Page 58 of About Love and Revenge

I don't remember ever crying in front of anyone, and I'm really embarrassed.

“I'm here. Nobody will take you.”

I want to stop crying, say I'm not afraid. I want to go back to my role as an emotions mimic, show that the kidnapping attempt didn't scare me, but I can't.

Today was the culmination of the madness my life has become, so I give up resisting. I wrap my arms around his neck and let myself be taken care of.

I don't know exactly what I am doing by trusting my family's enemy, but the truth is that with Odin, for the first time, I'm able to let my fears surface.

“I fought them,” I say, between sobs.

He strokes my hair. “Of course you fought. You are strong and brave.”He kisses my cheek like he's comforting a child, and I accept his caresses without any restraint this time. Keeping me in his arms, he walks into what I imagine is his bedroom. “What do you want to do?”

“Could you hug me just a little longer?”

He pulls back to look at me. “Is that what you want?”

I nod, and he doesn't say anything else. He just lies on the bed, pulling me against his body.

My eyes feel heavy. His scent and warmth soothe me, and I finally fall asleep.

I wake up a while later and realize it's still night.

His huge, strong body is underneath mine. His arms are still locked around me like when I fell asleep.

When I lift my head to look at him, I see that he's awake and keeping watch on me.

“I'll run a bath for you.”

“It's not necessary. You must be exhausted.”

“I want to take care of you. Will you let me?”

I look at him and see the torment on his face. I think it's the first time we've both really had our guards down. I drink in the masculine countenance that fascinates me so much. The deep black eyes seem to see into my soul, but I can also see his concern for me.

“Yeah.”I cup his face and place a soft kiss on his mouth, but that's not nearly enough.

I want more.

Taking the initiative excites me because I know Odin isn't used to relinquishing control. I deepen the kiss, and as I taste him, I moan with pleasure.

It feels like a century since we last touched, even though it's actually only been a little over four days.

I bite and lick his mouth, and he finally seems to reach his limit. He rolls me over on the bed, getting on top of my body, kissing me back as if he needs my lips as much as he needs air.

I surrender, enjoying all the sensations without putting up any defenses. Without hiding what I'm feeling.

Needy, anxious, dying of longing.

“I want you,” I hear myself say.

His reaction is not what I expect. He gets up and takes off his suit jacket without taking his eyes off me.

It's like watching a giant undress. The muscles I felt under my hands appear beneath the perfectly cut shirt. He doesn't wear a tie, and I follow every button that comes free of its buttonhole. I'd like to take his clothes off myself.

When his chest is bare, I can't look away. He looks tough, solid everywhere. So male!

I’ve never imagined naked men. Until recently, I wasn't interested in sex, but now I'm mesmerized by his body.

---