Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) (3 page)

His renewed
hardness searched for her soft wet opening as she guided it inside her. With a
soft moan, she took more than half of him in, her face glowing with
satisfaction as she felt the familiar pleasure of him filling her to the limit.
Rogan closed his eyes as the warm embrace of her passion enveloped over him,
filling his heart, mind and soul with rapturous desire once more.

~ ~ ~

CHAPTER TWO

“Yet again you amaze me, Rogan.”
Edenton, Duke of Kirk Falls, lifted his heavy arms in welcome as the tall
captain of his men-at-arms walked into the well lit courtroom. “What will fair
Kirk Falls do without you?”

“You honor me
greatly, my Duke.” Rogan bowed low with a flourish, cutting a dashing figure in
his lime green tunic, dark brown leggings and russet jerkin. “Yet my men
deserve equal applause, for they risked their lives as much as I.”

“Indeed, that they
have done and will be aptly rewarded.” The Duke smiled broadly, adjusting his
jewel encrusted tunic. “But without your leadership and skill to guide them, my
poor niece would have been lost to me forever.”

The Duke was a
tall man, almost as tall as Rogan and twice again his girth. Dressed in the finery
his station demanded, the man cut an imposing figure. His large face was round
and pleasant, his blue eyes bright and cheerful, and he wore his long gray hair
in a loose ponytail. A man of wealth and leisure, he enjoyed the finer things
his position bestowed upon him to the full.

“How fares her
ladyship?” Rogan inquired as he accepted a goblet of wine a serving girl
offered him. “I feared she may have come out the worse for wear.”

“My little Gwen is
much better, all praise to your bravery.” Edenton beamed at him warmly. “She
has narrated most of the daring act to me… and however much I reward you, it
will be less compared to your selfless service, my boy.”

“It is an honor to
serve you, my Duke.” Rogan bowed once more.

“I consider myself
fortunate to have one such as you at my side.” Edenton summoned his attendant.
“And as promised, here is the deed to mark your own land. The large meadow by
the western river is yours forever more, Rogan.”

“Much gratitude,
my lord.” Rogan’s hand trembled as he accepted his long sought after reward. At
last he would be a landowner in Kirk Falls; at last he would be wed to the
woman of his dreams.

“And I also have
this for you.” The Duke handed the warrior a large leather pouch, tied tight
with a thong. “A hundred gold pieces, though I admit you deserve ten times
more.”

“My Duke, your
kindness overwhelms me.” Rogan hefted the large purse with a misty gleam in his
eye. Now he had his land and enough gold to build his home on it.

“As it should, for
one most deserving.” Edenton smiled. “And I also bestow upon you the title of
Sir Rogan, first knight of the realm.”

“My lord…” Rogan
fought hard to contain his excitement. Three years of loyal service, of keeping
the dukedom safe and prosperous, were paying off very well for him indeed.

“And your new
title gives you the privilege to ask for any noblewoman’s hand in marriage. I
hear there are quite a few Earls and Counts whose eligible daughters have their
hearts set on you.”

“It is a day of
many honors for me, your highness.” Rogan laughed. “I may need a few days to
get my head to stop spinning before I consider making any wedding proposals.”

“Yes, indeed… and
you have my leave, young knight.” Edenton raised his goblet of wine in salute.
“Take a week’s time to see to your lands and build your estate, the dukedom
will be safe enough for the time being.”

Rogan bowed low
once more and took his leave. His head was truly spinning with unbridled joy. He
hadn’t expected to be receiving this many accolades. The land was ample reward
enough and the hundred gold pieces would do well to make him a house and a farm
along with his savings. The title he had not expected, but felt proud to be
knighted, nevertheless. Alicia would be shedding tears of joy for  days on end;
that he was sure of. He couldn’t wait to ride to her father’s farm and show the
older man the deed to his land and claim his love.

It was getting
dark outside as he lightly ran down the steps of the Duke’s palatial manor. His
horse was stabled a few yards away. He ran on with a spring in his step. Life
was good and it was only going to get better.

“Sir Rogan…
Captain Rogan…” A soft voice called out to him.

