Page 186 of Unexpected Hero

I put my head down. “You’re right.”

“She’s such a sweet fucking kid, James. And if you hurt her, I can’t be held responsible for what I’ll do to you. Take that threat any way you want. I’m dead serious.”

“I have no intention of hurting her.”

Although, intentions aren’t everything. I never intended to get this wrapped up in her. Never intended to sleep with her or take her virginity. Never planned on getting my heart involved.

But it happened, nonetheless.

Freya’s scowl lessens gradually. “Good. Now I suppose you can go in. She’ll be tickled pink to see you.”

“Me too.”

Wait. Did I just admit to being tickled pink? Whatever.

I breeze past Freya, taking three large steps into the main room. It’s packed. Standing room only.

Brushing through the masses, I work my way toward the wall, hoping to get a better view. The stage isn’t elevated; it’s more like a cordoned-off area toward the corner of the room. I make out the back of her head as she approaches the stage.

With my head down to avoid stepping on toes, I weave through the crowd.

And then I hear her voice coming from the speakers. My heart speeds up, thumping wildly beneath my rib cage.

From just the sound of her fucking voice.

“This song is by request. I’ve never sung it before in public, so I hope I don’t screw it up.”

“Impossible, Lettie!” a male yells from the crowd.

My head whips toward the source of the voice, but there are too many people here to decipher who that was. A few others join in — males and females — all echoing similar sentiments about her. They love her.

I barely resist the urge to bodycheck people out of the way so I can see more than the tip of her head. “Excuse me.”

The music starts before I get my first full glimpse of the stage. And when I finally make it to a clearing at the side of the room, my heart fucking falls to the floor, right along with my jaw.But my dick shoots in the opposite direction.

My Lettie, once innocent and shy, is dressed like a vixen straight out of my wildest dreams and brashest fantasies.

Fishnet thigh-high stockings held up with garter straps. Silky maroon panties and a dark maroon corset around her waist and chest, pushing her bust up like it’s on display. Steampunk jewelry to match. Her hair is tied up in an intricate braid, held up with some type of decorative chain and leather piece that accents the corset.

That’s my girl up there.

Mine.

Everyone in here is riveted by her voice and how sexy she looks. They all want her.

But she’s fucking mine.

My chest swells, heartbeat racing. Arousal pulses through every cell of my body.

When she leaves here tonight, she’ll be going with me. Her hand will be in mine. Her body will be electrified with desire for me.When her head hits the pillow tonight, it’ll be beside mine. She’ll be wrapped up in my arms as she sleeps. I’ll be the one she dreams about.

Me.

The man no one gives a second thought about. The unfeeling robot, void of emotions. The broken man, hollow inside. The Tin Man. The man nobody ever cared about — until her.

I’m the lucky one who gets to hold her tonight.

Unfortunately, it won’t be my name she screams when she succumbs to the pleasure I give her. It’ll be a lie on her lips.

---