For Honor’s Sake by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online Page A

throw yourself in a den of lions? Tomorrow I’ll purchase your passage on the first ship available and arrange with Mae for you to remain here until you leave.” In Rod’s mind it was all settled, but he didn’t reckon with Julie’s stubbornness or her impulsive nature.
    “I’m staying,” declared Julie with grim determination. “I refuse to discuss it further. I’ll find a job and inquire about my father. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You are right in thinking you did me a favor. Now I am free to do as I please.”
    “
Caramba,
you’re stubborn!” Rod exclaimed disgustedly. “Have it your way. Tomorrow morning I’ll start the annulment proceedings. My lawyer will inform you the moment we are legally separated.” Without another word he stomped from the room.
    Later, Julie luxuriated in a hot bath, enjoying her first all over wash since leaving New York. It was heavenly and she lolled lazily in the water until it grew cold. Rod, too, was enjoying the same privilege. Leaving Julie, he visited a barber, had a shave and haircut and then a bath in the back room where customers were able to enjoy all the comforts of home. He returned to his room in better spirits than when he left, hoping to talk some sense into Julie. He opened the door just as Julie dropped the wet towel to the floor and reached for her wrapper. In Rod’s absence her bag containing her meager wardrobe had arrived and Mae had it carried to her room.
    Rod was stunned. Never was he more aware of a woman than he was of Julie. And Rod was certainly no stranger to women. He was well known to every attractive
señorita
along the El Camino Real. He had spent many pleasurable hours in the arms of beautiful women between San Francisco and San Luis Obispo. And even farther south, should the truth be known. Even his first love, Maria … but no, he would not think of Maria now. Not with Julie displayed so enticingly before him.
    He stepped quietly into the room, closing the door firmly behind him. “You are exquisite,
querida.
I think you have truly bewitched me.”
    Startled, Julie turned, blushing furiously when she saw Rod staring at her. “Go away, Rod,” she said,holding the wrapper before her. “You have no right.”
    How tantalizing, Rod thought, mesmerized by the tiny droplets of water glistening on creamy skin as smooth as alabaster. Every instinct urged him to reach out, to touch, caress, to fondle to his heart’s content.
    “I have every right. We are married,” Rod finally said, his voice hoarse with longing.
    “But you said …” Julie was confused, as well as fearful. The bold look in Rod’s dark eyes bode no good for her.
    “I know what I said, but that was before I knew what I was denying myself. Come here,
bruja.
You are a witch, you know.”
    Before Julie could react, Rod was at her side, snatching the robe from her nerveless fingers and tossing it across the room where it landed in a careless heap. She stood before him clothed in nothing but her glorious nudity and Rod felt himself swell with barely suppressed desire. It was a picture that would haunt Rod’s dreams for months to come. His eyelids drooped slightly over eyes now filled with passion, dark, smoldering, compelling. A growing sense of dispair overcame Julie when she realized she had not the strength nor the desire to resist him should he try to make love to her. Her eyes met Rod’s across the short distance and her own desire kindled, then flamed.
    Suddenly she was in Rod’s arms as his hands roamed freely over her flesh. Feebly, Julie protested, but when his mouth came down hard over her parted lips she was lost. Nothing Julie had ever known or imagined had prepared her for the violence of Rod’s kiss. His tongue traced the outline of her lips, then plunged within to explore the sweetness of her mouth, open with shock, leaving Julie shaken, her knees weak. The force of his passion both thrilled and repelled her.
    In view of Rod’s words earlier, Julie