Page 61 of A Raven Returns

The other two chuckled. Never could Ash have guessed that the three of them would all one day be madly in love with their wives, but somehow, fate had made it happen. Incredibly, fate had also given him a family, the thing he’d never known he needed or even wanted. A family, not of his blood, but that truly loved him. Gwen, these three men, Trent, and Maggie. Not to mention, Fogg, Sarah, all the ladies at Raven House, and Benson. He might just be the luckiest man alive.

ChapterNineteen

As Ash returned to his quarters after closing up his club, excitement hummed in his veins. Would Gwen be there waiting for him? His heart begged for her to be. When he opened the door, she was there, sitting at his piano. No tears this time, only a smile to welcome him home. With her here, it felt more like home than it ever had before. She didn’t move from the bench as he closed the door.

“Will you play for me?”

“Perhaps,” he said as he sauntered toward her. Of course he would, if he could manage to keep his hands off her and on the keys. The piano was his first love, after all. It had helped him to escape the hell he’d grown up in, and he was glad Gwen enjoyed it, as well. “For a kiss.”

He was removing his coat as Fogg walked in from the hall.

“I’ll just—” He pointed back down the hallway toward his own room.

“You can take my coat first, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course,” he said nervously. He walked over and Ash handed over his coat.

“And you might as well take these too.” Ash unbuttoned his waistcoat and removed his tie. It was a bit ridiculous to pretend like they weren't going to be coming off soon anyway.

Fogg nodded and accepted the garments. “I’m sorry, Ash. I’m not entirely sure how all of this is supposed to work.” He gestured between the three of them.

Ash placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s new for all of us, Fogg. We’ll learn together. There are sure to be some awkward moments along the way, but we’ll get there.”

That seemed to make him feel a little more at ease. “Would you like a glass of brandy before I make myself scarce?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

He placed his cane on top of the piano and sat down on the bench beside Gwen. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Perhaps we should wait on the kiss until Fogg is finished.” Her answering giggle warmed his soul.

“Somehow, I’ve never seen the inside of your coats before.” She raised a brow. “Purple?”

He shrugged. “My tailor insists that having a bit of color in my life will make me a happier man, so I allow him to line some of my coats in purple. Don’t tell anybody else. It might ruin my fearsome reputation.” He winked and delighted in her laugh.

Fogg delivered his glass of brandy, placing it on top of the piano. “If you need anything else, you know where to find me.”

Ash nodded and Fogg left to return to his room. “Now, where were we?” He wrapped a hand around the back of Gwen’s head and pulled her in. Her lips were soft and sweet as he kissed her, and even though he kept it brief, his passions were instantly ignited. If he really was going to play for her, he had to stop before he couldn’t, or wouldn’t. Slowly, he pulled his lips from hers and turned to face the piano. At least his fingers knew what to do, even if his mind was preoccupied.

As always, he allowed his heart to flow into the magnificent instrument. His melody started gentle and sweet, a nod to his feelings for Gwen. But as his thoughts turned more passionate, so too did the notes. As a crescendo swelled, his hands landing with more fervor, the chords stronger, the notes resonating through the room, the tempo of her breathing surged as well. Her desire was growing, just as his own.

He slowed his pace, calming his zeal. As desperate as he was to make love to her, he’d really enjoy spending some time with her outside the bedroom first. He brought his song full circle, repeating the first few bars, before slowly bringing it to a peaceful end.

Tears shimmered in Gwen’s eyes as he looked over at her. “That was beautiful. I love listening to you play.”

He leaned against her shoulder and lowered his head to rest on top of hers. “I love that you love it,” he said softly.

“When I sat on the stairs, your melodies always told me how you felt. They made me feel like I had a connection with you in some way.”

“Well, you’ll never have to sit out there to listen again. I’ll play for you anytime you want.” A part of him delighted in her open admiration of him.

“Is there anything you can teach me to play?” Her eyes were bright and hopeful.

“Of course.” He held her hands gently and showed her where to place her fingers. He taught her a series of chords that she could repeat. Her joyous laugh floated around him every time she made a mistake. Watching her determined attempts and her elated smile when she got it right had him thoroughly enraptured.

Once she was confident with it, he began to improvise a melody to go along with her. Her gleefulness was intoxicating and his laugh echoed hers. It was exhilarating and intimate all at once. He never could have imagined it possible to feel so much love for a person. Especially a woman, as strange as that seemed. He’d always kept himself apart from them, in a way, but with Gwen, it had been impossible from the start. He never should have sent her away that first time.

Guilt slithered in, settling in his stomach, tarnishing this beautiful moment. He stopped playing and straddled the bench, pulling her snuggly into his arms. “I’m sorry, Gwen. I never should have sent you away. I sent you right into that monster’s arms, and I am so regretful of it.”

She allowed him to hold her without pulling away. “Where has this come from, Ash?”

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