Page 109 of A Tale of Two Vikings

“About a hundred times. I consider it a compliment, coming from you.”

She reminded herself not to give him that “compliment” again.

He stood then, totally nude, and she couldn’t keep herself from staring. The man was magnificent, from his blond hair which lay about his shoulders to his perfectly proportioned body. Actually, one body part seemed a little out of proportion with the rest. How could the Viking speak so calmly to her when he had that sticking out from him, like a flag waving its interest?

“Here is the deal I am offering you, Esme. For every time you initiate and make love to me, I will take off one day.”

“Define making love.”

He laughed. “My cock in one of your hot, wet orifices.”

She wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that, but the smirk on his face told her that asking might not be a good idea. “What do you mean by my initiating loveplay?”

“You start it. You do the work. Unless I agree to take over betimes, which I probably would on occasion, unless you beg me to do something particularly wicked. Mostly, it is in your hands.”

“My hands? Hah! I wouldn’t have a clue how to make love to a man.”

“Learn. Do what comes naturally. Bloody hell, just touch me and I will probably explode. I have not been with a woman for a year, Esme. Believe me, I will not be picky.”

There was probably a half-insult in there. “If any woman would suffice, why me?”

He shook his head at her. “I did not say any woman would suffice. I want you.”

It took all her willpower not to ask “Why?” What she did say was, “You are suggesting that I sell my body.”

“I prefer the word barter.”

“You would take everything from me, including my pride.”

“I would give back as good as I got.”

Whatever that meant!

“Besides, you had no care for my pride.” He stared at her for several long moments, waiting for her decision. When she remained silent, he said, “So be it.” With those words, he walked over to the bed and lay down.

“Now what?”

“Now I am going to sleep, and you are going to be in this hut for eleven more days. I hope Eirik’s noble guests don’t ask to come have a peek at you.”

“How would they even know I am here?”

“Hah! Bolthor has been telling one saga after another about this event. Dost think he will suddenly shut his teeth?”

She hadn’t considered that. Also, she suspected that Eirik and Tykir teased Toste every time he entered the keep about having been hoodwinked by a female. And Alinor and Eadyth, if they were the good women she knew them to be, probably berated the men at every turn for allowing her imprisonment to go on.

Yea, any guests at Ravenshire would know of her ignominious situation.

She decided to try a different approach. “It’s still daylight.”

“Who says it has to be dark to sleep…or swive?” With that, he pulled the fur pelt up over his body and turned his back to her.

“And what will happen to me when my confinement is over? Will you then help me regain Evergreen?”

He shrugged.

“What does that shrug mean?”

“I am not talking to you anymore. I am sleeping.”