Return of a Hero (22 page)

Stepping forward, Laura reached out, sliding her hand across his cheek where the scar lay in silent testimony to the pain he’d borne alone for so many years. She heard the swift intake of his breath. “Tonight,” she murmured, “is for both of us. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I’m afraid, Morgan….”

With a groan, he swept Laura into his arms, violently aware of the softness of her breasts, of her willowy length sinking against him. “I am, too,” he admitted, cradling her face, looking deeply into her lustrous blue eyes.

“Love me?”

He ran his mouth lightly across Laura’s parted lips. “Yes,” he rasped. “You’re so sweet and kind, my little swan.” He gathered Laura into his arms, carrying her to his bed. The moon provided just enough light to see her features as he set her gently on the bed. Sitting next to her, he watched as she raised her hands.

Her fingers trembling, Laura unknotted the belt at his waist, then pushed the robe away from his shoulders. His chest was broad and deep, tapering to a flat, hard stomach. Her breath caught, and her eyes filled with anguish. “Oh, Morgan…” and she stared at the terrible scars that ran vertically down each side of his heavily muscled chest. “I didn’t realize,” she cried, touching them, feeling the puckered flesh beneath her fingertips.

He tunneled his fingers through her damp hair, inhaling her sweet scent. “It’s all right,” he said thickly, trailing a line of kisses from her temple, across her cheek, to seek and then find her lips. Lifting her chin, Morgan imprisoned Laura’s face within his hands. “Don’t cry.” He kissed away the silvery tears that had beaded on her lashes.

“How much you’ve suffered.” Laura wept, kissing him hungrily, wanting to absorb his pain and loss—to replace them with joy. Their joy.

Laura was lush as he plundered her mouth, and he heard her moan with pleasure. Just the gentle touch of her hands against his chest took away all his memories. Laura was his present, his future. Her breath came rapidly, sweeping across his face as he devoured yielding lips that drove him beyond every wall he’d ever hidden behind.

Breathing hard, too, Morgan ran his hands across her slim shoulders, pushing aside the straps to her gown, pulling the fabric downward. Her flesh was so soft, yet firm, as she was. He watched her flushed face fill with delight as he cupped her small breasts in his hands. Each was a proud crescent, curved and firming under his. As he grazed each expectant nipple, a little cry broke from her and she swayed in his arms.

“Beautiful,” he groaned, pressing her back against the bed. She was so small and yet so exquisite as he undressed her. In the moonlight, her skin was translucent ivory, her eyes dark with invitation as he skimmed his hand from her hip back up to her awaiting breasts.

The instant Morgan’s mouth captured the first nipple, Laura cried out, pressing herself against his naked body. His flesh was taut, the muscles powerful against her yielding form. His callused fingers incited blazing fires wherever he touched her. Her world dissolved beneath his knowing, exploring hands. The tight knot of need deep within her grew, the moist heat building between her thighs, telling him of her need for him.

“Easy, my little swan,” Morgan coaxed thickly, bringing her beneath him. She was fire and water, hot and liquid, as he parted her curved thighs. The pleading look in her eyes grew as he slid his hand beneath her hip. He was shaking with need. She was so small, but so incredibly fiery, burning through all his control. The sheen to her flesh emphasized her beauty as he brought her to him.

Morgan’s name was on Laura’s lips as he thrust deeply into her. A little cry of pleasure, of triumph, slid from her exposed throat. She moved her hips upward, bringing him deep within her, wanting nothing more. Morgan’s body moved slickly against hers and she gripped his shoulders, calling out his name as the heat built, then erupted within her. Sunlight burst within her as she closed her eyes, feeling his lean, powerful thrust. A softened smile pulled at her lips as she felt Morgan stiffen, then grip her hard against him. In that rainbow moment, Laura cried out with him, glorying in their untrammeled union, their love indelibly stamped on each other.

A rivulet of sweat traveled down Morgan’s left temple. Laura leaned upward, kissing it away. She fell back into his arms, smiling weakly. “I love you,” she whispered.

The words, softened heartbeats to his ears, made him want to hold Laura forever. He smiled down into her shining blue eyes, which were filled with love for him alone. “How long have you known?” Morgan asked huskily, running several damp strands of her hair through his fingers.

