He was quick to settle his arms around her. “You’re cold,” he said and anger flared in his eyes. “Where have you been?”

He was warm, not a chill to him and she pressed herself against him to steal a bit of his warmth. “Someone needed tending.”

“You went alone? On your own? In the dark of night? Have you no sense, wife?”

She laughed. “I usually have too much.”

“Not this time,” he snapped. “I forbid you from ever again going out on your own at night like that. You will find me and I will go with you.”

“That word forbid does not sit well with me, husband,” she said and stepped away from him.

“A wife follows her husband’s rule.”

“Not this wife,” she said with a grin.

“And here I thought you were a reasonable woman,” he said, a slight smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

“Aye, I am, which is why I chose a decent man to wed and not someone who wishes to dictate. Though, I see he may need reminding of that now and then.” She gasped when she found herself in her husband’s strong arms. She still couldn’t understand how he could move so fast that his movements could barely be seen.

“I’ll not lose you due to your own stubbornness,” he said and kissed her when she went to argue with him. “One thing you are not is foolish and until this culprit is caught it would be foolish for you to go out alone late at night and in a snowfall that has turned heavy. I ask if it is necessary for you to do so, then let me go with you so I don’t worry needlessly.” He grinned. “And if you think to refuse my heartfelt request then know that I will be your shadow day and night until I deem it safe for you.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re still dictating.”

“I beg you to humor me on this before my poor heart shatters, so frightful I am of losing you.”

She laughed softly again. “Your tongue does charm.”

He cupped her chin. “My tongue tells the truth this time. I wouldn’t want to live without you.”

He kissed her and Willow was glad he did, since his words left her speechless. It was no tender kiss and it left no doubt as to where it would lead and that soared Willow’s passion.

Slatter rested his brow to hers after ending the kiss. “I have an insatiable aching need for you, wife.”

“And I for you, husband,” Willow whispered a hair’s breadth away from his lips.

“I have no patience for slow and lazy tonight. I want you quick and hard.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

He scooped her up in his arms and they were in the bedchamber with haste, tugging each other free of their garments before falling on the bed together, his lips claiming her in places that soared her passion beyond reason.