Page 56 of Heart of Defiance

“That’s our woman,” he says in a tone resonating with admiration—and promise. He looks at the cabin and then back at me. “We have a little time. What do you all say we make Signy’s last memory of this place a happy one?”

There’s no mistaking the suggestiveness of that question. Heat sweeps through my body to pool between my thighs.

Landric trails his fingers up my back, but his caress is tentative, as if he’s wary of his welcome. Jostein’s bright eyes darken with a smolder of desire.

The squad leader takes in my expression and must be able to see the matching desire in me. My lips part, but before I need to speak, he holds out his hand and speaks with thesame commanding tone he brought out in the tent the other night. “I’d say that’s a brilliant idea. Come inside, rebel maiden. You’re ours—and no one else’s.”

A giddy quiver of agreement passes through my veins. I step toward the cabin, gripping Landric’s hand to tug him with me in case he has any lingering doubts about whether he’s a full member of our strange but incredible relationship.

Jostein opens the door, careful of its wobbly hinges, and ushers me inside.

The drafts that slip past the doorframe and around the curtains over the glassless windows have kept the air within fresh. With weeks past since I inhabited the space, the only smells that linger in the air are those of pine and moss.

After the cool night, the summer sun hasn’t had much time to spread its warmth yet. Iko kneels by the small fireplace and retrieves a flint to light the kindling I left there.

As the flames crackle across the bits of bark and twig, he adds a couple of logs to the fire. The wavering light fills the room along with a waft of warmth.

With the three men around me in the cabin, the interior feels so much smaller than when it was just me. Other than the fireplace, all it contains are the mattress I made out of stuffed canvas with a couple of tatty wool blankets over top, a rickety table with a single chair, and a set of shelves fixed to the walls that hold my few dishes and pieces of cookware. I spent most of my time outside when I could.

None of my lovers appear bothered by the modest surroundings. Compared to the hasty camps we’ve constructed over the past several days, I guess solid walls and actual furniture are almost a luxury.

And they’re too focused on me to give the rest of the room’s contents much mind.

Jostein turns my chin toward him and claims my mouth. As his kiss consumes me, Landric nuzzles the other side ofmy neck and nips the crook of my jaw. Iko rejoins us, sliding his hands under the hem of my tunic to splay against my bare stomach.

“I barely got to see you last time in the dark,” he says in a husky voice. “You deserve every bit of admiration.”

He lifts the bottom of my tunic, and Landric grasps the other side to help peel it off me. My childhood friend grins at me, so much adoration shining in his eyes that my heart skips a beat. “Out of everything in the world I haven’t experienced yet, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here, exploring all I can have with you.”

Even more affection swells inside me. I tug him in for another kiss.

Jostein strokes his fingers across my back. Iko flicks his tongue across the peak of my breast through the thin fabric of my undershirt before raising the chemise to take my nipple right between his lips.

I gasp into Landric’s mouth, and he lets out a strangled groan. His arm loops around my waist, pulling me close.

The hard bulge already risen behind his trousers presses against my hip. The feel of it sends more heat coursing to my core, but none of my men appear to have any intention of rushing the moment.

Jostein and Iko remove my chemise together, and then the squad leader massages one of my breasts while his friend returns his mouth to the other. The currents of pleasure have me swaying between them.

As Jostein recaptures my mouth, Landric hooks his fingers around the waist of my trousers and drags them ever so carefully down. The fire’s warmth licks over my bared legs, nothing compared to the hungry flame growing inside me.

Landric kisses a path down my thigh alongside his progress, sinking to his knees. Not to be outdone, Iko teases his hand along the waist of my drawers.

Jostein gives my lower lip a gentle tug between his teeth. I can’t restrain a whimper.

I don’t just feel adored. It’s as if they’re worshipping me, like I’m so much more worthy than a girl who was shunned by her chosen godlen.

As if I’m a lesser god myself, and they mean to honor me in every possible way.

Iko strips off my drawers with a stroke of my ass that sends a spark of anticipation rippling through me. He glances around, but Jostein takes charge first.

“Turn the chair around.” He gazes down at Landric, a smile unfurling across his face. “You’re in the perfect position to take care of her already.”

A flush washes over my skin at his apparent meaning. Iko nudges me down onto the chair, and Landric guides himself between my splaying knees without any hint of hesitation.

I’d feel self-conscious about having my most intimate area open to the firelight before all my men’s gazes, but there’s only reverence in their expressions.

Jostein pushes my ass forward on the seat so I have to tip backward. As he cups my breasts from behind, Landric kisses my inner thigh on one side and the other.

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