CHAPTER EIGHT
All too soon, the meal was finished and Katrin rose to clear the platters from the table. Hradi stood as well and took them from her, placing them atop the cupboard.
"Leave them."
She met his stare, shivering under the intensity that seemed to bore right into her thoughts. A quick glance toward the ceiling revealed that daylight quickly faded. Thankfully, the stone dish lamps already burned, keeping darkness at bay.
"Are you ready?"
She gulped, knowing her moment of reckoning had come.
He’d said he would not take her innocence.
Could she trust him? Did she really have a choice?
She stared at his offered hand and finally placed her trembling fingers across his palm.
The warmth of his hand closing around hers chased some of the chill that had taken hold, but her voice still eluded her.
She nodded her assent and let him lead her into the other room.
Only one lamp burned, casting the room in a soft glow with muted shadows.
The light earthy scent of the cottongrass wick added yet another sensual air to the room.
With a deep breath, she steadied her pounding heart, if only a little.
Hradi faced her again, still holding her hand.
He said nothing, merely studied her, the heat in his eyes causing the familiar fluttery excitement.
Uneasiness still had her trembling, along with the addition of anticipation fighting to be heard amidst the riot of her disjointed thoughts.
The continued whirlwind made it seem as if she lived one of her dreams.
She swallowed past the jagged lump that reappeared in her throat. "Is something wrong?" She winced at her rough words. A slight quirk of his mouth indicated he had noticed.
"Nothing is wrong. Remove your smokkr."
She gaped at him. "But –"
He cut off her protest with his mouth crashing onto hers.
Surprise left her unable to do more than respond, parting her lips and letting him sweep deep inside.
A soft moan escaped her when he coaxed her tongue into an erotic duel.
Her knees threatened to give way. Heat seared along her veins.
The scratch of his beard added another layer of delight and she nearly swooned at the burst of fire in her core.
Abruptly, she found herself released and an odd chill swept over her, despite the heat still roaring in her veins.
"Remove the smokkr," he repeated, his voice thick and husked with desire.
The sound washed over her and she found herself eager to obey his command.
Trembling fingers tugged at the broches holding up the garment.
It slid from her shoulders and she reached for the kirtle’s laces at the back of her neck.
They untied easily enough, but Katrin kept a shaky hold on them for several moments, anxiety at revealing herself overcoming her excitement.
Her heart near burst from her chest and each breath seemed more and more elusive.
Hradi stepped closer, letting out a low growling sound.
She backed up a step, but he caught her arm and halted her flight.
He reached behind her and pried her fingers from the ties before sliding the garment from her shoulders.
An approving smile tilted the corners of his mouth when the fabric slid free, leaving her in only the thin undergarment.
He released her then and stepped back, folding his arms.
"Take it off," he instructed.
His gaze roamed over her, leaving a restless heat in its wake.
In moments, she would be completely bared.
The idea both frightened and exhilarated, the strange mix stoking the heat within, her sex thick and wet with wanting.
She found herself unwilling to give him any further advantage, knowing the risks involved. She narrowed her eyes.
"And what of your clothing?"
His grin widened and he silently undid the laces at the top of his tunic, pulling it up and over his head, baring his well-muscled chest. Her gaze roamed his solid form, covered with a dusting of dark hair.
She wondered what it would feel like. She would find out soon enough.
More tattoos depicting his bravery and skill as a warrior adorned his chest. A large Aegishjalmur, the helm of awe, near his right shoulder matched a smaller one on his upper left arm.
Runes of bravery and skill ran along both sides, but her view was disrupted when he sat upon the bed, tugging off his boots before standing once again to slide his pants down, leaving him completely naked.
His large cock, now freed from confinement, stood out hard and long before him. Katrin couldn’t look away. She’d never seen a naked man, but now intrigued, wanted to study him more closely. He straightened and folded his arms, spreading his feet wide and resuming his previous stance.
"Does this please you?" he asked.
