“Then kiss me, my lord, and prove your word,” she dared, loving the return of her nobleman.
Swept into his arms, Aisley offered her mouth to her mate. They kissed long, hard and deep, refusing to draw air for favor of drinking in their combined tastes. Cinnamon, almond, musk and, aye, even sweat became a heady enticement to her senses. Breaking the kiss momentarily, she roared, the first time she’d ever done so, the sound soon swallowed by Garrick’s lips.
A long time later, Garrick pulled back. Aisley’s heart soared as she was lowered to the mattress. Briefly tangled in the bed covers, Garrick ripped them from the bed and resumed their kiss upon finding purchase.
Soon after, Garrick levered himself away long enough to tear her gown to shreds. Naked and pressed breasts to chest with her husband, she didn’t bother trying to worry about her ruined clothes.
“You’ll not need clothes until midday,” Garrick promised, nibbling his way to her ear. “Worry about nothing until then.”
“With you, I won’t need to.” Aisley caressed her hands over the plentiful muscles along his back and shoulders, then smoothed her fingers through his hair. “Take me, my lord, now.”
Lifting to his elbows, Garrick scowled. “I don’t want to hurt you, Aisley. Let me prepare you a little longer.”
“Nay, Garrick. I need you inside of me, please.”
“Your wish is my command,” Garrick said, moving to lie between her legs.
Continuing to kiss him with all her passion, Aisley felt his sorrow ease and his tremors still. In their place, he became a man joining his wife, proclaiming his love with his thrusts, his groans and praise. He loved her, as she loved him, and Aisley rejoiced as their sadness gave way to pleasure.
* * * * *
Morning light from the chamber window drew Garrick awake. Breathing in his wife’s fragrance, he tightened his arms about her. Spooned at her back, her supple backside cushioned his hardened shaft.
“Umm, Garrick, you cannot possibly want to mate again,” Aisley murmured into her pillow.
Tempting her by flexing his hips, Garrick touched his mouth to her ear. “Awaken and let me love you.”
“You already did, three times during the night and once not long ago. I need to rest.” She may have refused, but she’d compensated his enticement with her own movements.
“If you don’t awaken, I shall have to punish you.”
Aisley laughed. “Your means of punishment is hardly a burden. I’ve never felt so fulfilled or pleasured.”
“Remember that the next time you decide to ride into danger,” he warned. “Bloody hell, woman, had you been hurt when you came after me, I—”
“I’d feel the same if something happened to you.”
Snuggling closer, he grinned. She was right. “Aisley, I’ve commissioned a new bridal cord to replace the one that had been crushed. Along with your bracelet, it should arrive in a fortnight or two.”
Fully awake now, Aisley sat straight up. “Garrick, you are a wonderful man. I’d worried that you’d be angry and tried to repair the stone, but I couldn’t.”
“I’m not angry,” he soothed.
“I should have been more careful.”
“You were not at fault for Sedgewick’s actions.”
Frowning, Aisley shifted uncomfortably. “Do you think we can avoid speaking of him when we’re in bed?”
“Forgive me. I should have been more sensitive,” he said.
“Now there’s a word Lucien would love to use against you.”
“Let’s not tell him. He’s been marching around and telling all who will listen of Valiant’s bravery.”
“As he should,” she said. “Without Valiant, who knows what might have happened?”
“Didn’t we say we wouldn’t talk of such things in bed?”
“We never mentioned Valiant.”
“I’d rather think about the two of us when we’re in bed,” Garrick said.
“As would I, my lord,” she agreed.
Falling silent for a time, Garrick enjoyed looking at his mate. Seductively beautiful with a morning blush, her freckles grew prominent, luring him to favor them with kisses.
But his intended seduction was waylaid by the approach of a maid and a knock at the serving entrance. “Go away,” he ordered, unwilling to stop kissing his wife.
“Milady, pardon my intrusion,” Judith said from the opposite side of the door. “The servants have been told Lord Danford has returned and Angelica has learned of it. Might he see her for a moment?”
“At once,” Garrick answered back. Covering himself with a bed sheet, he hurried to receive his daughter.
“Want Papa,” he heard Angelica say.
