Her Heart's Desire

by Lauren Wilder

  Highcroft Saga 1

  Her Heart's Desire

  When Marisa applies for a PA job to an English aristocrat, she expects a stuffy, older gentleman, but James St John is anything but. He is an extremely good-looking thirtysomething English charmer. Sparks fly, and the attraction is intense.

  Marisa, recently heartbroken, fights her desire, cautious about becoming involved with her boss. But James St John is unable to resist the sexual allure between them, and he will not rest until she is in his bed. Marisa soon discovers that the Highcroft house hides a hotbed of sin and dark longings. Will its secrets destroy her happiness when love starts to bloom?

  Genre: Contemporary

  Length: 35,167 words

  HER HEART’S DESIRE

  Highcroft Saga 1

  Lauren Wilder

  EROTIC ROMANCE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Erotic Romance

  HER HEART’S DESIRE

  Copyright © 2011 by Lauren Wilder

  E-book ISBN: 1-61034-399-9

  First E-book Publication: June 2011

  Cover design by Jinger Heaston

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Her Heart’s Desire by Lauren Wilder from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Lauren Wilder’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Wilder’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  DEDICATION

  Thank you to my ‘Framily’ Debbie, Daniele, Antonia and Tammy. I couldn’t have managed without your love and support throughout the years. I love you all very much.

  Tam, thank you for all your encouragement and patience. You never let me give up. Keep making the lists and we’ll never stop dreaming!

  HER HEART’S DESIRE

  Highcroft Saga 1

  LAUREN WILDER

  Copyright © 2011

  Chapter One

  ‘Okay, I’m done here,’ Marisa said as she logged off from her PC and switched her mobile on.

  ‘Ah, it’s Mike’s birthday, isn’t it?’ Shelly asked, swivelling round in her chair.

  ‘Yeah, I got sexy lingerie from Provocateur to surprise him. It was on sale in Barneys. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to get home.’

  ‘Ooh, lucky Mike,’ Shelly said with a naughty grin.

  ‘I’m the lucky one, Shelly. I can’t believe it’s almost our two-year anniversary. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.’

  ‘Aww, sweet Well, I still say he’s the lucky one!’

  ‘Thanks, buddy. See you tomorrow, hon.’ Marisa picked her bag up and slung it over her shoulder.

  ‘Oh, we don’t have much on tomorrow, just the Goldstein meeting at two o’clock, so have a lie-in with lover boy. I’ll cover for you.’

  Marisa grinned and pecked Shelly on the cheek. ‘Thank you.’

  Shelly waved her off. ‘No problem, you can tell me all the juicy details tomorrow.’

  ‘Of course.’ Marisa laughed, gave a final wave on her way out of the office, and rushed towards the company gym to freshen up.

  She showered quickly, feeling happy as she thought of Mike’s handsome face. She recalled the first time she had met him, at a fancy function for banking associates and the media. He was a writer covering the latest financial shake-up on Wall Street, she a PA to head of derivatives. He’d caught her eye immediately. He was sexy and smart with a naughty twinkle in his eyes.

  Within weeks of dating, she had moved out of the Brooklyn apartment she shared with her sister and into his charming Manhattan brownstone split-level loft.

  He was passionate and protective, everything she needed after her tumultuous childhood. Growing up watching her father cheat on her mother and become a drunk didn’t give her the best start for her own relationships.

  She swore she wouldn’t let her past ruin her future, and she chose to believe Mike the one time she had become suspicious of him cheating. He had sworn innocence, and she didn’t want to believe he would ever betray her, so she’d let it go.

  He hinted at an engagement, and she hoped they would be married before she turned thirty; more than anything, Marisa yearned for a family of her own.

  She felt excitement surge through her as she slipped on the flimsy, red silk panties and matching push-up bra. It barely covered her breasts, making the nipples clearly visible through the thin fabric.

  ‘Hmm, not bad,’ she murmured as she admired herself in the full-length mirrors. He’s going to be so turned on when I strip in front of him, she thought, excitement surging through her.

  She dressed quickly and rushed towards the subway; she was going to make this a birthday to remember.

  * * * *

  ‘Oh, Mike, I need you inside me now!’ Adrianne groaned as he ripped her panties off and parted her legs. She moaned as he pushed her down onto the bed and thrust deep inside her. Her legs went around his waist, and they kissed hungrily, feeding on each other’s passion as he groaned and stroked her tits.

  ‘You are the best fuck I’ve ever had, Adrianne, the fucking best.’

