“Our kind?” the massive giant repeated, his abrasive tone raising chills on her bare arms.
“Thieves. Pillagers. You take what you want and you leave everything in ruins. He will hunt you down and kill you for coming here.”
The three of them looked at each other and laughed. The lust in their eyes as they looked her up and down made her nerve endings stand on edge as she fiddled with the damned door knob.
“We left your lord in a pool of blood on the road. I claim this dwelling and everything in it for my own—except for you.”
She faced them, trying not to betray her relief as the lock button finally turned. “Me?” she repeated in a weak voice.
“Yes, you, wench,” he said as he stepped within arms’ reach of her. His masculine scent intoxicated her and his body heat made her own skin prickle in response. “You, we will share.”
With a derisive laugh, she said, “You could try.” He glowered at her and reached out a huge hand for her arm but caught only air.
With an angry oath, he leaped for her as she burst through the back door. He caught the edge of her hem and a small section sheared away in his hand before he tripped on the threshold.
She turned back as she heard his knees crack painfully against the wooden deck and managed to trip on her own feet, going down hard on her knees as well.
Well, fuck a duck!
The beast with the hide on his shoulder leaped over his comrade, scaring her until she saw the concern in his eyes as he reached for her. She scrabbled to her feet and ran from him, nearly tripping again on her petticoat before finding the steps and darting down them toward the cover of the trees.
Light reflected from the lake beyond filtered through the woods as she ran, praying for a thicket that was dark enough for her to hide in. Her heart pounded as she flitted barefoot between the trees, ignoring the prickle of leaves and twigs. Heat shimmered through her torso as she recalled the lust in their eyes. Three of them. What would she do if they caught her?
Give in, baby!
No, she’d fight until her last ounce of strength was gone, no matter how the heat pooled in her nether regions at the thought. No matter how much the momentary concern in that hulking giant’s eyes might have moved her. She didn’t fool herself that he was a gentle male. Matter of fact, she counted on the fact that he wasn’t.
Their shouts carried through the trees as she poured on speed, her feet finding the path and then veering off, cursing the gods that she wore a corset that made running an awkward affair and bounced her breasts with each bedamned movement. “Verily, I hope there are no fucking mesquite thorns in these woods,” she muttered, wishing for footwear as a twig stuck the arch of her right foot.
The snap of a branch nearby sent her hunkering to the ground, cursing the light color of her petticoat, like a beacon in the growing shadows.
“Aha!” the deep voice shouted moments later as a rough hand grabbed at the garment. She squeaked and pulled away from the wild-eyed Viking with the unruly hair and fur leggings.
Cool air wafted around her hip and she realized as she ran that he’d ripped away an entire section of her petticoat, baring her flesh to his gaze. Too many more close calls like that and she’d be hiding naked or worse yet, caught and fucked.
“Wench,” called the leader. “You lead us on a merry chase but it will not change the outcome! Come to me like a good girl and you will not be punished.”
Never was much of a good girl.
“Does that mean you won’t fuck me?” she called out, before flitting away so they couldn’t pinpoint her location.
Male laughter surrounded her from all sides. “Oh, no. You’ll still be fucked all right. We just won’t punish you if you come to me now.”
“No!”
“Then girl, you’d better run,” growled the beast with the hide over his shoulder and the hungry, intense eyes as he grabbed for her arm. Heart pounding, she leapt out of his reach and scurried into the shadows.
The frightening sound of a masculine snarl filled the air, and her heart pounded so loud she became disoriented in the growing darkness. The snap of a branch came from nearby and she whirled to run down the path and ran right into a broad, hard, naked chest. She looked up into the glittering eyes of the leader of the Vikings.
He gripped her by the arms as she tried to jerk away and this time she couldn’t get free. Heat filled his eyes as the other two brutes joined him. She fought his grasp and kicked out as the other two quickly ripped the rest of her petticoat from her body, sheared the fastenings of her corset and her bodice and threw it all to the ground at their feet.
“Gods,” the wild-eyed Viking in the furry breeches ground out in a husky voice as he cupped her breast and squeezed firmly. Her pussy betrayed her when she grew wet at his rough touch.