Page 61 of Beloved in His Eyes

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