by Cheryl Bolen
She had such soft pale skin and her eyes held so much expression, Max could read every thought as she tried to muffle a yawn behind one hand.
“Come. I will show you to your room. The children are not the only ones who have endured an eventful night.” Max took her arm and led her to another room, Opening the door, he urged her inside.
“Now that it is over, I must own to being very weary, my lord,” she said, turning to face him where he still stood in the doorway. “But before I retire, Lord Caruthers, I will endeavour to thank you once again for what you have done for both me and my children this day.”
“Hero, there is no need,” Max muttered. “Really, I have plenty of money and I spend most of it on myself.”
She had begun to walk away from him towards the bed but his words had her turning to face him and in a few steps she was before him again.
“There is every need, Lord Caruthers. What you did at the house will make such a difference in the children's lives.” Her expression was fierce as she continued. “They went to bed warm tonight and were well fed and tomorrow they will wake to the joy of decorating a tree. They will soon be in new clothes and have curtains to block out the cold.” She placed a hand on his chest and Max could feel her touch through his entire body. “You have shown them kindness that no other has before and those are not the actions of a self-indulgent man.”
“You love them very much, don't you, Hero?”
“Before them, my life had no meaning. Now it serves a purpose.”
The honesty in her eyes humbled him.
“You did not have to help me tonight, my Lord. In fact, you could have turned me away and no one would have faulted you, yet you did not. You are a good man, my lord.”
Her words should not have increased his shame, yet they did. “You’re the first person to ever call me that and I’m afraid it’s not true. Regarding the tradespeople, I merely threw money around, nothing more.”
“No, you did more than that, Lord Caruthers, much more, and I'm sorry if my words led you to believe I thought-”
“Enough, Hero, do not make more of this than need be. Now I bid you goodnight. Should you need me again, I am at the end of the hall and to the left, two doors along. “
Before she could say another word, Max left the room and walked down the hall. After shutting his door, he removed his coat and boots, throwing them across the room for no other reason than it felt good. He then fell into the chair before the fire and stared into the flames.
Why was she the one woman to make him feel dissatisfied with his life? What was it about her that made him question the way he had always lived? When faced with Hero's deeds, he’d realized he was shallow. She made him want to be a better man, a man she would be proud of.
Closing his eyes, he thought of the women who had thrown themselves at him and whom he had chosen to turn away—women of both wealth and beauty. No female had interested him until now, until Hero, with her drab clothes and fiery temperament. Hero, who would fight with what little means she had at her disposal for children that were not even of her blood or class. Max didn’t like to feel emotions. He was cold and composed. But it seemed she had opened something inside him that he seemed unable to close…
*
Hero walked around her room slowly. She should be exhausted, yet felt strangely restless all of a sudden and it was all Lord Caruthers’s fault. She couldn’t say what bothered her about him, yet something did. He had looked sad when she left the children’s room—,sad and vulnerable—and Hero had known him only briefly, yet she did not believe he normally felt either of these emotions. Was he upset with something she or the children had done? She needed to know or there would be no rest this night. Leaving the room, she walked to his, and then, taking a deep breath, she tapped on the door.
“Enter.”
Turning the handle, she opened it and walked inside. The room was huge and she looked around the furniture until she located him seated before the fire.
“Hero, is something wrong?”
She lifted one hand to stop him rising as she walked forward. “Nothing is wrong with me, my lord, but I fear there is much wrong with you.”
His eyes fastened on her as she walked slowly towards him and Hero could still see the vulnerability in them. Something had disturbed him and she feared it was her who was at fault.
“Hero, you should not be in this room.”
“What troubles you, my lord?” she said, ignoring his words.
“Tis nothing, I’m merely tired and in need of sleep.”
“No, there is more to this than tiredness, Lord Caruthers.” Hero came to a halt beside his chair.
“We should not be having this conversation in my room, Hero. You are a lady and are alone in a man’s room. Therefore, I insist you leave.
Hero heard the desperation in his voice as his eyes flickered from her and then back to the fire.
“Did we do something, Lord Caruthers, the children I? Are you regretting helping us this day?”
“No, I know you believe me capable of such thoughts but I assure you that I have no regrets.”
Hero looked down at him and felt something stir deep inside her. She had known him only briefly, yet he had never appeared vulnerable. Strong-willed, determined and yes, arrogant but never vulnerable. Dared she offer him comfort? Was it folly to want to put her arms around him and feel him close to her body? Dear Lord, she wanted to. A need in her she knew only this man could ease had built inside her. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest and her clothes felt like restraints around her body. Dropping to her knees before him, Hero placed her hands over his clenched fists.
“No, Hero, please. You must rise-”
“What has upset you, Lord Caruthers?”
“My name is Max,” he rasped, trying to look anywhere but at her. He could smell her scent, clean and fresh yet strangely alluring and he wanted her with a desperation that shocked him. The need to strip the clothes from her body and taste her made him shake. He wanted to fist his hands in her hair and pull her close. “Hero, leave my room.” Max heard the urgency in his voice and hoped she understood how close he was to the edge.
“Tell me what has disturbed you?”
