From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace novel Chapter 123

Adolphus moved fast, guiding Laurinda into the car and pulling up the partition. He leaned in close, caging her in with his arms, his body pressing gently over hers.

His eyes lingered on her bright, red lips. His voice came out rough and low. “Can I kiss you? I’ve wanted to for so long, but I was afraid I’d scare you off.”

Laurinda caught the nervous look on his face and watched the way his Adam’s apple moved when he swallowed. She’d never dated anyone before, but she’d read enough romance stories to know this wasn’t how things usually went. Guys never asked for permission to kiss the girl. If she said no, would he really just let it go?

Meeting his desperate gaze, she slipped her arms around his neck, tugged him closer, and pressed her lips to his. His lips were cool, soft, a little hesitant.

Adolphus froze for a moment, then melted into the kiss, his touch gentle and careful. He didn’t let go until Laurinda felt like she’d turned to liquid in his arms. When he finally pulled back, he buried his face in the curve of her neck, his breath coming in uneven bursts.

She was so sweet, he almost lost control.

Laurinda felt his warm breath against her skin. She squeezed his waist lightly, her thoughts drifting. Why did men have to be built like this? It was almost unfair.

After a few moments, they both calmed down. Adolphus wrapped his arms around her, letting her rest against his chest. He spoke softly, “Should we go home?”

Laurinda shook her head. “No. Let’s go to the hospital to see Baily. We won’t have many chances to see him again. If I miss this one, who knows if there’ll be another?”

Laurinda didn’t think of herself as a particularly kind person. Forgiving and forgetting wasn’t her style, but she wouldn’t pass up the chance to get a little payback while someone was down. She wasn’t about to let Baily die alone in a hospital bed, but she wasn’t interested in letting him off easy either. After everything he’d done, he didn’t deserve a peaceful ending.

Adolphus straightened her coat, then told the driver to head for the hospital. The car rolled smoothly out of the parking lot.

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