Redemption for a Rogue (The Regimental Heroes) Read Online Free Page B

her waist. She wanted his large hands on her breasts, toying with her aching nipples. Sanity left her, as she sighed on the brink of complete surrender.
    Vivienne reached to touch his hair. It was soft and much longer than her husband’s. Guilt swamped her. This was the first time she’d thought of Lucas in days. It wasn’t Lucas’s fault that he was gone, but she had to believe what she told Graeme, it wasn’t her fault he’d died either. She wished Lucas was still alive, but he wasn’t. John was.
    John’s kiss was so sweet it made her desperately want him. Her body ached for the feel of a man pressed again to hers. Vivienne put a hand against his chest to rest on the thin linen of his shirt and he inhaled from the intimate contact. Beneath her fingers was the steady, fast beat of his heart. John’s hand cupped the covered curve of her breast, and her breath rushed over his ear as he kissed a trail down her throat to where her own pulse strummed.
    Suddenly he broke away. Their breaths mingled, and he said roughly, “Not here, not now. I cannot be with you here as I wish.” 
    She dropped her gaze. “I understand, I am not who you should be with. You will find a fine lady with proper blood.”
    “Vivienne, I have held a deep attraction for you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. That is not the reason. You deserve more.”
    “I have no family lineage. I am no one.”
    “No one?” He kissed her softly and then said, “You should know by now that I do not care about titles or bloodlines. Once again, you must have me confused with another lord.”
    “I have you confused with no one.”
    “That is good because I would like to think I am the only one in your thoughts. You are becoming the only one in mine. As Lord of this manor, I will choose who I spend time with and I feel in the future, I will be spending many of my days with you.”
    “Society will not approve and people will talk.”
    “Let them. It will give them something to do.” He smiled. “I will see you again, here, tomorrow?”
    “Before I go, I do ask one thing.”
    He cocked an eyebrow.
    “Will you come and say goodnight to Graeme and then tuck him in bed? It would mean the world to him.”
    John took her hand and then pulled her to her feet. “That is an easy request. I have grown very fond of the boy. But he is very lucky to also have you in his life. Almost as lucky as I.”

    Chapter 5

    The afternoons flew by as Vivienne spent mornings with Graeme and her son, and then worked late and tirelessly into the night. For him. The more time they spent together, the closer they all became. It began to feel like… a family.
    John often requested dinner served in the study so the boys could play in the corner with wooden soldiers while he and Vivienne completed the daily invoices.
    Collins rolled a wooden cart into the study and placed silver trays on the sideboard. The smell of roasted meat and potatoes made John’s stomach growl. He was busy, as usual, and hadn’t eaten much throughout the day.
    Collins looked from him, to Vivienne, and then to the boys. A slight smile curved his lips. He looked pleased. In all the years Collins served under his father, had John ever see Collins smile? John expected to see a frown or hear gossip about his time spent with Vivienne behind closed doors, but the staff seemed to encourage it. He wasn’t about to argue.
    John dismissed Collins and then lifted the tray’s lid to inhale the marvelous full-bodied aromas. He glanced to Vivienne. Hunched over the desk, she held a quill in hand. An auburn curl fell over her forehead and a delightful frown creased her beautiful brow. A feeling of complete and total well being washed over him.
    Is this what life should be? Could be? Happy. Content. Had he ever felt this before? His heart twisted. After so many years of wanting, could these three people give him everything he’d wished for?
    He slid the lid back over the meat and announced, “Let’s eat dinner