Taken By The Hero (Hero Romance 2) by Kalena Lyons Page A

In the meantime, you may want to fix yourself back up. You look a little - shall we say a mess?” Michilene smiled as Laura reached into her purse to prepare herself. The desolate night alley seemed even lonelier as the two women walked towards the main drag.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Despite Micheline’s reassurances, Laura was still nervous about stepping foot in Jack’s. Both were still more than a little drunk, although Laura had tried to fix herself up as much as possible given her state. Her hair was still matted, and her sheer lip-gloss was a little crooked; and the smell of sweat clung to her like a dress a bit too tight. But still, she looked as presentable as she could be given the state she was in. Micheline, however, was impossibly drunk (or so it appeared), swaying and clinging on to Laura during the cab ride back. By the time they arrived at Jack’s, Laura had to put her arms under Micheline for support.
    Jack was none too pleased to see either of them in that state. “Darling cheri, how much I’ve missed you,” slurred Micheline, as she ran into Jack’s impassive arms to throw the whole weight of her drunken body around him. But Jack’s frown was less than accommodating.
    “Drunk again,” he muttered with more than a hint of disgust in his voice.
    “Yes, but darling, I was having such a lovely time with Laura, I couldn’t help myself - you must understand…”
    “Yes, yes. I understand. Well, there’s some left over roast in the kitchen for you both. As well as some very good Moselle, but somehow I don’t think quality might mean all that much to either of you right now…”
    “Oh darling, don’t be angry, Laura and I were just simply getting to know one another a bit… isn’t that right, Laura?”
    Laura nodded politely, uncertain of just how angry Jack may actually have been. As it stood, he merely gave her the same good-natured smile he may have given to a small child. She decided to intervene.
    “Look, it’s all my fault. I was a little intimidated by Micheline, so I suggested grabbing a few drinks, just so I could take the edge off. I’m sorry, we weren’t expecting to—”
    “It’s quite alright. I’m not disappointed - just something I’ve come to expect from Micheline. Now, if either of you are hungry—”
    “No, no mon cheri!” exclaimed Micheline. “But I must insist, you should see what I did buy with Laura. Laura, do show him, yes?”
    Laura reached in the bag to hold up the lavender bustier, hanging loosely in her hand. “No, no, cheri... “ Micheline laughed. “You must show him how sexy you look in it.”
    Laura gave her a bashful, quizzical look. Micheline could tell she was hesitant, but insisted that she try on the lingerie. “Oh, don’t be a prude, yes? Go on, try it on, show him how sexy you look…”
    Jack simply gave her a non-committal look as she slunk off to the bathroom. It was a look of absolute disinterest, and a look that wounded Laura to the core.
    Once inside the bathroom, Laura took a deep look into the full-length mirror. Drunk as she was, she looked at herself from every angle imaginable. She saw a face, mildly attractive normally, now reddened and stewed from alcohol. She saw love handles that, no matter how much she pinched or prodded, would always sag. And in her matching bustier and panties, she saw a woman that was little more than chintzy wrapping paper in comparison to the flawless gem that was Micheline.
    But she looked closer. She saw, as plain as day, an insatiable fire reflecting in her slate-grey eyes. She saw a body that seethed and pulsed with a new, raw electricity, something otherwise hidden from her for thirty-four short, unremarkable years. She saw a quenchless thirst, a desire more primal than anything she had ever known. She saw herself as courtesan and queen, priestess and whore. She saw a lascivious grin grow across her mouth, and she knew it was time to come to terms with this strange new skin.
    She spent the better part of