CHAPTER FIVE
Sunlight filtered through Thora's sleep. She'd much prefer to remain in slumber, but the lick of a raspy tongue on her cheek roused her. An attempt to stretch stopped when she butted against the warmth of a solid chest. A man's chest. Ari's chest.
She forced her eyes open, squinting against the bright sun. Kati loomed over them. Thora noted the way Ari's arms held tight around her waist, pressing her close. Her hands, still bound by his belt, rested on his chest. He no longer held the tail of her bonds.
Her eyes slowly adjusted to daylight, brighter than it should be for early morning. How long had they slept? At the very moment she lifted her head from his shoulder, Ari tightened his embrace.
"Where are you going?" He didn’t open his eyes and his voice was thick with sleep.
"Kata needs me."
Several moments passed before he responded, his grip on her body easing. She watched him closely, sucking in a gasp when he opened his eyes and pierced her with his lustful stare. Silence hung awkwardly between them until Kati gave a whine, momentarily drawing her gaze from Ari's.
"Please."
Several moments passed before he briefly tightened his hold, then disentangled himself.
A chill swept over her, but she managed to suppress it while he gripped her bound wrists and undid the belt keeping her tied.
Thora bit her lip to hold back the cry when returning feeling painfully eradicated the numbness in her fingers.
Ari gently rubbed her tender wrists until the sharp discomfort faded.
Once again, she focused her attention on the sky. Sol had already completed half her journey. Never had Thora slept so deeply and for so long into the day, unless she was ill. Ari had truly wrung all strength from her with his wicked attentions. She lifted her head to meet his gaze.
He said nothing, but she read a host of confusing emotions in his stare. Regret, hunger, apology. Her heart thudded heavily. Somehow, she managed to draw her attention away from him and to Kati who stood waiting, his golden eyes focused firmly on her face. She ruffled his furry head.
"Yes, I am coming."
Every muscle in her body ached when she stood, especially her inner thighs. Flashes of the way Ari had taken her throughout the night sent waves of heat through her veins. No wonder she'd slept so deeply and for so long. She shook her head. She had no time to dwell on that. Kata needed her.
Pulling her shift over her head, she went to the wounded wolf, kneeling beside her. A rush of relief burned her eyes when the beast lifted her head and licked Thora's hand when she reached out.
"Feeling better, girl? Good. Kati is getting you some food." She ran her hand along the wolf's back, keeping her voice soft and low. "I'm going to look at your injury."
She slowly drifted her hand toward the bandages covering the wound. Pulling the fabric away, she heaved a sigh of relief. The wound healed nicely. So far, no sign of infection. Maybe because the gash was not so deep. Kata might heal enough to travel in a couple of days.
"Here."
Ari held the small jar of salve before her.
She looked up, shivering under the intensity of his stare.
Knowing that he'd likely remain over the next days until Kata recovered enough to travel set her heart to racing again, as well as her thoughts, imagining what would pass between them in that time.
She took the salve, suppressing a quiver when their fingers brushed.
She forced her focus on Kata, applying the paste to the wound. The wolf whined, but made no attempt to evade Thora's attentions. When she drew away, Ari handed her a fresh strip of cloth to cover the injury.
Sitting back, she spotted Kati approaching, threefat squirrels dangling from his jaws. He trotted over, laying the animals before his sister. He nuzzled Thora and sat, watching Kata as intently as she.
Kata's head rose up and she rested her forelegs before her, ears perked forward.
The sight encouraged Thora's heart. Tears burned her eyes when Kata leaned toward the squirrels, taking one in her mouth and eating eagerly.
Thora stroked Kati's head, thrilled the she-wolf's appetite had returned, and so quickly. Another sign her pet would recover.
"Go, find yourself a meal." She whispered the words against Kati's ear and turned to find Ari watching her.
A wave of heat ran along her spine seeing the force of his stare.
Flashes of the night before, of his wicked and dark games, roused a hunger that startled her with its ferocity.
Ari had introduced her to delights she'd never imagined, never thought to want so deeply, even as she also resisted the urge to offer herself completely to his control.
Yet a frightening aspect cooled the heat.
How had he, in less than a day, found a way to make her want to give in to every one of his debauched demands?
