The Bride and the Brute(31)
Jayce stared up at him and he averted his eyes.
“I never intended to have our marriage annulled,” Reese told her. “I wrote that letter before you arrived at Castle Harrington. But once I laid eyes on you I knew...”
“Knew what?” Jayce wondered.
Reese swallowed hard and lifted his gaze to lock with hers. “I knew I wasn’t going to have our marriage annulled,” he admitted.
“But you said---”
“I’ve been a fool. The biggest fool there is.”
“No,” Jayce stopped his confession, pressing her fingertips to his lips. “Not a fool. A man trying to live by his honor. It was unforgivable what my father did to you. Had I known---”
“I owe him everything. Had he not kidnapped Nicole, had he not forced me to marry you, I never would have known you. And that would have been the greatest loss of my life.” He swept her up into his arms, pressing his lips to hers.
Thunder quaked in the sky, but Jayce was no longer frightened. Now, the memory of thunder would not be linked to her mother’s death, but would be wedded to a new beginning.
Reese walked to his horse and gently placed her on Satan.
Jayce gasped. “You rode Satan!”
“I’m just full of surprises,” he murmured, still holding her hand tightly in his own. He gazed up at her adoringly. “You are now truly the lady of Castle Harrington,” Reese proclaimed softly. “I would like nothing more than the honor of having you as my wife.”
The smile that filled her heart and soul and face was unquenchable. “Oh, Reese,” she sighed. “You’ve had my hand and my heart since the day we met.”
As Jayce gazed into her husband’s contented eyes, she knew that she had tamed her brute.
The End
Thank You
Thank you for reading The Bride and The Brute! I wanted to give this novella away free to my readers as a way of saying thank you for choosing my books. I hope you enjoyed this story. I’d love to hear what you thought of my novels.
Please drop me an email at my website – www.laurel-odonnell.com
Laurel O’Donnell
Laurel O’Donnell Book List and Excerpts
You can read a brief excerpt and sample chapters from each of the books listed below by continuing through the ebook or clicking the Excerpt or Sample Chapters links. You will also find a cover gallery for the books below as well.
Medieval Romance Novels:
The Angel and the Prince - Excerpt - Sample Chapters
In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy --- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness. An epic medieval romance.
Champion of the Heart - Excerpt - Sample Chapters
Fox Mercer watches in horror as his father’s knighthood, lands and nobility are all torn from him. Banished into disgrace, Fox waits for the moment to strike to avenge his family’s honor. And that moment arises when a tournament is announced --- a battle of champions wherein the winner gets to claim a very lovely prize…
A Knight of Honor - Excerpt - Sample Chapters
Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan. A fast paced medieval romance filled with action.
Midnight Shadow - Excerpt - Sample Chapters
Disguised as the legendary hero known as the Midnight Shadow, Lady Bria Delaney swears to rid the land of Lord Terran Knowles’ cruel tyranny. She is stunned to encounter him in her father’s castle --- one of the many suitors vying for her hand. Captivated by his darkly intent gaze, Bria struggles to suppress her fierce attraction to the very enemy she has secretly promised to destroy. A Robin-Hood style medieval romance with a twist.
The Lady and the Falconer - Excerpt - Sample Chapters
A mysterious falconer infiltrates Castle Fulton during a siege, intent on reclaiming what is rightfully his. When the handsome stranger lays eyes and hands on Lady Solace Farindale, all of his plans of revenge start to crumble around him...
Paranormal Romance Novels:
Immortal Death - Excerpt
Jade Smith’s supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing -- and her wonderful Demetrius, an imaginary vampire fighter character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment, her life changes forever…