Alrek(26)

Ilisa gasped at the sudden heat and coarse hair on her tender skin. She clutched him to her, stared up at the endless sky and gave herself up to this contradictory man. So rough, so tender. Her Viking, her lover.

Taut skin met her fingertips when she tugged his shirt from his trews. She rubbed her hands up and down his back, urging him on. Raised welts—proof of his savage past—broke up the smoothness of his skin and she traced those too. Whatever had happened in Alrek’s past made him the way he was now and she could only be grateful.

The sand cushioned her body while Alrek kissed up and down her neck, leaving her panting. He took a nipple into his mouth again, the sharp relief making her cry out. She fumbled between them and slipped a hand under his trews. His arousal was hot and heavy in her hand. It pulsed with need and she curled a hand around it.

Alrek groaned. “Ilisa, you addle my mind. I cannot think when you touch me like that.”

She moved her hand up and down, and gazed into his eyes. “Then do not think.”

His blue eyes darkened and he grasped a breast before kissing her savagely. Ilisa could barely break through the haze devouring her mind to keep track of what her hands were doing. Only the scent of Alrek, the feel of him, the taste of him existed now.

Impatiently, Alrek tugged up her skirts and yanked down his trews. She relished the loss of control in his wild expression. It was the same need that drove her to writhe mindlessly against him. “Inside me. Pray, Alrek, do not make me wait.”

He positioned himself over her and she wrapped her legs around his hips. She thought he would satisfy her quickly but instead he eased himself in, inch by inch, slowly joining them so she was aware of every moment until they were as close as two people could get.

Ilisa whimpered and clutched his rear, urged him on. “Make me yours.”

Like the crack of a whip, the words triggered a reaction. He used one hand to prop himself up, the other to grab her hip and he withdrew before plunging into her, fast and violently. She reared up on a gasp as liquid pleasure singed through her veins.

“You are mine, Ilisa,” he murmured hoarsely as he raked his teeth up and down her neck, and nipped at her ear.

The whispered declaration made her quiver from head to toe. She dug her nails into his skin and met every thrust. Alrek slipped a hand between them and touched her nub. Jolts of exquisite sensation fired through her and he released a growl when her body tensed around him. Harder, faster. Her mind was a whirl. The tempest of passion swept her up and dropped her in a shuddering, shaking mass of limbs as stars exploded in front of her eyes.

Her vision cleared and she watched Alrek’s face crumple with his own climax. Heat filled her as he tensed and Ilisa released a satisfied moan. The thought that right now they could be conceiving their first child made her chest swell. He relaxed against her, his weight comforting and they lay joined for a while. Ilisa treasured his heavy breaths in her hair and the thud of his heart against her chest.

Something cold tickled her feet and she let out a squeal. “The tide is coming in.”

“I know. And I care not.”

“We cannot lie here and drown!”

“But then I shall never have to be parted from you.”

“Alrek, that is a horrible thought.”

“What?” He pushed back to view her. “Being with me for an eternity?” He tried to look affronted but the twitch of his lips gave him away.

“Nay, drowning. You can be with me for an eternity without drowning!”

“Come then.” He separated them, pulled up his trews and rearranged her skirts before offering her a hand. “Let us live.”

“Together,” she added with a grin, jabbing an elbow in his ribs.

“Aye, together.” Alrek looped an arm around her shoulder and tugged her into him. “Together.”

***

Alrek should have realised all would not stay so beautifully easy forever. Ilisa was a determined woman with a strong will. After several days of blissful lovemaking with a loving, doting woman, the fiery Ilisa had risen once more. He tried to keep the smile from his face as she snatched the basket of wool she intended to take to the village with jerky movements. He couldn’t help himself. He loved fiery Ilisa. Adored the passion in her eyes, the bright colour on her cheeks. The way she spat her words at him. All he wanted to do was kiss those tightly pursed lips into submission.

“I am going,” she declared, “and you are staying.”

“Ilisa, do you really believe you can stop me?”

She paused and narrowed her eyes at him. “If you know what is good for yourself, you will.”

“What kind of man would I be if I allowed you to travel to the village on your own?” he challenged.