Merrick propped his head in his hand and gazed upon the beauty sleeping next to him. Her gentle, deep breaths told him she slept soundly, although her long eyelashes fluttered on her cheeks as if she were involved in some grand adventure. He hoped he played as big a part in her dreams as she did in his.
Golden curls cascaded over her bare shoulder, and Merrick longed to stroke her soft skinnever tiring of the feel of it beneath his handbut he didn't dare wake her. She'd been through so much on his account, and he'd kept her up well into the early morning hours. Father, thank You for bringing her back to me. I am blessed above all men to have such a woman as my wife.
Charlisse moaned and twitched her lips as the hazy glow of dawn swept through the cabin window, diffusing the shadows and brightening her delicate features. He could not keep his gaze from her, nor was he inclined ever to do so again.