Ragnar - Lord of Jaegar

by Sasha Gold

  Nick snorted and rammed Robert’s face onto the table. The thud was sickening and when Nick jerked him back up, Robert’s face was bloody. Strange gagging sounds came from his lips and his eyes were wide with shock.

  “Apologize while you still have teeth,” Nick snarled.

  “I’m sorry, Elizabeth.” His words were muffled from his injuries.

  Marion slipped into the kitchen and when she looked at Elizabeth she put a hand over her mouth.

  “Take Elizabeth upstairs and tend to her,” Nick ordered. “While I have a little talk with Robert.”

  Marion nodded and came to Elizabeth’s side, took her arm and led her to the door.

  In all her years never had she seen a man so possessed with rage. Nick seemed unrecognizable to her. Tendons bulged in his neck. His hand fisted a handful of Robert’s hair so tightly, it almost looked like he might tear it from his scalp. His chest heaved with deep draughts.

  “D-don’t kill him,” she whispered.

  Nick’s eyes were dark, a fathomless depth. He looked like an animal ready to spring, every muscle in his body taut.

  A sob escaped her lips. To see him so possessed with fury made something inside her wilt.

  He spoke softly, his voice edged with danger. “Go upstairs, Elizabeth.”

  Marion tugged her arm. “Come, Mrs. Helm. This is men’s business.”

  Chapter Six

  Marion brought her upstairs, cleaned the blood from her face, then put her to bed. She lay in bed, dozing off and on, but restless and unable to enter a deep sleep. She heard Nick enter the room. He came and stroked her hair. She pulled away from him, saying quietly that she just wanted to rest.

  The men in her family, her father, uncles and cousins, were known for vicious tempers, but she’d never seen such rage as she’d seen that afternoon. Nick looked like a man possessed. Like a beast from some hellish depth. She wanted to ask him what he’d done to Robert but was too afraid.

  Nick went back downstairs and closed the bedroom door as he left. A short time later Marion brought her a tray of food. An hour later it still sat next to her bed, untouched. She was too upset to eat. She drew a bath and tried to loosen some of the muscles that were knotted along her back and shoulders. She wondered what time it was as she leaned back to sink fully into the hot water.

  Footsteps sounded outside and the door opened. Nick came in and took the towel from the peg. “Get out of the tub.”

  She obeyed silently and let him dry her. Steam swirled around them. He kissed her, carefully avoiding the side of her mouth where Robert had struck her.

  When she was dry, he slipped her gown over her head.

  Her breath caught. “Are you going to do those things to me?”

  “Not now. I only want to care for you.”

  He led her to the bed and she crept under the covers. She waited, hardly daring to breathe. The events of the day unearthed memories of being a small child, the shouting, the fear, but most of all the terrible uncertainty. While Robert had struck her and her lip throbbed, the sight of Nick so enraged frightened her even more.

  Nick came to the bed and offered her some papers. It was the next chapter and she took it, her hand shaking. The light spilled from a lantern on the table and she read while he undressed. She’d expected a chapter on the wedding night. She didn’t want to read that sort of thing. Not now. Not with all the unspoken words that hung between them.

  If she’d had the nerve she would have asked him what he’d done to Robert. And if she were brave she would have asked him if he’d ever turned his fury on a woman. But she couldn’t summon the courage because she wasn’t brave. Instead she turned to the light to read his story.

  He rested behind her, not cradling her body as he had the night before, but laying a hand on her waist. It was a statement. She realized this. While he gave her space he showed her his claim on her was absolute. He had no intention of adhering to the agreement and while he wouldn’t press the issue tonight, she had no doubt he wouldn’t stop until he owned her.

  She read the pages. The chapter opened with a christening scene, in the same cathedral where the couple had married. This time the pews were not filled since the number of people was smaller, but amongst the onlookers were the couple’s five sons. The baby being christened was a long-awaited daughter. When the baptismal water trickled over her head, the baby girl cried. When the ceremony was over, the father comforted the baby.

