"He has not lain with me again," Elsbeth confided in Meagan two days later. "What am I doing wrong?" She tore the thread from her embroidery none-to-gently.

Meagan's warm eyes met hers. "Perhaps he's giving you time to heal from your first joining. You did say he is quite large."

"Aye, but he barely kisses me goodnight, then rolls over and goes to sleep."

Other than at bedtime, Dugan was more than attentive to her when they went about their daily chores. He came in from sword fight or other chores to find her and ensure she was well. During the meals, he flirted and kept a conversation going between them.

"I would not suspect it's anything more than him giving you time. I can have Calum speak to him if you wish." It was endearing the way the laird's wife and she could speak about almost anything. Elsbeth hadn't a sister and now was thankful to have Meagan as a confidant and friend.

Not wanting to hear Meagan's attempts to defend Dugan, Elsbeth got up and went to find her husband. She'd just have to ask him herself. It was beyond ridiculous that she tossed and turned in want at night while he slept peaceful as the dead.

The great room was dim. A maid ordered two lads who went about scrubbing the tops of tables and sweeping the rushes from the floor.

Spotting Dugan exiting a side door, Elsbeth went to call after him only to stop when spotting the serving wench, Gertrude walking behind him. Her heart pounding, she waited until her breathing stabilized before following.

The days were cooling and Elsbeth was thankful for the briskness in the breeze on her flushed face when she stepped into the open air. She didn't spot anyone at first, but then heard the unmistakable timbre of her husband's voice.

"I doubt this will work, Gertrude, hold still." He sounded as if out of breath. "Perhaps we can try in the stables."

"I want to do it now...here," Gertrude seemed to strain and then she groaned.

"Get away from my husband, whore!" Elsbeth rounded the corner with a stick raised above her head.

Both Gertrude and Dugan turned to her, eyes wide. Gertrude held a goat between her legs and Dugan who had been holding its hind leg released it and fell onto the ground when the animal bucked in surprise. Gertrude lost her hold on the beast and stumbled to land on her arse. The goat kicked in the air and limped a few feet away before letting out a pitiful cry.

"What are you doing, wife?" Dugan got to his feet and frowned toward the goat. "Gertrude, take that animal to the stables. Ask Liam to help remove the thorn from its foot."

Elsbeth dropped the stick and began to retreat, but Dugan grabbed her arm and held her beside him as Gertrude struggled away with the baying animal.

"She treats the thing as if it were a child, refuses to allow anyone near it for fear they'll butcher it for a meal." Dugan explained not looking at her.

"I didn't mean to scare it," Elsbeth admitted. "But I saw her follow you and assumed."

"You called her a whore," Dugan shook his head. "I admit she's warmed many a bed, but she is a good person."

"She's got her eyes on you, I feel it."

"Is that so?" At his knowing smile, she eyed the stick and considered popping him on the side of the head with it. "Jealous, wife?"

"Of course not."

"And this?" Dugan picked up the stick she'd held. "Who did you plan to smash with it?"

Elsbeth bit back a smile. "I'm not sure."

"Come here," Dugan guided her to a low wall in a secluded section of the garden. "Lean over and hold it."

"What?"

"You must be punished for not trusting me."

Her eyes widened, would her husband strike her? Elsbeth considered refusing, but she had to obey. It was his right as husband after all. Hurt and resentment began to take hold in her. Knowing it was his right and that he did nothing wrong by striking her did not mean she'd easily forgive him for it. Following his instruction, Elsbeth bent at the waist and waited, her anger rising.

Warm hands circled her ankles and slid up her legs. His fingers skimmed over her skin lifting her clothing. Elsbeth felt more and more exposed as his trek continued upwards. At the same time, her breath hitched at finding she was enjoying the experience. Finally his hands reached her upper thighs and he hesitated, skimming his hands across her now heated flesh.

"Are you prepared, wife?" The deep husky tones did little to settle her and she replied with a simple nod.

Dugan threw her skirts over her head.

Not sure if it was from anger or something else, her breathing became erratic and her heartbeat faster. Elsbeth prepared for the assault only to gasp when Dugan's calloused hands began to rub over her behind.

He moaned and continued to massage her. Next he kissed where his hands left to follow with his hot mouth suckling over her skin. His tongue traveled down the center of her bottom and Elsbeth clutched the rocks harder. Her legs began to wobble when his hand slid between her legs and he not so gently pushed them apart.

