Page 56 of The Devil's Viking

“Uh-huh. Just – just exhausted.”

“I’m sorry.” He suddenly felt guilty. She’d been up at her usual ungodly hour that morning, after almost two weeks of stress and working hard to get her feet under her. And now here he was, jumping on her when she still had to clock two more hours of her shift, and he was draining what little energy she probably had. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

She smiled. “Get me to my feet, babe. I’ll be fine. Just drop me off in the bathroom over there.”

Viking paused at the unexpected endearment, decided that he really liked it. “Come on.”

He picked her up and carried her to the attached bathroom. He put her down gently, then made sure that she was OK to stand on her own. She sighed deeply when she saw herself in the mirror.

“Man,” she said, tugging her dress back down, reminded herself to pick up her underwear off the damn floor. “I’m a mess.”

“Oh, baby.” He shook his head affectionately. “This isnothingcompared to the mess you’re going to be later.”

“Promise?”

“It’s more than a promise.” He wrapped his arms around her, marvelling again at how small she was. “It’s a damn guarantee.”

Chapter Eighteen

Two hours later, Iris was sitting at the bar nursing a glass of pineapple juice, and feeling like she’d forgotten something. She was having trouble focusing on just what that might be, though. She was jumpy and distracted, practically leaping to her feet every time the bar door opened, sure that it was Viking coming back from the bank.

“Geez, girl,” Cole said. “You’re like a cat on a hot tin roof, with the jumping up and down and whirling around every time the door opens. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.” She took a massive gulp of juice, scrambled for some explanation that would satisfy the very curious Cole.“I just think that I’m forgetting something.”

“Like what?”

“Dunno.”

“It’ll come to you.” Cole refilled her glass. “Now, will you take a breath and calm down? You’re making me tense, and I sure ashellhaven’t forgotten anything.”

The door opened and once again, Iris swung around on her stool to look… and this time, Viking was standing there. Right away, she relaxed completely and a huge, stupid smile broke out across her face.

“Ahhhh,” Cole said. “NowI get it. I should have guessed.”

“Get what?” Iris asked breathlessly as she watched Viking make his way over to her. “Guess what?”

“Sugar, I might not be the smartest man wandering around this place, but I’m no idiot. Besides, my job is to notice everything and everyone, and see when people are acting out of character. I know what nerves look like.”

“Nerves?”

“Yeah, nerves. You’re nervous and excited about something, so let me try to guess what that might be.” He shot Viking a look then glanced back at her, his dark eyes dancing at her obvious mortification. “Hmmm… something about you and Viking…”

“Shut up,” she whispered. “I am begging you.”

“Begging, huh?”

“Yes.Begging.”

“How about this, sweetheart: you make me some of that amazing cheese bread tomorrow, and I’ll forget this whole conversation.”

“Blackmail!”

“Yep. Is it working?”

“It is,” she said grudgingly. “Well played.”

“Viking! What’s going on, man?” He gave Viking a huge grin. “Looking spiffy.”

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