  Adrianne loved it when he talked dirty to her. It drove her over the edge, and she cried out as she came hard, the feeling intensifying as he squeezed her buttocks and let out an animalistic sound as he withdrew and ejaculated all over her breasts.

  ‘Jesus Christ, you’re hot.’ Mike gasped as he collapsed onto the bed next to her, tossing her a tissue
from the nightstand.

  ‘Phew, that was great. You needed that, huh?’ He smiled at Adrianne. ‘Shame you can’t stay longer, but you’d better make a move soon. Marisa will be home in a while.’

  Adrianne bit her lip and sighed. ‘Mike, we have to stop doing this. I always feel crappy afterwards. I’m such a lousy friend. I can’t stand the guilt.’

  ‘What... Stop? No way, we’re cool as long as she never finds out. It’s our dirty little secret, and I don’t want to stop doing it. It’s fun!’ Mike grinned as he lay flat out on the bed and glanced at his still erect cock.

  ‘Look, I still have a boner for you. You turn me on so much, babe, I wish we had time to do it again.’

  Adrianne rolled her eyes and got off the bed.

  He reached out for her and tried to pull her back. ‘Hey, come back. I think we have time for a quickie.’

  Adrianne glared at him. ‘Are you actually serious?’

  ‘Don’t you want to?’ He raised his brows.

  ‘No, not really.’ She shook him off and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

  Oh well, he thought. Have to save something for Marisa.

  * * * *

  Marisa reached their grand old building and ran up the stone stairs, fiddling with her key, shaking with anticipation. She opened the door.

  ‘Mike, Mike, I’m home, honey, happy birthday,’ she called out as she took her coat off. The apartment was silent, so she stopped in the hall and applied bright red lipstick. She tousled her long, blonde hair and opened her shirt to reveal a hint of cleavage and a peep of red silk.

  ‘There, that’s better,’ she said to herself. She went into the living room and looked around, puzzled. She glanced up when she heard a noise from the bedroom above.

  ‘Mike, you up there, hon?’ she called out as she started up the staircase.

  * * * *

  Mike froze. He leapt off the bed and pulled on his bathrobe. He searched around on the floor frantically. He grabbed Adrianne’s panties and threw them at her as she came out of the bathroom.

  ‘Put those on quick, Marisa’s home.’

  Adrianne looked horrified. She grabbed her panties and struggled to step into them, almost falling over.

  ‘Oh, shit, shit,’ he cursed as he ran his hands through his hair. He rubbed lipstick off his face. ‘Hide somewhere,’ he said.

  Adriane glared at him.

  ‘Where the fuck do you want me to go, in the closet?’

  ‘Sure, just be quiet. I’ll get her into the living room, then you slip out as soon as you can.’

  Adrianne looked furious. She glared at him as he crept out of the bedroom then cursed quietly. ‘Bastard.’

  * * * *

  Mike slipped out of the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him.

  Marisa reached the top of the stairs and smiled when she saw him. ‘There you are. What were you doing in the bedroom? I hope you haven’t been lazing in bed all day.’

  He walked towards her and touched her cheek gently. Her eyes sought his, but he averted her gaze. Marisa felt instantly uneasy.

  ‘No, of course I wasn’t in bed, honey, just working on the Appleford series. It’s driving me nuts.’

  ‘Why work in the bedroom when you have a great study downstairs?’ she asked.

  He glanced behind towards the bedroom and shrugged. ‘It’s quieter back there at this time of day, that’s all.’

  Marisa eyed him suspiciously. He wasn’t dressed, his bathrobe was on inside out.

  ‘You’re not even dressed.’

  ‘Hey, it’s my birthday, cut me a break here!’

  Marisa stared at the bedroom door. She knew something was wrong. She felt it in the pit of her stomach.

  ‘Honey, please, don’t,’ Mike pleaded, grabbing her arm as she pushed past him towards the bedroom.

  ‘Let go!’ she snapped, shaking him off as her anger overwhelmed her.

  ‘It’s not what you think,’ he called after her as she threw the door open.

  ‘Oh no,’ Marisa exclaimed at the sight of Adrianne standing awkwardly beside the bed, nervously smoking a cigarette. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing—her best friend!

  ‘You treacherous bitch, how could you!’ Marisa screamed at her before turning and bolting from the room. Adrianne didn’t say a word; what could she say? She looked down at the carpet, stubbed her cigarette out in the ashtray beside the bed, and cursed herself.

  Mike blocked Marisa’s exit at the top of the stairs as she fled towards them. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

  ‘Please, honey, let’s talk about it. She doesn’t mean anything to me. Nothing happened!’ She shook him off and stepped back, her eyes blazing with fury.

