Page 53 of The Very Virile Viking

"No, I admire your honor in taking a stand on something. Not that I understand what this particular stand is all about, but that's not important. What is important is that, much as you might like to do differently, you made a promise, and you will adhere to it."

"Why is that so surprising?"

"Most men I've known—except for my grandfather— would break a vow in an instant… if it became inconvenient."

"I am feeling very inconvenienced at the moment."

"But you won't break your vow, will you?"

He tapped his chin with a forefinger, as if actually considering the possibility, then shook his head.

"My ex-husband is the perfect example."

"The Creep?" he inquired.

She nodded. "He lied. He cheated. He made promises, which he broke over and over."

"Pfff! Your husband was a nithing . Put him out of your mind."

"I have, but I've learned a lesson from him… and other men I've known as well. A committed relationship isn't in the cards for me. Oh, don't go looking all sad on my behalf. Not everyone needs to be married and have a dozen kids."

"Was that an insult directed at me?"

"No. It was an assessment of my own life, and the future I want for myself."

He frowned. "What has this to do with us… and tonight?"

"I just wanted you to know that what you consider less than appealing—unconsummated sex—is rather appealing to me." She felt her face heat up and thanked God that Magnus could not see.

"You are blushing," he accused.

Darn right I am. Any normal woman would be. "How can you tell?"

"Your body speaks to me. The tilt of your head. The shrug of your shoulders."

Oooh, I like that.

He added, "Are you saying that you do not enjoy the sex act… the complete sex act?"

"No, no, no. I'm not making myself clear. Let's face it, Magnus, you are a very attractive man, and—"

"Even with my big ears?"

The man has an ear fixation. Well, most women have a rear fixation, so I guess that's okay. "Tsk, tsk, tsk!" she said at his interrupting her. "What I was saying is that I can't hide the fact that I'm attracted to you. And making love— really making love—would no doubt be spectacular… but there is also an appeal in just making out. It reminds me of high school days, kissing and petting for hours. In those days a guy did everything in his power to turn a girl on in order to convince her to go to bed with him. The whole exercise was about her… and her pleasure."

"I do not understand all your words, like 'making out' and 'petting,' but if you are implying that your pleasure would not be foremost in my mind, whether the sex was consummated or unconsummated, then you have never made love with a Viking. And you have certainly never made love with me , m'lady, for if you had, you would not be impugning my lovemaking skills."

Arousal rippled over Angela's skin like erotic fantasy fingertips. "That's all well and good, Magnus, but are you willing to accept that this is all there will ever be? You and I can use each other's bodies… for a while?"

"Are you drukkin ?"

"Just a little tipsy," she admitted. "I drank two glasses of wine for fortification. Should I have brought some for you?"

"Ha! I need no fortification. I am already a bit… what did you call it?… tipsy. Drukkin on you, that is what I am."

What a nice thing to say! I wonder if it's just smooth talk, or if he really means it. I think he means it.

He put a hand to his forehead to ease the furrows. "Seems to me that this is the kind of proposition most often made by a man. It is women who want marriage and commitment and lifetime promises."