by J. A. Bailey
“I know. The elders said as much. We were taken far off course by a heavy storm. We survived some time living off the land but the island was barren and difficult to live on. Hunger and disease killed many of us. When wood washed ashore from another wreck, we decided to risk a journey across sea. It took us many weeks and we barely knew where we were going. But I had to try. I had to return to you.”
“I cannot believe you are here. For so long I hoped you would return but I lost all hope and could only grieve.”
He kissed her lips. “I am sorry for making you grieve. I am here now, Esa, and I do not intend to leave your side again. This journey has aged me and my time of adventures is over. I wish to give you the sons you always wanted and watch them grow.”
Unable to form a response, she nodded. How could she feel so elated yet in such agony? Alrek would have to watch them from afar, seeing their love and family grow. And would Rennir still love her when he discovered who she was now? She had been a different woman before he left—wild, adventurous. Now the quiet village life gave her all she needed. Once she had children, she knew any need for excitement would be fully quelled.
But it seemed Rennir too had lost his adventurous spirit. Only time would tell if he meant what he said.
He nuzzled her neck. “My sweet woman, I have missed you so.”
She clutched his head and sighed. In the arms of her Viking warrior, her heart felt whole again, but only because it was now filled with love for two men. She suspected her love for Alrek would never wane. She had to decide whether to confess the truth to Rennir and hurt him or bury her love and hope Alrek did the same.
Chapter Five
The days went by in a haze. Alrek stayed away. Esa could only imagine the hurt he suffered. In spite of Rennir’s attentions, a deep ache sat in her chest. She missed her friend and lover. While the village rejoiced in the return of some of their strongest warriors, Esa found herself drawn into melancholy and no matter how hard she tried to hide it, Rennir picked up on her mood.
“What plagues you, Esa?” he asked as she settled into bed together. Knowing fingers slipped between her legs. Rennir was always able to read her body perfectly. He toyed with her nub so that in spite of her worry for Alrek, she grew wet.
“Nothing,” she replied on a sigh.
“You are distant. Is it my return? Sibba tells me you grieved much and it pains me that I have put you through such hurt. I know it shall take time for you to become accustomed to my company again.”
“You are a good and considerate man, Rennir.” It made it worse really. Rennir had learned patience in his time away, something she had not thought him capable of before. It made her love for him stronger and her betrayal all the more bitter. Should she have stayed alone and waited rather than given herself to Alrek?
“Do you love me?” He dipped a finger into her heat, spreading her for him.
“Já, very much so.”
“I love you, Esa. I would do anything to see you happy. Tell me, I have seen little of Alrek, yet Sibba tells me he was of great comfort to you.”
“He carried out his duties as any man would,” she responded stiffly.
“You are very wet, my sweet woman,” he commented. “Three seasons is quite some time. Did you take a lover in that time?”
“I—” Esa gulped. How could she lie to the man she loved? “I did not wish to.”
“But you did.”
“Only very recently. Please forgive me. If I had known—”
“Shhh, do not fret. You thought me dead and you are a flesh and blood woman with needs. I’ll confess the thought of someone lying with you makes me hard.”
“It does?” Esa reached down and clasped his pulsing erection, proof of the truth behind his words.
“Já. Another man’s cock spearing my wife’s hot cunt is certainly one of the many lustful imaginings that kept up my determination to see you again.” He plunged his fingers into her to punctuate his words and she gasped. “Will you tell me who I must thank for pleasuring me wife while I was gone?”
She tensed. Did he truly mean it or did he intend to seek revenge on Alrek? “I fear you shall be angry.”
“Not at all.” Rennir kissed her cheek and down her neck. “I love you, Esa, and I am glad you decided to grieve no longer. When Sibba told me of such things, I knew the heart of my warrior woman still beat in your chest. So will you tell me, who am I to thank?”
Had Sibba told him everything? She suspected he was testing her. “It was Alrek.” The words came out in a rushed whisper.
