Free The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux

his dimples, and offered her a glass of brandy.
    “A toast to my new daughter.” William’s smile was just as impish as his son’s.
    The liquid was warming, making Morgan feel very relaxed.
    “Seth, my son, I want to congratulate you on your choice of a wife.” William’s words were just slightly slurred.
    Seth moved to the back of Morgan’s chair and began to knead the back of her neck with his fingertips, feeling the silky hair and the warmth of her scalp. Seth and William were talking, but she heard nothing, feeling only the warmth of the brandy and the touch of Seth’s hand. She leaned back and closed her eyes.
    She was startled from her reverie by silence, and opened her eyes to find the men looking at her. Seth smiled. “I think you’re tired. Why don’t you go to bed?” His eyes were bright with liquor, and somehow Morgan found him very appealing.
    She rose, silently, and went toward the door. Sheheard William mutter under his breath, “I’d never let my new bride go to bed alone.” He added, “At least you can kiss her.”
    Perhaps it was the unaccustomed liquor, but Morgan’s heart began to pound. Her hand was on the door-knob before she felt Seth’s hand on hers. The warmth of him, the size, and the smell of him made her tremble. He turned the knob and followed her out the door. They were in the empty moonlit hallway.
    He touched her arm, and she turned. Very gently, his arm went around her waist while his other hand tipped her head up to face him. The moonlight made his hair silver, and the height and width of him made her seem small and delicate. His lips touched hers very gently, very softly. Morgan swayed against him, unthinking, now only feeling, wanting his warmth to touch her. Her arms went out, encircling his neck and drawing him closer to her. Her head was swimming, and she had no idea whether or not she was breathing.
    His lips began to move over hers. Her lips parted as he began to be more demanding. They pulled one another closer and Seth leaned forward until Morgan’s back was bent into a bow shape. She heard herself moan as she felt Seth’s hips move slightly.
    Seth lifted his head and looked at her with startled eyes—and with another expression Morgan did not recognize. Silently, he lifted her in his arms and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. Morgan put her face into his neck, feeling the soft, warm flesh. He made her feel so safe, so protected. Nothing existed but Seth. She moved her face deeper into his neck, touching with her lips the tender spot where the neck joined the shoulder. She felt Seth’s breath quicken as he opened the door to their bedroom.
    Closing it with his foot, he again turned to Morgan to kiss her. The kiss was searching, and she clung to him as he carefully laid her on the bed and stretched outbeside her. His hand caressed her hair, her shoulder, as it found its way to the buttons on her dress. He kissed her throat, and each area of flesh as it was exposed by the unfastened buttons. She felt Seth’s leg across her own.
    Seth sat up on an elbow and looked at her in the firelight. His eyes were tender. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. The hair on his chest was thick and curly, the skin such a delicate, golden brown. She stretched out a tentative finger and touched his shoulder. God! but he was beautiful. His arms made her think of the muscles on horses.
    “Seth…” His kisses, his gentleness, made the idea of stopping him seem cruel.
    “Don’t talk, my love, just enjoy,” he murmured.
    “Seth, you have to stop … please don’t.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Please…”
    It was several minutes before Seth began to hear her. Her voice was so soft. As the sounds penetrated his senses, he began to feel anger rising in him. He did not know why. Abruptly, he dropped her onto the bed.
    His jaw was clenched. “No, madam, I will not force you. I will not have a woman who says no to me.” He stood up and grabbed his shirt,