Their Treasured Bride (Bridgewater Ménage 4)

After hanging up Connor's things, then mine, I gave her the kiss I'd been longing for all day.

She offered her mouth readily enough, then squealed and stepped back. "Dash, your nose is freezing!" Her hand came up to cover her cheek where I'd nuzzled.

I grinned. That was the first good reason for nae kissing me she'd had so far. "Verra well, but I'm going to want double the kisses later once I've thawed out," I warned. Instead of her cheeks turning pink as I expected, her lips pursed and she glanced away. Connor met my eyes over her head and he offered a small shrug. Good, he'd seen that something wasna right as well.

"Rhys!" Olivia cried out, her voice muffled by the pantry door.

"Is she...is she all right?" Rebecca asked both of us.

Connor grinned. "Tis nae a beating she's receiving, lass."

A V formed in her smooth brow just before her eyes widened. "Here? Now?"

Leaning in close, I murmured, "She needed tending and her men are seeing to it."

She stepped back from me as if I'd burned her. I'd done something to upset her, but I didna know what it might be, for I hadna even seen her all day. I could understand her reserve if it was directed at both Connor and me, but it seemed I had been singled out.

"Yes, but here?" She glanced to Connor, then around the kitchen. Brody was helping Laurel to her feet and Mason led them both down the hall. Emma handed Ellie to Ann right before Ian tossed his wife over his shoulder, slapped her arse and carried her up the back stairwell. Kane followed behind.

Andrew stirred the large pot on the stove and ladled some stew into bowls stacked nearby. I was used to having one of the couples fuck in a private corner of the house or stable. Private, yes, but quiet, nay. The sounds of fucking abounded wherever I went on the ranch. Before, rather than bother me, it had only made me wish Connor and I had a bride of our own to focus on. To Rebecca though, it must seem as if we were a bunch of heathens.

"Is everyone having...relations right now?" she whispered.

"Aye, although it seems Andrew and Robert will eat their dinner first before ravishing Ann as they'll watch baby Ellie," I shared, but when she barely offered me a glance before pursing her lips.

"Tis nay relations. What's it called, lass?" Connor asked. "Say it."

She shook her head and pursed her lips. "I...can't."

"Verra well," I replied. "I'm hungry enough to eat a boiled bear, but I want relations with ye more."

Her eyes flared at my words. She was thinking something and it wasna about fucking. "It is not necessary. I do not need...tending as the other women do."

What in bloody hell had the women talked about? They were supposed to talk with her and help Rebecca with her concerns, nae have her disinterested and downright cold. I grabbed Rebecca's coat from a peg, tossed it to Connor, then grabbed my own. "There's nae a person around here that needs more tending and relations as ye."

***

Aye, something wasna right. Back at the house, Connor helped her with her coat and allowed him to kiss her neck but I wasna offered even a glance. I watched them interact as I stoked the fire in the kitchen stove and then went to the parlor to build another.

They joined me after a few minutes and C

onnor tugged Rebecca into his arms and kissed her. Passionately. Deeply. Fully. When he lifted his head, her cheeks were flushed and nae from the cold, her eyes blurry and her mouth wet and red. I stood from my crouch by the fire and came over to them. I took her chin with my thumb to turn her head for a kiss, but she swiveled it away.

Connor raised his brows at her action. "What's wrong with Dash's kisses?"

She sniffed and tilted up her chin. "Nothing."

"Then why aren't ye kissing him?"

She looked away from Connor and down at the fire. "I have a headache," she finally said.

Connor and I shared a glance and I couldna help but roll my eyes. "Is that what they taught ye at school—to say ye had a headache to ward off yer husband?"

She looked up at us through her lashes and I knew I'd been correct.

"Is it time for yer monthlies?" Connor asked and she flushed a vivid scarlet. "Let's check, shall we?"

He took her wrist and pulled her around behind the couch and with a hand at her back, forced her to bend over. "Connor, what are you—"