Stolen Heart by Sawyer Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

now it seems she had given him the time of night too.  Her belly warmed up all on its own thinking about the sex they’d had.  Kieran was, she thought, the most gorgeous man she had ever seen.
    He had the classic good looks and physically perfect bone structure that would send most women swooning.  And when his clothes were off?  Talk about a work of art.  She seriously did not think she could ever get enough of looking at the physical perfection of his body.  He was solid and packed with muscle that had rippled beneath her hands. She loved a man that could consume her.  Get it together, Annika.  You turned down his offer--with good reason--and you will never see him again. Oddly, that thought niggled at Ava.
    She really needed to put this out of her mind.  Having the original intent of sipping at her bourbon, she took it down in one shot and set the glass aside.  Time to get back to the paperwork. 
    ***
    Keiran walked into Itch and looked around.  Same as last night. Wild music thumping with half naked bodies swarming the dance floor.  It was a waving, pulsing mass of people.  He walked toward the bar but was caught up short when Marcus stepped in front of him. 
    “What can I do for you, my man?”  Marcus’ voice was friendly enough but there was an underlying tone in it that clearly said they were not friends.
    “I need to see Annika.”
    “Sorry, but she’s indisposed right now.  I can give her a message for you.”
    “I don’t think you understand, Marcus.”  Kieran stepped forward so they were almost chest to chest.  The move was not made in aggression, but so he could get closer and not have to shout over the music. 
    “I need to see Annika now.  If you don’t take me to her, I am immediately leaving here and going to her father to let him know where she is.  I know, for a fact, that she has kept her location hidden from him for many years, but I have no qualms about handing her up on a silver platter if you don’t take me to her now.”
    Kieran could see a muscle twitching near Marcus’ eye.  He could tell the man did not like the threat, but if he gauged him right, he knew he would do anything to protect Annika.  He figured his next move would be to either try to kill him to keep his silence, or take him to Annika.  Luckily, Marcus nodded curtly and turned his back to walk away.  Kieran followed him.
    The short trip he had made back to Kestevayne this morning had proven very valuable and Ava had a ton of information to help Kieran.  In addition, Ava had a contact in New York that helped.  A former citizen of Kestevayne who preferred the hustle and bustle of the city over the quiet life back home.  He worked as a police officer now and was able to do a comprehensive background check on Annika that was very eye opening.  He had been busy all day today to make sure he could use that information to guarantee Annika’s cooperation.
    Marcus led Kieran across the dance floor and down a back hall.  Opening a locked door at the end of the hall, Kieran followed him down another short hallway.  Marcus stopped at a door, gave a quick knock and stuck his head in.
    ***
    Annika’s head looked up from her paperwork when she heard the knock. She had finally banished Kieran from her head and was making good progress.  She saw Marcus stick his head in the door.
    “What’s up?”
    “You got a visitor, boss.”
    Annika grimaced and looked back down to her paperwork. “Sorry, Marcus.  I don’t want to see anyone.  You handle it.”
    “No can do, pretty lady.  This one was very convincing.  You need to handle it.”  And with that, Marcus’ head disappeared.  Annika sighed and looked toward the door.  Her breath caught when she saw Kieran walk through.
    Yup.  He was as mouthwatering as she remembered.  He was dressed in worn, faded jeans and a long sleeve black t-shirt that looked like a second skin on him.  It clearly showed the outline of his chest and stomach muscles.  The