  Elizabeth set the chapter on the table and put out the lamp. They lay side by side for several long moments and she could tell he was still awake.

  “I didn’t injure Robert any more than what you saw,” he said quietly. “But I told him I’d kill him if he ever set foot on this property again.”

  She turned to face him and set her hand on his chest. “I didn’t know you were such a brawler. I’m sure Robert will never return. Not after that.”

  He propped himself up beside her. In the darkness she couldn’t make out much more than a looming shadow. “I am a brawler. I like fighting. I used to make money in bare-fisted fights, a lot of money because I never lost, but when I saw what he’d done to you, it was something much more than brawling, Elizabeth.”

  She drew closer to him, into the shelter of his embrace.

  “I like to play with you.” He stroked her back. “I like the idea of tossing you over my knee and spanking you with my hand, but I would never do more than that. I would never leave a mark on you. That’s not the game I want to play.”

  He lay back and tugged her into his arms. She molded her body to his, closed her eyes and let out a small sigh of contentment.

  “Did you like what I wrote?” he asked.

  “You need to name your knight and your lady.”

  He grumbled. His body relaxed next to her and his breathing grew deeper. “You can name them.”

  “And the children need names,” she said.

  “You can name the boys.”

  “And the girl?”

  “Her name is Rose.”

  Rose…She smiled. “Do you predict we’re going to have a daughter named Rose?”

  “Not at this rate.”

  His voice was rough and edged with exasperation. Nestled next to him, her body hummed with restless energy. His words about children worked on her too and his scent, strong and enticing, made her belly ache. She wanted him and needed him but knew he wouldn’t try to press for anything after what had happened that afternoon.

  She sat up and tugged off her gown and settled back in his arms. “I want to have a daughter named Rose too.”

  His breath hissed between his teeth and he pushed her back against the mattress. “You want me?”

  His voice was a deep animalistic growl, igniting desire within her.

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  Nuzzling her neck he growled softly. “I can’t kiss your mouth, but I can kiss everywhere else.”

  He brushed his lips along a trail from the curve of her neck to her breasts, scattering kisses and gentle nips along the tender skin. His mouth felt hot against her. Ravenous. She moaned as he nudged her thighs apart and settled between her legs. He kissed her sex. She flinched. Whimpered. It was base and dirty and she wanted him to do this thing to her again.

  He licked her, tracing his tongue along her seam, teasing her clit.

  “You taste like honey.” He licked her again. “Flowers.”

  When he wrapped his arm across her pelvis he held her, pinned her to the bed and began a slow and wicked torment. She speared her fingers through his hair and grabbed it. She was slick, wet, and needy. Her body was not her own, but belonged entirely to him.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  She couldn’t move. He held her right where he wanted her, coaxing the most exquisite pleasure from her. She was so close, so wet and just before she reached that elusive pinnacle he stopped. He shed what little he wore and then he was over her, pressing the head of his cock against her wet and swollen sex.

  This was no
thing like the stories she’d heard whispered amongst women. No fear, no pain, only pure desire. Her body acted of its own volition, opening, reaching for Nick. He pressed deeper.

  “Elizabeth, you’re all I want,” he said.

  He made small thrusts and even though she knew the pain was imminent she offered herself to him. Gripping his shoulders, she pressed her fingertips into the bands of muscle. He was powerful. Raw masculinity.

  He lowered to his elbow and stroked her clit as he pushed past her barrier. There was a stab of pain but she was wet and wild with need. He kissed her neck and his soft caress drew a moan from her.

  The feel of his touch combined with his slow thrusts made her writhe and beg for more. His lips brushed her neck, a trail of small, biting kisses and then his breath fanned across her ear.

  “You belong to me, Elizabeth. Mine.” His voice was deep, a rumble she both heard and felt. Fierce and demanding. “Say it.”

  “I’m yours,” she whispered.

