Never Love a Highlander - Maya Banks [69]
“Rionna, there is something we should discuss,” he began sternly.
“Hmm, can you help me with my dress?”
She turned in time to see him frown. But he crossed the room and began to unfasten the buttons of her gown.
“Now what is it you’d like to discuss, husband?”
He cleared his throat. “There are certain things that should not be done in front of others.”
She lowered the sleeves of her gown and turned, holding the bodice barely over her nipples. She stared innocently up at him as she allowed one side to slip, baring the tip of her breast.
“Like what?”
His gaze tracked downward and he sucked in his breath. It took him a moment before he continued. “Displays of affection should be contained to our private chamber.”
She turned away again and let the gown fall, stepping from it and reaching for her sleeping gown. She tossed her head, allowing her hair to skim along her buttocks, and then she arched as if stretching before tossing aside the gown, seeming to change her mind about donning it.
“Such displays are never appropriate in front of my men,” Caelen continued in a strangled voice.
Rionna turned once more and stepped forward to loosen the ties of his trews. “Aye, husband, I’m sure you’re right. No show of affection in front of others. ’Tis unseemly.”
She reached inside and cupped his heavy sac, squeezing gently.
“ ’Tis not just … What on earth are you about, wife?”
She stroked up and down and then withdrew her hand. “I’m undressing you. ’Tis my duty, is it not?”
“Well, aye, ’tis sometimes. But right now ’tis important we have this discussion.”
“Oh, I agree. Do continue. Where were you? Ah yes, you said ’tis not just …’Tis just not what?”
He frowned and shook his head as her hand grazed over his chest and then began pulling at his tunic.
“ ’Tis not just unseemly. ’Tis a matter of respect. The men’s respect for me. I cannot command their respect if I’m being tumbled to the ground by my wife.”
He had mustered another grim scowl, but she tugged at his trews and freed his cock into her greedy grasp.
“Am I allowed to tumble you to the ground in the privacy of our chamber?”
His brows drew together in confusion. “What?”
She hooked her leg behind his knee and gave him a mighty shove. He stumbled back against the bed and went down on his back.
She climbed atop him and stared triumphantly down at him. “Now what is it you were saying, husband? I am ever obedient and am awaiting your instructions.”
He tucked his hands behind his head. “I wasn’t saying a damn thing. Not a thing. Carry on, wife.”
She smiled in satisfaction. “ ’Tis what I thought you said.” She lowered her mouth to his as she reached down to grasp his cock to fit it to her opening.
As he sank deep into her welcoming body, he sucked in his breath and then murmured against her mouth, “You have my permission to tumble me anywhere and as often as you like.”
CHAPTER 23
Rionna viewed the courtyard with an unhappy grimace as Caelen lit into a group of the warriors. The McDonald men weren’t happy with Caelen’s dressing down. Many of them glared defiantly at their new laird while others cast sullen glances in his direction and then openly defied him by turning away.
Simon and Hugh did their best to back their laird, but even they weren’t successful in rallying the men from their anger.
’Twas hard to hear that they were deemed inferior. ’Twas even harder to hear that they weren’t putting in enough work and they fought like women.
That last line drew Rionna’s ire, considering she fought better than most of the men. There was no need to insult women when drawing attention to the men’s inadequacies.
For a week now, since Caelen’s brother’s departure, Caelen had worked the men from dawn well into the night. The warriors had grown increasingly more vocal in their displeasure and more defiant with each day. Rionna worried that if things continued on their present course, Caelen would have a full-scale rebellion on his hands.
She shivered and pulled away from the window. She didn’t want Caelen to know she was observing. He had very distinct