HERO (The Complete Series) Read online

  It was a great show, seeing Matt mock his opulent lifestyle.

  “Our interior main floor features include this majestic entry hall with cathedral ceilings and our signature curved limestone staircase. All the stone floors have comfortable radiant heating and all rooms are independently heated and cooled to the occupant’s liking. The building is obviously equipped with the most technologically advanced security system, including CCTV monitoring, and two custom-built, fully stocked panic rooms, each with a bedroom and bathroom, for those longer-than-anticipated emergency situations.”

  “Over this way we have the grand office and library, with Parisian 100% hand-pegged parquet floors and pale oak paneling. If you exit these ever-so-French French doors, Madame, you will find our completely warm and inviting sunroom, with glass resin ceilings, perfect for star-gazing on colder nights. It also features some more imported limestone floors. You will notice that the sunroom also overlooks the pool, tennis courts and main guest house.”

  “If you re-enter through these very similar Frenchy French doors, Mademoiselle, you’ll be in the expansive ballroom for entertaining other stuffy billionaire guests, and riff-raffy millionaires. It is connected to a formal dining room that seats up to 200 people. Some more French doors take us back to our state-of-the-art kitchen, where we had our delightful meal prepared by the talented Chef Yolanda. Alright Madame. It is time we head to the second floor for the rest of our tour, and perhaps some frolicking, yes?”

  “I would say definitely maybe,” I answered. I could barely keep a straight face, watching his performance.

  “Well, I like those odds for frolicking. Okay let’s move on. Behind this door is a full-sized, private elevator to the second floor, built with the utmost care for lazy billionaires.”

  “How very convenient,” I remarked as the elevator headed up.

  “Yes, very,” he continued, breaking out of character for a moment, to give me a soft kiss on the cheek. “It opens to this well-lit, airy master bedroom suite, complete with its own office, a sitting area, sleek modern fireplace, and two luxurious his-and-hers marble bathrooms.”

  “Lovely,” I interjected. “Is this where we slept last night?”

  “No dear, we didn’t get this far last night. I’ll show you. Out this door takes you to our luxurious double-width hallway that leads to a full sized workout room, and seven additional bedroom suites, each with their own fireplaces. Perfect for guests, or a very large family. Would you like a very large family, Madame?”

  “I think so,” I giggled. Especially with someone like you.

  “I can arrange that as well,” he joked. ”At least five, if you’re up for it.”

  “Definitely maybe.”

  “Good answer, Mademoiselle. Alright-y then, as we wrap up our tour, this is the bedroom you’ll be stationed in during your stay.”

  “Looks great. So where will you sleep?”

  “I’ll be in the next room, M’lady. It’s the proper way, you know,” He paused, and gave me a wink. “So, this completes my tour of the Beaux Hill Farm Estates. I do hope you enjoyed the grand tour, and it was a pleasure being your guide today.”

  “Well thank you, Sir,” I couldn’t master the haughty British accent with my own country drawl.

  “Did you forget something, Madame?” Matt caught me off guard, gently pinning me against the wall beside the bedroom door. He placed each of his hands palms down on the wall, on either side of my shoulders.

  “What do you mean?” I asked with an uncontrolled breath, the heat already rising up in me. I laced my hands round his waist, pulling him to me. It was impossible to be this close to him without wanting him closer.

  “My tip, Mademoiselle. Surely that was one of the most thoroughly informative and entertaining tours M’lady has ever had. And Master Matthew would like his due compensation for such an incredibly professional service.”

  “How about a kiss,” I answered, knowing there was so much more I wanted.

  “That’s a good start, Miss Samuel,” he whispered, back in his normal voice. I reached up and kissed him softly, wanting to have the passion build slowly, but knowing there was no controlling it. He met my kiss in a most tender response, probably thinking the same thing. My heart fluttered at his touch.

  “Have a shower with me,” I said in a raspy whisper.

  “Sounds naughty,” he answered. “I’m actually one step ahead of you. Come with me.” He took my hand and tugged me into his room. We undressed quickly and stepped through the door at the opposite end of his bedroom. I was in complete awe when I saw his bathroom. Directly ahead, at the center of the sprawling room was a step-up 8-person Jacuzzi tub. At the far wall were floor to ceiling glass windows looking out on the ocean, that brought natural light into the room. The left side of the bath had a lounge-style sitting area, and on the right hand side was a large, enclosed shower area, toilet and bidet.

  “You have a thing for bathrooms, don’t you?” I asked. “Someone could live in here.”

  “I guess I do,” he said shyly. “What can I say, I love the spa experience. Get in the tub. I’ve already filled it up.”

  He neglected to mention that he didn’t just fill it up, but he placed red rose petals in it too.

  “Awww. This is just such a treat. You’re so gonna spoil me, Matt,” I swooned as I lowered myself into the perfectly heated water. “I may never leave this room.”

  “That’s the idea.” he touched the window blinds remote button on the wall to bring the outdoor lights down, then got in and sat opposite me.

  “I could get used to this.”