"I've wanted to take you like this, beautiful Elsbeth. And I will." His breath feathered at her core and for an instant she felt nothing until his tongue slid into her. Elsbeth's legs wobbled, but Dugan pulled away. "Do not move, wife, take your punishment." She could hear the mirth in his voice.

"Yes," Elsbeth responded and then cried out when one of his hands cupped her center and his finger rubbed over the tingling nub.

When his hard cock nudged at her entrance, she pushed back into it. "Now, Dugan."

"Augh," he groaned and pushed into her. With his large hands on her hips to hold her in place, Dugan thrust in and out until losing any semblance of rhythm. He drove against her so hard the sounds of flesh against flesh rose to mingle with their moans.

Elsbeth lost control and flew high, stars flashing behind her eyes until she could no longer stand. Dugan held her up, his arms around her waist while he continued in his trek to find a heaven of his own.

That night Dugan held her legs over his shoulders while allowing his length to almost fully exit before he slid back into her. His movements erratic, Elsbeth barely noticed as she flayed under him, lost in her own passion. She screamed in release, arching against him.

"You're made for lovemaking, vixen," Dugan whispered in her ear when he collapsed over her. "I will not be able to walk tomorrow."

"Mmmm," Elsbeth mumbled nibbling on his earlobe. "Are you angry about it, husband?"

"Not one bit." He gifted her with a wide smile. "I cannot wait for Calum to try to boast on his bedroom escapades."

Elsbeth slapped at his shoulder. "Don't you dare share."

"They only have to see my face in the morning and everyone will know I am well bedded by my beautiful wife."

"Why did you barely touch me the last two days?"

His brows knitted. "I wanted to, but was told to give you time to heal. Just laying next to you has been torture. But I feared that just a touch would make it impossible to keep from taking you fully. You are my weakness, my wonderful, beautiful weakness."

"Oh, Dugan." Elsbeth took a breath and smiled up at him. "Kiss me once more."

"Gladly."

Morning came too soon. Elsbeth begrudged the sunlight that took her husband from her bed so early. She stretched only to find Dugan remained beside her. He slept soundly, not roused by her movement.

She lifted and studied him. Was he not feeling well? Or it could be he'd decided to linger in bed this morning. The thought made her happy.

A smile tugging at her lips, Elsbeth lifted the bedding and skimmed over his wonderful body. The valleys and planes of his muscular build so very different from her softer curves, yet alluring to her. Most of his skin was soft to the touch, not rough as she had expected.

Unable to resist, she skimmed her fingertips down his flat stomach to just above where his cock lay against it.

Elsbeth hesitated and looked up to his face. Dugan continued to sleep. Becoming braver, she moved lower in the bed and pressed her lips to the skin of his lower stomach. She loved the smell of her husband, all man and earth.

His cock twitched and she jerked up to see Dugan watched her. His sleepy eyes met hers and his lips curved. "A better way to wake up there is not."

"I want to pleasure you." Her face heated at the words. "Tell me how."

He lay back onto the pillow. “Take me in hand, wrap your fingers around and hold it tight.” Her fingers wrapped around his hardening length, not quite closing all the way around it.

Dugan moaned. "Yes. That's it. Now slide your hand up and down." His breathing hitched. "Wet your hand with your tongue and continue."

Once again she followed his instructions enjoying watching the strong warrior lost in what she did to him. He neck muscles corded with exertion when she bent and kissed the tip that slid from her palm. "There is more isn't there. Dugan?"

"Aye, but you don't have to." He grunted. "I can spill my seed if you continue..."

The sentence was left unfinished when she wrapped her lips around the end of his cock and took him into her mouth. She suckled at it while continuing to move her hand up and down.

Dugan's fingers dug into the bedding and he grabbed fistfuls of the blankets and lifted his hips while crying out. Elsbeth continued taking him as far as possible into her mouth. It took only a couple suckles when Dugan cried out and spilled his seed.

With a satisfied sigh she crawled to lie on his chest while he continued to shudder. Dugan kissed her and held her against him.

When he was able to speak, he lifted her face up to him. "I have no doubt I will love you more than life itself. I am a lucky man to have you."

She held back a giggle at how men thought. Unlike Dugan, she was already madly in love and would tell him soon. "It is good to hear, husband. Now, it's best I rise and prepare for the morning meal. Most may be finished by now." Elsbeth sat up and pushed her hair away from her face.

When a strong arm pulled her onto her back, she yelped only to moan when her husband began a descent of his own.

They did not make the morning meal that day.

The End