“What’s in the bag?” she finally asked.

“Food and drink, wife. You must be hungry?”

“I’m starved,” she exclaimed. She grabbed the bag and removed the items Anna had packed, rattling off each as she placed them on a linen square. “Let’s see, we have bread, cheese, fruit, yes—oh God, I love her.”

Greylen laughed as he reached for the cheese and bread and asked what pleased her so.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” she teased, opening the canteen and moaning from the aroma she inhaled.

Greylen laughed even harder. “It can’t be that good, wife,” he argued.

“Oh, Greylen, it’s sooo good.” She poured the drink into a tall mug and came to him on her knees. Then she tilted it to his lips, blowing on its surface before he took a sip.

’Twas a moment that he would remember forever.

Undone by her care, he obediently took a sip. Its flavor and warmth completely overshadowed by her attentiveness. “What drink is this?” he asked.

“This is coffee,” she explained. “I found it in the pantry, and Gavin’s already ordered your captain to acquire more.”

“I knew he’d be useful one day,” he muttered.

They ate in relative silence while sharing the coffee between them. Then Gwen poured the last cup and handed it to him so she could put the items back in the bag. He motioned for her to sit between his legs and wrapped his arms around her waist, taking sips when she brought the coffee to his lips.

Then the soft glow shone on the horizon. Greylen stretched his arm, pointing to the east, silent as the importance of this moment swept through him. He’d watched this sunrise his entire life, for years waiting to share it with the one who would be his. He knew he would love her, whomever she was, but the depth of his feelings for Gwen was more than he ever imagined.

He took the empty mug from her hand and placed it on the sand, then leaned back and shifted to his side, laying Gwen beside him. “I would have you now, wife,” he bid.

“Then have me, Greylen,” she whispered.

Greylen kissed his wife and caressed her body, removing first her clothing and then his. He stroked her with his fingers, enthralled by her surrender. Then he entered her with care, holding her eyes until they closed to the pleasure of being joined again.

He took her slowly, each motion unhurried as he pushed himself deeper inside, and more frenzied as they became lost in their passion. He told her again and again that he loved her, overwhelmed by emotions again. When Gwen at last tightened around him, calling out his name, hers tore from his lips with one final thrust. They lay on the beach a long while after, silent at first and then talking quietly as he held her in his arms.