“You should have told me,” he said.

Snow didn’t respond, content in her husband’s arms. She might be tired, but it was her wedding night and their vows must be sealed. She almost chuckled, since what she truly wanted was to make love with her husband, and being in her husband’s arms reminded her how she had felt when naked in his arms, and her passion sparked and ignited.

Once Tarass placed her on her feet in their bedchamber and took her cloak, she was eager to shed her garments, but his strong command stopped her.

“Leave your shift on to sleep. The room has chilled and it will keep you warm.” He went to the hearth to add more logs.

“You’ll keep me warm,” she said.

“You need sleep, if I get in bed with you, you will not sleep,” he said with snarl that rivaled Thaw’s.

Her eyes went wide and anger bubbled inside her. “You don’t intend to sleep with me?”

“Not tonight,” he said. “You’re exhausted and need sleep.”

“You decide when I sleep?” she argued.

Tarass did his best to temper his annoyance, but it wasn’t easy. He wanted to say the hell with it and whether she was tired or not, make love to his wife.

“Aye, I’m your husband and know what is best for you, especially when you’re too stubborn to realize it.”

Her mounting anger chased her exhaustion and she nearly ripped her tunic as she tore it off herself and threw it aside.

“You don’t command me when to sleep or what to wear to bed.” She grabbed the sides of her shift to tug it off.

“Don’t dare take that off!” he ordered sharply.

“Or what?” she challenged.

“You will obey me on this, Snow,” he warned. “Leave the shift on and get in bed.”

Thaw raised his head from where he was curled asleep by the hearth and started growling.

Snow stuck her chin up defiantly. “You’re not officially my husband until our vows are sealed so until then I’ll do as I please, and I please to sleep naked.” She yanked off her shift and stood naked, her hands on her hips. “Now what are you going to do?”

“Teach you obedience,” Tarass said.

Chapter 19

“What are you doing? Why is Thaw snarling so badly?” Snow demanded, worried for Thaw, though she knew Tarass would not harm the pup.

“He’s being put out of the room, since he won’t tolerate what I’m about to do to you,” Tarass said.

Snow heard the latch on the door close and Thaw’s barks and scratches against the door, and she hurried forward to rescue the angry pup.