  “See? I told you you’d love being out here. Glad you listened to me. And there’s so much more to enjoy.” He pressed down on some controls beside him and I felt the jets begin to deliver a rejuvenating massage on my back and legs. I closed my eyes and lowered myself down to my neck, letting the hot water and bubbles caress me. Matt pulled one of my feet into his lap and began to massage them. I was in total abandon, and did not want it to end. I let out a sigh and felt all remaining stress exit my body. It was good.

  My thoughts drifted to how much I enjoyed being with Matt. As independent as I had become after leaving home, I had to admit that being with him was better than being alone. I loved his gentle kindness. He seemed to do everything from a place of humanity, serving and care for others. It was what I admired most about him, and made me gravitate to him that much more.

  He could also turn on his humorous side at the drop of a hat, revealing that smart, quick-witted side that made me feel so at ease around him. And God, his smile and his body were pure art. He was a thoroughly irresistible specimen of a man. No one had ever had such an effect on me. He could make me feel so fragile and stirred up, so sexually eager and filled with longing.

  Still, I had to admit, that his take-charge dominance sometimes brought out a deep defiance in me. That trait was probably what I found the most unnerving about him. At the same time, his commanding, authoritative nature also aroused a part of me that wanted someone to take control. So far, he had been right every time he came on strong with those alpha-male orders. I could no longer dismiss his judgment when he protected me from harm so many times. I mean, I could have been dead by now. Twice. Did I ever thank him for it?

  “Penny for your thoughts?” I heard him ask through the distracting veil of my thoughts.

  “What?” I asked dreamily.

  “You’re frowning. Something wrong?” He asked.

  I realize my face may have betrayed my train of thought. I opened my eyes and sat up. “No I was just thinking.”

  “About?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Just tell me,” he answered.

  “I was thinking about how I can barely remember what my life was like before I met you. And that I hadn’t thanked you even once for saving me or taking such remarkable care of me. I probably wouldn’t be alive today if you hadn’t come into my life.” I was becoming emotional, so I took a deep breath in to regain
some control.

  “You don’t need to thank me, Kate,” he answered. “I already told you. You’re my responsibility now.”

  “I understand, but I still want you to know that I appreciate all of it. All of this. I know this sounds dramatic, Matt, but I truly owe you my life.”

  “You owe me nothing,” Matt said.

  “I owe you everything.”

  “It’s what any man would do for someone he lo-,” he hesitated, and then continued. “For someone he really cares about.”

  “What were you going to say?” I asked, almost playfully. I had been dreaming of hearing him say it, so I could say it back to him. I didn’t care how little time there had been since meeting Matt. I was already in love with him. I already loved him.

  He glided through the water to sit beside me. He leaned close to my ear and whispered almost inaudibly, “I was going to say, it’s what any man would do for someone he loves. I love you, Kate Samuel.”

  A smile crept up my face. I had been waiting to hear those words forever, and I couldn’t find them to say it back to him.

  “Kate I think I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you. The more I’m with you, the more I want to be with you. Seeing you makes me all achy inside and all I want to do is hold you and protect you. This could be childish, to feel this strongly for you this quickly, but I don’t care anymore. I know my heart and it loves you desperately. You are mine now, Kate.”

  He wrapped his strong arms around me, and the mix of his declaration, my emotion and his touch sent a strong stir of wild passion through me. He kissed my neck and reached one hand over my breast. My channel clenched in response and I let out a moan at the sensation. Yet the words I longed to say wouldn’t escape my lips.

  I let the heated moment take over my thoughts, and turned to meet his lips with mine. With a moan, my lips parted his with a fierce demand to be closer. I was hungry for him, and if I couldn’t say I loved him, I knew I could show him.

  Chapter 6

  “Come with me.” I stood up and carefully stepped out of the tub, holding out my hand for him to take it. As he stood up, I noticed his massive erection. Hero specimen. He followed me as I led him back to his bedroom, and I stopped to take two of the folded towels that rested on the bar beside the door. I turned towards him, and patted him dry with the towel.

  He tugged the towel away and dropped it on the floor beside me. “I have to have you now, Kate. See what you do to me?” he said, looking down at his cock. I laughed and pulled him over to his bed.

  “Lay down. I’ll take good care of it.”

  “Look who’s bossy now,” he joked and sat at the edge of the bed. “Don’t torture me, Kate.”

  “Only if you don’t obey,” I smirked and gave him a wink.

  He raised his eyebrows, in surprise. “Who are you? Mistress Kate?”

  “Oh, not at all, baby. All I want is to please you, Matt.”

  “Okay good, because I didn’t peg you for the dominatrix type,” he said, relieved.

  “Maybe you’re rubbing off on me,” I teased.

  “Touché,” he answered. “Point well taken. Though you know, it was always in your best interest.”

  “Lay down and let me show you what’s in your best interest.” I got on the bed and positioned myself between his legs.

  “Yes mistress vixen,” now he was teasing me.

  “Grrrrr, I hate that word.”

  “What word?” he asked.

  “Vixen,” I answered, already peeved and feeling my mood fading away.

  “Why?”

  I sat back on my knees. “I don’t know. I’ve never, not even once, thought of, or even tried to take anyone’s man away from them. Yet that was what my so-called college girlfriends would call me behind my back.”

