"That was different. That was fer show."
"Was it? Because the way ye kissed me back didnae feel like any show I've seen. Felt pretty damn real tae me."
Her face burned hotter. "That's beside the point. From now on, nay kissin' without explicit permission."
"Explicit permission. Right." He nodded solemnly, though his eyes danced with mirth. "What else?"
"Nay touchin'."
"Bit difficult, considerin' we're married and sharin' a bed."
"Nay unnecessary touchin' then."
"And who decides what's necessary?" He shifted slightly, the movement drawing her eyes to his bare chest before she could stop herself. "Because I'd argue that a husband touchin' his wife is pretty necessary. Biblical, even."
"Well, I'd argue it's nae."
"We could argue all night, or ye could admit what's really botherin' ye."
"And what's that?"
"Ye're terrified ye might actually like it if I touched ye."
"I'm nae terrified of anythin'!"
"Nay? Then why the panic? Why all these rules?" He sat up slightly, his gaze intent. "If ye truly felt naethin', ye wouldnae need boundaries. Ye'd just... nae care."
She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it.
Damn y, fer being right.
"I just think," she said carefully, "that we should maintain some... propriety."
"Propriety." He repeated the word like it was foreign. "We're married, Liliane. Sharin' a bed is pretty much the least improper thing we could dae at this point."
"That daesnae mean…"
"What? That I'm goin' tae ravish ye the moment ye stop makin' rules?" He lay back down. "I've already told ye I willnae force ye. Me word's good on that."
"Is it?"
"Aye." His voice went flat, serious. "I may be many things ye dinnae like, but I keep me promises. When I say ye're safe from unwanted advances, I mean it."
The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard. "Oh."
"Though I reserve the right tae want advances. Just willnae make them without encouragement."
"There willnae be encouragement."
"We'll see."
"There willnae!"
"If ye say so." But his smile suggested he wasn't convinced. "Now, are ye goin' tae lie down, or are ye goin' tae sit there clutchin' those blankets like they're the only thing standin' between ye and ruination?"
"Maybe they are."
"Trust me, lass. If I wanted tae ruin ye, blankets wouldnae slow me down." He patted the space beside him. "Come on. Lie down. Get some rest. I promise tae keep tae me side of the bed."
