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  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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