Mercenary Heart

Excerpt:
Hours later, standing beside her bed, Mik stared down at Shesshie. He felt an unfamiliar tightening in his chest. No, if he was honest with himself, it was not unfamiliar at all. It was a sensation he got almost every time he looked at Tessa. Why would he have such a reaction when he gazed at the young woman who so recently came into his life? He mentally shook himself. He must be imagining things. He could not be falling in love with her. It would complicate his life too much.
He had been attracted to her from the first, but that was lust. Lust was good. It was something he could deal with. No entanglements or commitment. Just good old-fashioned sexual attraction; plus if he lived long enough, good old sexual gratification would be his. He was still determined to have her.
On the other hand, Kevnor’s suggestion had some merit. He could get used to coming home to a wife and child. However, the more people he was attached to, the greater the chance of losing them. No, a temporary arrangement was better. Then, if she took another job, it would not be so complicated.
Suddenly, he was angry. Damn it, she could not just walk out on him and Tessa like that. Tessa had grown to love her. She was the baby’s aunt, even if she did not know it yet.
That changed his attitude yet again. What would he do if she tried to take his child? She had every right, legally and morally. Over his dead body! He would never give Tessa up. “Never!”
Mik did not realize he had spoken aloud until Shesshie opened her eyes. Her gaze caressed his bare chest and taught abdomen. His breath caught in his throat at the longing he saw there—a longing he was sure his own face mirrored.
“It’s over, Shesh,” he said, giving in to the inevitable. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he cupped her cheek in his hand, running his thumb over her bottom lip. She caught it between her teeth, caressing it with her tongue. Heat engulfed him at the erotic image.
“What’s over?”
“Your innocence,” he said.