Page 31 of Only a Lyon Will Do
“If you gentlemen would excuse me, I think it’s time my wife and I head up to our room,” Asher said giving them a bow.
Saxton laughed. “Not sure why you didn’t leave hours ago, old man. Your game must be slipping now that you’ve wed.”
Asher’s brow rose and he chuckled. “Hardly.”
Patience came and placed her arm around his waist. “Shall we go upstairs and continue our wedding celebrations in privacy?” she purred sweetly causing a part of Asher to rise in agreement.
“You read my mind, my dearest,” Asher said as they began making their way through the throng of guests, including his mother and Patience’s parents, to say goodnight.
He noticed Gideon standing alone with a drink in hand. A patch covered his injured eye, not that he needed it. He ushered his wife toward the younger man and Patience went and placed a kiss upon Gideon’s cheek.
Gideon looked at her shyly before he raised his glass to them. “I’m happy for you both and wish you all the best,” he said before taking a sip of his drink.
Asher went and clasped his brother’s hand knowing how difficult the words were for him to say. Thankfully, Gideon had moved past the feelings he had had for Patience now that she was now his sister-in-law.
“Thank you, Gideon, for your well wishes. It means the word to Patience and me,” Asher said with an honest heart.
“And there’s no reason you need to leave here,” Patience added with a bright smile. “This is your home and you are welcome to stay here for as long as you want.”
Gideon shuffled his feet. “A newly married couple need their space and I would only be in the way,” he said holding up his hand when Asher was about to interject. “I appreciate the offer but I’ve already asked to have my own townhouse aired out and opened. I’m glad Mother convinced you not to sell the place when you thought me dead. I’ll move my things as soon as the place is livable again. I shouldn’t be in the way here for too much longer.”
Patience reached out for his hand. “You are never in the way, Gideon, and are always welcome here.”
“I appreciate your kindness, Patience,” Gideon proclaimed with a smile.
“Family needs to stick together,” Asher said cheerfully.
Patience tilted her head. “As a matter of fact, I have a cousin who—”
“I’m not quite ready for that as yet, Patience,” Gideon said laughing, “but I appreciate you thinking of me for her.”
“I’m certain you’d get along famously,” Patience said in a second attempt.
Asher saw the look Gideon gave him and took the hint. “Maybe another time, my sweet. You’ll excuse us, brother?”
Gideon gave him a knowing nod and they left his side to finish saying goodnight to their guests. When they finally made it up to their room and he shut the door behind them, he wassurprised to see a large bowl filled with pomegranates on a nearby table.
He went over and picked up one of the fruits and saw an opened card sitting next to it. “What’s this?” he asked his wife who went over to her vanity and began removing the pins from her hair.
“I was unpacking a few of my things earlier, and I saw the fruit and note. I couldn’t stop myself from giving it a quick read.” She looked invitingly over her shoulder, flicking her hair free as it cascaded down to her waist. “They’re from Mrs. Dove-Lyon as the card says. Apparently she wished to ensure we have an eternity together, Hades.”
“Ah, my Persephone… I wouldn’t have it any other way, my love,” Asher declared.
He came over to his wife and pulled her to her feet. Turning her, he began unfastening the ribbon at the back of her dress. She leaned into his chest, and he pulled down the fabric at her shoulder before placing a kiss on her smooth skin. Trailing kisses up her neck, he heard her soft moan of pleasure. She turned in his embrace and hands began to fumble at his cravat.
“Have I told you today that I love you?” she asked in a breathy whisper.
“Many times, but I will never tire of hearing such words,” Asher replied as he assisted her with removing her dress and underclothes. He carried her naked body to their bed after the rest of his clothing joined hers on the floor. When he pulled her into his arms, her sigh of contentment filled the room.
“Even after an eternity together?” she teased while brushing back his hair.
“My soul will always find you, Patience… in this life and the next. I will never tire of having you love me, dearest wife,” he said in a husky tone. He felt her shiver.
“Then love me now, Asher, so that we never forget how our lives together began,” she crooned in his ear.
“As my lady wishes. I shall always be your most obedient husband,” he replied before he sealed his words with a kiss.
Asher loved his wife far into the night. Hours later, as she slumbered by his side, he thanked the heavens for blessing him with this incredible woman. His life could have gone in a totally different direction if he hadn’t listened to that small voice telling him to open his heart to the possibility that love could conquer all. Who knew months ago that stumbling down the stairs at the Lyon’s Den could have changed his life so completely?