Laughing weakly, Laura murmured, “Forever, I think….”

He moved his hips slightly, seeing the desire rekindle in her eyes. She was so small and tight, yet able to accommodate him. Hadn’t she been able to deal with him in all ways and all levels from the beginning? “I used to dream about the woman who would one day be my wife,” he told her, kissing her temple, then her cheek, his mouth finally coming to rest against her smiling lips. “She would have the courage to hold me when I was weak. And she would have the fire to stand on her own without me.” He nibbled at her lower lip, running his tongue across the yielding texture of it. “And most of all, she would love me and love the children I’d want to share with her.”

Tears gathered in Laura’s eyes as she held his tender gaze. Despite the terrible atrocities committed against him, Morgan was able to unveil and share his gentle inner core with her. Sliding her hands up across his cheeks, she whispered, “You’re my dream come true, darling. I don’t think I fit all the requirements of your dream, though….”

He chuckled, kissing each of her fingers in turn. “Nonsense. Inside that little frame of yours is a backbone of pure steel.” Morgan drew her index finger into his mouth, biting it gently, watching the flame of need grow brighter still in her lustrous blue eyes. “And fire—” He groaned, releasing her fingers, “Little swan, you’ve got all the fire a man could ask for.” Sweeping his hand down across her damp form, he angled her hips upward. “I see the fire right now….”

A moan tore from Laura as she felt his returning power filling her once again with throbbing life. She closed her eyes, bringing him into pulsing rhythm with herself. Each thrust, each groan from him, drove her to new, dizzying heights. His mouth ravished her lips, setting her free, coaxing her to become wanton within his arms. It was so easy giving her heart, her soul, to Morgan. The sunlight burst once more within her, and she fused with him, accepting his love, his need of her as they climbed and reached that pinnacle of beauty simultaneously.

Morgan fell against Laura, his head next to hers. They were both breathing hard, their flesh slick and heated against each other. He rolled off her, then brought her on top of him. Her lips were swollen from the demands of his kisses, but they were beautifully pouted as she smiled down at him. He moved his fingers through her golden hair, glorying in the wonderful smile in her eyes. “You’re the woman I want to carry my children, Laura.”

The words, filled with raw emotion, made Laura’s heart contract with happiness. She closed her eyes, reveling in his fingers as they gently massaged her scalp. “I will,” she promised huskily. As she moved her hands across his chest, she once again felt the ridges of those scars. Leaning down, she kissed the length of each one, wanting to take away the memories of years filled only with agony and loneliness.

Morgan lay back beneath her ministrations, feeling the feathery touch of her lips against his chest. He closed his eyes, his hands moving slowly up and down her back, tracing the indentation of her slight but strong spine. Just Laura’s worship of his body had begun to erase so many ugly memories that had haunted him. Her fingers were trembling as she lightly stroked the scars on his chest. He forced his eyes open to slits, watching her innocent features bathed in moonlight and shadow. “How can you take pain away?” he asked hoarsely.

Laura smiled wistfully and reached up, sliding her fingers down the scar on his face. “Love takes pain away, darling. It always has.”

Her voice was tremulous, a breeze wafting across a summery, flower-filled meadow. Laura was part goddess, part sweet innocent, part fiery woman. Gathering her in his arms, Morgan guided her to his side. Raising up one elbow, he studied her rapturous features in the moonlight. “I love you,” he whispered, cradling her cheek, holding her simmering gaze. “And when this is all over, I want the time we deserve together.” He brushed a droplet of perspiration from her unmarred brow. “We haven’t had any since we met, Laura. Neither of us. We’ve been on a collision course with life.”

“Tell me about it,” she said with a laugh, sliding her hands around his neck. His face was completely devoid of tension now, and she realized how boyish he looked in that poignant moment. Sobering, she held his molten gaze. “After this is over, we’ve got all the time the world has to offer us, Morgan.”

Lazily he smiled. “Don’t get that worried look in your eyes, sweetheart. Everything’s going to be fine tomorrow.”

Would it? Laura bit back the words. “One day at a time,” she murmured, pushing him down on his back and leaning across him. “Tonight, all I want to do is love you,” she said breathlessly.

