Erik stepped over to the back of the van and opened the door. Some brand-new sleeping bags had been donated at their last stop. He picked the two bundles up along with another thick blanket.
He froze as he spotted a movement out of the corner of his eye. The figure moved closer, the recognizable shape resolving itself.
“Stand down, soldier,” Jake said in a low conspiratorial whisper. “’Bout time you two got some private time. And I’m not talking about sneaking out into the woods for a make-out session.”
“Ah…” Erik looked at the sleeping bags. “We…”
“I’m old but not blind, stupid, and dead.” He grinned.
Erik chuckled in spite of the embarrassment he felt, his face burning already.
“Protection comes in all types. Here’s my donation to the cause.” Jake held out a pistol. “Safety’s on, no bullet in the chamber. Full magazine. Keep it close, stay safe, and if you get into trouble, shoot into the ground, whistle, or yell fire—we’ll come running.” The crow’s feet around his eyes deepened. “We hear anything else, well…going to ignore that. We’ll see you in the morning. I’ll let everyone know you two are taking a little walk.” He gave a sly wink as Erik accepted the weapon.
Erik couldn’t help grinning as Jake turned away, walking around the van back toward the campfire.
He tucked the sleeping bags and blankets under his arm before grabbing a water bottle and a handful of granola bars.
Brenna was staring at the stars as he came back around. Her open-mouthed glee at the sight had his heart bursting for joy.
“I think I miss flying the most.” She sighed. “I loved to fly.”
“I can understand that.” He offered his hand.
They walked along the narrow path leading out into the park. They’d parked at the edge of the campground as usual, a national park bordering the area. Now it’d prove helpful in giving them privacy.
Erik lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.
She laughed. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I mean, I know the physical details and all. But this…” She drew a deep breath. “This is something I’ve never had to deal with.”
“Then we’ll take it slow. Whenever you want to stop, we’ll stop. Say the word and we’re done.” Erik tamped down the raging desire shooting through his body, centering in his groin.
The night closed in around them, but he could still see, the full moon overhead casting just enough light to follow the path. Water bubbled nearby, growing louder as they moved further into the woods.
“It’s wonderful.” Her grip tightened in his as her free hand brushed the tall grass. “I never really saw the beauty of it all. How strange.”
“Not surprising. You were going from battlefield to battlefield, taking souls. They’re not usually beautiful places.” He thought of Beirut and Lebanon, the images from his history books showing what magnificent, vibrant cities they used to be. “Not by the time you get to them. You visit them on their worst days, when they’re dying and on their last breath like the warriors you reap.” He looked at her, loving the way her hair glowed in the moonlight. “Tell me about Valhalla.”
“We don’t have forests like this. Green patches between the buildings but nothing so long, no trees so tall.” She lifted her gaze skyward. “The Great Halls are always filled with laughter. They eat and drink and carouse until daybreak, when they pick up their weapons and begin fighting.”
“Fighting?” He spotted a clearing off the path, under a large oak tree.
She nodded as they moved into the tall grass. “During the day, they fight to stay in practice, battle to the death. After they fall, they lay on the ground until the sun disappears and they are reborn anew—whole and unhurt. Then they return to the Halls to start the cycle all over.”
“What do you do? When you’re not flying over war-torn areas?” He unrolled the two sleeping bags and zipped them together, folding the blanket at the bottom of the makeshift bed.
The pistol went atop a plastic bag nearby, within arm’s reach.
“We fight and train for Ragnarok, as I said. Not all the time. We collect the offerings to Freyja, Odin—all the other Gods.” Brenna tucked her hands into her pockets. “Many people still perform the daily rituals here on earth. We care for them and do what we can, appear to those who are loyal and worthy. In very rare occasions, we’re called to bring fallen souls to Odin himself, exceptions to the rule.”
“Then you are guardian angels, of a sort.” He drew her down on the soft coverings, kneeling beside her.
“Of a sort,” she repeated as she shrugged off her light jacket.
“You and your sisters were never interested in the warriors around you?” He dragged his hand along her bare arm, reveling in the goose bumps left in his wake.
“No. I was a little girl when Freyja brought me to the barracks. I read about things, saw them in the Halls. But…” Brenna fell silent as he pressed a finger to her lips.
He leaned in, stopping just before kissing her. “Say the word and I’ll stop.”
She smiled, calming the last of his concerns. “I need you. There’s a hole inside me, a hollow I can’t imagine anyone filling but you.”
He couldn’t top that, so he kissed her.
…
Brenna’s head was spinning, her heart beating so fast she feared it’d jump out of her chest. She had witnessed what went on with lovers plenty of times in the Halls. It just never appealed to her, being dedicated to one thing and one thing alone—doing her job the best she could. Her life, her entire existence, had rotated around serving Freyja.
When Erik had called to her on the battlefield, it’d released something inside her. She should have ignored his shout and touched him with her lance, ending their interaction.
Instead, she broke all the rules, took off her helmet, and kissed Erik, starting an avalanche of events leading to this moment, this time between them.
Brenna had lost this battle.
