A Hero to Rescue Me (Hero's Crossing) by Marteeka Karland Read Free Book Online Page A

just handed him a very tall order. One he wasn’t certain he could keep.
    Once at his parents’ house, Chase made sure Melanie got her belongings. He had thoroughly checked everything. The overnight “just in case” bag she’d packed for her and Abigail had been, thankfully, undisturbed. She’d been understandability incensed that they’d not let her see her car to make sure they’d gotten everything. Thankfully, he didn’t have to elaborate. Leland had simply squeezed her shoulder saying, “Just let it go, love. Trust me on this.” Surprisingly, that seemed to quiet her protests. Instead of arguing with his father, she’d nodded once with a heavy sigh.
    His mom had fixed her famous hot chocolate for a delighted Abigail before bed. They’d told embarrassing stories of Chase as a boy and laughed until both Abigail and Melanie had tears streaming down their cheeks and they held their stomachs. Chase had looked appropriately disgruntled, especially whenever he caught Abigail’s gaze because it seemed to delight the child.
    “And on that note,” Vivian finally said when Abigail stated again that she really wanted to know what a hooker was, “I think it’s time for bed.”
    Vivian stood, holding out her hand for Abigail. “Come, Princess Abigail. I shall show you to your room.”
    The child had happily skipped along beside Vivian to a room down the hall where both she and Melanie were to sleep. The room was spacious with two full-sized beds and its own bathroom, tastefully decorated. A reading chair sat by a window. Melanie couldn’t help but think it would be perfect to curl up with on a winter afternoon. Plush carpet massaged her feet with each step, making her sigh with contentment.
    “My room is across the hall,” Chase murmured, giving her cheek a kiss as if he couldn’t help himself. “I’m there if you need me.” The heated look he gave her left no doubt of the double meaning. Never in her life had Melanie been so thankful for her dark complexion as she was in that moment. Had she been Caucasian, there was no doubt in her mind her face would have been a bright red bacon of embarrassment. As it was, she swatted at Chase. To which he only chuckled, lunging in for another kiss as he ruffled Abigail’s hair.
    “I like it here, Mommy Melanie. I think I’ll just stay here,” Abigail announced as she climbed into bed after brushing her teeth and washing her face.
    “You will, huh. What about me? You think you’ll just leave me to fend for myself?”
    “I’m sure Nana Vivian wouldn’t mind you staying. She said I could stay as long as I wanted.” Even as she spoke, Abigail’s eyes drooped. “I love you, Mommy.” And she was asleep almost before he head hit the pillow.
    Nana Vivian? Lord, this was too much. It was enough to make Melanie pause. What would happen to Abigail if she and Chase couldn’t make a go of this? The little girl was already hopelessly lost with this family, as Melanie herself was. If they parted for good, it would crush Abigail.
    Melanie sat on the edge of her bed, her short nightgown riding up her thighs as she sat. The door eased open and a man’s large frame slipped into the room.
    “Melanie?” Chase’s husky whisper washed over her like warm honey. God, she wanted this man. Not just for a night. She wanted the fairytale. Wanted forever. But she’d barely known him a week. It was totally too much to ask.
    “Yeah,” she said, rising and crossing to him. “I was just about to get some water. Maybe you could get me some of your mother’s leftover hot chocolate instead?”
    His arms slipped around her, pulling her against the warmth of his body. He was shirtless, and the thin sleep pants did very little to hide his growing arousal. A thrill shot through her at the thought. Was it her, or would any woman arouse him? She hoped it was her. He certainly made her mind wander to places it had no business going.
    “With pleasure,” he rasped out, pulling her with him