  His thrust grew harder and each stroke he took made her pleasure surge. Her climax crash through her. She screamed his name and an instant later he roared with his release. He rolled down and pulled her into his arms, holding her as waves of pleasure made her tremble and whimper.

  They lay without speaking, trying to regain their breath. After a few moments he rose, lit the lamp and brought her a dampened cloth. She drew a sharp breath and tried to cover herself, but he gently tugged the sheet away and tended to her.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked quietly.

  “No. I feel,” her voice trailed off, “wonderful.”

  He pulled her closer into his arms, tucking her next to him. “That you do, my lady, you certainly do.”

  Epilogue

  Five Years Later

  The carriage moved at a brisk clip through the crowded Fort Worth streets. Elizabeth’s hands felt clammy in spite of the December chill. The twins, Nicholas and Rose, sat across from her with Mrs. Donovan, their governess, perched between them. The hour was getting late and the children blinked like sleepy little owls. Even the ever-correct Mrs. Donovan stifled a yawn.

  Nick pulled Elizabeth closer and she welcomed the heat of his body.

  “Another success for my brilliant wife,” he said. “Don’t you agree Mrs. Donovan?”

  The elderly woman beamed. “Oh yes, Mr. Helm. I was so proud when the governor bought the painting of the children in the rose garden.”

  “Nicholas and Rose’s behavior was stellar,” Nick added. “Next time we can bring Henry.”

  Rose wrinkled her nose. “Ew, Daddy no. He’s too little.”

  Elizabeth closed her eyes and rested against Nick’s shoulder. “We won’t have another show for a year or so. Henry won’t be a baby anymore. Dear heavens I’m tired.”

  Nick patted her knee. “Poor darling. These things still take so much out of you. Mrs. Donovan, I’m going to draw a bath for my wife when we return to the hotel. Do you think you and Mrs. Worthington can manage the children without her help?”

  “Certainly sir.”

  Elizabeth smiled at the thought of sinking into a warm bath, but first she’d have to see Henry. She wouldn’t rest well if she didn’t kiss her sweet baby good-night. The carriage turned towards the hotel, lurching when it hit a rut in the street.

  Nick muttered. “Next time I order a carriage for my wife and children, I’ll make sure to get a driver that knows how to damn well drive it.”

  Elizabeth opened her eyes to see Rose and Nicholas’ impish grins. The streetlights made their eyes sparkle with delight. It never failed to amuse them when their father cursed. Mrs. Donovan cleared her throat with obvious disapproval.

  By the time they arrived at the hotel and returned to the room, the twins had found a second wind and were chattering happily. Nick shushed them as they entered the hotel suite.

  “Henry’s probably asleep,” he told the children. “Wake him and you’ll get coal in your Christmas stocking.”

  With Christmas just two weeks away, the threat held some weight and the children quieted down. Elizabeth kissed them goodnight and Mrs. Donovan led them to their rooms. She slipped into the bedroom they used for Henry’s nursery.

  Fast asleep in his crib, he looked angelic. She wanted to linger, but Nick came to her and drew her away, silently. He already had a bath drawn and steam filled the bathroom.

  “Come take your bath Mrs. Helm,” he said, undoing the back of her dress. “So I can tuck you into bed and work on my next chapter.”

  She stepped out of her dress, a shimmer of awareness threading through her. Over the years he continued writing stories for her. Sometimes he left them on her writing desk. Sometimes he read them to her in bed, but always they brought a smile to her lips. The stories were like secret love letters.

  The idea that he might have a chapter ready and waiting for her made her hurry with her bath. She dressed in her gown and found him in bed.

  “You have something for me to read?”

  He looked up from his writing. “Not yet. I’m still working on some details, but so far I have a heroine who has snuck onto a ship to escape an arranged marriage.”

  Elizabeth brushed her hair. “The poor dear. How is it no one notices there’s a woman on board?”

  “She’s dressed as a boy.”

  “Clever. I like her already.”

  He shook his head. “Not clever enough. The captain sees right through it when he lays eyes on her, but by then they’ve been out to sea for a day.”

