“You must be tired,” Roderick said, but found that his gaze was drawn to Siena’s chest and the way her breast strained against the fabric of her gown. He was looking forward to teaching her lesson number two tonight since she had been on his mind most of the day. A thought that both pleased and irritated him at the same time. His mind should be on his men, his clan, and not this slip of a woman.
When she paused, he asked, “Did ye have any problems?”
“A few still don’t want any part of me once they see my birthmark. I try to keep my sleeve pulled down, but it slips up as I’m working.” She smiled and continued, “However, it’s amazing that if you’re really sick your opinion can change very fast. I could have horns growing out of my head and they wouldn’t care a bit.”
Roderick chuckled. “’Twill take time, lass.”
“Where are your brothers?”
“They have returned to their holdings. Next week I will go to the Dunham holding to see if I can help with a territorial dispute, but I won’t be gone long. There will be enough protection for Black Dawn.”
“Do you suppose that one day you’ll paint the walls of Black Dawn white again?” Siena asked.
Roderick sighed. “One day when I can put the past completely behind me.”
Siena gave him a small smile, hoping that one day the castle would once again be white and their awful past behind them.
They enjoyed the rest of their meal as they drank wine and chatted with others. At the end, Roderick leaned over and whispered, “Go upstairs, lass. Take off all yer clothes and wait under the covers for me. Tonight, is lesson number two.”
Siena cheeks burned at his words. She nodded and excused herself from the table, heading for their room.
Thankfully, Agatha was busy talking to Duncan and didn’t notice Siena’s red cheeks when she told Agatha to stay behind, that she would be fine.
* * *
Siena wasn’t quitesure how she felt as she lay naked under the covers, remembering the night before and how wonderful the kisses had been. She had a burning desire for another kiss. Heat rippled under her skin in anticipation, wondering what tonight would be like.
The door swung open and in the soft glow of the firelight she watched Roderick stroll over to one of the chairs where he sat down to remove his brown boots. He didn’t say anything as he slipped his shirt over his head, tossing it on the nearby chair, his gaze never leaving hers. Next, he unbuckled his belt, letting his kilt fall around his feet. She could see all his muscular body at one time as he strolled toward the bed, but she didn’t look away this time and she did remember to breathe.
Her husband was magnificent.
Roderick slipped beneath the covers and gathered her in his arms. The next thing she knew he was leaning over her, placing feathery kisses on her face. Siena sighed. Her arms slipped around him, and she pressed her body into his, causing a low growl to issue from Roderick. That pleased her.
“I see you remember lesson one verra wull, lass.”
“Aye,” she replied breathlessly. “I’m a fast learner.”
He kissed her ear, tugging on one of her earlobes, and then he moved lower as he continued to explore her soft flesh, placing light kisses on her neck. She went limp as shivers of desire ran through her.
Raising his mouth for a moment, he gazed into her eyes and saw her desire as he lowered his head to kiss her. His tongue touched her lips, urging them to part and the minute that she did he plunged his tongue into her mouth, mating with hers.
She was fully aware of the hardness of his thighs pressed next to her as his fingers stroked the back of her neck. This kiss was different and more demanding as if he were telling her he wanted more. She began to play with his tongue and was shocked at her own eager response. Her blood felt like it was on fire. His magnificent kisses were driving her crazy.
Roderick felt Siena moving restless against him. He had to admit that she had learned her first lesson well, and he was surprised how his body burned for her. A strange feeling that he couldn’t remember ever feeling before. He’d had sex in the year since his wife’s death, but it was just that, sex. This was different. A growl of satisfaction slipped from his lips. Then he reminded himself he needed to go slow. After all, this was her first time. He would teach her the second lesson and then on the third lesson she would be his. He trailed kisses down to her swollen breast where he took one of the red tipped buds into his mouth. He began to suckle, pulling and tugging until he heard her gasps of pleasure.
He lifted his head and smiled at her as he said, “Lesson number two.”
And then he was kissing her again and again until she couldn’t think straight. Passion rose in her like the hottest fire. She thought she would explode. The way he held her betrayed his hunger and she opened her mouth further. She needed to taste all of him. How in the world would she survive a third lesson? There had to be more. And she wanted it all. And that is when she moaned a single word, “Please.”
Roderick heard her. Blood pounded in his brain. His senses sizzled as her body sprang to life. There would be no other lessons. His wife was driving him crazy. He couldn’t remember wanting anyone as much as he wanted Siena. As he reached down and stroked her soft curls, she bucked against his hand and he felt her wetness. She was ready for him. He spread her thighs with his knee then slipped his hands beneath her hips to lift her up to receive him. Slowly, he slipped in and then withdrew. He needed to go slow but the blood pounding in his head pushed him on to feel her silken warm. He drove fully into her and stopped; his breathing ragged.
She tensed and cried out.
“Are you…” he gasped.
“I—I,” Siena trailed off as she moved her hips, wondering what was missing. She had felt a sharp pain, but it seemed to be easing. Surely this mating wasn’t to be painful. He began to move again slowly at first and then she could feel a pressure replacing the pain, and she wanted to shout thank God. Roderick moved faster and faster, plunging and withdrawing until Siena felt herself being washed away in a sea of desire as Roderick drove into her once last time. They soared with the intense pleasure exploding in their bodies until the peak of delight washed over both of them.
Roderick wanted to say something as he lay on top of her trying to catch his breath. He braced his arms so that he wouldn’t crush her.