She didn’t care one bit.
Erik sat back and stripped his shirt off. She drew her hands over the toned muscles, the small scars pitting the once-perfect skin.
He didn’t pull away from her inspection, didn’t flinch as she ran her fingers along the waistband of his jeans.
“Patience,” he murmured. “We’ve got all night.”
“Never one of my virtues,” she whispered.
He laughed and kissed her again before tugging her shirt up and over her head, following with the sports bra. He tossed it to one side and looked at her.
Brenna didn’t try to cover herself. There was no need to be shy, not here and not now.
“Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?” Erik asked.
She looked down, suddenly unable to look at him.
“Hey.” He cupped her chin and pulled her up to meet his eyes. “You are. I can’t believe no one’s told you this before.”
“You’re the first.” She reached out and brought him in for a kiss. “In so many ways.”
Erik slid one hand to the back of her neck, holding her as he deepened the kiss, the slow steady burn sending her pulse soaring. His fingertips danced along her breast, pausing to gently squeeze and caress. She held her breath, the sensations swirling through her body.
“Hmm.” He pulled back and smiled at her. “I love the way you taste. It’s addictive.”
“Addictive?” she repeated.
“Just can’t get enough of it. And not sure I ever want to.”
He lowered her to the sleeping bag, the fabric cool against her heated skin.
She dragged her fingers over his body, inhaling deeply as she caught the deep musky smell of man.
My man.
The thought drummed through her veins, her mind soaring.
He lowered his mouth to her nipple and drew it in, his tongue rubbing over the tip.
“Ah…” The moan broke free before she had a chance to call it back, her hips thrusting up toward him. He slid one ha
nd to the other breast, beginning the sequence again.
He lifted his head with a satisfied smirk. “You like that.”
“I do.”
“Good. So do I.” He pressed on with ragged determination, lavishing the same devotion on the partner. His arousal pressed against her, thick and hard.
She undid his jeans and slipped her hand inside his underwear. He groaned as she took hold, stroking him with a gentle but firm grip. She drew her thumb over the tip, marveling at the moisture gathering.
Brenna remembered seeing this done before but never imagined it would give her such a sense of power, of desire, of a need to fulfill his every wish.
“Careful,” he warned. “Don’t want this to be over before we even begin.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Then you better hurry up.”
Erik growled and nipped her neck with his teeth, the flick of pain flashing to her core. His lips met hers again, the passionate kiss bruising her senses.
He had her jeans and underwear down and away in a matter of seconds, pushed into the tall grass before she had a chance to react.
He laughed into her mouth as she moved against him, feeling clumsy as she attempted to remove the last of his clothing.
“Here. I’ll help.”
Then he was naked and lying beside her, and a quiver of fear started to snake through her body, the trembling beyond her ability to stop.
“Hey. Hey.” He kissed her again, a slow gentle brush of his lips. “This isn’t a sprint to the finish. It’s a marathon. You’re in charge. Say ‘stop’ and I stop. We have tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.”
She nodded, bereft of words.
“But until you say the word…” An impish grin appeared. “Let’s see what other sounds I can get out of you.”
He slid atop her, bracing himself on his arms. He kissed one breast and then the other, dragging his tongue over her nipples with such delicious friction that she almost screamed.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as he slid down, dropping light kisses on her torso and thighs. He dragged his lips over the sensitive skin, drawing it into his mouth before releasing it with a loud pop.
She laughed as he kissed it better, the mute apology accepted.
It was a slow, sensual torture as he moved to stroke her legs from the bottom of her feet up to her knees, the light touches sending her ablaze with anticipation. She spread her legs, urging him on.
Then his tongue was on her, swirling over and under with long delicious draws dragging gasps out of her very soul.
Brenna writhed under his touch, the possessive grip he had on her hips keeping her in place. Her fingers dug into the soft fabric under them to give her some foundation, some sense of reality.
She’d pleasured herself before, learned what she enjoyed and what pushed her over the edge—the swift rush to release and the breathless recovery.
This…this was nothing like that. No comparison, his skills dragging new levels of arousal out of her with expert precision.
He devoured her like a fine wine, exploring every bit of her with determination and patience. The sparks started in her core, catching fire as he pursued his goal with an enthusiasm only seen before on the battlefield.
Then his lips sealed around the tiny nub, tongue flicking out with a rough rhythm that broke her apart.
She threw her arm across her mouth, struggling to keep from screaming. Her teeth dug into the skin, balancing the pleasure with a dash of pain as she came back down.
He didn’t stop.
As she drew a staggered breath, he continued to kiss and stroke her thighs, one hand dipping into the dampness to tease her opening. She relaxed into his touch, giving herself over to him without hesitation, knowing there was more to come.
She held back a quiver of anticipation, eager to see what would happen next.
Chapter Twenty-Three
He wanted to make this perfect, or as close as he could manage.
It was a mission he would not fail.
One slick finger eased in and out of her, her low moan going straight to his cock as her hips rose and fell to meet him. He added a second, noting how the slight hesitation she showed previously disappeared as he continued, the slow steady rhythm matched by his own hips as he shifted back and forth against her leg.
