The Contract by Sandy Holden

piercing.
    “I remember being halted this morning in the middle of something,” he said slowly. I looked up at him.“And now that you’ve had the whole day to accustom yourself to the idea, it’s time for action.” Max gave me a promising smile. “Take off your dress, my lady wife. I have an urge to hear my name on your lips.”
     

Chapter Ten
    I woke again before Max the next morning. I lay back and looked at the ceiling. The night before had been incredible. Max had indeed started where he’d been interrupted in the morning. I’d still been unable to completely accept what he was going to do—it was so far out of my belief of what happened between man and woman. So again I’d struggled and tried to talk him out of it. I’d half expected Max to get angry, but he hadn’t. He’d teased me, made me laugh, and gone very slowly. Not surprisingly, he had eventually gotten his way, and I’d been very vocal in my appreciation of that fact. He’d been right. I did like it. A lot.
    I think he’d enjoyed my shock over him using his mouth there so much, he’d promised to do something else new tonight. I could feel my stomach tremble now just thinking about it, and he wasn’t even awake. Or, should I say, he wasn’t awake…yet.
    As softly as I possibly could, I let my fingers glide down his back where it was turned to me. He sighed, moving slightly. I stopped, waiting until it seemed he was back to sleep. Then I carefully moved the sheet, shifting so I could kneel near him to look my fill. He suddenly turned on his back, his eyes opening. I bit my lip and smiled at him, embarrassed to be found like this.
    “Good morning, my lord,” I said, blushing.
    “Wife,” he said, stretching. “Why are you poised over me like that?”
    I laughed nervously. “I was thinking.”
    “Thinking?“I bristled. “Do you believe a woman can’t think?”
    Max rubbed his eyes and blinked at me. “Katrina, I’ve been awake nearly a minute now. How is it possible I’ve already managed to upset you?”
    I shook my head, feeling ridiculous. “I’m sorry, Max. I just…well, I’m embarrassed. You caught me…thinking.”
    Max reached up and pulled me down, so I was lying on his chest. “Wife, if you’re going to do so much blushing this morning, I’d like to give you something to blush about.” He pulled my head down, so he could kiss me.
    I felt strange on top of him like this and tried to slide off to the side. He caught my hips and repositioned me back over him. “Where do you go, wife?” he asked with a grin.
    Like yesterday, a knock sounded at the door. “My lord? I’m sorry, but during the night—”
    Max growled and said, “Hold.” He looked up at me. “We’re going to have to start getting up earlier,” he said ruefully. He set me off him and grabbed his clothes. He looked back at me and shook his head. As he went to the door he chuckled as I dove under the covers, letting only my head peek out.
    He opened the door, and I found myself glad that for once that angry face wasn’t looking at me. “What?” he barked.
    The man, not Caius this time, stumbled as he tried to get the words out quickly, “A messenger has come from the King. The messenger would only wait until now but demands to see you immediately.”
    Max nodded. “Fine, I’ll be there directly.“The man, relieved of his message, nearly ran away down the hall. Max turned and strode back to me. “Wife?” he said as he pulled me up to give me a brief kiss. “I will send someone back here to you within the hour . If you aren’t here waiting, I’ll have you whipped in the hall. Do you believe me?”
    I looked at him, eyes wide. “Yes, my lord,” I said in a whisper.
    “Don’t forget and don’t find someone to rescue.“I nodded again. He kissed me again, more softly. “Thank you.“I gave him a tentative smile back. He kissed me again, gathering me closer. Finally he put me away from him with a groan and stood. He strode to the door and