Rennir stilled his hand. “Alrek?”
“Já.” She bit her lip.
“My good friend and my wife.” Rennir rubbed along her folds. “His name makes you wet.”
Esa merely gulped.
“And he was a good lover?”
“Já.”
“Good. I shall thank him on the morrow and you can tell me how it felt to have his cock deep inside you.” Two fingers thrust into her now and she cried out.
His words and skilled hands had her writhing. Flashes of Alrek slamming his shaft into her mingled with Rennir’s face hovering in front of her—the two men she loved. Sweet sensation gathered between her things and Rennir slid down, parting her legs for him. He gazed at her sex before sweeping his tongue over her folds in one long stroke. Esa moaned and tangled her hand in his hair. She felt him grin against her leg and then he repeated the motion before thrusting his tongue inside her.
With several presses of his tongue he had her arching up to meet him. He replaced his tongue with two fingers and continued to suckle on her clit until it became too much.
“Neinn,” she protested, but Rennir ignored the tugs on his hair.
“Come for me,” he murmured, delivering several hard lunges in her pussy.
He curled those fingers and brought his tongue back to her clit. When he circled it, she bucked and clenched her eyes shut. She pressed his face down with the hand in her hair and rode out her orgasm, rocking into his mouth and nose. As the pleasure dispersed, leaving a warm buzz in her body, Rennir eased his fingers out, swiped a hand across his face and raised his head.
“I love you, my Esa.”
“And I you.” She smiled and tried to ignore the ache in her heart that told her something was missing—Alrek.
***
Before the sun full rose, Rennir sought out Alrek. He had slept little. Images of Alrek and Esa together plagued his mind. He had spoken the truth to Esa the previous day. A small spark of jealousy lit in his gut but he did not blame her. She had thought him dead and the lively Esa he had known needed a lusty Viking between her thighs. It surprised him really that she had waited so long. Apparently grief had taken its toll. This Esa was quieter, more submissive. Not that he loved her any less but he longed to see some of the woman he had married.
Pausing before the door of Alrek’s hut, he drew in a breath. Of course, his jealousy had also been lessened by the fact he became unbelievably aroused at the thought of Esa being pleasured by Alrek. He had never considered it before but it seemed the idea was more appealing than he thought possible.
He knocked on the door and wondered how he might approach this. His friend had been avoiding him, no doubt fearful of Rennir’s reaction to the news. While he appreciated Alrek’s thoughtfulness he also needed an insight into his wife’s mind. Esa thought she hid her moments of melancholy but Rennir often noticed the sadness in her eyes. If he could prove to her that these past years mattered little to him, he felt sure he could bring back his warrior woman.
Alrek eased open the door. The years had aged his friend.
“Rennir,” he greeted quietly before stepping aside and allowing him in.
“How goes it, Alrek? Is that any way to greet an old friend? You have been keeping your distance.”
“Forgive me, Rennir. I thought it best to allow you time with Esa.”
“Esa has had a grave shock. It shall take her time to adjust to my return I imagine.”
“Thanks the gods you were here to protect our women and elderly. We owe you much.”
Alrek sighed, threw back his own beaker of ale and swiped an arm across his mouth. “You owe me nothing. None of you do.”
“You took care of Esa too…” Rennir mused, eyeing his friend.
A flicker of something echoed in the depths of Alrek’s eyes. Once he would have known exactly what his friend was thinking but the years had changed him too. Both Esa and Alrek shared a deep sadness. Maybe it had been brought on by his disappearance. Rennir regretted bitterly he had put them through such grief and intended to all he could to erase the painful memories.
“Esa has grown into a valuable member of our settlement, Rennir. You should be proud of how she coped when you did not return.”
“I am.” He nodded. “But I perceive some sadness in her. I wish to make her happy and I think you may be the key. Esa is riddled with guilt.” Rennir cocked his head. “I believe you are too.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You lay with my wife did you not?”