Her silky hair spilled across his face and he inhaled her special feminine scent as he reached up and kissed her cheek. “Come here, my flighty little swan,” he growled, holding her against him, pulling up the sheet. As he closed his eyes and Laura fitted against him, he knew he held his new life, his new world, in his arms.

Morgan awoke slowly. He felt the exploring touch of Laura’s hand against his chest, trailing down his torso. With a groan he forced open his eyes. It was dawn, and she looked beautiful sitting there, the sheet gathered around her waist. He saw the concern in her eyes. As her hand moved back up across his chest, he brought her into his arms, kissing her slowly, tasting the depths of her mouth.

“I’m dreaming,” he said, his voice rough with sleep.

Laughing softly, Laura shook her head, then rested her brow against his. “No, you’re not. I’m sorry I woke you, but I couldn’t resist touching you. You’ve got such a beautiful male body, Morgan Trayhern.”

He grinned, running his hands down her spine, cupping her hips. “Adore me all you want, sweetheart.”

She smiled and kissed his strong mouth. “Conceited, brazen animal.”

The scent of her entered his nostrils, and Morgan nuzzled his face into the strands of her blond hair. “You turn me into an animal, little swan,” he growled. “It’s all your fault.”

Laura struggled out of his arms and knelt beside him, her hand resting against his chest. She could feel the sledgehammer beat of his heart beneath her palm. “Morgan, I want you to know that no matter what the outcome of all this, I’ll be with you.”

Her sudden seriousness jolted him. Stroking her arm with his fingers, he said, “You’ve stuck with me through all this.”

“No,” she said, “you don’t understand.” She chewed on her lower lip, searching for the right words. “No matter what happens, Morgan—whether you prove your innocence or not—I’m going with you. If that means leaving America, then I’ll do it.”

The tears in her eyes wrenched at his heart. Sitting up, Morgan put his arms around her. “You’d go back to France with me?”

Laura nodded.

Sighing, Morgan held her for a long time. “When did you decide this?”

“Weeks ago,” Laura admitted, her voice choked with tears. “You mean more to me than any country, Morgan. After we made such beautiful love last night, I don’t think I could ever bear to be away from you again.”

“My sweet woman,” Morgan murmured, kissing her gently. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, he gave her a game smile. “You’ve run the gauntlet with me, haven’t you? And you’d run it again, if you had to.” He saw the vulnerability in her stormy blue eyes, but her inherent strength was also there. “In a few hours, if we’re lucky, this whole thing will be over, and we can plan our life here, in America.“

Laura stood in the gloomy light of the police van, listening to the last-minute instructions being given to Morgan by Kevin Phillips. The phone call Morgan had placed to General Young’s residence had netted instant results. It was nearly noon, and that was when Morgan was to meet Young and Hadden at the general’s country home.

How could they look so calm, when she felt as if her stomach were tearing apart? Phillips wasn’t happy about the fact that their van was stationed three miles from the manor. But if they got any closer, Young might spot it and become suspicious. The operation could be compromised, and Morgan’s life placed in jeopardy as a result. Morgan would drive to the manor in a rented car. Laura gnawed on her lip, her eyes never leaving him. He wore a white shirt, a tan corduroy blazer and dark-brown slacks. His face was set and hard. There was a gleam in his gray eyes that sent a shiver of dread through her.

Laura leaned against one of the steel counters, near a policeman, who sat at the console with a set of earphones on his head. Tape machinery, radio gear and video equipment were crowded into every nook and cranny of the van. There was hardly any room to maneuver, except up and down a narrow aisle. Morgan would drive up the long quarter-of-a-mile asphalt road to the manor. He’d have no weapon on him except for a deadly looking military knife, strapped to the inner calf of his right leg and hidden by the trouser.

Phillips glanced at the watch on his wrist. “It’s time for you to leave. We’ll follow at a safe distance.”

Morgan nodded his thanks to the agent and moved to where Laura stood. He saw the absolute terror in her eyes. Giving her a smile meant to defuse her worry, he took her into his arms. She came, warming the coldness he carried deep within him. Kissing her hair as she buried her face against his shoulder, Morgan whispered, “Everything’s going to be all right, Laura.”

Tears gathered unexpectedly in Laura’s eyes. She blinked them away. Morgan didn’t need her weeping right now; he needed her strength. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him longingly. His mouth was hot as it claimed hers with an urgency that ripped the breath from her.