Amber crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. Damn him. Something told her he wouldn’t return to goad her to follow. Then she frowned. She never did find out what he feared! Keeping that in mind, she figured she better follow and prayed that like the descent down, it didn’t last long.
She tossed aside her cloak, yanked off her boots then removed her outer tunic. Though it was a trick at her height, she managed to grab the end of the root and walk her feet up until she was able to sit in the tube. Heck, she must be insane. But the water was too cold to stress overly long. So she pushed off, leaned back and woosh, she was off.
Amber crossed her arms over her chest, squeezed her eyes shut and squealed as she whizzed down what felt exactly like a waterslide. Down. Down. Down. One slight turn, then another, then she shot out. She opened her eyes moments before she plunged into warm water.
Sputtering, she broke the water’s surface and started laughing.
Waist deep, Kol was leaning against a rock grinning. “Have fun?”
Amber wiped water from her eyes, still laughing. “That was awesome.”
And it truly was. Between the rush of the smooth slide then the warm water cut by what was fast becoming a raging blizzard.
She had never seen him look so happy when he held out his hand. “Do you want to do it again?”
“Oh my God, yeah.” She eyed his hand, content beneath the warm water. “But it’s sort of a long, cold soaking wet hike to get back to the top, isn’t it?”
“It’s not bad from here.” He pulled her through the water toward the roots they’d climbed days before. Amber was surprised when he led her to a bend around the rock where the water grew shallow. Then they were able to walk upwards through a winding tunnel until they ended up in the same chamber. Amber nodded when he urged her to go down the slide first this time.
Four exciting slides later, she was ready for another but he laughed and shook his head. “Night falls and with it, the storm worsens.”
He pulled a dry dress from the satchel and handed it to her.
"Sure, okay. Besides, this was only half the fun, right?” Though she tried to avert her eyes, she couldn’t help but once more admire his cut body when he yanked off his wet pants, dried off and pulled on dry pants and boots. “Why not just use dragon magic to dry yourself now? We’re far enough away from Thorunn aren’t we?”
“I’d rather save my magic for later.” He grinned. “And you’ve already seen me without clothes so I didn't think you'd mind.”
Oh, she didn't for obvious reasons. But somehow it seemed a whole lot more personal this time around. Not only that but she suspected he was doing it on purpose. She almost said so but knew no matter how she phrased it she would sound like a flirt. And what was this about saving magic for later? She could only imagine.
Considering her current reservations, she almost went searching for a private area to change but wanted out of these wet clothes too much. And he had already seen her naked too so what the hell. By the time she peeled off the wet clothes and pulled on the dress, he was so still and silent she looked his way. Her breath caught at the raw lust in his eyes as he watched her.
It suddenly had her wondering exactly what ‘fun’ he thought was still ahead.
Voice gruff, he said, “It’s almost time for the other half of the fun.”
Still shirtless, he pulled her into an adjoining chamber. “But this fun has more to do with watching and hearing something amazing and enjoying good company.”
With a flick of his wrist, he lit a few torches attached to the walls then a small fire in the center of the room. Though it was surprisingly warm, he wrapped his fur around her shoulders then handed her a skin. “Drink. I have to check on Thorunn but will return.”
“Hey, you just used your magic!”
The corner of his lips hitched up and he winked. “I did say later, didn’t I?”
She shook her head. The man was nothing but trouble.
Amber was caught off guard by how lost she felt when he left. As if a new sense of warmth seemed to slowly drain away. Alarmed and discontented by the feeling, she wrapped his cloak tighter and sat on the edge of a rock. Though spacious enough with floor to ceiling exits on two sides excluding the one they had entered, she became overly aware of how intimate the setting.
By the time Kol returned, which wasn’t all that long, she had downed half her mead.
He tossed a few furs on the ground then plunked down next to her. “Are you hungry?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks,” she murmured.
Kol eyed her as he pulled a skin from another satchel. “Are you upset?”
“No,” she said automatically. But she supposed he deserved the truth. “Just a little wary.”
When he cocked his head in question, she said, “We’re alone in a cave, trapped by a blizzard. Sort of a cozy situation.” She shot him a sidelong glance. “See where I’m going with this?”
Kol’s eyes narrowed slightly, but the expression on his face stayed lighthearted enough. “You think I brought you here for sex.”
Way to go Viking male honesty. But it was Kol after all.
“It’s sort of starting to feel that way.”
“If I did, do you think you’d still be sitting here questioning it considering I just saw you without clothing?”
She appreciated that there was no aggravation in his voice. “You say that like you assume I would’ve already had sex with you if you’d attempted it.”
His brows lowered. “Of course you would have.”
She supposed some women might find his statement offensive, but Amber knew he didn’t mean it that way in the least. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
Kol shrugged. He didn’t seem particularly concerned with his sexual prowess as he flicked his wrists. Not only the torches but the fire went out. “It’s about to start.”
It was still a little odd seeing him work his magic, but she was getting used to it. Likely because he didn’t make a big deal out of it. But again, it was Kol. Everything about him seemed fairly easy-going and had a way of putting a person at ease.
