Free Hunting the Hero by Heather Boyd Page B

pet to buy. She had a say in whom she bedded and it wouldn’t be Squires ever again. “On the contrary, my lord. I belong to no man.”
    She shook off his grip as the door opened. Grayling stepped inside, another parcel clutched in his hand but a furious expression on his face for a change. “I beg to differ. She’s mine tonight and every night.”
    In the face of Grayling’s presence, the smaller built Squires didn’t appear so threatening. Yet he puffed up his chest importantly and put on a good show. “Miss Bower and I have a long-standing arrangement.”
    “Miss Bower?” Grayling’s brow rose at the fraudulent last name Squires used. Grayling hooked his hand around the man’s arm and dragged him to the door. “If she was so important, you should have made her your mistress long before this. As it is, you are too late. Now get out, and don’t ever touch her or speak to her again.”
    Squires’s arms and legs flew as he was tossed out on his ear into the hall. The door slammed shut and Grayling locked it for good measure. When he turned, he appeared anything but pleased.  
    Meredith went to him and stroked his arms. “Thank you, my lord. Your timing is as impeccable as ever. I was attempting to show him out.”
    Grayling folded his arms over his chest, forcing her to keep a distance. “Not very well.”
    Meredith snuggled closer, determined to ease him from his bad mood and give him the night he had paid for. “As well as any woman can. We cannot throw grown men out as you would. We must use the means we have available.”
    His smooth brow creased with deep frown lines. “You mean you’ve nothing to defend yourself with but the flutter of your lashes?”
    Grayling would not be so concerned if he knew just how capable she was. Keeping him in the dark about her other skills was a simple matter. He wouldn’t want to know. Just for the effect, Meredith fluttered her lashes, looking up at him with an utterly vacuous expression on her face.  
    A rueful smile crossed Grayling’s lips and he unfolded his arms slowly. “You’ll be the ruin of me.”
    Meredith laughed and slipped her arms about his waist. His warmth and scent filled her. She snuggled closer, pleased to feel a thickening lump pressed against her belly. He was always aroused when he arrived. She hoped he didn’t ride his horse in that condition. It could be painful. “Not true.”
    It took a moment to notice that Constantine had not moved to embrace her. He watched her curiously, his green eyes serious. “So, is your name Miss Bower?”
    Meredith released her grip on his waist and stretched to cup his rear. She squeezed and then kneaded the firm flesh. There was nothing quite like bedding a fit and heavenly scented man. Grayling was fast becoming a favorite. “Absolutely not. I cannot imagine where he heard such a falsehood. I merely chose not to correct him.”
    He caught her hands and lifted them high over her head before spinning her about and backing her against a wall. “Are you ever honest?”
    “Frequently, my lord. But my identity is something I will never tell you or anyone that comes after you. That woman is dead.”  
    Meredith saw the flinch of pain in his eyes at the mention of death. She rose up on her toes and kissed his jaw. “Can you not accept me as I am?”
    He tightened his grip on her hand and stared down at her, the intensity of his gaze growing until she feared the answer would be no. She lowered her heels to the floor, but her arms remained trapped high above her head. When Grayling did not soften one inch, she dropped her eyes to his cravat. The mathematical knot was perfectly tied. Would she ever gain the satisfaction of untying it again?
    Grayling lifted her face so he could look into her eyes. “Are you like this with every man who comes to your bed?”
    Meredith rolled her eyes. Must every man demand to know he was the best when it came to pleasure? “No. You seem to bring out the worst in me. But that