  She set her hairbrush down. “Can’t turn back then.”

  “The captain throws her over his shoulder and takes her back to his quarters.”

  “And he feeds her bonbons?” She pulled back the covers and crawled into bed next to him.

  “I’m sorry to say he spanks her bare bottom.”

  She gave a huff of indignation. “What a horrid beast!”

  Nick set the papers aside and put out the lamp. “Stowaways have to be punished. But there might be a way I can lessen the penalty. If you care to assist me with research, I’ll go easy on her.”

  He tugged her into his arms and held her in a soft embrace.

  She closed her eyes and sank against him. “Aye, sir. I’ll do anything you ask,” she said. “Captain Nick…”

  THE END

  Thank you for reading my story. If you enjoyed this story please consider leaving me a review and signing up for my mailing list at www.alphaandsass.com, where I will notify you of future releases, exclusive offers and bonus material. - Alix

  Books by Sasha Gold

  Ragnar, Lord of Jaegar

  Kept by the Beast

  Kept by the Billionaire

  Kept by the Cowboy

  Sweet Submission

  Sweet Trouble

  Sweet Abduction

  Sweet Fix

  JACKED

  WRECKER

  THOR

  All’s Fair

  All’s Fair in Love

  Kept Little Thing

  Sexy Little Thing

  Medieval Romances

  Tempting The Knight

  Three Wagers

  Crimson

  Ebony

  Old West Romances

  Stolen Little Thing

  Books by Alix West

  Claiming the Mail Order Bride

  Coming for the Cowboy

  Mail Order Correction

  Mail Order Discipline

  Mail Order Punishment

  Mail Order Boxed Set (3 titles)

  The Virgin’s Price

  The Virgin’s Penance

  The Virgin’s Offer

  The Virgin’s Confession

  The Virgin’s Tale

  Western Virgin Bride Boxed Set (5 titles)

  Bounty Hunter Discipline

  Bounty Hunter Mail Order Bride

  Bounty Hunter Proposal

  Bounty Hunter Boxed Set (3 titles)

  Old West Alpha and Sass Collection (12 titles)

  From the cov
er

  Don’t let the easy going charm of the men from Colter Canyon fool you. Not one would hesitate to put his woman over his knee when she needs a firm and guiding hand. Possessive, protective and completely in charge, these growly cowboys know exactly how to handle their sweet and sassy brides.

  If you like bossy cowboys, and sassy, smart-mouthed, innocent heroines, welcome to Colter Canyon.

  *** This collection contains twelve standalone stories. ***

  *** All stories have happy endings ***

  *** No cheating and no cliffhangers ***

  *** Strong language, hot and steamy. ***

  Read the Alpha and Sass Collection now!

  Clay “The Beast” Bergstrom can’t touch Victoria Singleton, no matter how much he wants her.

  She’s too young, too innocent and way too high maintenance. She’s also his boss’s daughter.

  Everything changes when they crash-land together in the middle of the frozen Alaskan wilderness.

  The former Para-Jumper Rescuer knows the hardest part of surviving the wild isn’t being stranded in an abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere. It won’t be the bears, the wolves or the snowstorms. It won’t even be watching over the two children who crash-landed with him.

  It will be keeping his hands off Victoria’s sweet curves.

  As danger closes in, and days turn to weeks, will he be able to resist his obsession?

  Or will the beast finally claim what he knows is his…

  Victoria

  Read Kept by the Beast Fix now!

  When Sage’s car breaks down on Valentine’s weekend, she’s stranded on a deserted road. It’s nighttime. Cold. Raining. Her cell phone is almost dead. She’s left with no choice but to call a towing company.

  The wrecker arrives, driven by the owner, Theo Brooks. Her stepbrother. Never before has Sage been alone with him. She has every reason to keep her distance. Theo makes her nervous, and aroused. She wants dirty things from him. After she climbs into the wrecker, she finds her step-brother wants things from her too.