“Angelica?” Surprised to hear his daughter’s voice, he opened the door to find her looking up at him. “Sweetheart, it is good to see you again, look how much you’ve grown since I’ve been gone.”
“Don’t go. Don’t go again,” she said.
Stunned, Garrick looked back at Aisley, where she reclined in bed with the covers protecting her from view. “When did she begin speaking so well?”
“Very recently,” Aisley answered. “She’s taken to Rachel Burkett. I believe the girl to be good for her.”
“Then we shall encourage their friendship,” Garrick decided, bending to scoop Angelica into his arms.
She giggled and wrapped her little arms about his neck, smelling of innocence. For a moment he drew her in.
“Garrick, let her stay. We can break our fast together.”
“As you wish,” he agreed. “Judith, have a tray brought to us with simple fare and our favored wine.”
“Aye, milord,” Judith said as the door closed.
Smiling, Aisley made room for them on the bed.
“Good morn, my fair Lady Angelica,” she addressed in the manner she’d begun long ago.
“Good morn, Mama. Papa, don’t go again.”
Garrick carried Angelica and carefully placed her next to Aisley. “Not without you,” he said. “Soon, we’ll take a trip and visit your Aunt Jillian. Would you like that?”
“Aye,” Angelica said.
Recalling what little she was able to do the night he brought her to the manor, Garrick hugged his wife and child, silently praising the advances Angelica had made.
If Angelica prospered by the influence of a friend, she’d flourish under the guidance of brothers and sisters. It struck him then that he was ready to have children.
“Garrick, you know I want children too,” Aisley said, reading his thoughts so easily she ceased questioning her ability to do so.
“Lady Danford, I believe you’re beginning to like knowing what I’m thinking.”
“I’d have to say I do,” she confessed, flushing as she smoothed her hands through Angelica’s fine hair. “Might I be the one to point out that the moon shall be full in a few days?”
Garrick was well aware of the moon’s pull and its cycle.
To his liking, Aisley brushed her fingers through his hair, tucking several strands behind his ear, where she tickled him as she did the leopard.
“Then you don’t wish to wait a month or so?” he tested. “If you’re hesitant, mayhap I could persuade otherwise?”
“I love you, Garrick. After we take Angelica back to her chamber, might we return to our bed and talk about how many children we should have?” Smiling softly, she stared at him.
“We’ll talk, after a time,” Garrick vowed. I want to be with you again, love. Afterward we can talk until the sun goes down, if you’d like.
How can I resist you, my husband? I am looking forward to feeling your babe growing inside of me. Let us hope our children are as brave as their father and beautiful as Angelica.
Full of grace, Aisley continued to stroke his hair and kissed Angelica’s forehead. At that moment, he fell in love with his wife again. “You are the keeper of my heart, Aisley. Will you keep my children?”
“With honor, my lord,” she vowed, grinning with love.
My love for storytelling began in kindergarten when I created my first fictional characters. Though I’d given them simple nicknames, I’d convinced my family that Red Henry and Green Henry were identical twin brothers in my elementary school. They were mischievious, rarely did their homework , had trouble with math and spelling, and experienced heartbreaking losses, and yes, they even had girlfriends! It wasn’t until years later, and the Henry twins mysteriously moved to a different state, that my family realized they were entirely fictitious.
A few years later, I began to write, completing my first manuscript at age thirteen. I confess the heroine was a cross between Nancy Drew and a contemporary Laura Ingalls Wilder, who happened to be dating one of the Hardy Boys. But when I’d written “the end” on the very last page, I’d known I had more stories to tell. Of course life intervened, but whether I was in high school, becoming part of a local theater and dance company, working as a Veterinary Technician, earning a degree in History and Secondary Education, or teaching, I was always reading and writing romances.
I met and married the love of my life and moved from Maryland to Massachusetts in 2001. Shortly after, I proudly joined RWA and the New England Chapter, and I’ve been writing faithfully ever since. So now I invite you to come and explore my writing, where I combine my love of history, animals, and sensual paranormal romance and let my imagination soar.
The author 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].
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
Table of Contents
Start
SeductivePersuasion Page 33