Justina traced the v in his shirt. “What if it was thigh high?”
“Then I wouldn’t be able to walk.” He put his hands about her waist to draw her up against him. “But I would stand beside you.”
“You’d be smelly.”
“As would you.”
Still, she didn’t look appeased; the frown etched into her lovely brow grew deeper.
“Justina,” he whispered. “I would go anywhere to be with you, don’t you know that?”
She looked down, a frown on her brow. “Why? This life is nowhere near as exciting as your life was. Why would you want to stay here?”
He placed a finger beneath her chin and gently lifted so her gaze met his. “Don’t you know?”
She shook her head. “Know what?”
“You’re going to make me say it?” He sighed. “Yes. My life was exciting, and I lived in a grand castle and ate elaborate meals. But my heart was empty. I was lonely.”
“Your brother –”
“Is not the woman I love. You are much better to look at than Damien. Your eyes are beguiling.” He pressed a kiss to each of them. “Your hair is glorious.” He ran an adoring hand down the length of her locks. “Your lips tempting.” He lightly brushed his lips over hers. “You are lovely and exciting and…unexpected.” He pressed his lips to hers in a long, slow taste of her. “Can’t you see how much you mean to me? Can’t you see that I love you?”
“You love me?” she echoed, hopefully.
His lips quirked slightly. “I was waiting until you were more comfortable with my past, but I fully intend for you to become my wife.”
“Your wife?” she asked, her eyes wide and twinkling.
He scowled. “Of course.” He brushed a lock of her hair from her cheek. “But I mean it. I want you to understand who I was and what I have done.”
She lifted her chin. “It doesn’t matter. Your past means nothing to me. Only the present and the future.”
“But you can’t forgive Damien. How can you forgive me?”
“You didn’t murder my father. And I don’t love him.”
Gawyn stared at her. He longed for her acceptance and her love. He ached for all of her. “I don’t want you to ever regret the decision to be with me.”
She stroked his cheek. “I love you and if you love me, there is nothing else to ask for.”
Slowly, Gawyn grinned. She was amazing. And beautiful and intelligent. His heart filled with joy. “Then we’d best hurry to the cottage before I toss you to the ground and have you right here.”
She giggled and turned, rushing through the tall grasses toward the cottage.
Gawyn watched her for a moment, happiness cresting inside of him. She admitted she loved him. She would be his wife. He started after her, slowly at first, but then he was running.
It was all he had ever dreamed of.
THE END
Thank You from Laurel
Thank you for reading Beloved in His Eyes! I hope you enjoyed Gawyn and Justina’s happily ever after. If you have a moment, and would like to, I would appreciate if you left a review for Beloved in His Eyes.
Thank you for reading!
About Laurel O’Donnell
Critically acclaimed novelist Laurel O’Donnell sold her first book, The Angel and the Prince, to Kensington after being a Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart finalist. She has gone on to win many more awards, including the Holt Medallion Award for A Knight of Honor and the International Digital Award for Angel’s Assassin.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Laurel began writing in junior high school when she carried a pen and paper around wherever she went. In college, she took fiction writing classes to further her skill. Her love of the medieval time period led her to work at King Richard’s Faire in Wisconsin where she learned stage combat and sword fighting. The Faire fed her insatiable appetite for the medieval era.
Laurel has many books yet to write and hopes you will join her on her journey to bring the medieval era to life!
Please visit Laurel at her website www.laurel-odonnell.com for the latest information about upcoming releases, contests, and to contact her.
More Books By Laurel O'Donnell
Medieval Romance Boxed Set!
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance on Amazon
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance contains four full-length medieval romance novels! My Noble Knight, Midnight Shadow, The Lady and the Falconer, and A Knight of Honor.
Medieval Romance Novels and Novellas
The Bravest of Them All
The Bravest of Them All on Amazon
A Medieval Romance Novella
All her life, Nessa has idolized her older sister, Melwyn, following in her footsteps, doing what she did. When Nessa falls in love with her sister’s betrothed, she is willing to sacrifice her own feelings to ensure Melwyn’s happiness. Luke of Brackley has vowed to protect the innocent, including his lord’s daughters. Betrothed to Melwyn, Luke always believed his future lay in her arms. When he discovers Nessa has been kidnapped by an enemy, he risks everything to save her. Will Nessa be able to keep her love for Luke a secret even as her heart breaks?
A Knight With Grace
A Knight With Grace on Amazon
Book One in the Assassin Knights series!
Lady Grace Willoughby defies her father’s orders to marry Sir William de Tracy and escapes with a friend. She has no intention of wedding a cursed man, a man ostracized from the church, a man who would only doom any future children they might have to the fires of Hell. She prays for a knight to rescue her.
My Noble Knight
My Noble Knight on Amazon
A #1 Best-Seller in Medieval Romance!
Layne Fletcher desires to joust in a real tournament, using the skills she has been taught by her brothers. Griffin Wolfe, an honorable knight discovers her facade and demands restitution. Will he be able to teach her how to behave like a lady and hide his attraction to her while keeping his focus on the jousting tournament?
