Reckless Moon by Doreen Owens Malek Page B

teeth.
    “You’re doing all right, Curtis,” Jason chuckled. “My doctor is sixty-five years old with an arthritic hip.”
    “I’m sure Bethie will help you get in touch with the changing times,” Bram said mildly. Beth didn’t miss the slight emphasis on the nickname, which he knew she didn’t like.
    Mercifully, the music began again, and Beth seized Jason, practically dragging him across the floor.
    “Good seeing you, Bram,” she babbled, steering Jason away. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Reynolds.” She had hustled Jason to the opposite end of the floor before he had a chance to object.
    “You seemed anxious to get away from those two,” Jason observed in what was surely the understatement of the year. “Don’t you like Curtis?”
    “Don’t be silly,” Beth replied. “Isn’t the music lovely?”
    “Sure,” Jason answered, looking down at her with a bewildered expression. “This is the same band they had at the Lions Club Christmas party last year.”
    “Isn’t that interesting?” Beth said brightly. “I guess you have to attend quite a few of these functions.”
    She was able to engage Jason in conversation until he suggested that they return to their table and have dessert. They were about to do so when Bram materialized from nowhere and tapped Jason on the shoulder.
    “I wonder if I might borrow your date for this dance,” Bram said shortly.
    Jason stepped back and released Beth. “See you back at the table, Bethie,” he said cheerfully.
    Bram moved in smoothly and took Beth in his arms. “Enjoying yourself, Bethie?” he asked mildly.
    “I’m having a wonderful time,” she answered, trying not to react to the smell of Bram’s shaving soap, the feel of his body next to hers. This was the closest she’d been to him in weeks, and her senses were responding accordingly.
    “Oh, I can see that you are,” Bram said. “Raines looks like stimulating company.”
    “He’s very nice,” Beth said stiffly.
    “Really?” Bram inquired, arching one dark brow. “What do you talk about with him? Interest rates? Closing fees? The availability of mortgage money?” He steered her past the clustered tables and into an alcove near the hall.
    “Jason is accomplished and well read,” Beth said. “You’d be surprised at what we have in common.”
    “I’d be surprised, all right,” Bram muttered darkly. He stopped dancing and pulled Beth after him out of the ballroom and past the hatcheck girl, who looked up in amazement. Beth tried to wrench free as Bram shoved her into the dim, empty lobby.
    “Let me go!” she demanded. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “I’m getting you away from that bunch of solid citizens in there,” he whispered.
    “You can’t make me stay here,” Beth fumed. “I’ll cause a scene.”
    He smiled. “Go ahead. Do you think I care? I’d scandalized half of the valley several times by my eighteenth birthday; it’ll be nothing new for me.”
    Beth closed her mouth. He was right. She was the one with something to lose.
    Bram advanced on her as he saw her relent. He took her chin in his hand and gazed down into her eyes.
    “Do you let him kiss you?” he asked softly. “Do you let him make love to you?”
    Beth couldn’t answer, riveted by his dark gaze.
    “You won’t let me touch you,” he whispered. “You run all over town with that…that...dullard, and I can’t come near you.” He seized her wrists and pulled them up next to her face, pinning her. “Why, mouse? Why?”
    Beth’s lips parted, but no sound escaped them.
    “Have you forgotten what it was like with me?” he rasped. “Let me remind you.” He took a step forward and his lips crushed hers.
    Beth tried to resist, but her body refused to obey the commands of her mind. Her mouth opened under his as he enfolded her in an embrace that left her limp, clinging to him.
    Bram bent his head, and his lips trailed over her exposed shoulder. “Your skin is like silk,” he muttered. “The feel