Free Yuletide Enchantment by Sophie Renwick

sacrifice everything to prove himself worthy of her.
    She had flung a challenge in the wind he could not resist or ignore.
    Resting his thighs against the curved arm of the chaise, he looked down at the angelic form of the woman he would have as his wife. She had angered him as no other had ever done, rendering him nearly savage with jealousy when he thought of her with St. Clair or any other male. And yet, when he looked at her, her glorious curls in disarray, her copper lashes fanned lightly against her cheek, he could think of nothing other than waking her slowly with passion.
    He could not stay angry with her for leaving him alone. It was mortal fear that ruled her, not her heart. Seeing her sprawled out provocatively, his anger completely dissipated, leaving him thinking of all the different things he wanted to do to her.
    Unable to resist temptation, he leaned over the arm of the chaise and stroked the hair from her face. When his fingers trailed down her cheek, she instinctively curled into his hand. He smiled as she mumbled something unintelligible. His fingers continued to trace a path to her neck, where they shakily reached for the ties of her gown. Parting the lace ruffle to expose the pale globes of her breasts, his breath caught as he realized she was completely naked beneath.
    A log crackled and sparked in the hearth, sending a flicker of light along her thighs that illuminated the curls that lay nestled between her legs. He itched to part and taste her. To awaken her with his mouth.
    Forcing himself to take things slower, Daegan concentrated on removing the gown from beneath her. Once she was naked, he pulled his shirt over his head, his appreciative gaze traveling up and over her as the linen slipped from his fingers, landing on the floor. His eyes once more moved up the length of her legs. He remembered the way they had felt against his waist—soft, welcoming, infinitely feminine. He imagined his hands pressing into their softness while he plunged into her, her husky moan welcoming him, telling him she needed him as much as he needed her.
    Sighing heavily, she turned onto her back, her breasts bouncing with the movement. Trailing his hands up the length of her waist, he stopped to cup them. They were full and heavy, the nipples already peeking out from between his fingers. Unable to resist, he pressed her breasts together, kissing each firm bud
    Isobel moaned sleepily, arching her back and thrusting her breasts farther into his mouth. He groaned when he felt her hands steal behind his head, her fingers combing into his hair.
    “I didn’t think you would come.”
    “You should have. You’re mine, and I always come for what is mine. How could you think I’d be able to stay away?” he asked against her mouth before sliding his tongue inside. She moaned, angling her hips invitingly. His hand stole down her belly where he kneaded a path to her curls. It was arousing to see his large hand stroke her possessively. She was his, and he wanted her to want him as fiercely as he wanted her.
    “I have proven I want you, Isobel. Now I demand the same.”
    Her fingers gripped his hand, and her legs clamped tightly together when his finger slid into her. She whimpered as he parted her and slid his finger along the length of her sex, which was damp and ready for him.
    “Can you not feel how much I want you?” she asked as she took his wrist in her hand and forced his finger deeper inside her. She moaned, spreading her thighs wider for him.
    He could feel his demons nipping at his heels, driving him to satisfy his needs. He wanted to brand her with his passion. To leave his mark so that she would know that she belonged to him, and only him.
    “So sweet. Yes. You want me. I feel it,” he murmured, his finger slipping inside as his breath caressed her wet flesh. She began to pant and twist beneath his ministrations. He loved how she raked her hands through his hair.
    He pulled her up to straddle his hips, his fingers