The Lady and the Falconer
The Lady and the Falconer on Amazon
“Medieval readers will find The Lady and the Falconer a highly satisfying, well crafted story that fills their craving for a tale of medieval intrigue and passion.” - Romantic Times Magazine
A mysterious Falconer. A ravishing green-eyed Lady. A castle under siege. A killer hiding among them. Traitors are revealed. Family loyalties are betrayed. Can hated enemies find common ground in each other's arms? The Lady and the Falconer is an exciting medieval romance filled with action, intrigue, suspense and a desire that defies every sinister obstacle put in its path.
A Knight of Honor
A Knight of Honor on Amazon
Winner of the Holt Medallion Award for Best Medieval Novel!
Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan.
Midnight Shadow
Midnight Shadow on Amazon
When the unjust rules of a neighboring lord terrorize her friends, a Lady dons the mask and cloak of her childhood hero to right the wrongs and save them from oppression. Torn between the woman he longs to trust and the outlaw he has vowed to hang, a Lord vows to find the truth. Will a legendary hero find love in the arms of her enemy?
The Angel and the Prince
The Angel and the Prince on Amazon
Nominated for the Golden Heart Award
In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy -- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness.
Champion of the Heart on Amazon
“Captivating from
the very first page, readers will have a hard time putting CHAMPION OF THE HEART down. The characters emotional turmoil coupled with the sensuality and delightful cast of characters adds a special, unique depth… and elevated this to another level.”
- RT Book Reviews
Champion of the Heart is an exciting medieval romance filled with dark secrets and haunted castles, villainous betrayal and heartbreaking tragedy, honor and family loyalty—and a love that conquers all.
Mistletoe Magic
Mistletoe Magic on Amazon
A confident knight arrives home to find his childhood friend grown into much more than he remembered. The lady of the castle keeps a dangerous secret that threatens all she holds dear. Will Mistletoe Magic save them? Mistletoe Magic is a medieval romance novella.
The Bride and the Brute
FREE - The Bride and the Brute Novella on Amazon
Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband’s past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes. This medieval romance novella is available for FREE for a limited time!
Paranormal Romance
Immortal Death on Amazon
Winner of the Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest
Jade Smith’s supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing -- and her wonderful hero Demetrius, an imaginary character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment demanding answers, her life changes forever…
Urban Fantasy
Lost Souls: Resurrection - Episode 1 on Amazon
Christian Thompson is killed but refuses to pass into the afterlife because of his need to shelter his daughter from her cruel mother. He soon discovers there are others like him, other spirits trapped between the world of the living and the dead. He joins the Lost Souls in their struggle against a dark evil that threatens them all.
Lost Souls: Imperfection – Episode 2 on Amazon
Sam and her brother Ben, along with their new friend Christian, have just defied the leader of the Lost Souls. Outcast from their former group, the three of them battle the dark forces of the Changed on their own. With the help of their old friend, Eugene, they investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their Lost Soul brethren. As the investigation deepens, they come to the chilling realization that their nemesis, Scala, has escaped his centuries-old prison with revenge on his twisted mind. A demonic possession leads to grave consequences and the Lost Souls must make a difficult choice between life and death for an innocent victim.
Lost Souls: Deception - Episode 3 on Amazon
Sam, Ben and Christian continue to battle the dark forces of the Changed, the inhuman monsters who feed on the energy of their Lost Soul brethren. After receiving surprising news about the whereabouts of Sam and Ben’s sister Cora, they arrive at a friend’s to investigate. As their search deepens, Ben becomes consumed with trying to save Cora, taking a very dangerous path that puts himself and everyone around him in jeopardy. Treachery and deception threaten their group as they discover nothing is as it seems…
Lost Souls: Altercation - Episode 4 on Amazon
Sam and Christian have mysteriously disappeared. An unlikely group of allies is formed as Damien, Ben and Eugene search for their missing friends. With the calming presence of Sam gone from his life, the urge to make the Jump into a human grows dangerously strong inside of Damien. To add to their anguish, a powerful new menace threatens destruction for both Souls and humans alike. Can they find Sam in time to stop Damien from making the Jump? Can they stop this new foe from gaining strength and building a deadly following? Read Lost Souls – Altercation to find out!
Lost Souls: Suspicion - Episode 5 on Amazon
As the Souls try to discover who their nemesis, Scala, has possessed, Sam fights inner doubts and demons. The Souls look to Sam to lead them, but can she find the courage to save her brother and her friends from their most challenging enemy or will her suspicions doom them all?
Get Lost Souls Episodes 1-4 in a convenient boxed set on Amazon!
Lost Souls Boxed Set on Amazon
For more information on any of these books or other novels by Laurel O'Donnell, please visit her website at www.laurel-odonnell.com, or follow her Amazon author page.
Legends of Medieval Romance: The Complete Angel's Assassin Trilogy Page 46
