Free Loved By The Hero (Hero Romance 3) by Kalena Lyons Page A

was reliable, I guess.” Claire tried to find something else to say about the man she’d dated for three years and she couldn’t really think of any redeeming qualities. The man has been nothing more than someone who was present, and that was about it. Sure, they’d had sex and he’d been good sometimes, but towards the end, he was like a floppy, wilted noodle. That should have been her first clue.
    James took one of the crostini from the platter and delicately topped it with a slice of cheese, a thin slice of apple, and a thin spread made from cream cheese and wine. When he leaned over the small table they were sharing, Claire obediently opened her mouth and let him slide the crostini in. The restaurant seemed to disappear around them as she bit down delicately and got a dab of the spread on the corner of her lip.
    She flicked out her tongue to swipe away the cheese and closed her eyes as she tasted the heavenly, simple tidbit. “Mmm, that’s delicious,” she said as she opened her eyes. A flush crept up her neck when she realized James was intently watching her, ready for the second half. He dipped his fingers in between her lips as he fed her the second piece, and she felt a shiver down his arm.
    “Do you want more?” he asked huskily as he watched her.
    “No, it’s my turn,” Claire said as she scooped up a crostini from the platter and laid it out as James had for her.
    He took it all into his mouth and caught the edge of her thumb. Claire shivered when she felt his teeth put a tiny bit of pressure on her thumb as if he were claiming her in front of all these people. She grew warm between her legs and felt her nipples tighten beneath her bra.
    “More wine?” James asked as he made a motion for their waiter to come by.
    “Sure, yes,” Claire corrected with a small smile. What she really wanted was for him to scoot beside her and let her feel just how much their feeding each other had excited him.
    As if he’d read her mind, James quietly asked the waiter for a more private, secluded booth. The waiter assured them he would bring over their appetizer as they were not done yet, and seated them further away from the bar. James settled beside her rather than across from her.
    “What are you-” Claire didn’t have time to finish her question. She felt his hand on her knee first and wished she’d worn a skirt rather than trousers, but she would have worn tights anyway.
    “Shh,” James told her as his fingers played up her thigh. His hand rested on the inside of her thigh as the waiter brought their appetizer and wine by. If he moved his pinky finger, he’d be touching the molten hot crevice of her nether region with just the thin material of her pants between them.
    The waiter asked them if they needed anything else and James politely told him that they were fine for the time being. He watched as the man walked away, and then he flicked his pinky gently over Claire’s hot core. “Tell me if you’re uncomfortable,” he told her as he leaned in and kissed her ear. There were people in earshot, but none of them could see around the booth.
    “James,” she whispered breathily as he flicked his finger over her again.
    “You’re so hot, and I bet you’re fucking wet right now, too,” he whispered in her ear. “If we weren’t here right now, I’d be sliding my cock in and out of your pussy. Would you like that?” he asked her huskily.
    Claire felt her nipples tighten painfully beneath her bra and wanted him to be able to dip his head down and lap at them with his rough, agile tongue. Her swollen nub pulse with each flick and she felt her chest and face heat partly with excitement and partly with embarrassment. Was he going to make her come in public, without even having to touch his fingertip to her clit?
    “Would you like that, Claire?” he asked again and slid his hand up to the delicate button of her gray slacks. Why had she worn them? She couldn’t remember.
    “Y-yes,” she