Part 14 (1/2)

”You've got more friends than you think,” she said in a low voice.

”I've got one little friend I wouldn't like to lose.”

She did not speak and his hand moved forward to cover hers. Instantly a wild and insurgent emotion tingled through him. He felt himself trembling and could not steady his nerves.

Without a word Nellie looked up and their eyes met. Something electric flashed from one to another. Her shy fear of him was adorable.

”Oh, don't, don't!” she murmured. ”What will you think of me now?”

He had leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

Jeff sprang to his feet, the muscles in his lean cheeks standing out. Some bell of warning was ringing in him. He was a man, young and desirous, subject to all the frailties of his s.e.x, holding experiences in his past that had left him far from a puritan. And she was a woman, of unschooled impulses, with unsuspected banked pa.s.sions, an innocent creature in whom primeval physical life rioted.

He moved toward the door, his left fist beating into the palm of his right hand. He must protect her, against himself--and against her innocent affection for him.

She fluttered past him, barring the way. Her cheeks were flaming with shame.

”You despise me. Why did I let you?” A sob swelled up into her soft round throat.

”You blessed lamb,” he groaned.

”You're going to leave me. You--you don't want me for a friend any longer.”

Her lips trembled--the red little lips that always reminded him of a baby's with its Cupid's bow. She was on the verge of breaking down. Jeff could not stand that. He held out his hands, intending to take hers and explain that he was not angry or disappointed at her. But somehow he found her in his arms instead, supple and warm, vital youth flowing in the soft cheeks' rich coloring and in the eyes quick and pa.s.sionate with the tender abandon of her s.e.x.

He set his teeth against the rush of desire that flooded him as her soft body clung to his. The emotional climax he had vaguely feared had leaped upon them like an uncaged tiger. He fought to stamp down the fires that blazed up in him. Time to think--he must have time to think.

”You don't despise me then,” she cried softly, a little catch in her breath.

”No,” he protested, and again ”No.”

”But you think I've done wrong.”

”No. I've been to blame. You're a dear girl--and I've abused your kindness. I must go away--now.”

”Then you--you do hate me,” she accused with a quivering lip.

”No... no. I'm very fond of you.”

”But you're going to leave me. It's because I've done wrong.”

”Don't blame yourself, dear. It has been all my fault. I ought to have known.”

Her hands fell from him. The life seemed to die out of her whole figure.

”You do despise me.”

Desire of her throbbed through him, but he spoke very quietly. ”Listen, dear. There is n.o.body I respect more... and none I like so much. I can't tell you how... fond of you I am. But I must go now. You don't understand.”

She bit her lip to repress the sobs that would come and turned away to hide her shame. Jeff caught her in his arms, kissed her pa.s.sionately on the lips, the eyes, the soft round throat.