Yes, he most definitely posed a greater danger than her attackers.
She must attempt once more to free herself from his claim.
She took a deep breath and stood, holding the jar out to him.
"This is very powerful salve. Where did you get it?"
He shrugged. "At market somewhere. I can't recall."
"In my village, we have a woman who creates similar healing draughts and ointments, but I don't think she's ever made this."
She twisted her hands before her. She doubted he would go along with her suggestion, but she had to try.
"Kata is healing nicely, but it will be at least another several days before she can travel again." Truthfully, she worried even that wasn't enough time, but she kept that concern to herself. Here was another chance to separate herself from him.
Ari nodded. "I understand."
"So, we shouldn't delay you anymore. In the morning, you can be on your way. Staying here with me will hinder your journey, perhaps ruin your chance to reach The Thing."
He chuckled, walking to stand before her. He was still naked and Thora forced herself to look only into his face.
"I'm not going anywhere, ástin minn."
Did he think to soften her by using wooing words and calling her his dear? "But The Thing –"
"Have you forgotten my conditions? I am to decide when you've fully repaid me."
Her eyes widened before she scowled. "Last night wasn't enough for you?"
"I fear a thousand nights may never be enough."
He spoke so quietly, she wasn't sure she'd heard him. "What?" Why did a thrill linger upon noting the unwilling sincerity in his voice?
He said nothing for several moments then smiled. "I think I've only tasted the very tip of your passion, Thora."
She sucked in a breath, fighting the urge to throw herself upon him.
He cupped her cheek, threading his fingers through her hair to hold her still while he lowered his mouth to hers.
He moved slowly, too slowly. Each passing second felt like an eternity until the heat of his lips finally brushed against hers.
She held herself still when he moved over her, sliding his tongue along her mouth.
Despite her intention to resist, she parted her lips, allowing him inside.
Fingers clenched to fight the desire to wrap her arms around his neck and hold on tight.
A moment later, his arms encircled her and he hauled her roughly against him. Through the thin shift, his hard cock scorched her sex. The now-familiar rush of wet heat pulsed through her; still, she made no move to touch him.
The kiss deepened, his moan rasping through her, his hands tight on her ass, squeezing and pressing her still closer.
Bliss poured through her veins, her heart slamming so hard against her chest, surely he felt it too.
The last of her intent to defy him crumbled and soon she responded to the kiss, her tongue dueling with his in an erotic dance that left her breathless.
When Ari tore his mouth away, Thora sucked in gulps of air in an attempt to steady her whirling senses.
But when his mouth moved along her cheek to her throat, licking and nipping at the sensitive skin, she found the slight hold she'd regained on her wits rapidly disintegrated.
Knees trembling, she sagged against him, arching her head to allow him to continue.
His soft chuckle vibrated against her skin, adding to the tumult in her body.
Abruptly, he let her go and stepped back, a hint of a smirk quirking his lips. Overcome by astonishment, several moments passed before the lustful fog cleared. A cool breeze wafted over her heated skin, drawing a shiver and clarifying her awareness. Once again, she scowled.
"You toy with me."
He shrugged. "Perhaps. But you like it."
Heat scorched her cheeks. Damn him to Hel, he was right.
She fought the urge to stamp her foot and punch him.
Remembering how he'd spanked her last night sent another wet rush of heat to her pussy.
How could the recollection of his uncomfortable punishment spur still more desire?
It made no sense, but he'd upended her world in so many ways in such a short time, she no longer trusted her own thoughts.
"When your wolf fully heals and is ready to travel, I will decide then if your debt is paid."
He turned toward the furs and reached for his pants and tunic.
Thora found herself drawn to the sight of his powerful shoulders, her mouth dry and her heart thumping loudly.
With a shake of her head, she forced her trembling legs to the bed of furs to retrieve her own clothing.
Even after donning her dress, her fingers shook and it took several attempts to clip the smokkr so it hung straight.
Purposefully avoiding looking at Ari again, she reached for her pack and pulled out the last of her flatbread and dried lamb.
There was enough for them both, but Ari would then have to hunt for more game for the rest of their meals. Sensing his gaze on her, she looked up.