“I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you,” he said, sliding his hand to her hip.

“So take me. Now. Do it.”

“Do not say words that might make me forgo control,” he said, lifting up and grinning. “That you wouldn’t like... not when ridding your maidenhead.” He reached for the button on her pants and pulled it open.

Then he was dragging her boots off, then her pants.

Within a few heartbeats, she was naked on the grass, legs spread, Erik sitting between them and looking very much like a hunter who’d captured his prey.

“Do not be afraid,” he said, going up onto his knees and releasing his belt. He tugged it free and tossed it to one side, the dagger, axe, and store pouches landing with a soft whump.

Ingrid watched fascinated as he pushed at his brown pants—faded and worn by seafaring—and released his thick cock.

“For the love of Freya.” She scooted backward. “You can’t... with that... there.” A bolt of panic went through her. That would never fit.

“I can,” he growled, gripped her ankle and hoisted her back to where she was.

She gasped and clawed the grass.

“And I will.”

Stilling, she couldn’t take her eyes off it as he smoothed his fist from the base to the top. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen a cock before; some of the men in her village were unconcerned about being naked, especially in hot weather. But hard and big like Erik’s—no, she hadn’t seen anything like that before.

“It will hurt a little,” he said, “but after that it will be only pleasure.”

Ingrid failed to see how having that big thing shoved in her pussy could possibly be pleasurable. “I’ve changed my mind.”

“Too late for that now... we’re naked.” He released his cock and smoothed the tip of his finger from her navel to her mound. He tickled through her pubic hair, over her clit, and sought her entrance. “So try and enjoy.”

Ingrid knew she’d gone past the point of return.

And I don’t want to be an aged woman with a maidenhead.

He kept his gaze fixed on hers as he pushed into her pussy.

She caught her breath at the invasion. His finger was wide and her pussy fluttered around it as she tensed and relaxed.

“You were being truthful.” He raised his eyebrows.

“About what?”

“Your maidenhead.”

“Of course I was, I... oh... ouch!” She squirmed but he gripped her hip with his free hand and held her still.

He’d added another finger and entered her higher. But her body was blocking him. She was too tight. She couldn’t take it.

She pushed at his wrist and writhed. “Erik, no... please.”

“This will break now,” he said softly as he held her firmer. “I’m sorry it pains you.”

“It does, oh...” She bucked upward trying to escape.

She could go nowhere.

“Just a bit more...” he said.

As he’d spoken, a sudden sharp release of pressure twanged through her pelvis and like an arrow from a bow, his fingers shot higher.