Page 70 of The Outlaw Viking

“Nay, do not make excuses. When you gave oath, it was without qualifications. Do not attempt to put conditions on your word now. ’Tis too late.”

“Well, then, I’m sorry.”

He stared at her a long time, seeming to search for some hidden truth.

“I wonder…” He hesitated and did not continue, tilting his head slightly in question.

“What?”

“I wonder who you really are.”

“I haven’t lied to you, Selik.” She held his eyes, finding it extremely important that he believe her, then added, “About anything.” She was thinking about her words of love to him. Although she didn’t speak her thoughts aloud, Selik seemed to understand, and the tenseness in his jaw softened. His eyes darkened with some emotion, and for the first time, Rain noticed flecks of blue among the gray.

“I can no longer trust your word, and yet I find myself in the odd position of being unable to let you go…just yet.”

“Because of King Athelstan and my value as a hostage?”

A small smile turned up the edges of his lips, making him so handsome he almost took Rain’s breath away. How odd, she thought, that I rarely notice the scar that mars one side of his face. Or the imperfections in his nose. She shook her head slightly from side to side in wonder at her rose-filtered vision of Selik.

“I have survived thus far without you as a talisman, wench. What makes you think I need you to ensure my safety with the bastard king?”

Rain hadn’t thought of that before. She frowned. “For the money then. You could use the money I would bring in exchange for the king’s having a new healer.”

Selik laughed outright then, displaying a beautiful array of perfectly white and even teeth. “Ah, sweetling, I have chests of gold and treasures stored here with Gyda and in the Norse lands. The pittance you would bring would not alter the circumstances of my life.”

“You have wealth?” Rain asked, utterly surprised.

“I told you I was a successful trader at one time.”

“But I thought—you dolt!” she exclaimed, trying once again, to no avail, to shove him off her body, “I thought you had no home because you were so poor. Your clothes are ragged, and other than those armlets, I’ve seen no evidence of wealth. Oh, you must have really enjoyed making me think you were little more than a beggar.”

Selik’s eyes glittered angrily. “Is that how you define a man in your country—by his wealth?”

“No—well, some people do, but not me. Oh, don’t you look down your nose at me so skeptically. Didn’t I tell you I loved you, even when I thought you had nothing more than that vicious horse and stupidly named sword?”

“Yea, there is that,” Selik responded in a husky voice, “although I do recall ordering you not to speak the ill-advised words of love again. I must devise a suitable punishment for your defiance and for your attempt to escape.”

He leaned closer, nuzzling her neck. “Ah. I can smell your passion.”

“I’m not wearing Passion today.”

“I know.” With the tip of his tongue, he traced a path along the curve where her neck met her shoulders and whispered, “’Tis the other passion I speak of, sweetling.”

Rain groaned at the sweet, sweet pleasure of that barest of caresses.

“Did you like that, Rain?” Selik arched back, his arms extended straight, intertwining his fingers with hers.

She nodded slowly, running her tongue over her dry lips, then watched, mesmerized, as Selik mimicked her action with his own tongue over his own lips, holding her eyes the entire time.

“I think I have decided on your…punishment.”

With one deft movement, he moved his legs between hers and spread them wide, exposing her. He slowly pressed himself against her several times until he found her most vulnerable, sensitive bud, then thrust softly against her.

Rain made a low sound of reluctant pleasure.

Selik smiled smugly. “Nay, those mewling little love pleas will not work with me. I am not going to ‘rut’ with you, sweet witch. Do not get your hopes up in that regard. And do not frown at me so fiercely. Despite all your protestations to the contrary, ’twould not be a punishment at all.”

Rain tried to twist out of his grasp, not being foolish enough to buck against him again. But it was just as bad when her breasts, even covered with bra, silk blouse, and wool tunic, grazed against his leather armor, coming immediately erect and aching for his touch.