“Why?” I frown.
He sighs. “I don’t trust your father, Rebekah. I want to be sure you’re safe.”
“You think he would come to your property and try to convince me to go with him?” I thought that after Adam and his brothers confronted my dad yesterday, it was over. After all, he knows I’m married now. There’s nothing to argue about. He can’t undo our vows. I’m safe from his wrath. Aren’t I?
“Rebekah, I think he would do more than that. I wouldn’t trust him not to kidnap you, sweetheart. He was madder than a hornet yesterday. He might seek revenge for what he sees as a personal affront—me marrying his daughter without his permission.”
I shudder.
Adam kisses me. “We could make breakfast here, but I suspect there’s a full spread of food at the main house. If we go there to eat, we can get back here that much sooner, and then we can spend the rest of the day in bed.”
I gasp. “In bed?”
He chuckles. “Yes, firecracker. I intend to ravage your body night and day for a long time. Think of it as a constant reminder that you’re mine. Eventually, you’ll know it and will no longer wake up in a panic, wondering where you are.”
At first, I think he’s teasing, but he’s not laughing at his declaration. He might be serious. My body comes fully awake at the thought of spending more time with him in his bed. Our bed. I like the things that happen when we’re in this bed.
“What do you say? Breakfast in the main house? You can get to know my brothers better, and I won’t worry about your safety while several of us are around you.”
“Okay.” I don’t know why he’s explaining himself to me. He doesn’t have to. He’s my husband. I’m expected to obey him at all times. He doesn’t owe me an explanation. I don’t know why he didn’t just order me to get dressed because we’re going to the main house.
“You look very confused, sweetheart. Ask me to clarify anytime you don’t understand. I gave you the nickname of firecracker for a reason. You were the feistiest kid I’d ever met. I found that same strong-willed woman tied to a chair in the kitchen yesterday. Our marriage is not going to be like most of the households you’ve seen in this area. Yes, there will be times when I insist on you doing something, but only for one of two reasons. One, if it involves your safety. Two, if we’re in a situation where it’s totally turning you on for me to be bossy.” He lifts a brow.
I stare back at him, not following.
He smiles. “Safety is obvious. This morning is one of those times. You may not stay here alone because I would worry about you the entire time. My decision is final on that. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“As for the second reason, I’ll explain better later. But, sweetheart, you are not my slave. I do not expect you to obey me every minute of the day. In fact, I like it when we spar. I expect you to speak your mind and argue with me when you feel strongly about something.”
I narrow my gaze at him. “I argued with you about letting me wear something to bed last night, and you still said no.”
He laughs before kissing my forehead. “Sweetheart, what happened last night fell under reason number two. Insisting you sleep naked in our bed made you horny, and you can expect me to boss you around irrationally when you’re aroused.”
There is no way I can follow what he’s saying.
He kisses me once more. “Let’s get a move on. The sooner we get back here, the sooner I can strip off your clothes and worship your body again.”
Now, that idea, I like.
Fourteen
Adam
* * *
As we enter the main house, I hold Rebekah’s hand. Aaric and Adrian are the only two in the kitchen. I’m glad. I think my girl will be less nervous if she has to deal with my brothers in small doses. All of us are overbearing and intense, not to mention huge.
Rebekah can hold her own. She always did when she was a child. She will now, too. I have no doubt. But at first, it will be overwhelming.
Aaric gives a wave from his seat. “Hey, Rebekah.”
She blushes and lowers her gaze.
It takes me a moment to realize why she would be embarrassed. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that he did all that shopping for her yesterday, including intimate articles of clothing and feminine products.
Adrian smiles. “Good morning.” He jumps up to grab her a plate. “There’s a full spread of breakfast food here every morning, Rebekah. If this brute doesn’t feed you, come to the main house,” he teases.