Rogan froze
midstride and looked behind him. A woman dressed in the garb of a chamber maid
was looking at him intently. He looked at her and she nodded her head.

“Yes, my lady?” He
asked, stepping up to her and bowing. “How may I be of service?”

“Her ladyship
wishes to see you?” The older woman smiled, curtsying in response to his bow.

“The Duchess?” He
raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Nay, her niece.”
The woman smiled. “The young Lady Gwendolyn.”

“Lady Gwendolyn?”
His eyebrows shot up in unison.

“Aye, she asks to
see you.” She stifled a giggle. “Right away…”

“It is my honor.”
Rogan bowed, unable to hide his discomfiture.

The chamber maid
led him across the Duke’s manor and up the stairway to a secluded section of
the building. She went up a few flights of stairs and then held open a large
oaken door for him. Rogan stepped inside to find a lovely young woman seated
primly on a lavish chair in the middle of the exquisitely decorated room. He
heard the door close behind him and looked back. The chamber maid had left,
closing the door after her.

“My lady.” He
bowed swiftly, turning back to the Duke’s niece. “How may I be of service?”

“Sir Rogan, I am
indebted to you.” The young woman blushed. She couldn’t have been older than
eighteen. “…for saving my life and my honor.”

Rogan looked at
her closely for the first time and took a sharp breath. She was dressed in a
gown of glimmering crimson that made her snowy complexion glow even brighter
and her rich blonde hair was tied in an exotic cascade that fell all around her
face like a golden halo. He could see why Belen was so enthralled by this
ethereal creature. Her radiant beauty would make any man fall to his knees and
worship her as a goddess. But Rogan had his own goddess and would consider no
other. He was quite uncomfortable to be in the room alone with the Duke’s
niece, especially since the Duke had honored him so much that day. He closed
his eyes and thought of Alicia. The vision of her lovely face calmed his nerves
and gave him strength.

“I only did my
duty, milady.” Rogan smiled briefly at Gwendolyn. “For that, I have been well
rewarded by his eminence, your uncle, the Duke.”

“Yes, you have,
brave sir.” Gwendolyn rose up and slowly walked up to him. “I have witnessed
the pride in my uncle’s eyes when he honored you with…
his
rewards.”

“As do I feel
pride to be in his service.” Rogan stared ahead at the wall.

“But it was not my
uncle whose life you saved, risking your own, Rogan of Vindarland.” She said
softly, touching his thick corded forearm. “It was mine… and I have rewards for
you as well.”

Rogan stiffened at
her touch and the mention of his forsaken homeland. The harsh ice covered
northlands of his birth were a distant memory, a life that was more dream than
real now. He felt her slender fingers dancing over his muscular arm and stood
very still. A bead of sweat popped over his brow as the warmth of her touch
made his blood stir.

“Yes, I know much
about you, Northman… as much as every young noblewoman does.” The blonde
heiress continued. “And for the first of my many rewards to you… you may take
me, brave warrior.You have won the right to enjoy me as you wish, right here
and now.”

Rogan jerked as if
struck by a viper and took a step back. He steeled his nerves and swallowed
hard. His large, callused and scarred hands shook. He forced himself to look at
her, meeting her sultry gaze and feeling his heart skip a beat.

“What is wrong,
brave sir?” she said softly, caressing her golden hair. “Do you not find me
pleasing? Am I not the most beautiful woman you have ever seen?”

“You are more than
any man could desire, milady.” Rogan found his voice and strived hard to stop
it from trembling. “And I would be a fool to not see that… and yet, I
cannot...”

“Have no fear; my
uncle will know none of this.” She assured him with a little smile.

“It is not the
Duke’s ire I fear, milady.” Rogan felt his heart swell as the image of Alicia’s
smiling face filled his mind.

“Then why do you
not seize the opportunity every man would kill for.” She looked at him in
wonder.

“For my heart
belongs to another,” Rogan said firmly. “And I will not betray her… ever.”

“Oh, I see.” The
young woman looked away, her slender hands clasped close to her breast.

“Do not despair,
milady.” Rogan said softly. “There are others who would give everything for
you.”