Her mouth felt full of sand, but when she met his stare, she knew he was fully aware of her interest. Sneaky bastard.
Why did that realization spark in her nipples, making them almost painfully hard and anxiously awaiting his touch, which she knew loomed.
Which she suddenly wanted more than anything she'd ever longed for before.
She gave what she hoped appeared a casual shrug, not ready to tell him just how much he pleased her. As if he'd heard her thoughts, his eyes narrowed. The giggle that threatened almost burst free.
A moment later, he waved a hand toward her. "Well? I've done as you asked, haven't I?"
"You have," she admitted. "And I thank you for your… indulgence."
"I'd like to indulge in other things. And if you continue to stall, I will punish you."
"You would not dare!"
"I would dare many things, as you well know. Now, obey or … suffer."
The desire lacing his words sent another bolt of heat to her core.
Not wanting to risk discovering what he meant about suffering and with a deep breath to bolster her courage, she reached for the straps holding up the undershift.
Her hands shook when she pushed them aside and let the soft linen slide down her body, heat blazing in her cheeks.
Keeping her eyes averted, she fought the urge to cover herself with her hands.
Finally, after several moments of thick silence, she glanced at him.
The pleasure and interest in his eyes brought a rush of pride that left her breathless.
Emboldened, she straightened her spine and lifted her shoulders.
The sharp intake of his breath was another clue to his growing desire, and served to intensify her own.
Each time she thought her yearning had reached its peak, it soared again.
Her gaze locked with his and the passion she read there sucked the breath from her lungs.
How odd that only a few days ago, she had been ignorant of desire and passion and now she wanted to embrace it, fling herself into the promise of dark pleasures. All because this man, her Dream Man, had come into her life and upended everything she knew about herself.
He moved toward her, in a peculiar slow and dreamlike pace, adding to the urgency searing her veins.
When he stopped mere inches away, she let loose the breath she'd been holding.
Though he did not touch her, the heat from his body warmed her, Hel, it scorched, and she wanted to feel that burn all over her flesh.
Heart racing, she anticipated his next move, but he remained motionless, simply staring into her eyes.
She braced herself for a vision, but none came.
All she saw in his gaze was hunger. For her. The sight spurred her own yearning and rational thought fled. She wanted him to kiss her, touch her, make her feel all the things her visions had shown her. Wanted it so badly, she could almost taste the tang of desire dancing on her tongue.
Between her legs, her sex clenched, and the hot rush of wetness startled her. She pressed her thighs together, both thrilled and wary of the fierce sensations.
He slid his hand into her hair, fingers cupping the back of her head.
Once more, she held her breath when he shifted still closer, and his heated skin against her breasts left her certain she was about to combust. A moment later his lips brushed hers, a feathery caress that merely hinted at pleasures she desperately wanted to experience.
Her hands trembled more than ever when she reached for his shoulders, unsure how to tell him she wanted more.
The moment her fingers tightened on his solid flesh, his kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping in to tempt her further.
A moan escaped her when he slid an arm around her waist and hauled her tight against him.
His devouring kiss left her helpless to do anything but hold on. The kisses and touches he'd given before had not spurred such a furious desire. She didn't care to think on the difference further, she only wanted more and knew he was about to grant her wish.
He shifted again and the hot flesh of his hard cock brushed against her cleft.
A shudder passed over her, her legs growing soft as jelly.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tightening in his hair, and responded eagerly to his kiss, her tongue tangling with his in the only way she could communicate.
A gruff laugh vibrated through him and he pulled away, licking his lips. Another sigh escaped her, this one of disappointment.
"You are quite… eager."
The harsh sound of his heavy breath revealed he was in much the same state as she. The hunger grew, until it was all she could focus on. As if her entire being had become desire only, and lived only to share it with him.
"You have done this to me." Her attempt at playfulness failed when her voice cracked. Hradi grinned, his chuckle surrounding her.
"I think the gods have done this to both of us."