It had made no sense to him and he had denied it for as long as he could, until he admitted that something was amiss when it came to her. He decided he had to return home and see Snow again, if only to put this aching unease and foolishness to rest.

The rage that had ripped through him upon discovering Snow was to wed that day made him want to beat someone senseless. Actually, he had wanted to beat the man who had the audacity to lay claim to her when she belonged to him.

Looking at her now in his bed, safe and sleeping peacefully, filled him with overwhelming relief. She was his wife. No one could take her from him, not now, not ever.

Snow woke slowly, content in the warmth that she was wrapped in. She lay there in the quiet enjoying it. When she finally opened her eyes, it was dark, no shadows danced around her and when she went to move she realized something—no, not something—someone was wrapped around her.

Panic took hold and she couldn’t think straight. How had someone gotten into her room? In her bed? And where was Thaw? Fear sent her into flight.

“Thaw!” she screamed and scrambled out of bed almost falling to the floor, but righting herself and hurrying away, then bumping into something, turning, and trying to feel her way in the dark.

Something was wrong. She knew her way around her room. She hit something again and realized Thaw was barking furiously.

“Snow! It’s Tarass. You’re safe here in our bedchamber,” he said and rested his hand gently on her shoulder. She slumped against him in relief, recalling where she was and that she was his wife.

“I forgot,” she said with a sigh and his arms wrapped around her and he eased her against him. She jumped out of his arms with a slight shove. “Good Lord, we’re both naked.”

Tarass couldn’t keep the chuckle out of his voice. “That we are and we’re allowed to be since we’re husband and wife.” He thought reminding her again might temper her concern.

“I need my nightdress,” she said, trying to cover what she could of herself with her arms.

“I prefer you naked,” Tarass said, gently brushing her arms off her breasts and stomach. “You have the most beautiful body and I enjoy looking at it. And if you recall, this isn’t the first time I have seen you naked.”

That reminded Snow of something, and she had to ask, “Why did you marry me?”

“You’ll catch a chill. Come to bed and I’ll keep you warm,” he said and slipped his arm around her.

Snow stepped away, his arm falling off her, and asked again, “Why did you marry me?”

“We’ll talk while in the warmth of the bed,” he urged.