Page 19 of Forbidden Desire
“What for?”
“For letting me speak.” Her blush burned brighter. “For hearing what I had to say.”
“I am always interested in what you have to say.” My hand brushed over her heated skin. “Sometimes, you need a reminder a woman should be silent.” I tilted her head in my direction. “And at those times, I shall use our fruit to reiterate the point.”
“And gag me?” There was no recrimination in her tone. We both recognized how much she reveled in her impromptu gags; her pussy was soaking when I claimed her afterward.
“Aye.” I smiled. “I do not use them to punish but to teach.”
“You want to teach me how to be a good wife to you?”
Again, acceptance echoed in her voice, a sound that jarred rather more than I thought it might. Could it be I missed the wild cat version of my wife, even though I needed to condition her to the ways of my people—her people now? Could a part of me secretly yearn for the willful woman I had first fallen for?
“That is correct. A good wife and mathair to our people.”
She blew out a breath, the air warm at my neck.
“I don’t want to upset you.” She sounded close to tears again. “I don’t set out to aggravate you. I just...” She hesitated.
“What?” I sensed whatever came next was important. “You just what, nigheab bheag?”
“I don’t always understand my place in this world, Rasmie.” Watery eyes met mine. “You said I am here to have your children, but there must be more than that.”
“There will be,” I promised, skimming my mouth over hers.
She was so full of angst and sadness—the likes of which I had never seen. I wished I could take that from her, but I sensed she would find the fortitude to work through it. In time, perhaps my devotion would help smooth away those wrinkles. I hoped it would soothe and comfort her.
“There will be everything I can offer, everything the gods provide—everything at my disposal.”
“I know.” Wiping her eyes with the heel of her hand, she managed a small smile. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. You must think I’m always in tears, I—”
Desiree never completed her sentence, her words interrupted as the door burst open and Mawnsie rushed into the room.
“Maighstir.” He was clearly out of breath.
“Mawnsie.” I shifted Desiree to one leg to get a better look at my man. “Why are you not hunting with Jeemie?” Apprehension flooded my brain, a hundred thoughts about my brother’s fate swilling in my mind.
“He sent me ahead to deliver a warning,” Mawnsie puffed.
“A warning?” Rising to my full height, I slid my wife to her feet. “What has happened?”
“A boat, Maighstir.” He paused, trying to catch his breath. “An unknown vessel approached the north.”
“A boat?” Panic snaked in my belly like a serpent. The concept of an invasion seemed ridiculous. We had survived hundreds of years in splendid isolation, save for the occasional visitor recruited into our ranks. However, I could not be sure, could not say for certain whether those Jeemie and Mawnsie had spotted were friend or foe, so I had to err on the side of caution. “How big was this boat, and who was on board?”
“Alas, I cannot conclude,” he replied. “ I left before it landed, but Jeemie and the others will have faced its intrusion with fortitude, I am sure.”
I was certain he was right. My brother, Jeemie, was as brave as he was loyal.
“Thank you for bringing this news.” My brow furrowed. “Please, go and round up the remaining men. The village must be secured and ready to fight in case Jeemie and the others are unsuccessful.” I did not want to entertain the idea but had to be sensible. My first duty was to my people. Protecting them was the number one priority.
“Aye, Maighstir.” Mawnsie straightened. “I shall go now.”
Bowing his head, he turned on his heel and strode for the open door, only the sound of my words halting his pursuit.
“Mawnsie.” I waited as he stopped and glanced back at me. “Thank you, old friend. Your alarm may well have saved us.”
Chapter Ten