Stolen Heart - By Bennett, Sawyer Page 0,1

it was nothing for Kieran to stop by often to play with Emma. She was innocence personified. So what if he was a little bored being a soldier in a peaceful country? Emma deserved to live in a world where she could be free from hate and violence.

Kieran realized he had a huge grin plastered to his face just thinking of Emma. Who would have thought I would like kids? Not that Kieran wanted kids of his own. He was perfectly fine to play with Emma and then be able to hand her back to her parents. An uncle’s prerogative so to speak.

Besides, children deserved to have two parents and he had no intention of ever marrying. It’s not that he was cynical about love. In fact, he had never seen a more perfect union of love than between Carrick and Ava. It was something he knew existed. It’s just not something he ever aspired to. He was having too much fun living the single life.

Anyone that knew Kieran would describe him as such: carefree, funny, and happy-go-lucky. He was forever joking and rarely got angry. He was not the slightest bit embarrassed that he was also known as a lady’s man. Carrick had called him a man-whore on more than one occasion but he was sure a better nickname could be found for him. Carrick was probably just a little jealous.

Yes. Kieran enjoyed women. So what? He gave them immeasurable pleasure and no one had ever left dissatisfied, himself included. But they all knew the real deal. Yes, they all knew that Kieran was off the market when it came to committed relationships. He was up front about it and never promised a woman anything more than a little fun between the sheets. Which didn’t seem to be a turn off for most women. Vyronas was a land of freedom and sensuality. Sex was not shameful and what went on between two consenting adults was respected.

And Kieran never had a problem finding a female consenting adult. Rarely a night went by that he had a cold bed. At 6’5”, Kieran was packed with solid muscle. His hair was blond but streaked with so many different shades it seemed to sparkle in the sun. His eyes were deep blue and usually crinkled in mirth. He never stared at himself overly long in the mirror but if he did, he would see strong, chiseled features and slanting eyebrows. He could radiate danger or with just a crook of his finger have every female in a twenty foot radius climbing all over him. Again, not that he minded that type of attention. He just rolled with it.

But, it seemed lately that’s all his life revolved around. One lady after another. And it’s not that he had a different woman every day. Please. He wasn’t that good. He was monogamous but he didn’t do long term relationships. If there was even a whiff that a woman wanted something more than no strings sex, he cut it off. He didn’t have time or any desire for emotions deeper than a good orgasm.

So here he was on vacation. Life in the army was nothing more than training since there was no war to wage. With downsizing the army, there were hardly any new troops to train. He had no real hobbies, other than spending time with Emma, so if he had to be pressured to admit, he would have to say his life had become quite boring.

Thinking back again to the things he had to accomplish today, they were, and in no particular order, well… nothing. He would probably clean up (done with a simple magical incantation which would take all of ten seconds), then go eat breakfast with Carrick, Ava and Emma. Then he would get some training in. Not that he had to, because, well he was on extended vacation. But today he would get in some spell work since he tended to ignore his magical fighting abilities. He’d much rather cut down an enemy with a sword. Then he’d brush his horse, then go play with Emma, then he would get lunch. Then play with Emma again, do some more training then dinner. Then figure out who would warm his bed. Probably Kayla. Or was it Kara? He should figure that out before she woke up.

Kieran sighed. When had his life become so dull? Not that he didn’t enjoy any of those activities. Again, Emma was the light of his life. But