Amber was about to speak, but he put a finger to his lips and shook his head. Her eyes widened when he again flicked his fingers and a dim, bluish-green light lined not only the walls but the area beyond. Where snowflakes had moments before trickled down the door size openings, they started to fall heavier as the wind howled. The doorways obviously had cathedral ceilings that led to an opening up top. Then there had to be an opening somewhere below because suction was being created that caused the wind to spiral down rather than blow in.
But she soon realized that was not what he wanted her to see.
No, he wanted her to hear.
Shivers raced through her and she grabbed his hand as a long low wail echoed around them, the effect unique as it whistled past rock. The octaves and decibels varied in pitch in such a way it seemed to create a song. Though the flute wasn’t her main instrument, she closed her eyes as she moved her fingers over his and murmured the notes.
Created by the nuances in the rock, the music was so very beautiful, soul-enriching. The rhythm fluctuated and told a haunting story. One of passion. Sadness. Loss. One she hoped she could repeat if given half a chance. She breathed deeply, lost in the sound, the pure euphoria it made her feel.
Eventually, it trickled down to a few notes. When it did, she slowly opened her eyes. While she was used to the lost look in people’s eyes when she played an instrument, she had never seen it when she didn’t.
Until now.
Kol’s gaze was locked on her face, but she knew he wasn’t entirely there. Instead, he seemed as lost in the sound as she had been…yet it was different. For a split second, she saw a part of him she knew he kept hidden.
Vulnerability. Desperation. Confusion.
She couldn’t help but murmur, “You never did say what your fear was.”
Kol still seemed a little lost when he squeezed her hand. "I only have o
ne true fear.” His eyes met hers. “You.”
Though tempted to break eye contact, to pull them away from this moment, something in his gaze made her stop. It might sound crazy, but it almost seemed like she was seeing her own pain in his eyes. A pain she’d buried a long time ago.
But maybe pain was the wrong word.
More like a crippling amount of self-preservation.
This is what kept her from committing to anyone except her sisters. That kept her safe from heartbreak. Whatever it was, she and Kol were built from the same emotion, or had formed their lives around it.
What did that say about them? Were they without hope?
Frustrated that a guy as great as Kol would look so lost, so…sad, Amber stared into his eyes, desperate for something she didn’t understand. When she leaned over and brushed her lips against his cheek, he froze.
So she kissed the corner of his lips.
Kol pulled back slightly. He appeared almost startled as he searched her face before his gaze lingered on her lips. He shook his head. “I didn’t bring you here for this.”
“I know,” she whispered. Her eyes trailed over the tattoos scattered across the hard planes of his arms and broad shoulders, then her gaze fell to his tanned, muscled chest.
He cupped her jaw, thumb brushing her cheekbone. “Is this what you truly want?”
“I have no idea.” But her words barely came out as more than a weak whisper as she leaned forward and kissed him.
Just like that, she made the first move.
One she knew would steal away reality as quickly as the music had.
The moment their mouths opened and their tongues twisted, fire roared through her. It felt like her muscles were about to burn through her skin the sensation was so strong. Desperate, she wrapped her arms around him when he pulled her onto his lap.
Flicking, tasting, laving, they kissed as though finding something that had been lost to them for far too long.
Already throbbing between her legs, she groaned when he gently trailed his hand slowly under her dress then up her inner thigh. By the time he reached her center, she was squirming with raging desire. Wonderfully creative, he worked his fingers against the swollen flesh, building her up so quickly she was forced to tear her mouth from his and drag in deep breaths.
Where most men, at least those interested in pleasing a woman, took the time to learn what aroused their partner, Kol seemed to instinctually know exactly what worked for her.
His free hand cupped the back of her neck and he lightly caressed the overly sensitive skin on either side. Her head fell back and her eyes grew heavy as he peppered kisses down her exposed throat. All the while, he flicked and teased between her legs. He kept her just on the verge of climax for so long she was moaning the word please over and over.
When he at last slipped his finger inside and curled it, she arched and cried out as her body exploded in long overdue bliss. She dug her nails into his arm, vaguely aware that he’d pulled back slightly and was watching her. Though still caught in the throes of an orgasm, she liked his tender, intimate appraisal.
Then he added a second finger and thrust in such a way that he kept the climax going and going. He knew exactly where to touch her inside and out. While she supposed it might have something to do with his magic, she got the impression that it wasn’t involved in the least. No, the man just knew what he was doing.
Flutters were still clenching and rippling through her groin, stomach, and even thighs when he ran his tongue over the fingers that had pleasured her. A low, primal groan of satisfaction rumbled deep inside his chest before he wrapped an arm around her lower back and hauled her closer. Then he pressed his hips up, making sure she was aware of his thick, eager erection before he dug his hands into her hair and closed his mouth over hers.
Amber had never been kissed so thoroughly, so passionately.
The torches and fire flared back to life.
“Gods, I need you. This is either Loki’s hel…” he growled, tearing his lips from hers long enough to rip the cloak away. “Or Odin’s Valhalla.”
He lifted her and walked until her back came against a rock wall. Eyes wild, breathing ragged, he yanked down his pants just enough. Amber groaned as his hot, steely length fell against her stomach.
