Read Taken By The Hero (Hero Romance 2) for Free Online Page B

most adequate word. Striking may have been a bit more accurate, with his long, aquiline nose and penetrating, deeply sunken eyes. He was in fantastic shape, owing to a strictly adhered to regimen of yoga and martial arts; but the lines of age had begun to show on his narrow face ever so slightly, ultimately giving him a distinguished look. His tersely clamped mouth, a mouth that in its shaped suggested both cruelty and commandment, still maintained its vigor and from it sprung a rich and deeply precise voice without any trace of an accent; a voice that intimidated all who heard it with its suggestion of authority.
    No, what Jack possessed was a vital and inextinguishable spark -an inner essence, one eternally hungry and forever insatiable. And in spite of—or perhaps because of—years of lovers across several continents, years of experiences, wealth and insight that made him seem more like he was not born of this age, Jack was perpetually jaded, bored and eventually… exhausted.
    Jack commandeered his way past the two younger women, drink in hand, to the restroom to freshen himself up. He could hear their nervous giggling as he walked past and thought to himself, maybe they’re just playing around. Trying to lead what they presume to be a dirty old man on. Hoping to get a few drinks and a bite to eat out of me. Still, Jack had nothing but time for younger women. And the same was true for them, he realized. While he knew that not every younger woman were possessed of the inverse Oedipal complex, he knew that there was a great deal more women looking for a father figure role in their partner and he relished in that fact. Until, of course… things got a little too serious.
    He left his drink at the bar upon his return, and signaled to the bartender that he was stepping outside for fresh air and would return shortly. Truth was, he was stepping outside to have a cigarette and knew that the hotel generally viewed that as being the absolute hallmark of a clueless out-of-towner. Jack had quit the habit several times before over the past 20 years, but always came back to it. An old friend, he likened it to.
    After discreetly stepping into the rear parking lot to look less ostentatious, he took a quick look around and lit up. Immediately behind him was the short redhead. He had always had a soft spot for “painted women,” and the redhead certainly matched that description. Her eyeliner was thick and severe, and the unearthly maroon of her lipstick was insistent even under the pale parking lot lights.
    “Mind if I join you?” Her voice, husky and slurring, seemed to congeal in his ears.
    By god , Jack thought to himself after taking a good look at her close up. She can’t be older than 24.  Too young, but… no, she’s still too young.
    “Not at all,” he replied, offering her a fresh cigarette from his pack. “Although I should warn you, it’s a disgusting habit to get started with.”
    “We all need some kind of vice in our lives, don’t we?” Her voice attempted to sound far more seductive than it actually was, and Jack was amused. He decided to play along.
    “Well, you know what they say… virtue can be faked.  Depravity is real.” He peered at her, wondering if she’d be able to catch the reference. She didn’t. “Actually, no sensible person says that.  Klaus Kinski did.”
    “Who?”
    Jack chuckled, continuing with an almost condescending air. “Perhaps it’s not that important.  What are you and your friend doing at the Omni, if you don’t mind me asking?”
    “We just came in town to see a show and wanted to find someplace to have a drink a bit more classier than some of the other places. See maybe if we could meet someone a little more interesting…”
    “I’m afraid I might not fit that bill. I’m old enough to be your father—or grandfather, in some cases…”
    “What makes you think age is anything more than—”
    “A number?” Jack’s voice sounded quizzical, in fact almost