by Libby Bishop
Huffing her annoyance, she pushed up on her elbow and removed her arm from his chest. When she looked to his face, he was sporting a sexy smile, but his eyes smoldered with desire.
“Don’t read anything into this.”
“You drifted naturally toward the warmth of the body lying next to you.” He raised an arm then let it fall to his chest. “Nothing to be ashamed of…even if you did break your own rule about us touching.”
Rolling her eyes, she started to scoot away from him—he even let go of her leg—putting space between them. Because, gods help her, he was gorgeous, and running her hand over that chest hair would be almost impossible to resist if she stayed close. But as she reached behind her to untuck the blanket, his hand gripped her waist. Then he rolled them so she was on her back with him above her.
“Rune,” she said sharply, meeting his gaze with a steely one. “Let. Me. Up.”
His body covered hers, chest to hips—even through her light T-shirt she felt the heat from his skin, and it took every ounce of willpower she had not to arch up against him.
“I’ve been up for half an hour trying to calm the fire you’ve lit in me.” He lightly rubbed against her hip, and she gasped at how hard he was.
And large.
“I wouldn’t mind stirring this fire in you,” he said, his voice husky.
I don’t think so…
His lips grazed hers, and she wanted more. What’s one kiss?
A lot, as it turned out.
His lips were soft as they pressed against hers, and he slid his hand up her right side, grazing her breast. She sighed against the sensation, opening her mouth.
The moment their tongues met, her body lit on fire.
As if it had a will of its own, her right hand moved up his strong arm to his shoulder, then up to his soft-as-silk hair, holding his mouth against hers. As the kiss deepened, her leg lifted and settled over his lower back, and she pressed against his hardness. His cock pulsed against her skin, and she moaned in pleasure.
I should stop this. Yet she gripped his hair tighter as his mouth moved down her neck, his tongue lighting a fiery trail along her skin. But I’m not going to.
Nine months. That’s how long it’d been since she’d had sex, since she’d given in to her body’s needs. She wasn’t looking for a relationship—a thrice-broken heart had cured her of that desire—but she had no problem with a morning quickie, even if Rune was an arrogant god.
Right now, as he lifted up and gripped the bottom of her shirt, she wanted to get rid of the sexual tension that had been brewing since he’d fallen on her two days before.
His gaze burned into hers as she lifted up enough to get the T-shirt over her head. “By the gods, you’re beautiful.” He kissed her as he lowered her again to the mattress, and the need in her deepened. Tearing his mouth from hers, he slid down and found her nipple. He sucked just hard enough to draw a moan from her. She arched her back, offering him more.
And he took more, moving to her other breast, pleasuring her. She tried to move her hips, but his thighs had her locked in. She groaned, frustrated that she couldn’t get her legs free.
“Rune,” she murmured, her voice husky.
“I will quench this fire. That is a promise.” His breath made her shiver as he moved lower. That wonderful tongue trailed down, circling her navel.
Finally able to move, she squirmed upward, trying to get him closer to her aching clit. His hand gripped her hip as he nipped the skin just above her panties.
“Gods,” she whispered, lifting her head to meet his gaze as he slid her panties off. When they were off, she settled her legs along his thighs. She ran her gaze down his hard body and saw his thick staff, and she worried it would be too much for her. He was a god, after all, and she a mere mortal.
He moved over her, bringing her gaze back to his. A wicked smile spread across his face, and it stoked the fire in her already hot body. “Do you still want this?” he asked, voice thick with need.
“Yes. Condom. Nightstand drawer.”
The delicious weight of him left her, and she heard foil tearing, then he returned, covering her with his warmth.
He lowered his head as his cock rubbed against her, and he kissed her lightly. “Say please.”
She chafed at the order and kept silent, rolling her hips up enough that his cock slid against her clit—and she almost came.
She wouldn’t beg. Ever.
He chuckled then took her mouth in a hard, demanding kiss, stealing her breath.
The tip of his cock slid into her then withdrew. Entered, withdrew. Torturous movements that had her gasping for air. She rolled her hips, greeting each small movement, as she felt her release building hard and fast.
He broke the kiss, and she growled. But his gaze quieted her.
“I want you just as much, Liv.” He slid deeper on the next thrust, and moaned. “You’re so hot.” Further yet again.
She fought to keep her eyes open, to hold his gaze as their bodies moved in slow unison. Licking her lips, she rose up and kissed him again, quick and hot. “Stop teasing me. I want you all the way, hard and deep.”
This was going to be quick, and so damn hot it would probably burn into her memory as the best. Sex. Ever.
He groaned, and it rumbled in his chest.
“All the way, Viking. Deep and hard,” she repeated, demanding it in a low, husky tone.
He sank one of his hands into her hair, fisting it at the back of her neck, tipping her head. His mouth plundered hers as he thrust all the way in, filling her so completely she felt him bump lightly against her cervix. His tongue mimicked the movement of his cock, moving in and out of her mouth.
The heat was too much, though. Her back arched, breaking the kiss as he thrust harder, faster.
Soon, there was no sound but carnal moans. Words refused to come, caught in her throat.
