Page 74 of Juliet's Touch

Picturing Eric as a heartbroken child was more than Juliet could bear. The tears she held at bay trickled. She reachedbehind herself to grab her coat, using the sleeve to pat her eyes dry.

“I knew my truth would steal your joy,” he softly said.

She tried to blink away her tears, but they continued to drip. “Please, tell me, Eric. I need to know everything about you.”

Nodding, he continued. “Unfortunately, I encountered every type of criminal roaming the streets, but not the monster who consumes my nightmares.” He shrugged. “Mayhap, he died years ago. That’s what my friend Flynn thinks. In which case, I’ve allowed vengeance to destroy me for no reason.”

“No.” Juliet frantically nodded. “Knight Roamer came from your anger and heartbreak over injustice, and he protects people who can’t protect themselves. He is a hero, and he is part of you.”

“I’ve never thought of it like that.” His lips curved briefly, as if he might break into a smile.

Hopefully, her sincere compliment eased some of his pain.

“I had no idea that I’d end up a folk hero to the working class, and a villain to the aristocracy. I just wanted justice for my mother.”

“There is nothing villainous about you.” She held his gaze, willing him to believe her. “Powerful men are afraid of you because you hold them accountable. Standing up to them when they intimidate so many others into submission is what makes you the people’s hero.”

Sighing, he rested his head on her lap. “I swear, I never meant to lie to you. My world has been gloomy for so long, and then you came along with your golden smile. I simply didn’t want to inflict my darkness on you. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Oh, Eric, of course.” She combed her fingers through his soft, dark waves. “Can you ever forgive me for not believing in you?”

Tilting his head, he looked up from her lap. “I could never be angry with you.”

After the drama, they could use some levity. Luckily, Juliet knew just the thing to lighten the mood.

“Would you like to know my truth?” she asked with a taunting smile.

He blinked and his brow furrowed.

“’Tis nothing too serious.” However, it was most indecent.

“Go on,” he said.

Panicking, her mouth went dry. What had made her think she could divulge her desires?

Be fearless like Eric,her inner voice demanded.

Undoubtedly, her hero deserved an intrepid woman who could speak her mind. She must do her best to match his courage.

“I want to make love to you, Eric Stone. I want you so much that my body has ached every minute of every day since Knight Roamer picked me up off those cold cobblestones.” She ran her finger over the shell of his ear until gooseflesh broke out on his neck, and he shivered. “The book. The bathtub. Downstairs, when I walked into the brothel. Since meeting you, all of it arouses me,” she said.

He bolted upright, regarding her with wide eyes.

“Even now, while you were innocently resting your head on my lap, my body ached for you.” She lowered her voice, confessing what she hoped would spur him into action. “Still aches for you.”

“Bloody hell,” he said in a guttural rasp that rumbled deep in her belly.

Rising onto his knees, he used his thumbs to dry the last of her tears. She rubbed her cheek against his hand like a kitten begging for scratches.

Smiling, he leaned toward her, then trailed tiny kisses across her mouth. On her sigh, he nudged his tongue between her parted lips. She shifted on the cushion, edging closer to him, but failing to assuage the ache consuming her.

Without breaking from their kisses, he hoisted her onto her feet. While their tongues danced and tangled, he rubbed her back, kneading muscles tired from her long day. Cool air blew across her upper back, signifying that he’d unfastened the hook and eye closure. She didn’t mind in the least. In fact, she moved her shoulders about, assisting him as he slid the fabric down her body. The dress dropped to the ground.

As she stepped over her discarded clothing, his gaze seared her bared flesh. Growling, he lunged, clasping her in his arms and kissing a path to her ear, where he gently nibbled, then nuzzled.

“I haven’t forgotten that we have plans for tonight,” he said, his breathy words tickling her cheek.

Neither had she. But after the disorienting day, would he recall his decadent promise to lick her pearl, drink her desire, and feast on her quim?