Page 51 of Heart of the Wolf
Brielle keened beside him, whining as the room got much too warm. His tongue and mouth continued to work in slow, torturous movements around her throat until his hand came to rest on her belly.
A deep, primal sound purred low in his chest as he rubbed a spot above her navel. The width of his hand nearly covered her stomach. He nipped at her lobe, whispering so only she could hear him.
“I want this round with our baby.”
Brielle squeaked, her eyes turning wide with the breadth of her smile.
“Tonight,” he crooned. “Tonight, I will fuck you full. Fill your womb. Would you like that?”
“Please,” she said, collapsing her head into his chest. “Take me to our bed, Úlfr.”
Moving too quickly, Leif spilled half-empty goblets of ale. He thrust his untouched mead to Amund, who raised it victoriously in a mock salute. One muscular arm slippedunder Brielle’s knees as Leif lifted her, cradling her body to his chest. Crimson flushed her cheeks as the hall erupted into rowdy cheers.
Chapter thirteen
Brielle
Ceremonial cloaks long forgotten in the hall, Leif lowered Brielle to her feet. She swayed, and not from too much wine. The pad of Leif’s thumb brushed the hinge of her jaw, and a shiver slithered through her limbs.
All that remained in the hearth were smoldering embers and ash. Two palms rubbed a blazing trail down her arms, warming her before he pulled away, a knowing grin pushing at his eyes.
Anticipation zipped across her fingertips. Leif kneeled beside the fire, stoking it with enough logs to last well into the morning. His tunic hung open around his throat, hinting at the taut muscles underneath. Strands of hair fell over his eyes, daring her to brush them from his face.
Cool metal slid under her fingers as she stroked the wolf engraved on her brooch, drinking in the sight ofherhusband, growing more impatient with each passing second.
He tended to the fire with more care than her, and she wanted him to make good on his promise to fill her with his child. A tiny noise rumbled in her chest, finally earning his attention.
With a thud, he dropped another log onto the fire. Amusement glittered in his smile as he rose, moving to her side and grinning at the neediness darkening her eyes.
No matter how often he looked at her like she was the reason for the stars, it never failed to make her stomach swoop. He towered over her, casting his handsome features in darkness. Callused fingers ghosted over her clavicle before they loosened the golden threads of her gown.
Leif said nothing, his eyes dark and laden with desire as he licked his lips. Deep, guttural sounds fell from him while he undid the intricate ties of her dress. He nipped at her ear, her jaw, and her throat as he continued his unhurried disrobing of her.
It was too slow. Far too slow. She needed more. Impatient as she was, however, she didn’t rush him. Content to stay quiet and let him have her any way he wished.
Once he released the final swath of ribbon, the gorgeous gown pooled at her feet. He clenched his teeth, his patience faltering. A brutal tear split the delicate fabric of her shift as Leif tore it apart, exposing all of her to him. She gasped, watching the linen fall in tatters on the ground.
“Leif,” she said, half-shocked, half-moaning.
“Brielle,” he growled back, his icy eyes more wolf than man.
Her nipples pebbled under his devouring glare, looking at her like she was the prey to his wolf. Gingerly, he removed the headpiece from her curls, placing it down with much more care than he showed her dress.
Those scarred hands brushed along her body, taking their time to memorize every dip. Leif groaned into her ear, kissing his way down her body as his thumbs swept along the supple underside of her breasts. Pleasure traveled from his touch like a shockwave straight to her center, making a garbled moan escape her.
He paused his exploration to rub a palm over her belly. A reverent sound purred in her ear. Her lips hovered over his jaw, and she kissed the bearded trail, running her fingers through it.
Leif chuckled, walking her backwards until her knees buckled at the edge of the bed. One hand rested at the hollow of her throat, his gaze following the path his other hand took. Between her breasts, down to her navel,stopping at the crux of her thighs when he gently nudged her.
“Lie down, my wild girl,” he said in a velveteen command that was impossible to resist.
Doing as he said, she fell into the thick furs. She scooted back, leaning forward as her legs dangled off the edge. The whites of his teeth gleamed like the fangs of his wolf, twinkling in the firelight as he slowly removed the brocade fastenings from his overshirt before loosening the ties of his tunic and pulling it off by the collar.
Beaded braids kissed his shoulders. Whereas Brielle’s hair was a wild mane of curls haloed around her. His ravenous gaze never left her flushed form as he stripped, his length springing free and slapping against his toned abdomen. The pad of his thumb swept over the glistening bead at the head, unhurriedly pumping himself.
“Look at you,” he said, sounding almost awe-stricken. “Glistening for me.”
Gooseflesh tingled over her shoulders as he ran a finger through her slit, making her hips buck.
