Scandalous by Donna Hill Read Free Book Online

You’re in my blood, Vaughn. Just as I’m in yours.”
    His mouth tentatively touched down and covered hers. He felt her tremble and pulled her securely against him, clamping his palm behind her head, urging her deeper into the kiss.
    Her mouth willingly opened, drawing in the tangy taste of his exploring tongue. Their tongues, their lips, their hearts danced exotically with each other, heightening, then lessening the explosive intensity that poured through them.
    The sensation of her hardened nipples brushing against the fabric of her shirt nearly caused her to cry out. Vaughn pressed herself closer to Justin to relieve the maddening pressure in her breasts.
    Their muted sounds of desire filtered through the early evening air as their bodies welded together in tantalizing contact. Justin’s own shaft of desire bloomed painfully hot and hard, pulsing against the stirring gyrations of Vaughn’s hips.
    This time it was Justin who broke contact. He pulled her solidly against him, burying his face in her hair. A lowgroan rose from deep in his stomach. With great effort, he brought his breathing under control.
    â€œThat’s how I know,” he said raggedly, willing his body to contain the shudders that whipped through him.
    Vaughn eased back and looked up into his eyes. A slow, seductive smile curved her lips. Her dimples deepened. Her eyes trailed languidly over his face. “I think you’re right, Mr. Montgomery,” she conceded in a whisper. “But we’re going to take it very slowly,” she added softly, “very slowly. I don’t want to make any more mistakes in my life, Justin.” Vaughn reached up and cupped his cheek. He turned his face into her palm and kissed her open hand. “You’ve got to be patient with me, Justin.”
    â€œI’ll be whatever I have to be, Vaughn. If it’s what you want.”
    She let out a deep sigh. “Then I guess this is the start,” she said, hope, fear, and joy filling her voice at once.
    â€œYou won’t regret it,” he assured her solemnly.
    â€œIf I do, you’ll be sorry I did,” she warned, poking him playfully in the chest, needing this moment of frivolity to regain her equilibrium.
    â€œYou’re on!” He smacked her solidly on the lips with a kiss to seal the pact.
    â€œWell,” she breathed, “I hope you still have plenty of money left in your pockets, because I seem to have worked up an appetite.”
    Justin let out a hearty laugh, wrapped his arm around her, and ushered her to his car. “Your appetite will be the one thing to topple this relationship, lady.” They both laughed, the sound bright and promising as the budding blooms of spring.
    Over the next few weeks, Vaughn and Justin spent all their free time together—discreetly. Their lives consisted of concerts, sharing late-night dinners, and home-cookedmeals as Vaughn attempted to keep her private life out of the public eye. They talked of world affairs and of her campaign plans, took long drives in the midnight hours of spring. From that first night forward, their destinies were irrevocably sealed.

Chapter 4
    S imone Rivers sat in the small living area of her Spelman College dorm. Like a sponge she absorbed yet another news article in the Atlanta Journal, detailing the fund-raising event of the season for Vaughn Hamilton. She had avidly followed the rise of the many African-American female politicians for years. The few details she’d gleaned about Vaughn Hamilton only confirmed her conviction to become just like the woman.
    Simone folded the paper and placed it on the dinette table. Unfortunately, Simone didn’t have the political connections Vaughn had. She didn’t have a judge for a father or a political socialite for a mother. Her foster parents were simple people. Her foster father worked for the Atlanta post office, and her foster mother was a part-time librarian. What Simone did have