Alrek placed down the beaker and folded his arms. “I did. And I shall not blame you should you wish to cut me down for it. I will not fight it, I swear.”
Rennir shook his head in disbelief. Kill his closest friend? The man who had protected his wife and their village all these years?
“I did not come here to kill you, Alrek. I have come to ask a favour.”
“A favour?”
“You care for Esa, do you not?”
“I-já.”
“I wish to prove to her—to both of you—that I hold no grudges. I wish for her to be happy.” He put a hand to Alrek’s shoulder. “I need your help, old friend.”
Chapter Six
Esa had just finished bathing and was about to dress when Rennir returned. He tugged her to him by the edges of the linen she had wrapped about her. She gasped as her bare breasts came into contact with his chest. Even through his garments, she felt the hard contours of his body.
“I wish for you to do something for me tonight, Esa.”
“What is that, Rennir?”
“Submit to my wishes. Do not question them.” He left a trail of kisses down her neck.
Her heart raced a little. “Rennir, what is this? You know I shall do whatever you wish.”
He drew back and swiped a finger down her nose. “Once, my lovely Esa, you would have questioned such a command.”
She dropped her gaze. It wasn’t the first time he had inferred she had changed. And she had. Her heart was divided, the painful hole that Rennir had left still had not healed, even with his return. Years of grief could not be overcome so easily. Did she disappoint him?
“I cannot help what time has done,” she reprimanded softly.
Rennir grinned. “Ah, there is my Esa. But for this night I ask for obedience. Can you do such a thing?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Lie on the bed and close your eyes.” He tugged the linen from her.
Frowning, she did as he asked. Moisture gathered between her thighs and she shuddered, not from cold as the fire burned brightly in the centre of the hut, but from apprehension and some excitement. What did Rennir have in store for her?
She lay on the bed and closed her eyes, leaving her hands resting lightly above her head. The fire crackled and she heard movement but could not track it over her own heavy breaths. A hand came upon her breast and the straw beneath her rustled. She gasped. That did not feel like Rennir. She opened her eyes and found herself staring up at Alrek.
“You are meant to keep your eyes shut,” he scolded.
“What are you doing here? Where is Rennir?”
“I forgot the oil. He has gone to fetch some.”
“Oil? For what?” She went to pull the furs around her but Alrek brushed aside her hand and skimmed his fingers down her body. “Why are you here, Alrek? I have not seen you since Rennir returned.”
“I had to stay away, Esa. Rennir is your husband. What would you have me do?”
“I missed you,” Esa whispered, feeling tears clog her throat.
“And I you. But we have one last chance to be together. Rennir wishes it so and I would do all I can to see you happy. He believes the two of us could make you happy.” He palmed her breast and rolled a nipple.
“And what of you?”
“I shall be happy to hold you once more.”
Esa frowned. The idea of both men in her bed both thrilled and terrified her. Would she give away her love for Alrek and upset Rennir? Could one more night with Alrek appease her need for him and allow her to move on? And what of him? “I do not understand what Rennir is thinking.”
“He—”
The door creaked and Esa snapped shut her eyes, remembering his order. Alrek’s hands skimmed her waist and up to the side of her breasts. Footsteps sounded and the rustle of clothes. Then Alrek’s hands left her. She shuddered in anticipation, her mind reeled. Both men were in the hut while she was naked, spread out for them. Excitement stirred in her stomach, almost overriding her confusion at Rennir’s actions. They had never discussed sharing their marriage bed with another, yet she knew people who did it.
Something cold touched her skin—the oil she realised. The palm was wider and more calloused than Alrek’s so it had to be Rennir.
“That’s it, Esa. Close your eyes and spread your legs. Show us your sweet cunt.”
She widened her legs a little and her thighs brushed two hairy thighs either side of her. They were on the bed. Her breathing quickened. Another hand joined in, spreading the oil over her breasts, stomach and between her thighs, not quite touching her where the ache was building. She rose up each time a hand swept her tight nipples. When she was slick and wanting, a set of fingers spread her pussy lips and traced the shape of her. Esa pressed her hips up in hopes of directing the finger to her aching nub but another hand came onto her stomach and held her down.