He bit down on her shoulder, and she came—hard and fast, grinding up against him and gripping his back tight, nails digging in as sweet oblivion took her.
“Valhalla take me,” he choked out as he released.
He throbbed inside her, and her inner walls pulsed around him in response.
He partially collapsed against her after a moment, and she welcomed his weight, enjoying the feel of him. “That’s going to be seared into my memory,” she said, smiling against his neck.
He laughed, the vibration rolling through her. “Same for me, beautiful flame.”
She rolled her eyes at the new nickname then looked over at the alarm clock—two minutes until the alarm would sound. “Time to get up.”
He nipped her shoulder, and a shiver ran through her. “Share a shower?”
It was her turn to smile. “Tempting, but no. You shower in the other bathroom. I need to throw my things in the car, then we can eat a quick breakfast. I’d like to reach the lake by early afternoon. Since it’s a little over a four hour drive, we need to leave by eight o’clock, nine at the latest.”
Understanding swept his features, softening his gaze. “Of course.” He slid out of her slowly.
She let out a disappointed groan.
“I don’t like leaving you, either,” he said softly. “You are warm and wonderful.”
To her ire, her cheeks burned, which made him grin.
He kissed her once, then rolled off her. She pushed into an upright position, looking at him. “Meet you in the kitchen?”
He winked. “I’ll cook something.”
As if she needed the sensory overload of his delicious food. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “No food seduction—we need to leave.”
He chuckled. “As if I would do something as dangerous as risk that temper of yours.”
Rolling her eyes, she got out of bed, naked and unashamed. She didn’t miss his gaze flicking over her, and a small flame of desire lit within her, but she pushed it down, fast.
“Good. Because I’d hate to harm the god who could help me solve my best friend’s murder.”
; With that said, she headed to the shower.
…
Almost four hours later, Liv turned into the dirt parking lot of a small country store.
“Have we reached Newport?” Rune asked, curious, as he’d not seen a sign announcing the town.
“Almost there. Ever had a maple Creemee?” Liv smiled and flicked him a glance.
His eyebrows arched as she shut the car off. “No. What’s that?”
A grin spread on her kissable lips. A mischievous one that made him wary and curious as to what she was up to. “Come on—you’re about to have the best ice cream ever.”
“It’s a little early for ice cream, isn’t it?” He took off his seat belt. Her car radio said eleven-thirty.
She chuckled, opening her door. “It’s never too early for a maple Creemee. Come on.”
Getting out of the car, he followed her to the steps of the store. The town they were in was small, quaint. He briefly wondered what the name of it was, but he doubted it was important. More important at the moment was figuring out why Liv had suddenly stopped for ice cream.
“Good morning, Liv.” The elderly woman behind the counter greeted them with a smile. “It’s good to see you, kiddo.”
“Good morning, Peggy,” Liv replied, returning the warm greeting. “This is my friend Rune, and he’s never had a maple Creemee.”
Disbelief swept Peggy’s face as her gaze met his. “Is this true?”
“It is.”
She shook her head. “Well, we’ll just have to remedy that, won’t we, Liv?”
“We sure will. Two small maples, please.”
Peggy picked up a cone and turned to the ice cream machine, artfully creating the alleged delicious treat.
Rune looked to Liv, seeing that mischievous smile again. He didn’t know what she was up to, but whatever it was seemed to be giving her a lot of pleasure.
Peggy handed a cone to him. “You first.”
He took the treat, eyeing both the women as he gave the ice cream a lick. What hit his taste buds was sweet, a tad sugary, and incredibly delicious. Valhalla, this really was the best ice cream he’d ever tasted!
Liv laughed, and Peggy chuckled.
“Guess he likes it, Peggy.”
“I guess so, judging by the wide-eyed gaze. Let me get yours.”
After Liv had paid for the ice cream, they said good-bye to Peggy and walked outside to a picnic table sitting in the grass. A small playground was nearby, but the area was deserted.
“So,” Liv said after she’d licked some ice cream, “what do you think of the maple Creemee?”
Watching her lick that damn treat sent heat through him. He was surprised his ice cream didn’t melt.
“I think”—he slowly licked around the dripping ice cream—“it tastes almost as good as you.” He watched her swallow, hard. Desire flickered in her gaze.
“It’s not going to happen,” she said, a little breathless.
Grinning, he replied, “We’ll see about that.”
She shook her head, and he delighted in the way she fought not to show how much she wanted him.
But as much fun as that was, he had to ask, “Why did we stop here? I won’t argue that this is, indeed, the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted, but this seems an odd time to take a break.”
After swallowing another bite, she cleared her throat. He didn’t miss the somber expression that briefly touched her face.
“Soosie’s and my families used to vacation around here when we were growing up. This is the store we always stopped at for this treat.” She smiled softly. “Soosie and I continued to come by this store when we took vacations—whether together or separately. Once I had plotted our route, I had to stop.”
“Tradition?”
“That, and the good memories of playing here, and of Peggy and her husband, who’ve owned this store for three decades.” She sighed then licked more of her ice cream, which was melting pretty fast. “Sometimes it helps to be around the good memories.”
