Page 101 of Enticing the Devil

Each step he took shortened her breath and fired her blood.

By the time he reached her, she’d gotten herself worked up to a state of near madness. As he swooped her up into his arms, she grasped his broad, beautiful face in her hands and pressed her mouth to his in a gloriously wanton display of possession and desire.

A heavy groan vibrated his chest as he tilted his head to thrust his tongue demandingly past her lips. The taste of him was heady and rich, but the sound of whistles and laughter soon had her recalling that they weren’t exactly alone. He ended the kiss with obvious reluctance but didn’t set her away from him.

His black eyes glittered dangerously. “Later, blodyn, I’ll demonstrate how much I’ve missed you. But there’s still a great deal of work to be done before the sun sets.”

Anne blushed as she lowered her hands to his shoulders. “Of course. I’m sorry...”

He growled deep and tightened his arms around her. “Never apologize for welcoming me home in such a way.” He swallowed hard before grinning with another flash of teeth. “No doubt I’ll set a new shearing record knowing you’ll be awaiting me at the finish.”

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THE MICHAELMAS FEAST at Gwaynynog drew folks from all parts of Denbighshire. It was an event most people looked forward to all summer when the bounty of their various labors over the last several months was laid out in a feast to be enjoyed by all. It was a day of pride and appreciation. A time to honor the ending of one season and the start of another as the rhythms of life shifted from the fields to the hearth. The tradition to have the annual celebration at Gwaynynog versus the village had started with Cedric Thomas decades ago and no one really seemed to remember exactly why the decision had been made. But it was one of many things Beynon hoped to continue from his stepfather’s legacy.

Standing in the doorway of the barn, Beynon took a moment to gaze out over the gathering.

A long table had been set in the yard and nearly overflowed with delectable foods of all sorts. Folks gathered in small groups on picnic blankets or perched along the slate walls. His mother was seated on the grass beside his oldest sister near the games, cheering on the younger Thomas children as they competed for a coveted bag of sweets. Glynnis had finally fully recovered from her illness and appeared as robust and hearty as ever. Beynon smiled as he witnessed Aron stopping in the midst of a footrace to help Carys back to her feet after the small girl took a tumble in her efforts to keep up with the older children. Carys’s tears turned quickly to laughter when her brother hoisted her onto his back so they could finish the race in tandem.

It was a good day. The harvest had proven fruitful, and with the help of nearly a dozen others, the shearing yesterday had, in fact, been completed in record time. Beynon managing a personal best.

Not particularly surprising since every time he glanced up from the sheering bench, he caught sight of Anne watching him with her lips parted and her gaze sparkling with pride and admiration. He’d have sheared the entire flock himself if it could’ve ensured she’d always look at him with such a dreamy, desirous look in her eyes.

As soon as the last shorn sheep had been rinsed in the creek and set out to pasture, Beynon hadn’t cared who’d watched him as he swept his wife up into his arms and stalked into the house. Though he’d have taken her straight to bed, she had a steamy bath set up for him and insisted on taking the time to wash him from head to toe as he soaked away the aches of his labor.

The bath proved to be as much of a pleasure as what came after.

Beynon had watched with heavy-lidded eyes as Anne lovingly soaped and massaged his shoulders, back, and chest. By the time her hands dipped below the surface of the water, they were both breathless with anticipation. Her touch instantly dispelled any remaining physical tension or exhaustion. When he rose swiftly from the tub and tossed her onto the bed, her laughter slid swiftly into a low hum of appreciation as he lowered his wet body to cover hers.

Though he’d intended to shave before taking her, judging by her swift gasps and honeyed moans, she seemed to enjoy the texture of his beard as he nuzzled her neck, breasts, and inner thighs.

Just thinking of his homecoming last night had Beynon scanning the yard for his wife. He’d seen her only in brief glimpses throughout the day. Helping his mother and Eirwyn set out the feast, laughing over something Daryn said as he dangled from the branches of the apple tree, and striding alongside Carys as the girl skipped to the small pen where the youngest lambs were being kept.

Where was she now?

As his brows furrowed with an intense need to lay eyes on the woman who’d laid total claim on his heart and soul, he heard a loud whoop go up from a group of young men gathered off to one side. It took a moment for Beynon to see that they’d set up a makeshift archery target.

Beynon couldn’t see through the small crowd to confirm who was shooting, but when he saw the next arrow fly to meet the first in the center of the target, he had a pretty good idea who it was.

When the third arrow joined the other two, there was another round of excited shouts and cheers. And as the group of men started to shift and Beynon caught sight of Anne glowing with unfiltered happiness, he feared his heart might beat right out of his chest.

How could he have gotten so damned lucky?

How could he possibly deserve a woman so perfect?

An old fear stabbed sharply through him. Maybe he wasn’t worthy. Maybe this was nothing but a dream.

But then his wife’s lovely gaze fell on him as he stood in the shadows of the barn. Her smile softened into something quiet meant only for him. Without a word, she handed her bow to the man beside her and started across the yard to Beynon. Her steps were long and graceful. Her bearing as elegant as ever. But there was also something undeniably new in her manner.

She seemed to move with an air of confidence and ease he hadn’t witnessed in her before. In a simple dress of pale green and her fair hair twisted into a loose chignon, she embodied everything he could have hoped for in a wife.

His fairy queen.

His partner.

His love forever.

When she joined him in the shadows, he brought her into a snug embrace, loving the way she fit against him and how she tipped her head back to meet his dark stare. When her attention drifted down to his lips, a jolt of heat shot through his body at the smoldering hunger he saw in her eyes.

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