Page 64 of The Reluctant Viking

“Well, how about Iceland?”

“Are you daft?” he asked, then burst out laughing, hugging her warmly as he rolled her over onto her back. “Oh, Ruby, I love the way you make me laugh,” he said with a delighted chuckle as he playfully bit her neck. When his laughter finally stopped, Thork leaned over her, tracing the line of her jaw lazily with his thumb, then the outlines of her lips. A pulse beat wildly at the base of his throat.

“’Tis time for honesty betwixt us, sweetling. Are you ready to be my bedmate or not?”

Bedmate? Ruby hesitated, hampered by the lump in her throat. “I hoped for more.”

“I cannot give more,” he said, looking her directly in the eye. “I want you, more than I can ever remember wanting a woman.” He, too, seemed to have trouble swallowing.

Ruby closed her eyes for a second to savor his softly spoken words. Lord, she was falling in love with this man—all over again. This heady, overwhelming, dizzy euphoria could only be likened to the way she had felt in the beginning with Jack, when everything was new, and hope made anything possible.

But Thork was not Jack, Ruby had to forcefully remind herself, as he continued, “I can only pledge my protection until the Althing, Ruby. You need to know that. But know this as well—I do not take this powerful attraction we share lightly. In different times, mayhap there could have been more betwixt us, but leastways I can promise you the best loving you have had in your life—for as long as we can be together.” He kissed her lips lightly to seal his words.

“For how long?” Ruby asked weakly.

“Until I leave.”

Ruby winced. She didn’t like Thork’s offer, enticing as the prospect of sleeping with him would be, but she knew she had no other choice. And, besides, once she’d slept with him, she might be able to convince him otherwise. “All right. I agree,” she finally said and put her hands on both sides of his face, intending to pull him down for her kiss.

But Thork sensed Ruby’s hesitancy. “Nay, we must first be clear on this arrangement. You will be satisfied being my bedmate? You will not be hoping for more, trying to change my mind? ’Tis no dishonor in being mistress, but ’tis dishonorable of me to bed you if you are hoping for more.”

“Thork, I couldn’t stop hoping, but that doesn’t mean you would have to change your mind. If I’m willing to take the risk, why can’t you?”

Ruby watched various emotions flicker across Thork’s face as he fought to make a rational decision. Then he asked thoughtfully, “You would ask much of me, Ruby, to give up my oath of Jomsviking, to stay in the Saxon lands, to enter an institution whose bindings I abhor, but what about you? Would you promise to never leave me? To never return to your own country?”

Oh, my God! How could she have failed to consider that question? What if she returned to the future? There was no way she could ever make such a binding promise to Thork, not knowing when or if the time-travel might be reversed.

Thork scrutinized her face and read her answer. Before she could say anything, he pulled away and moved off the bed, breathing heavily.

“Thork, please let me explain. It’s not what you think. It might not be my decision to make.”

“And who might be making that decision for you? Ivar? Athelstan?” he snapped icily. He threw up his hands in resignation. “Holy Thor! Why am I ever surprised by women and their machinations? You tried to trap me. And fool that I am, I almost fell for your ploy.”

Ruby wept silently, unable to offer Thork an explanation he could accept.

Finally he ordered, “Leave my chamber and do not dare to tempt me again, or I swear I will kill you with my bare hands.” Furious swear words spouted from Thork’s mouth as he threw her tunic at her and pulled her off the bed, shoving her toward the door.

“Vigi!” he yelled out the open doorway into the hall, “Get your bloody arse here, or I will skin you alive.”

“Thork, you’re making a mistake. Please. You don’t understand. Please. It’s not what you think.”

Thork would not even look at her as she donned her tunic, despite her pleas.

Soon a red-faced Vigi came running from a room down the hall, struggling to lace a hastily donned pair of pants. He cowered under Thork’s stormy vindictives, which ended with an order, “Tell Linette I want her—now!”

“Oh, no! Oh, Thork, don’t do this. Don’t destroy the beauty of this thing between us. How can you be with Linette and not me?” she asked with tears choking her voice.

“Because she expects naught of me,” he ground out, “and because she is honest, and you are not.”

“Linette, honest? Hah! If you weren’t so blind—”

Thork grabbed her by the upper arm and pushed her out into the hallway. “You have teased and tormented me for the last time, wench. Never doubt that the fire you ignited in my belly can just as easily be quenched in another sheath.” He looked pointedly at Linette, who was scurrying toward him expectantly with Vigi close behind.

He pulled Linette into his arms and kissed her hungrily, uncaring of Ruby’s hurt, watchful eyes. The door slammed soon behind them both, but not before Thork ordered Vigi, “Keep the wench out of my sight, or you will suffer the bloody consequences.”

Stunned, Ruby stared at the closed door, knowing what was about to take place. She pounded on the locked door and screamed, “This isn’t the end, you bastard. Just you wait and see. Just you wait and see.”

Realizing the foolishness of her position, Ruby stopped. How could he? she cried with inner torment. How could he? She rocked back and forth on her heels in pain at his cruelty until Ella put a comforting hand on her shoulder and led her back to her tower room, under Vigi’s guard. She stayed with her, holding her hand until the harsh sobs stopped racking her body.