Page 9 of Shared By the Vikings

“Ja,” she nodded. “Freya’s wise actions are clear now.”

“It is I you should be marrying,” he said. “Not that brute of a man.”

“I want to marry you,” she said. “Really I do.”

Something in his hard eyes softened. “Ingrid. My beautiful princess.”

“But my father will never consent to it. Not now he has promised me to another man.”

“Perhaps you could speak to him.”

She huffed. “You know King Baardsen as well as I do, Raud, he is as stubborn as any mule. When he has made a decision, that is as final as a longboat sinking to the base of fjord. There is no changing it.”

“He is abikkja.”

“Don’t let him hear you call him that. He will slice your head clean off.”

“I am not afraid.” He slipped his right hand up the column of her neck then wrapped his big fingers around the base of her skull. “Do you forget that I am one of the strongest warriors in Ravndal? That I have proved my worth on the battlefield. I am nohrafnasueltir, no coward in war; in fact I invite the ravens to feed upon my flesh.”

“Raud.” She cupped his cheek. “Do not be in a hurry to be a feast for the ravens.”

“If it means I can save you from Bjorn Har, I will gladly make my way to Valhalla.”

“Your death would not save me from this marriage.”

The wind caught his hair, sending strands over his cheek. She had never seen a more handsome man, or wanted something... him... so badly.

“We must do something,” she said. “So we can be together.”

“We will be together. I promise.” He lowered his head and kissed her.

All of her life, Ingrid had known the shape of Raud’s mouth, but never touched it; now here it was pressing against her lips, his tongue seeking hers.

She moaned softly and opened up for him. The kiss deepened and she understood in that moment the depths of his feelings for her. He loved her the way she loved him.

He drew her closer and she went up onto her tiptoes, curled her hands around the back of his neck. Delicious warmth spread through her despite the chilly day. A need for more was growing—more of Raud, more of his body against hers... in hers.

“Odin give me strength,” he murmured, slipping his left hand down her back to her ass. He gripped her buttocks in the spread of his palm and fingers, squeezing her through her leather pants. “I do not want to wait for a wedding night. It is time for us to be together.”

“Ja, oh,ja.” She ran her fingers into his hair, gripped it. “Now. Here.”

“Mmm.” He was kissing her again, his erection prodding through his clothing. “You have always been mine. I can’t wait.”

“Then don’t.” She reached behind herself, grabbed his wrist, and pulled his hand between their bodies. She shoved it between her legs. “I want you here, all of you.”

“You will have me.” He rubbed her through the tight material.

She groaned and closed her eyes. If that stimulation was incredible, how would it feel when they were joined?

The sweetest surrender.

“My princess, you’re so perfect for me.”

His breath was hot on her cheek. Her pulse thudded in her ears.

Caw. Caw.

“What’s that?” he said.

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