Page 46 of Shared By the Vikings

Listening to the men talk about home and how they might return to their village, and if they could go back with treasure, Ingrid relaxed into the age-old craft of carving arrows to go with her now completed bow. Her father had taught her the skill many years ago, and she enjoyed firing a bow, hitting a target, when she had made all of the components of the weapon with her own hands.

The waves lapped softly at the dip in the beach, pushing and pulling weeds, pebbles, and driftwood back and forth.

Eventually, with her belly reasonably full, Ingrid stood. “I’m going to sleep.”

“May the gods watch over you,” Tali said.

She smiled at him.

As she stepped past Gunnvar he reached out and took her hand. “You have done well today. Many women from our village would have bemoaned the situation.” He tugged his earlobe. “Been at our ear all day to build a better cooking area, bedding area.”

“Why, we’re not staying here?”

“No,” he said, drawing her hand to his mouth. Through the darkness she could see the dark lines on his face had smudged. Likely so had hers. “I’m glad you understand that.” His breath was warm on her skin as he kissed her knuckles.

She stroked the plait he’d once again created over the top of his head. “Good sleep to you, Gunnvar.”

“And you, little wolf.”

She stepped into the darkness of the trees, relieved her bladder, then crawled into the same shelter she’d used the night before. At least this time she had clothes on, though it was still cool, the temperature dropping with each hour.

She rolled onto her side, for her ass was still delicate, and drew up her knees.

As her thoughts began to jumble and her breaths slowed she felt a body hunkering down behind her. A huge arm went around her waist and she was tugged back into a large chest. Warmth settled over her.

Erik.

“What are you doing?” she murmured.

“You’re in my shelter, in case you hadn’t noticed, and there’s not much room so we need to be close.”

“Perhaps you should sleep under the stars.”

“Are you with the fairies, woman? I built this; you want your own shelter, you build it.”

She frowned, but couldn’t deny his body heat was welcome as was the sense of having him protect her. Naught on earth would get past him, no wolf, bear, or troll. She could sleep like the long-dead and know he was watching out for her.

“It’s too late to build a shelter,” she said sleepily.

“It’s not too late for sex,” he said against her ear. “Want to?”

“No, I told you, I’m—”

“Saving your maidenhead, I know. But think about it, we could have fun, you and I. I could teach you so much, things you don’t even know you don’t know.” He ran his hand up her stomach and cupped her breast.

She hitched in a breath. Maybe it was time to have not just a hand but a cock between her legs.

He massaged her breast through her tunic. What felt like a piece of string between her nipple and her clit tugged, creating a sudden need for more. “Erik,” she gasped.

He chuckled and released her. “It’s okay, I’m not in the habit of taking a woman who isn’t willing.”

She swallowed; there was a new taste in her mouth—the flavor of desire. Part of her was relieved he’d accepted her answer. Another part of her wished he’d continued to touch her, and tried to persuade her.

“Can I ask you something,” she said, resting her hand over his thickly corded forearm.

“I have a feeling you will no matter what answer I give.”

“Why did you save me? You must have been fighting for your own life when the boat hit rocks.”

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