Her fingers tangled in the ties of the clean gown. She had no spare chemise so she would have to forgo it while she washed and dried it. Alrek’s clothes would need washing too. The thought made her stomach twist. She hadn’t performed chores for a man for many years and now she was to do it for a Viking. What had she been thinking when she rescued him—the enemy?
It took several tries to pull on her gown. Her fingers shook as butterflies floundered in her chest. Aware of the cold air breezing over her naked skin, she heard each of Alrek’s inhalations and prayed he was not watching her. Her skin heated until she feared she might explode into flame. With the gown finally on, she made quick work of tying the laces at the front.
Ilisa turned to Alrek to see him waiting patiently, eyes still shut. She placed her hands on her hips. “All done.”
He opened his eyes, lips quirking into a grin and his gaze shot to her breasts. When she glanced down, she realised her nipples were peaked against the wool and with no added barrier of linen, they were clearly visible. Somehow she managed to resist clamping her hands across her chest. Instead she stared him down until he sheepishly lifted his gaze to hers.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asked in a desperate bid to diffuse the heat swirling through the air.
“Aye, a drink would be most welcome. It appears I swallowed half the sea.”
She giggled and turned to the table to pour him a drink. Strange how comfortable she already felt with him. She would have to stay on her guard and pray no one from the village discovered she had a Viking in her home. They would probably burn it to the ground and her along with it. Particularly Galan. He had been vying to take her late husband, Donnie’s place for many seasons now. Finding a Viking in the place he had already decided was his own would certainly anger him.
Ilisa went to hand him his drink, forgetting his hands were tied. A brow rose as he eyed her. “Forgive me.” She sat on the chair next to the bed once more and offered him the beaker.
“I am no child. Release my hands and I’ll take a drink for myself.”
“Nay. You shall have to accept my aid or go thirsty.”
“Ilisa,” he said through gritted teeth, “I will not harm you, how many times must I say it? You saved my life. I am not without honour.”
She snorted. “Vikings do not have honour.” His jaw clenched and she waited for some words of defence to spill forward but none came.
“Release just one hand then,” he reasoned.
Ilisa eyed those large palms and huffed. “Fine, but one wrong move and I shall run you through.”
His lips twitched but he nodded seriously. She shifted to perch on the bedside, her thigh brushing against his hip. Her cheeks flamed as she considered how little fabric was between them. Leaning over, she loosened the knot around one wrist. Muscles tense, she waited for him to wriggle his wrist free. She released a breath when all he did was flex his fingers and roll his wrist.
“That is better. I can feel my hand now.”
She laughed and reached for the beaker but he snatched her wrist and prevented her from doing so. Her heart bounded. She had read him wrong. He was going to kill her or harm her in some way. Eyes wide, she tried to twist away but he tugged her into him so she sprawled on his chest. As she was about to push away, he released her and skimmed his fingers over her cheek. She froze.
“You are a siren.”
Her breath stalled in her lungs. His deep blue eyes drew her in. She slid her gaze briefly down his features. His lips, surrounded with fair hair, were mere inches from hers. The desire to rake her fingers through that coarse hair bubbled inside. Then his fingers traced her mouth before threading into her hair. She released a small sound—too much like a whimper for her liking—and he coaxed her closer. Their breaths twisted in anticipation. Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest.
Alrek’s lips met hers in a rush, like a wave that could not be held back. And she was powerless. The kiss was firm, strong, demanding. He didn’t open his mouth to her, just moved his lips over hers. She ached for a taste of him but her mind had shut down and all she could do was respond to each impulse as it struck. At the moment, her instinct was to sink into him and let him do whatever he wished with her.
He groaned at the press of breasts against him and finally opened his mouth to her. Their tongues met in a clash of desire. It had been so long, she’d forgotten the pleasure a simple kiss brought. But then, this was no simple kiss. Lust flowed freely through her, made her tremble. When she pushed the kiss deeper, a great splintering sound resounded through the room. Vaguely she wondered if it was the sound of her resolve cracking as Alrek cupped her face in both hands and held her to him.