  ‘Oh, please, don’t give me that bullshit; I’ve heard it all before, remember!’

  She drew her hand back and slapped him hard across the face. Mike reeled from the unexpected strike. She ran down the stairs, gulping for air as panic tore at her chest, making her desperate to get away from him.

  ‘Marisa, please!’ he shouted after her.

  She looked back at him, his robe was undone, his cock flopping against his bare thigh, and she felt sick.

  ‘Now you can have as much sex as you want with her in our bed. No more chances, you lying bastard, we’re through!’ Marisa screamed at him while struggling to pull her coat on quickly.

  ‘No, no, it will never happen again, never! Please don’t leave me,’ Mike implored as he tied his robe and followed her downstairs.

  ‘Fuck off, Mike,’ Marisa said, slamming the door on her way out.

  * * * *

  ‘Melanie, you will have to phone that dirty bastard and tell him to leave a key with Barry for you at the office. Please go and get my stuff out. I never want to see him again.’

  Marisa paced up and down her sister’s apartment, tears blinding her. She blew her nose and crumpled onto the sofa, sobbing. Melanie put her arms around her.

  ‘Okay, hon, no worries. I will do it as soon as possible. He didn’t deserve you, he was a selfish prick.’

  ‘Yes, a rotten, selfish prick,’ Marisa mumbled. She sat up suddenly, her eyes wide with panic.

  ‘What am I going to do? I can’t go back to work, not with Adrianne in the same office.’ She collapsed on the sofa again as tears stung her eyes.

  ‘I wonder how long it was going on. Oh, I’m such an idiot,’ Marisa said. ‘I must be a total fool.’

  * * * *

  Mike paced his apartment, ringing Marisa over and over, but it went straight to voicemail. He rang Adrianne, who had made a fast exit after Marisa.

  ‘She won’t answer her fucking phone. Will you call her?’ he pleaded.

  ‘And say what exactly? She isn’t going to talk to me either!’

  ‘Okay, well, wait a day until she calms down, then try her again. Please tell her it didn’t mean anything, it was just the one time! Tell her anything.’

  ‘God, you really are something else. I despise myself for ever fucking you, and you’re not worth losing my best friend over!’

  ‘Why are you so pissed? It’s my relationship that’s ruined!’

  ‘Fuck off, Mike.’ Adrianne hung up.

  * * * *

  A week later, Marisa was still curled up on the sofa, eyes moist, watching daytime TV, eating Oreos, and pondering her future. She looked up from the screen as Melanie came in, looking excited.

  ‘Hi, honey, how you feeling today?’

  ‘Okay, you know…just thinking I’ve got to sort myself out. I can’t hide away in here forever.’

  Marisa looked at her with puppy eyes while stuffing another Oreo into her mouth.

  ‘No, you can’t hide here forever. You’re costing me a fortune in cookies.’ Melanie snatched the box from Marisa’s hand. ‘Hey, it’s empty!’

  ‘Sorry,’ Marisa mumbled with her mouth full.

  ‘So, anyway, I was thinking; you know what you need, don’t you?’

  Marisa blew her nose and pushed her hair back
from her face.

  ‘What do I need? Apart from a new life.’

  Melanie rummaged in her bag then turned to her sister, smiling broadly.

  ‘I’ve got something for you; I think it could be just the ticket,’ Melanie said excitedly, unfolding a cutting from the New York Times.

  ‘Here.’ She handed it to Marisa.

  ‘What am I supposed to be looking at?’ she asked.

  Melanie stabbed the page with her finger. ‘There, the job ad in the box.’

  ‘But I have a job; I can’t seriously give it up, can I?’

  ‘Ah, but this job is in England,’ Melanie enthused. ‘I thought of you the minute I saw it. Just read it.’

  Marisa’s interest ignited. She was a total anglophile. She had longed to go to England since she was a little girl. She read the advertisement, feeling a glimmer of excitement.

  PA wanted for Businessman. Country estate in Buckinghamshire, England. Varied duties. Must have strong clerical skills and be willing to multitask.

  ‘Hmm, I could do that, I’m a PA, and I do want to go to England,’ Marisa said, the beginnings of a small smile playing on her lips. ‘Uh-huh, you could do it, of course you could. This could be a huge opportunity for you.’ Melanie clapped her hands in glee, pleased to see her sister smile at last.

  Marisa took a deep breath and stood up. She walked to the window and gazed out. After a moment, she turned around and smiled for the first time in a week.

  ‘I’m going to do it. I’m applying for the job. I could go to England. I can do that. I would forget about that dirty cheater in no time.’