After the Storm by Jaid Black

Author:Jaid Black
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.
Published: 2013-06-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Thomas sat down in his chair by the hearth, a tankard of ale in hand. He stared into the crackling fire, watching the flames pulse back and forth. The embers danced a warm display of red, yellow and orange. ‘Twas beautiful. And entrancing. But they gave no answers. He sighed. What was he to do?

He had sent his wife to their chambers quite a while ago. At first, his intention had been to follow soon afterwards, only giving Maya enough time to worry o’er her punishment, and then make his appearance and tear into her with his blistering words. Mayhap he would even have put her over his knee this time.

It became evident to Thomas before Maya reached the stairs that he was of no mind to see her just yet. He feared what he would say, what punishments he would give. He knew that it was of dire necessity that he calm himself before going to their chamber.

So he paced the halls for over two hours then settled into his chair for another one. Much thinking and three tankards of ale later, he was still of no mind to see his wife.

The MacGregor already knew what would happen if he did. Naught good would come of it. They would have words, he would lose his temper, Maya would lose hers, he would punish her with more restrictions, she would grow more despondent and like him even less—if ‘twas possible—and their marriage would be in an even sorrier state than it already was.

‘Twas strained enough between the two of them. Maya was passing pleasant to him when he’d check in on her or pass her in the hall during the days. Aye, she was civil, but no more a boon would she grant him than that. ‘Twas only during the nights when he’d trick her body into a state of need that his wife would cling to him, calling his name in loving gasps of breath just as she used to. And even that was losing its comforts.

No longer did Maya reach for him in the nights of her own accord, no longer did she steal kisses from him in passing during the days. He wanted that again, needed it more than he’d realized. No more could he fool himself into believing that ‘twas good enough did she accept him when he’d coax her body into wanting him while she slept unawares. Nay, he needed his stubborn, mischievous, passionate wife back, and he needed her while she was awake.

Bloody hell, the woman didn’t even argue at him a’tall anymore! As of late, were he to give her a dictate he sensed she didn’t like, Maya did no more than sigh and relent. Thomas didn’t know what her acquiescence meant precisely, only that it couldn’t be a good sign for their future happiness.

Had he broken her spirit so badly? Had he crushed her will so entirely? He shuddered at the thought. That was never the intention.

His goal all along had

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