Hands firmly clasping her backside, he thrust her higher, his words rumbling and desperate against her neck. “Wrap your legs around me.”
Her heart beat so heavily it was hard to see straight, never mind do as he asked. But the passion in his words and the way he could barely say them made her wrap her arms and legs around him.
“So beautiful,” he whispered close to her ear then stepped away from the wall.
While she thought he meant to lay her down, Amber’s eyes shot open wider when he remained standing, braced his legs then slowly brought her down onto him. She was so excruciatingly sensitive from the prior orgasms that her nerve endings sparked in sharp pleasure as his thickness stretched and filled her.
It was a testament to his strength and balance that he could so easily hold her and still maneuver his hips so damn well without them toppling over. She’d never been taken like this and found both the height and complete lack of control remarkably thrilling. Combined with the deep pressure of him finally filling her completely, she almost forgot to hold on.
His eyes were heavily hooded as he grabbed her ass even tighter and held her that way without moving for several long moments. Sweet, sinful chills raced up and down her spine as his lips parted and his hungry gaze promised her inescapable pleasure.
Lifting her just enough, he began to thrust, the strokes long and drawn out at first. Like he’d done before, Kol was masterful at working the flesh into a throbbing state of awareness. Every inch that sunk in then back out drew forth a different sound from her throat.
Nothing existed but him as he played her almost like an instrument. His pure erotic finesse combined with the blatant desire in his eyes was an intoxicating mixture. One that had her nipples so tight they hurt and an intense haze of lust casting shadows around the edges of her vision.
When she thought she couldn’t take much more of his form of torture, he switched his method. Instead of long, even thrusts, he angled her differently and pressed so deep she cried out. The feelings bombarding her now were a knee-jerking combination of both pain and bliss.
Amber wrapped her arms tighter and buried her face against his neck when he stayed deep, combining small thrusts with a miniscule roll of his hips. Just enough that her clit was far more stimulated.
Hell, the man really did have talent.
And stamina.
Panting heavily, she dug her nails into his back as he squeezed her backside and kept working her body into a state of perpetual euphoria. At first it was a slow roll of mini climaxes then it felt like fire licked through her veins then boom, her body seized before exploding. A riot of colors swam across her vision as her toes curled and she screamed.
Or at least she thought she did.
It was hard to hear anything above the buzzing hum of ecstasy that kept her firmly in another reality. Far away, floating, she had no idea how long he held her that way. It was a slow drift down from the salacious peaks she’d reached.
As if he knew the moment she seemed to at least partially have her wits together and the strength to stand, he lowered her to the floor. His eyes were drenched with lust and almost animalistic as he tossed a fur over the rock then bent her over it. He stretched her arms over her head and curled her fingers over the opposite side of the stone, his firm words close to her ear. “Don’t let go.”
Amber gasped when he ripped her dress down the back. Cool air met steaming hot flesh seconds before his tongue licked all the way from the bottom of her spine to the nape of her neck. She pressed her cheek into the fur and shivered with arousal as he pressed apart her legs and scraped his teeth across her vulnerable skin.
Body so close to hers she could feel his heat, they both moaned when he thrust in
to her. Though hard to believe, this time he was far more assertive. This time he wasn’t just giving but taking. She felt it in the way his thrusts intensified, driving her against the fur and rock. When he pulled back, grabbed her hips and slammed into her, she clutched the edge of the stone tightly.
“Gods, you feel so good,” he groaned.
Titillated not only by his empassioned words but by his dominance, she started to tremble in direct response to his aggression. This, it seemed, turned him on as well because he half growled, half moaned as he again covered her body. She dug her nails into the stone as he rocked against her, their sweat-slicked bodies creating a delicious friction.
One of his hands closed over hers and squeezed while the other curled over her shoulder. Everything about the way he took her now was raw, brash, carnal.
Pulsing waves started to roll through her as his tempo increased. She sensed wherever he was taking her now was going to be more intense than before.
One, two, three more hard thrusts then he swelled inside of her. Shaking, a strangled roar broke from his chest when he locked up against her and erupted. She squeezed her eyes shut and white-knuckled the rock, a wail rising up as she catapulted into a screaming orgasm. Her body convulsed as sensation after sensation tore through her.
It was hard to know how long they stayed that way, his slick, strong body against hers, their hearts hammering, breathing heavy. She was so totally out of it that she didn’t realize he’d moved her until she curled against his side on a fur by the fire.
Amber peered down at their bodies and mumbled, “When did we get naked?”
Kol was lightly dragging his fingers back and forth over her hip bone. When he didn’t respond, she looked at him. He appeared troubled as he stared at the ceiling. “Kol?”
His eyes flickered to hers. Though lost at first, whatever distress she thought she saw vanished as a small knowing smile curved his lips. “That was good, yes?”
Good didn’t begin to describe it. Obviously he hadn’t heard her initial question so she let it go. “Yeah, it was definitely good.” Never one to hold back, especially when it came to sex, she arched her brows. “For you too?”
Viking Heart (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors Book 3) Page 15