Page 25 of Shared By the Vikings

Erik’s hands were heavy but swift, continuing to land on her ass.

She struggled and kicked up sand again.

Suddenly it stopped.

All she could hear was the loud beat of her pulse and the air whooshing in and out of her lungs.

“Good girl.” Tali crouched next to her. “You’re doing so well.”

She studied the freckles she could just make out in the half-light of the fire.

“It will be okay,” he said, caressing her cheek.

She sniffed and tried to hold in a sob, but couldn’t. It burst upward, adding to her humiliation. She wasn’t a crier. Never had been.

But her ass hurt. It hurt and stung and was hot and she was hating this—being upturned over Erik’s knee and punished for the others to witness.

“Thor help me,” she muttered.

“He won’t.” Erik released her hair and the next thing she knew he was hoisting her upright onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Do you understand the error of your ways?”

She nodded. “I do.” She sniffed, her nose hurt, her eyes hurt, everything hurt.

He held her a little closer, tucking her head beneath his chin and wrapping his thick warm arms around her. Her ass was balanced between his thighs, the sorest patches of skin not touching his pants.

“Hey.” He used both hands to smooth her hair from her face. “No more tears.”

“You put them there,” she said, her words thick with emotion. “It was you. Your fault.”

“Ja, it was me. And now you understand the depth of my feelings.”

“Your feelings, you are a monster. Monsters don’t have feelings.”

He tipped her chin and raised his eyebrows. “Monster?”

She sniffed again and swiped at her cheeks.

“I’m no monster,” he said quietly, his breath breezing over her lips. “I am a man who demands respect from his woman.”

“I’m not your woman.”

He leaned closer still, his eyes boring into hers. “You will be.”

What?

Suddenly he stood, almost tipping her to the sand.

Tali grabbed her elbow and steadied her as she found her balance.

She shook him off. She didn’t need his help. Grabbing for the fur, she wound it over her shoulders and stalked to the farthest shelter. She’d claim it. It was the least she deserved after the way they’d treated her. Whoever’s it was could build another.

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