  “Ok well I take it all back,” he tried to console me. “Now, where were we?”

  “Huh?” My mind was already wandering off.

  “Massive erection alert, remember? I think you were going to do something really naughty.”

  I burst out laughing. He could be so funny. Soon he was laughing too. He pulled me beside him on the bed and kissed me on my hair. “That adorable laugh gets me every time.”

  He rolled to his side and propped his head up with his arm. “Let’s go for that run.”

  “Yes!” I jumped out of the bed and walked towards the door. “Are the clothes Yolanda packed in my room?”

  “Yes, Ross brought it upstairs last night,” he answered.

  “I hope she packed some running gear,” I shouted as I left his room.

  “If she didn’t, check the room down the hall,” he answered. “It’s Sara’s room.”

  I bounced into my room, so excited to finally get outside for a run. It had been too long. I found the bag Yolanda packed for me. The way she packed my things showed her skill as a homemaker who took pride in her work. They were neatly folded with precision, and there was workout gear and running shoes. She must have heard the few times I ran on Matt’s treadmill and knew I’d need them. That woman was simply remarkable. I could hug her right then. I dressed quickly and took the stairs down to wait for Matt at the front doors.

  I went outside, leaping down the stairs, a couple at a time. At the bottom, I jogged in place to warm up enough so I could stretch before heading out. Matt came out as I was stretching my calves on the bottom step.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Ready!” I was giddy. I tiptoed to reach his face and planted a kiss on his lips. “Thanks! I really needed this.”

  “Anything for you,” he answered. “The men are ready too. Race you to the front gate!”

  He ran off before I was ready, but I still managed to catch up by the time we got to the main gates of the property. I was rusty, but happy to feel my heart pumping briskly in my chest, and not for the recent passion or emotion-filled reasons. I looked back and there were six tan coats running behind us. I smiled when I noticed they were wearing tan track suits. I should have known. Someone at the top was intent on keeping them in character.

  “What’s so funny?” Matt asked as he ran beside me, matching my pace.

  “Your men are in tan again,” I answered between puffs of breath. I had to get used to running again. My breathing was off.

  “Oh, that,” he said. “It’s actually effective. They function better as a unit when they’re dressed the same. It’s also more professional. There’s lot of research supporting the relationship between member uniformity and team operational effectiveness. They’re all used to it, though. They’re either ex-Marines or Army. Good security stock.”

  “You know, you’re a lot smarter than the average billionaire firefighter,” I teased. “I never thought I’d hear you talk about regression analysis. I also never thought I’d hear about regressions done on wearing uniforms.”

  “I’m chuck full of surprises, Kate,” Matt said. He reached over and squeezed my waist, trying to tickle me. I sped up.

  “And I know you’ve got to have more speed in those legs,” I shouted. I ran ahead at full speed. It felt exhilarating. I was starting to feel the runner’s high again. Or maybe it was the fact that I was running with this incredible man. Whatever it was, I was elated. Matt must love a challenge, because in short order, he bolted past me. He was a machine. A beautifully sculpted machine. I slowed down and eventually stopped, panting heavily as I tried to catch my breath. He was gorgeous to watch in the distance.

  “Is everything ok, Ma’am,” one of the security team members said to me as they caught up. He reached out and offered me one of the water bottles that were strapped around his waist, below their gunbelts. These were some serious boys’ scouts Matt had hired.

  “Fine,” I panted. “Just rusty. Thanks for the water.”

  Two of them ran ahead to keep up with Matt, who didn’t yet notice that I had stopped. We were about 2 miles from the house, on a single lane country road. There were farmer’s fields on either side of it, and not a car around. I loved this pla
ce. I felt transported back home. If it were thirty degrees warmer, it could have been Phoenix. I turned and looked towards the house. Was I dreaming? I was in these heavenly surroundings, with a man I could only describe as angelic, who had just told me he loved me. I met Nirvana, and I hoped she would to stick around for a while.

  * * *

  Night fell quickly in the countryside. We had just gotten back to the house after our run, and cleaned up for dinner. I relaxed with a book Yolanda packed for me while I waited. Matt was on the mark when he gave me my own room to settle into. As much as I enjoyed being with him, it felt good to have a little space to relax and be alone.

  Yolanda popped up to my room to let me know dinner was ready. I couldn’t help myself. I got up from the armchair in the corner of the room and walked over to give her a hug. She had a shy smile on her face as I pulled away.

  “Thanks for being so kind and welcoming to me, Yolanda,” I said to her. “And the things you packed me were perfect. You even packed these books. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “You’re such a sweet girl, Kate,” she blushed. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course,” I answered. “What’s up?”

  “I read in the papers that the family of little boy you saved wanted to thank you,” she said.

  “Really? How are they doing?” I asked.

  “They said he was going to be fine. The papers said the little boy and his sister are with their aunt and uncle in Calverton.”

  “That must be tough for them, not having their parents with Christmas coming and all. At least they’re with family.”

  “Calverton is just a half hour from here, Miss Kate,” she offered, with a glint in her eyes. I realized where she was going with this.