He understood that completely, but her words caused a question to stir in his mind. “Considering what happened to Soosie, that she was taken from your home and dumped near it, why do you keep it?”
Her body grew stiff and regret coiled within him that he’d upset her.
“Because the good memories there outweigh the bad,” she said, her voice soft, “and because selling it feels like a betrayal of those memories. Besides that, it was one of Soosie’s favorite places to be—with or without me. I bought it as a place to get away from Boston and relax, and not have to stay in a hotel. She was up here without me as much as she was with me.”
He could understand that—the need to keep good memories close, to not let the dark win. “You have ties here as well, it seems.”
She licked her ice cream, and he wished for a moment that she’d stop, because despite the topic of conversation, watching her tongue swirl around made him hard. He’d be a rock by the time she finished.
“I do, but the house I chose was the best deal at the time, and when I walked inside, it screamed home to me.” She shrugged. “You don’t walk away from a place when it strikes you so strongly.”
“No, you don’t.”
She raised an eyebrow at the slight huskiness in his tone, a smile flirting on her lips.
“It’s your own damn fault, flame,” he accused, narrowing his eyes.
She laughed softly. “If you say so.”
Yes, indeed, I do say so.
“How often do you come to Earth?” she asked, ignoring his building need, which was incredibly irritating.
And the imp did it on purpose, just to get on his nerves, under his skin. She damn well enjoyed doing it, too. It made him want to lean her over the table and take her from behind.
Stop it, Rune. You’re not winning this one…yet.
He cleared his throat and answered her question. “Not often. Maybe a dozen times a year on hunts. I’ve helped law enforcement before, but not to the degree I’m helping you.” His desire dropped a notch as flashes of his best friend lit his mind. “Most likely because it’s such a personal case, to the both of us.”
He’d learned how to use much of the modern technology that he’d watched go from idea to fruition from Asgard. The humans of Earth had made more technological advancement in just the last century than the other eight worlds had in a thousand years.
“That probably has a lot to do with it,” she agreed. “Everything is different when the hunt becomes personal.”
This time it was his eyebrows that rose a notch. That was definitely aimed more at him than the godkin. “Really?”
“Yes.” She licked her ice cream again, swirling her tongue around the top, keeping her eyes on his.
A shot of heat blasted through him faster than he could combat it.
“You know,” he said, wanting to give her a taste of that heat she’d caused, “I bet this ice cream would taste even better if I was eating it off your skin.”
She stopped mid-lick, eyes slightly widening.
“One long, hot lick against the coolness of the treat…” He trailed off, watching her eyes narrow.
“You’re an ass,” she retorted.
He chuckled, enjoying this particular game. “You enjoy looking at this ass. I certainly appreciate yours.”
She rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Viking.”
“Just want to put that thought—”
“I said, shut up.” A trickle of ice cream dropped on her arm and left a trail.
As she wiped it off, he stood and walked to her side of the table. “You missed some.”
He leaned toward her and slowly licked the hint of ice cream that was on the corner of her mouth. A soft breath escaped her, and he saw the pulse in her neck jump.
Those sea-blue eyes stared at him for a moment.
“What?” he finally asked.
“I hate you,” she replied and then returned to her ice cream.
Laughing, he did the same. “You do not.”
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“Oh, I’m pretty certain I do.”
“I’m pretty certain you don’t, Valkyrie.”
“Whatever,” she muttered.
He bit into his cone, chewed, and swallowed. “Whatever,” he mocked.
That got a laugh out of her. “Finish your ice cream—we don’t have forever, you know.”
That he certainly did know, but he was damn well going to enjoy the short break from being cooped up in a car. Before long, they were back on the road, a comfortable silence settling over them as she drove.
He stared out the window at the beautiful green scenery, the splashes of reds, oranges, and yellows mixing in to create an array of color that was unlike the places of Earth he’d visited in the past.
“We’re getting close to the lake,” she said. “Can you feel anything?”
“Not yet, but if he’s been here at all, I’ll be able to feel traces. Even if he’s not here at this time.”
Tracking godkin with limited power was a test of his abilities, but he welcomed it now that he could feel the hunt in the air. A soft laugh came from Liv, and he glanced at her. “What?”
“You. You really love the hunt, don’t you? Not the kill, not the catch, but the hunt. It sets your blood on fire.”
“As it does yours, beautiful flame. And you also set my blood on fire.”
Her mouth parted slightly, and she stared at him before turning her attention back to the road.
“On a scale of one to ten, how badly do you want to get home?” she asked, and he was fairly certain she was purposefully ignoring his last remark.
“You haven’t spoken much about it, other than that you must redeem yourself in order to be let back in.”
He thought about the question, trying to find the right words. If this was her way of trying to get to know him better, he didn’t want to ruin it by flat-out telling her he’d rather not speak of the matter. But she’d shared why they had stopped at the store for the ice cream, and she deserved at least a glimpse into the reason he needed to get home.
“Honestly, my desire to get home has more to do with my brother than missing Asgard. I’ve been away several times in my life—adventures and battles. My urgency is because of Reign. His anger is too great, and I’m worried about what he’ll do next.”