with us at the town house during your stay," He murmured.

"For propriety's sake mlord? Or can you simply not trust yourself to be alone with me."

She was taunting him...

He gritted his teeth and his jaw twitched.

She turned then and held his gaze. She was provoking him.

"You know bloody well why?" He barked.

Feigning an innocent stare she looked at him.
"Do I?"

She got the reaction she skillfully sought and regretted her words because as quickly as she said them, he caught her wrist and yanked her roughly towards him. In his lap she struggled against his hold.

With great effort, he managed to subdue her, tossing her back to the soft seat beneath them. He covered her struggling body with his and pinned her wrists into the cushion. His grim, implacable face hovered over hers, both breathing hard.

Their closeness only intensified the sensual electric charged atmosphere in the closed space of the carriage. The air sizzled and heightened the moment.
To think that by putting distance between them, it would lessen this attraction he had for her.
He was wrong.
When forbidden, the fruit only tastes sweeter.

To hell with propriety....

His eyes turned dark then searched her gaze that reflected the same need and hungrily lowered to her lips. The pink dewy plumpness of her lower lip was all it took to incite Adrian's ravenous senses. His head swooped down, his mouth slamming into hers with raw hunger, his tongue invading her mouth and thrusting deeply, voraciously. He desperately grasped for the string of his sanity that hung precariously over his head. The moment she softened beneath him , glided her fingers through his hair, wrapped her thighs around his waist, and moaned sweetly.... he lost it.

Then suddenly the carriage abruptly stopped and as if hot flames scorched her skin she just as fast pushed at his chest.

He bolted off of her and she scrambled away from him to the far end of the seat. Breathless and gasping for air they stared at one another. His eyes roamed aimlessly over his handy work and met her gaze.

"Now, you know why," he spoke.
His stare was ardent and fierce with desire.

~He proved his point~

~·~·~·~·~·~

Hello my sweet peeps!!!!
So sorry this was a short one....
I would like to thank you all for the comments and likes...Please keep them coming. Tell me what you like comment about anything...

I would like to give a shout out to all my new followers thanks so much for the follow.

Well I'm doing the next chapter now will post as soon as possible. It gets better this story is getting there so hold on for the ride down the steep hill of this roller coaster "Romance" ride. Hahaha!!!

Thank you!!!
XOXOXOX