“Look how wet you are,” Rennir murmured. “Open your eyes.”
Esa did as he bid and found herself staring into Rennir’s deep blue gaze. He lay next to her, his hand between her legs, spreading and teasing her. Then she glanced over and Alrek lay on the other side of her. His hand smoothed over her now slick breasts. She peered down at the sight of these two strong men touching and manipulating her body and let out a low moan. Both men were naked.
Rennir grinned. “Looks like she enjoys being shared, Alrek.”
Alrek nodded. Though his expression remained serious, Esa saw the lust in his eyes and noted the quick movements of his chest. He may have been hurting as much as she these past days but desire had clearly overtaken him.
“We shall worship your body this night, Esa. Do you think you are strong enough to take all the pleasure we shall bring you?” Rennir asked.
“Oh já…” She breathed and wriggled her hips. Rennir still refused to touch her needy clit.
“What say you, Alrek?”
A hint of a smile twitched on his lips. “She shall take it. Whether she is strong enough, I know not. But she has little choice, does she, Rennir?”
These men and their promises made Esa’s head spin. Heat kindled in her belly and surged through her veins, and yet all they had done was touch her skin.
“Spread your legs a little more, my girl. I should like a taste and after that Alrek might like a sample of your cream.” Rennir shifted down, his golden muscles tensing and pulling. She shuddered as he settled between her legs.
Alrek took her mouth in a deep, slow kiss as Rennir’s tongue mimicked his movements around her sex. Both men worked together in a strange unison to leave her panting. She could only assume their lifelong friendship allowed them to work so well together. He still avoided her clit which set her blood to boiling. When Rennir finally lapped across her sensitive pearl, she cried out and Alrek swallo
wed the sound with a kiss while he tweaked her nipples.
Rennir lifted himself up and came to rest beside her once more. He eased her face over and kissed her. She tasted herself on his lips. He wouldn’t allow her to look away as Alrek toyed with her nub before drawing it between his teeth.
“You taste divine, Esa,” Rennir told her. “I would travel thousands of miles to taste you.”
Alrek mumbled his agreement against her cunt and the tickle sent a slow building frisson of need through her. While their tongues had worked magic, she needed far more than soft attentions. She needed solid muscle and hard erections.
“Please,” she begged as the pleasure built. “Please…”
Alrek pressed his tongue further down between her legs and teased her puckered hole. Would they take her there? The thought thrilled and unnerved her. She hadn’t had a cock in her rear for a long time and both men were large. If they planned to take her together, she feared she might pass out from being so full.
His tongue swirled and dipped, pressing slightly into her entrance before retreating and leaving her surprisingly disappointed. Rennir kissed down her neck and took a nipple in his mouth before rolling her onto her stomach. Alrek eased her hips up so she was on hands and knees, her holes displayed full for him.
Alrek stood. “Rennir, come look at your wife.”
Rennir followed suit and they admired her from behind. Her skin prickled and though the air of the hut was warm from the fire, her pussy felt cold and exposed as her juices gathered between her legs.
A warm palm came to her rear and gave it a light smack. Then more hands were on her, pulling her, spreading her, playing with her. Her arms trembled as two thick fingers speared into her heat while a thumb smeared her arousal over her arsehole and pressed lightly against it. Someone’s hand grabbed her hip firmly. The sensation of so many hands combined with the knowledge of them both staring at her, watching her pumping movements as those fingers fucked her soaking cunt, increased the pleasure.
Two fingers pinched her clit and she spasmed. Both men murmured between them, talking about how beautiful and ready she was. Several more thrusts of those fingers and a couple of flicks of her nub and she flew over the edge. Her arms gave way and she flopped onto the bed, her pussy still pulsing even as the fingers left her empty.