Max wasn't a man to share his emotions but with her, he suddenly wanted to— needed to—make her understand how he felt. “You disturb me, Hero. I’m humbled by your selflessness. You’ve given everything of yourself and I…I have not.” His words trailed off as she placed one hand against his cheek. Her deep, rich eyes were soft and compelling.
“Perhaps that was once true, yet no longer. The man I have come to know is good and kind and giving.”
She looked into his eyes for several heartbeats and Max almost believed her.
“No, Hero. One day of good deeds does not change a lifetime of bad ones. I’m self-indulgent and have cared little for others my entire life.”
“I don’t believe you have spent your life undertaking bad deeds, Max, and I don’t believe the man who held that little boy and gave him comfort today is the man you describe.”
He closed his eyes as she rubbed her thumb over his skin, her touch leaving a trail of fire behind.
Her eyes held his for long seconds as her fingers explored his face, touching and stroking, each caress heating his body.
“I will never marry, Lord Caruthers. In fact, I will probably live out my days as a spinster with my children.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Max rasped. His head was swimming and he couldn't seem to think clearly. He could not remember a woman who had made him forget all reason, and this was Hero, the prickly temptress who challenged and questioned him. “You must leave now before it is too late. Dear God, don't do that,” he whispered as she slowly stretched upwards, every curve of her body grazing his as her hands wrapped around his neck.
“Make love to me, Max, please.”
Her soft words brushed his lips as she spoke.
“Hero, no, you don't want this, really.” He rea
ched to remove her hands from his neck.
“Please, Max.”
They were only two simple words, yet they broke his control. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he cupped her head and kissed her. Lips clashed as he took charge, seeking and tasting. She opened on a gasp and he delved inside, his tongue stroking hers until she moaned and answered his need. She should be terrified, running from the room in fear as he ravaged her mouth, his kisses hard and fierce, desire forcing reason from his head. Instead, she wrapped her hands around his shoulders and held him tight.
Opening his legs, he dropped a hand to her waist and pulled her between his thighs, pressing her soft curves to his chest. “Are you sure, Hero, because soon I will not be able to stop.” Her answer was to press closer to him. “You humble me.” His words were hoarse as he began to kiss her neck. “You give so much, yet it is to me you give the greatest gift of all—yourself.”
“I never desired a man before I met you.” With these words, she eased out of his arms and regained her feet. Max’s throat went dry as Hero reached for the buttons of her dress.
“I’ve never desired a woman as much as I do you, Hero.”
She gave him a smile, which suggested she did not believe his words.
“I speak the truth, Hero.”
“No lies, Max. Not tonight.”
Any thoughts he had in his head fled as the bodice of her dress dipped and he was presented with a plain white chemise that did nothing to contain the lush swells beneath. She eased her arms from the sleeves and then pushed the dress over her hips and down to the floor. Sweet Christ, the shift was plain and serviceable, yet it hiked Max’s passions to the point he was painfully aroused. It sat mid thigh and firelight showed him the length of her long legs and the sweet curves beneath. He rose as she lifted her chemise over her head and stood before him gloriously naked except for her stockings. His hands shook with the need to touch her.
Her body was not soft like most of the ladies’ he’d known, but firm, the muscles beneath the creamy skin burnished from the fire’s glow making her look like a goddess—so tall and proud, her breasts full, nipples peaked.
“You’re beautiful.” Max wanted to run his hands and mouth all over her. Trace the slight indent from her waist to her hips and bury his mouth in the thatch of curls between her thighs. Taking a deep breath he fought the need to take her. He had frightened her earlier today and would not do so again, tonight he would show her the man he knew he could be.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hero drew a shaky breath as she looked at the fire burning in Max’s eyes. The courage that had made her remove her clothes was wavering.
“Don’t hide from me.” His voice was deep as he pushed the hair she had brought forward to hide her breasts back over her shoulders. “I want all of you, Hero, every lush curve and sweet dip. I want to taste you and hear you call my name.”
Dear God, the thought of him placing his lips on her made Hero shiver.
He lowered his head then and placed a hot, open-mouthed kiss on the slope of one breast and Hero could do nothing to halt the moan. His breath was warm on her skin, and she arched closer, urging him to take more of her.
“Slowly, sweetheart. We have all night.”
Did they? Surely it would be over in minutes, as her grandmother had told her.
Let him take his pleasure and it will be done with in minutes.
“I want to savor you, Hero Appleby.”
He took her nipple into his mouth and rolled his tongue around it and Hero had to lock her legs together to stop them trembling. He sucked and nibbled and she felt the sensations through her body as dampness formed between her thighs. He released her briefly, brushing a soft kiss over her lips.
“Lie down in front of the fire, Hero.”
She did as he asked. Lying on her back, Hero looked up at him as he removed his clothes. His back was to her as he pulled off his shirt and she saw the width of his shoulders. He pushed the waistband of his breeches lower and then bent at the waist and Hero was presented with the beauty of his taut buttocks. And then he faced her.
“Don’t be afraid.”
