Page 11 of Valkyrie Confused

Yeah, we’re going to fuck, and it’s going to be glorious.

But first, I’ll make her breakfast.

A second breakfast.

Huh. Could she be a hobbit?

I chuckle at my dazzling wit, and keep chuckling while I prepare her a tray and take it upstairs.

Scarlett doesn’t answer at my knock. She can’t hear me from the balcony, so I try the doorknob with my elbow. I could magic the door open, but I’ve been living as a human for so long, magic isn’t always the first thing I resort to. Except when it comes to cleaning.

The door is unlocked and easily glides open.

To reveal Scarlett in the leggings she wore before, but not the hoodie. A tank top or sports bra or something barely big enough to cover her ample bosom is in its place, and she’s pulling something else over her head. Something that obscures her vision and allows me to take a step back and quietly pull the door shut.

“I’m coming,” she calls out.

Eh, I’m halfway there. I keep the joke to myself and say, “If you want to reschedule…”

“No.” There’s panic in her voice as she throws the door open.

To my disappointment, she’s fully covered in a thermal turtleneck. Sigh. At least I have a good memory and an imagination to fill in the gaps.

“What’s this?” She points at the tray in my hands.

I shrug. “Brought you a snack.”

Scarlett scrunches her nose. “Are you fattening me up for Easter?”

I could eat her right now, but wisely—uncharacteristically so—just smile and shake my head. “I read theKeep your Author Happymanual. Food is up there with coffee and wine.”

She laughs, and her face lights up, and her breasts jiggle, and she’s the most gorgeous woman in creation. “Well, I’m not hungry now, but I’ll take the coffee. And maybe a piece of the pita.”

“I’ll leave everything here, and you can snack at your leisure.” I hold the tray a little lower, as I command my erection to subside. It doesn’t immediately acquiesce, but by the time I place the tray on the kitchenette bench, I’m no longer walking around like the neighborhood perv.“Now, ready for that tour?” I ask.

She grabs her key and motions for me to exit first. “Lead the way.”

FIVE

SCARLETT

Best.Investment. Ever. Excellent view, minimal noise, other than the sounds of nature, and from what little I’ve seen, friendly locals. And of course, a steady stream of tourists I don't have to deal with, but who pay well for access to all of the above.

The report the previous owners submitted on the guesthouse was honest; the place really is in top shape, andwow, people love it here. We never have a vacancy on weekends, but at least a couple rooms are booked on weekdays, too. And it’s not even high season yet. Panos assures me we’ll be getting more guests than we’ll know what to do with, once it starts snowing.

Speaking of Panos… He has everything under control and running like clockwork, and he only interrupts my work to make sure I eat and hydrate. If Dennis was half as considerate, we might still be married.

No, we wouldn’t. And I won’t spare another thought for my ex. He’s cost me enough heartache and sleepless nights. In Kato Trikala, I may not manage to go to bed at ten every night, but it’slights outby eleven, and I wake up at dawn, feeling more energized than ever.

And every morning, I am served my steaming-hot coffee and yummy snacks, put on my thermal jumper, get my laptop, and work on my next bestseller. On a balcony in freaking Greece. Which I own—the balcony, not the country—together with the entire guesthouse.

My view is unobstructed all the way down to the Corinthian Gulf. Green, as far as the eye can see, except for a ribbon of blue there, in the horizon, thin and pale enough to be easily confused for more of the sky.

I inhale the scent of the spruce grove, and the gentle breeze ruffling the branches might as well be wishing me a good morning.

The whole day will be good. Good and productive. Like the past month has been. In the four weeks I’ve been here, I’ve written more words than in the six months before. Another couple weeks, and the first draft ofA Berserker, a god, and mewill be done.

My gaze strays down and to the left. Did I mention the excellent view? “Put your shirt on,” I yell at Panos. We’re down to the couple in Room Five till tomorrow morning, but we're still offering a full buffet for breakfast. To be manned by a dressed server.

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