When she was dressed, she reached for her brush. She sensed Reys behind her before he reached around her and plucked the brush from her hands. “Let me.”
A quick glance showed her that he too was dressed. He’d gone to his trunk and found clean clothing. The fine linen tunic hung slightly on his shoulders and the chausses and braies were a little loose, but she thought him incredibly handsome. She’d never thought to see him wear those clothes again.
With his dagger strapped to his waist, he was an imposing figure. He looked every inch the lord of the castle. And now the lord was waiting to brush his wife’s hair. She handed him her brush and closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure as he drew the bristles through her hair.
“I love your hair.” He ran his fingers through the locks, smoothing them down her back to the curve of her behind. “I dreamed of your hair.” The brush followed, working out the tangles from the night before.
“Really?”
“Oh yes.” He tossed the brush aside and sifted his fingers through the thick, brown mass. “I dreamed of being covered in naught but you and your hair.” Tilting her head back, he kissed her. “Thank you for making that dream a reality.”
She smiled. “My pleasure.” Her breasts were swollen, her nipples outlined against the fabric of her dress.
The corner of Reys mouth curved upward as he slid his hands around her shoulders and down to cup her breast. “Maybe you’ll fulfill a few more of my dreams later.”
Her chest was heaving now as she sucked in air. “Perhaps I will.” She sounded breathless and wanton. “But unless you want William and half the keep as witnesses, I suggest we go downstairs.”
Reys laughed and the sound wasn’t quite so rusty this time. He turned her in his arms and stared down at her, his gaze growing solemn. “I will never leave you again. This I promise you.” Slowly lowering his head, he touched his mouth to hers, sealing his promise with a long, tender kiss. “There will be adjustments. I am not the man I was when I left here. You are changed as well. Stronger. More independent. Opinionated.”
Alicia might have taken offense except for the fact that Reys seemed intrigued by the changes, making them seem as compliments rather than complaints. Being this close to her husband was sexually arousing, but more than that, she was filled with a sense of contentment and well-being, which had eluded her for years. “I welcome the changes. This is a new beginning in our lives.” Her husband was home and she was wrapped in his arms. “We shall begin anew, and when our children are grown, we shall tell them the tale of the mysterious minstrel who stole my heart.”
Reys smiled, his eyes brightened with the first glimmers of hope. “Yes, my love, we will.” He held her securely in his embrace until the sound of a less than discreet knock on the door roused them from their contentment.
Alicia smiled at Reys as she tugged him toward the door. “William will barge in if we don’t answer the door. He has been very patient. By now he is probably bursting to tell everyone of your return.”
Reys nodded soberly. “I chose well, in both you and him.”
Alicia squeezed his hand in encouragement and support as she reached for the door. “Now let us go down and break our fast and give everyone the good news. The Lord of Hawkspoint has come home to me at last.”
About the Author
N.J. Walters worked at a bookstore for several years and one day had the idea that she would like to quit her job, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the same bookstore and settled in for another seven years.
Although she was still fairly young, that was when the midlife crisis set in. Happily married to the love of her life, with his encouragement (more like, “For God’s sake, quit the job and just write!”), she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel, Annabelle Lee, and life would never be the same.
N.J. has always been a voracious reader of romance novels, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks all vie for her attention. And she doesn’t mind a bit. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
N.J. welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].
Also by N.J. Walters
Amethyst Dreams
Amethyst Moon
Anastasia’s Style
Awakening Desires 1: Katie’s Art of Seduction
Awakening Desires 2: Erin’s Fancy
Awakening Desires 3: Capturing Carly
Awakening Desires 4: Craving Candy
Awakening Desires 5: Jackson’s Jewel
Awakening Desires 6: MacNamara’s Lady
Beyond Shadows
Dalakis Passion 1: Harker’s Journey
Dalakis Passion 2: Lucian’s Delight
Dalakis Passion 3: Stefan’s Salvation
Dalakis Passion 4: Eternal Brothers
Dalakis Passion 5: Endless Chase
Drakon’s Treasure
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology
Entwined Hearts with Nicole Austin, TJ Michaels & Ciana Stone
Jessamyn’s Christmas Gift
Lassoing Lara
Out of Shadows
Project Alpha 1: Embracing Silence
Project Alpha 2: Have Mercy
Project Alpha 3: Sweet Charity
Seeking Charlotte
Summersville Secrets 1: Annabelle Lee
Summersville Secrets 2: Heat Wave
Summersville Secrets 3: Lily Blossoms
Tapestries 1: Christina’s Tapestry
Tapestries 2: Bakra Bride
Tapestries 3: Woven Dreams
Tapestries 4: Threads of Destiny
Tapestries 5: Embroidered Fantasies
Tempting Tori
Three Swords, One Heart
Tracking Talia
Unmasking Kelly
Print books by N.J. Walters
Awakening Desires: Enticements
Awakening Desires: Erin’s Fancy
Awakening Desires: Jackson’s Jewel
Awakening Desires: Katie’s Art of Seduction
Candy Caresses anthology
Dalakis Embrace
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology
Feral Fixation anthology
Overtime, Under Him anthology
Stefan’s Salvation
Summersville Heat
Tapestries: Tapestry Dreams
Tapestries: Woven Dreams
Three Swords, One Heart
White Hot Holidays Volume 3 anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
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