Page 75 of Shared By the Vikings

Chapter Sixteen

The fish was soon devouredaround the fire that evening. More mead was drunk and the men congratulated themselves on completing the repairs to the boat they’d found.

When the bells finally stopped ringing, Ingrid sighed and drained her tankard. She was tired, excited about what was to come in the ensuing days, but also apprehensive not just about facing the sea again, but how her heart would cope leaving this land without Raud.

“Are you sad?” Erik asked.

“My head is full of thoughts.”

“That doesn’t do a maiden any good.” Gunnvar gave one of his lopsided grins; it was a smile that she’d learned meant he was teasing her.

“Well, this maiden likes to use her mind.” Ingrid tapped her temple.

“I prefer it when you use your body.” Gunnvar clutched his groin and laughed.

Ingrid laughed too and it was a nice release of tension. When she’d sat at her father’s side, no one would have dared speak to her that way or tease her. It was refreshing to be so at ease.

“Speaking of your body,” Erik said, wiping the back of his hand over his lips. “I want a show.”

“A show?”

“Ja.” He nodded at Tali. “Give Ingrid sex, here, by the fire so I can watch.”

Tali had been drawing in the sand with a stick, but now he turned his face to Ingrid, his eyes flashing in the flame light and a decidedly fiendish grin tugging his lips. “A show,” he repeated.

Erik grunted. “Lay her on the fur.”

Excitement gripped Ingrid. She’d yet to have sex with Tali. She hadn’t had the thrill of his hands on her body despite yearning for it.

Tali stood, then slowly, deliberately he shook out the fur and settled it on the sand by the fire.

“Princess,” he said, holding out his hand.

She blew out a shaky breath. She could refuse, but she didn’t want to. Knowing how Tali’s body would feel against hers was a craving as powerful as any hunger.

She took his hand and stood.

“I’ll make it good,” he said. “You’ll enjoy it.”

“I know.”

He undid the lace holding her tunic over her chest. As it slackened her breasts were exposed. The cool evening air tightened her nipples and washed around her ribs. A tremble of desire laced through her abdomen and weakened her knees.

“And this.” Tali stepped close and hooked his fingers into her waistband. He pushed at the leather and her pants slid over her hips and thighs. Soon they, and her boots, were off and she was naked.

For a moment he stared at her, as did Erik and Gunnvar.

Their gazes were as heated as the fire at her side.

“You’re beautiful,” Tali said, cupping the underside of her right breast. “And ours.”

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