Page 22 of The Viking’s Captive

“Because I want to.”

“Nay!” she declared emphatically and stomped away, muttering something about “lying lackwit Saxons who think with their male organs.”

“Wisdom has two parts: one, having a great deal to say; and, two, not saying it,” Rashid proclaimed from inside the tent. Apparently, the snoring had been a ruse to cover his eavesdropping. And, apparently, he believed that Adam had said too much … too soon.

“She will be back,” Adam predicted, ever the optimist … or was that ever the egotist?

“Every ass loves to hear himself bray.”

“Rashid! Are you calling me an ass?”

“Nay, it is just that you bray overmuch. Comes from having an overlarge ego, I would say.”

I guess that answers my question about optimist or egotist.Adam laughed, but only for a moment.

Tyra was returning. There was a glow of determination in her eyes, but her cheeks bespoke great embarrassment.

“I agree.”

“You agree?” That part of Adam’s body that had come to life miraculously of late now stood at attention. Talk about miracles! This one was better than any of Alrek’s, in Adam’s opinion.

“Under my conditions,” she added.

“Oh?” Adam tried not to sound as interested as he was.

“One night, and one night only. No touching.”

“Unless you ask me to … or unless you insist on touching me,” he quickly reminded her.

She glared at him as if to say that would never happen, but in truth she looked adorable when she glared at him. Mayhap he would tell her that … later. “And do not forget the naked part,” he threw in for good measure.

“How could I? There is one other thing. I agree to this suggestion, scandalous as it is, only if my father lives. If he dies, the pact is canceled.”

Adam wanted to argue, but, really, he had been only half serious to begin with … although the half that was serious was very serious. Besides, who wanted to sleep with a grieving woman?

He nodded his head.

Soon his ropes were cut and Tyra motioned to two of her biggest guardsmen, ordering them to stand outside his tent. Before he knew it, she was gone in a huff.

“I told you she would be back,” Adam gloated to his friend as he crawled into the bed furs inside the tent, after untying the Arab’s ropes.

“Feather by feather, the goose will be plucked,” Rashid declared with a laugh, rolling over and away from him.

“Precisely,” Adam said.

“I was referring to you as the rooster, not her,” Rashid said with dry humor.

“I know.”