Page 101 of Viking Unchained

“Like a sex slave,” Madrene contributed.

“With chains. Naked.” This from Alison.

They all smiled then, food forgotten.

And Kirstin added to her list: KIDNAP. CHAINS. SEDUCE.

They all remained silent then, pondering.

“I’m not going to do the love slave, handcuffs thing again,” Lydia decided.

“Hmmm. Maybe jealousy would be the best way to make him realize how much he really loves you.”

This from Kirstin, who was back to picking at her strawberry and whipped cream waffle. She crossed KIDNAP and CHAINS off her list and added JEALOUSY.

“Chocolate body paint always worked for me,” said Hilda.

“Where can I buy chocolate body paint?” Lydia wanted to know. At the other inquiring faces, she explained, “If I can’t get him to fall in love with me by jealousy, at least I could use it as a weapon of sexual torture.”

“I know where you can buy the neatest tingling body oil to use with a special vibrating massager,” Kirstin added for the “weapons” arsenal.

They all agreed to stop for one of those on the way home.

“Then there’s Geek’s penile wax glove, of course.” Madrene had an impish gleam in her eyes. “I tried it on Ian one night, and he still gets a goofy look on his face when he puts on his dress gloves.”

“Feathers would be good, too,” said Hilda.

“Good heavens, when I finally get married, I am going to know so much good stuff.” Kirstin actually managed a straight face with that fib; she knew plenty on her own, would be Lydia’s guess.

“Listen, I have an idea that could make Finn jealous and make him realize how much he loves me all at the same time,” Lydia offered tentatively. “Does anyone have a video recorder?”

“I do.” Kirstin’s eyebrows were raised at her in question.

“Well, I have the flesh-colored leotards and the pole.” Lydia then outlined her idea.

“It might work,” Madrene said.

The others smiled in agreement.

After that, they kept adding to the list of what they would need to implement Lydia’s plan, laughing ’til they got dirty looks from the maître d’. When they rose to leave, they noticed a table of Navy officers behind them. They were all grinning.

Chapter 19

Was Dr. Phil ever a Navy

SEAL? . . .

Thorfinn was running on the beach at Coronado with Torolf, Slick, Sly, JAM, Geek, and Cage.

Amazingly, he was starting to enjoy jogging, and, for a certainty, his body was in better condition than it had ever been. He could even run and talk at the same time, which he had not been able to do in the beginning.

When they stopped at the five-mile mark to rest before the return trek, Sly looked sideways at him.

“You’re gonna diddle around and lose her, you know.”

Navy SEALs were as bad as Vikings, Thorfinn was discovering. They minded everybody’s affairs but their own.

“Close your teeth, halfbrain,” he said. Lest you want a fistful of sand clogging your throat.