It was time.
His heart raced as he moved back to kiss her, his hand staying between her legs.
“I hate to ask this, but…” He paused as she looked at him, her blue eyes wide and still a bit unfocused. “What’s the Valkyrie position on birth control? Do you think you have some natural immunity or…?”
She frowned for a second until the words sunk in, what he was trying to ask. “I don’t know.”
He found his pants, the wallet snug in the back pocket. “Let me deal with this then.”
The condom was tucked into the billfold—a habit carried over from his teen years.
Brenna stared at the small packet. “What’s that?”
“Protection.” He felt sheepish, a teenager on his first date.
“Ah!” She rose on her elbows. “I see.” Her hand met his, fingers entwining. “Let me do it.”
Erik drew in a sharp breath as she stroked his length, thinking about icy showers and cold winter winds. She eased the condom down, her gentle touch inflaming his desire even more.
“So how much do you know about what to do?” His cock bobbed in the air, now fully sheathed.
“Enough.” She smiled. “I might not be experienced, but I’m not blind.”
“Good.” He rolled on his back and pulled her atop him. “Because I’m going crazy here.”
She straddled him easily, her damp core rubbing against his erection with agonizing slowness. Brenna gasped, throwing her head back as she arched against him.
“Here.” He took her hands in his and put them on each side of his head, helping her steady herself. “This puts you in charge. Set the pace—as fast or as slow as you like. You’re in complete control. Do what you want.”
Brenna kissed him as she rose above him, positioning herself. Then she lowered herself slowly onto him, her legs trembling with each gentle inch.
It was hard not to thrust, not to grab her waist and plunge into her, but he held back, gritting his teeth. She paused, her face tense for a second before continuing on, the strain disappearing to be replaced with a rapturous gaze as she stared skyward.
She let out a long, drawn-out sigh as she settled finally, taking all of him in.
Erik gritted his teeth, the tight heat around his cock pushing his self-control to the edge.
Brenna lowered her gaze to look at him again, panting as she rested her palms on his chest.
She rocked against him, shifting her hips from side to side. Her lips twisted into a smile, easing the bit of fear digging into his mind.
“You’re killing me.” He had to say something, anything to distract him from the driving urge to take control, to flip her over and drive into her, bury himself in that heat until they both shattered.
Brenna laughed and dipped her face to kiss him. “Already missed that chance. Guess I’ll have to go for torture now.”
Erik caught his breath, seeing her golden hair spill over her face with every shift of her hips. He dug one hand in the dirt to gain some purchase, willing himself to stay still. His other hand went to her hip, fingers digging into her slick skin.
She opened her mouth in a silent gasp as she arched back and began to move, the tight fit drawing him closer to the edge with every stroke. She completed him, pulling him up past anything experienced before.
He wanted to give her more, give her what she needed and deserved.
He reached between their bodies, sliding his fingers in the dampness on her thighs before pressing against her inner folds, seeking out the nub worshiped with his tongue not so long ago.
A whimper escaped as she bent forward, rocking against him.
Erik captured one nipple in his mouth
, sucking hard as he increased his touch, thrusting up into her as much as he dared.
She gasped and stared at him, a long keening cry breaking free as she rolled her hips, lost in the feeling.
Yes.
Erik closed his eyes and gave himself to the lightning rolling down his spine, gathering in his groin for one last mighty explosion.
…
She came back to herself, her head resting on his chest. At some point, she must have moved off him, but she couldn’t remember when, her world whiting out in a burst of pleasure that not only matched the previous one but surpassed it.
“I never…” She swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Never.”
Erik stroked her arm. “That was sort of the point.” He nuzzled the top of her head, dropping light kisses into her hair. “Are you okay?”
“Never better.” The ache between her legs was no more than if she’d overdone her exercise routine.
A bit more, she admitted to herself. But it was a pleasant ache, something she couldn’t quite describe.
“I’m glad,” he whispered. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
She lifted her head and gazed at him, unable to keep from smirking. “I’m made of stronger stuff than that, warrior.”
“Really.”
In a flash, she was on her back, the soft sleeping bag under her bare skin, and he was straddling her now in a role reversal.
“Give me a few minutes and we’ll see how much stronger stuff you have.” He smirked, and heat surged through her veins as she remembered the magic he held in his mouth.
Early in the morning, they dressed and crept back into the clearing, setting up the sleeping bags by the dying fire. Mark was on watch, and he made a point of glancing the other way as they slipped into the bags. Brenna couldn’t help letting out a soft sigh as she lay down, her mind spinning.
It’d been a long and beautiful night with a man who had been as gentle with her as he was brave on the battlefield.
She reached out and took Erik’s hand, hoping to keep a little of this peace and quiet for a bit longer. The harsh reality of morning brought with it the problem they couldn’t ignore.
Kara wouldn’t stop looking for them. She wouldn’t give up until she sent Erik to Valhalla and Brenna banished to Helheim.
Her Alpha Viking Page 19