“Yes, brave sir.”
She nodded, her lips quivering, fighting to hide her embarrassment. “And yet I
had my heart set…”

“I cannot be
unfaithful, milady.” Rogan turned towards the door. “My love for her is
eternal.”

He opened the door
and quietly slipped away before the young noblewoman could reply. His heart
beating the fastest it ever had, Rogan swiftly ran down the stairs. Never had
he felt this ill at ease, in all the battles and fights, even when his life was
at grave risk. 

The heat of battle
was his element; he enjoyed the rush, the bloodlust and the adrenaline that
flowed through him in combat. Yet when it came to women, somehow he always had
cold feet. But never with Alicia. She would always make him feel like he
belonged. When he was in her arms, nothing else mattered. He lost all sense of
time and place in her company. He was a whole new person; he was a man in love.

And now he was a
man with a large patch of land, prime fertile land, and was free to ask for her
hand in marriage. He mounted his horse and kicked it into a fast gallop.
Grimond’s farm was an hour’s ride away and he intended to be there before long.

~ ~ ~

“You have done
rather well… since the time you arrived here at Kirk Falls, as a roaming
mercenary,”  Grimond said, placing his hand on Rogan’s broad shoulder.

“Yes, it has been
a very good three years, my lord.” The tall warrior nodded.

“It is our honor
to have you in the Landowner’s Guild of Kirk Falls, Sir Rogan.” The prosperous
farmer went on. “As it is an honor to have you as a part of my family.”

“The honor is
mine. Your daughter will be the queen of my home.” Rogan assured the prosperous
man as he showed him around his new home, built on the meadow he had acquired a
mere week ago.

“Yes, I have no
doubt of that, my boy.” Grimond smiled. “And I see you have spared no expense
in building this fine dwelling in  such short order. Alicia will be happy
here.”

“It is my only
wish, kind sir.” Rogan bowed his head. “She will be happy forever.”

“Then, we must
tarry no longer, Captain Rogan.” The farmer clapped his hands. “You two must be
wed come the new day.”

“That is most
generous of you, my lord.” Rogan bowed again. “I have all the preparations
underway. The Duke, my patron, will himself preside over the ceremony.”

“You do us all
proud, Northman.” Grimond smiled, satisfied that his only daughter was going to
be well cared for by a man of great worth. “Kirk Falls may not have survived
the incursions of the south-west without you.”

“With your leave,
my lord.” Rogan smiled back. “If I may take my bride-to-be to the sacred well
for a blessing this night.”

“Aye, that you
may.” The farmer nodded and waved at his two horse carriage. “Alicia! You may
come out of there now, my dear.”

Rogan stood
straight as the love of his life slowly stepped down from the carriage. Her
lovely face was radiant. Her father had given his consent to her even before
leaving their farm that morning. She couldn’t contain her happiness as she ran
up to her father, the man who meant everything to her andhugged him, and then
stood close to Rogan, the only man who could measure up to him in all of Kirk
Falls.

“Alicia, tomorrow
you will be wed.” Grimond told his daughter with a wide grin. “And I must say
there is no better man in Kirk Falls worthy of you.”

“I know, Father.”
The dark haired beauty blushed. “You carry on home. Rogan will fetch me back
before nightfall.”

“May the Blessed
Ones look over you.” Grimond waved and stepped into the carriage.

As the heavy
vehicle rolled away, Rogan put his arm around his love and led her to the house
he had built for her. Every stone, every log, every nail and strand of hay he
had laid down himself. It was truly a labor of love, a love that meant
everything to him.

“Rogan, I am
beyond words.” Alicia gushed, as she looked around her new home. “Everything
and more that I could ever dream of.”

“I will do
everything for you, my love.”  Rogan held her close. “Everything and anything.”

“And yet you know
that I would choose to be with you even if you had naught but a cave in the
hills.” She kissed him gently, her blue eyes misting over.

“Come, my heart.”
Rogan lifted her in his arms. “We must get blessed at the sacred well.”

“Yes, for a life
of prosperity and love that we will embark on come tomorrow.” She smiled,
throwing her arms around his thick neck.