She should be, yet he was so beautiful. His chest consisted of smooth planes of golden skin over muscles. Hair formed on his stomach and tapered down. He was aroused and Hero wanted to run her hands over the smooth skin and down the strong thighs beneath.
He was kneeling beside her in second, his hands at her shoulders, then running the length of her body, touching each inch, caressing her until Hero was writhing beneath him, eager for more.
“You’ll have a bruise tomorrow,” Max said as he touched her side. “I’m sorry that man hurt you.”
“Sssh. It doesn’t hurt anymore, Max.”
She felt his lips on her side, kissing the area that she had hurt and then he was once again looking at her. “Do you know what will happen between us, Hero?”
“Yes, Max.” Hero didn’t want to talk; she wanted more of the wonderful feelings he was creating inside her. Reaching for him, she ran one hand up his calf to his thigh and higher until her fingers brushed his shaft. The breath hissed from his throat as she trailed the tips of her fingers up and down the silken skin. His jaw was clenched. She grew braver and gripped him.
“Hero, dear God, your touch is like heaven.”
She stroked slowly, each movement causing his body to tense until he wrapped his fingers around her wrist to halt her movements.
“I can take no more, my sweet.” Max lay down beside her. “This night is for the both of us.
He kissed her slowly, urging her to respond, each touch deeper and more intense until Hero was making sounds she had never uttered before. Max began to move down her body then, kissing and caressing thoroughly until she was a smouldering furnace and she felt something building inside her, a need that wanted fulfilment. When she felt his mouth on her stomach she reached for him.
“Max?”
“Trust me, Hero.” He grabbed her wrist and trapped it at her side with one hand. The other, he used to part her thighs.
“Dear Lord.” He was kissing her there, licking the damp folds and finding her secret places until she was whimpering. Her eyes closed as the need inside her hiked until suddenly she was consumed by waves of ecstasy, her body shuddering in its release.
“Now, Hero. Your body is ready for me now.”
He was on top of her seconds later, his mouth on hers in a hot, seeking kiss that made the feelings rise again inside her. His thigh nudged her legs wider and then she felt the silken slide of his shaft as he began to push inside her.
“This may hurt, sweetheart.”
She looked up into his handsome face as he lifted himself off her by bracing his body on his arms. His jaw was clenched and she knew he was holding back, trying not to frighten or hurt her.
“I want this, Max.” Hero ran one hand down his chest.
He looked at her as he eased deeper until finally he pushed through the barrier of her innocence and thrust deep inside her.
“Hero?”
“G-give me a moment please.” Hero took a deep breath. There was pain but also the wonderful feeling of being a part of Max and he, her. She felt her body adjust to him as the stinging eased.
“Hero, has the pain gone?”
She nodded and he lowered himself for a deep, searching kiss before he began
to withdraw from her body and then slowly thrust back inside.
“Oh, my.” Hero sighed as once again she felt the wonderful sensations begin to build. His features were fierce above her, his jaw clenched and eyes shut as he increased the momentum and then she couldn’t think as she felt herself scale that wonderful pinnacle into oblivion. She heard Max call her name as he followed seconds later.
He fell beside her, one hand on her stomach and she was too tired to do anything other than close her eyes. Hero’s entire body felt limp. Even her eyelids were too heavy to open. She must have slept briefly and then she felt herself lifted but could do nothing except
burrow her head into the warm chest beneath her cheek and then she was in Max’s bed, her back to his front. He pulled the covers to her chin and settled her against him with an arm around her waist.
“Sleep now, sweetheart.” His lips brushed her hair and then, too tired to argue, she did as he asked.
*
Hero woke on her back with her legs and body pinned to the bed. Looking to the weak shaft of light through the curtains, she hoped it was still early. She had slept undisturbed for the first time since she had opened the orphanage and for once woke without a child banging on her door. Turning her head, she found Max’s face on the pillow beside her as he slumbered on. Lifting the covers, she saw that his large, naked leg was lying over hers, as was one arm.
Remembering what they had done last night, she felt a silly smile form on her face. She should be filled with maidenly horror, yet Hero was not. Last night had been a revelation. She now understood what could be between a man and a woman and now she had memories. Why was she happy? She would have nothing further to do with him. Last night was the only time she would spend in his arms and bed, yet she could not feel regret. How could she regret such a night, regret the power of Max and the passion he had made her feel? Inching closer on the pillow, she inhaled one last deep breath of his wonderful scent and then reluctantly, she wiggled out of the bed. The breath hissed from her throat as pain tugged at her side. She was stiff and sore this morning.
Owen and Charlotte were early risers and Hero did not want them to come looking for her. The floor was cold and the room colder, as the fire had long since died. Quietly, she tiptoed around, gathering her clothes and pulling them on, and then she left without a backward glance, closing the door softly behind her.
She found Owen and Charlotte awake in their room. The little girl was chattering like a bird. It seemed her spirits were fully restored this morning and even Owen appeared more relaxed. His face was calm and he allowed her to kiss him good morning. She envied them their resilience. She feared the night she had just spent with Max had etched itself into her memory and her heart and soon her current euphoric state would dissipate, leaving her alone and lonely once more.