“I want to be a proper wife.”
“And ye shall be,” Roderick murmured as he lowered his mouth and kissed her neck. Siena was magnificent. He felt her tense the minute he touched her neck before relaxing as her hands slid behind his head. Her skin felt like velvet. He rubbed his hand down her back.
His decision was made . . . no matter how badly he wanted Siena, he was going to teach her desire before he mated with her . . . even if it killed him. He braced his arms to support his weight so that he didn’t crush her.
Siena moaned as Roderick placed feather-like kisses on her neck. And then he was kissing her ear which sent heat to her private parts. She squirmed. She didn’t know something like this could feel so wonderful as he shifted until his lips were touching hers. The kiss was surprisingly gentle at first and then he applied pressure to her lips. When she opened her mouth to complain, he took advantage and plunged his tongue deep inside, producing a shock wave through her entire body and a moan that sounded more like a squeal as it escaped her lips.
Lord, this had to be sinful,she thought as his hand curved around her neck and he pulled her closer to him if that were possible. The kiss was wonderful, and it didn’t take her long to learn how the game was played.
She began to return his kisses by plunging her tongue into his mouth and retreating just as he had done.
Roderick’s moans told her that he liked what she was doing, and she definitely liked kissing him, but it produced a burning desire in her for something more. A delightful shiver ran through her and robbed her of her strength. He quickly removed her gown and tossed it on the floor. The next kiss was hot and long, and it made her burn to have his hot skin pressing into hers.
Finally, he pulled away from her lips and smiled down at her. Her lips were already swollen. “Ye do that verra well.”
She smiled, shyly. “You must be a good teacher.”
Roderick lowered his head to trail kisses down her throat while his hand cupped one of her breasts. His thumb stroked her nipple, causing a white-hot fire to surge down her body, and it scared her that she could feel such strong desire. His hand was soon replaced by his mouth as he suckled her nipple. Siena’s fingers threaded through his hair and held him to her breast.
He flicked his tongue over her nipple again and again before suckling the other nipple until she was dazed with pleasure and calling his name.
Siena felt so good in his arms. Her instinctive response to him was so powerful. He sensed a passion lay buried deep within her, and he ached to be inside her. It took all the strength that Roderick possessed to draw away from his wife. Every bone in his body was screaming to take her because she belonged to him. She was his wife after all. He waited for his breathing to calm before he spoke.
“That, lass, is lesson number one,” he said in a husky voice that sounded strained even to his own ears. He could see her desire in the dim light and was pleased. He flipped her over and pulled her next to him. “Let’s get some sleep.” He kissed her check and added, “’Tis been a long day. Good night, my love.”
“Good night,” Siena managed to get out. She realized her gown had been removed and laid in a heap upon the floor. Evidently, she wasn’t expected to put it back on because all she could feel was Roderick’s hot body pressed intimately against her backside.
She wasn’t sure how she felt at the moment. Perhaps a little disappointed. Was that all there was to lovemaking. Maybe she should ask Agatha what she was expected to do. Siena had felt so wonderful a few minutes ago and experienced such emotion that she’d never experienced before. She wanted more. How in the world would she ever go to sleep? Siena didn’t have long to wonder because sleep found her. It had been an emotional day and she was exhausted, but as she drifted off to sleep, she had a smile on her face.
Roderick felt disappointed also while he waited patiently for his bride to go to sleep. He’d always taken what he wanted, so where did this consideration come from? Damned if he knew. No red-blooded man should have to be put through such torture without release. He was being noble, he told himself. He shook his head as he eased out of bed and headed for the icy lake. After breaking the ice, the cold water did the trick very quickly and eased his desire.
“Noble hell,” he swore to himself.
The woman would be the death of him at this rate.
* * *
Siena triedto stretch the next morning, but found her arms were trapped beneath Roderick’s arm. She struggled to free herself but in so doing managed to wake him.
“Good morning,” she murmured, looking up into his black eyes that were amazingly alert after being woken. “Did you sleep well?”
“Aye. I must have for the sun is up and I’ve yet to get out of bed.”
Siena couldn’t believe this man was all hers. She no longer had to fear anyone. Well, she would always fear her father, but he wouldn’t ever come to Scotland. “I want to thank you for the flowers you placed in the church,” she said, then added, “They were beautiful. I always wanted flowers for my wedding.”
“Aye, they were, but it was no my doin’ lass, and I’ve yet to find who did put the roses in the church.”
“Strange. I wonder who?” Siena said and questioned if her wish had truly come true because she’d wished it.
“Where anyone found roses in the dead of winter . . . I’ve no idea, lass, but I’m glad they made ye happy.” Roderick pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Glad to see ye’ve no forgotten yer lesson,” he teased.
Roderick rolled out of bed. He went over and stoked the fire to get the flames going again then he put another log in the grate. Reaching for his clothes, he noticed Siena watching him as he dressed, and he was glad to see she wasn’t as shy as last night. Maybe his subtle approach was working.
Siena knew it was rude to stare, but for some reason she couldn’t quit watching her husband. He was such a giant of a man, she thought as he slipped a cream-colored linen shirt over his head. She like the tousled appearance of his hair which gave him a rakish look and made her stomach flutter.
Once he had belted his plaid, he tossed the rest of the plaid over his left shoulder. The red color of the plaid made his dark hair stand out. He sat on the bed to pull on his deerskin boots and then he was ready for the day and she hadn’t moved an inch.
Suddenly, he turned to her and said, “I will be training this mornin’. After yer breakfast introduce yerself to the kitchen staff. After all, this is yer home now. Ye’re in charge.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead and then he was out the door.
