Naughty in Norway

by Edwards, Christine

  Could this be my fate? Am I destined to die out here of hypothermia or exposure? Instead of fear, surprisingly, I only feel overwhelming sadness for my sweet mom. Could she ever understand how much I love her? I hope she does.

  No, Vail, you’re not out of fight yet, lady!

  It takes a long time, but I bend down and shakily unbuckle the leather boot straps. Remember to put your gloves back on!

  Why are my thoughts so jumbled?

  My breathing is coming out in shallow pants as I step out of the skis onto Jell-O-like legs. I’m still together enough at this point to slip my mittens back onto my chilled hands.

  This is the right way to the road, or is it? I stumble forward into the darkness.

  ***

  I haven’t made it very far, perhaps the length of a football field, when I have to rest again. My exhausted body has given up on me. Maybe I could take my jacket off and lie down on it for a bit? Yes, that would feel so nice. I begin to unzip it and halt.

  No! That’s crazy. You’ll freeze like a push-up pop in no time out here! Something terrible is happening. I must have hypothermia but I can’t seem to coordinate my thoughts enough to recall in my mental databank what needs to be done about it.

  I don’t remember how it occurred, but I’m now lying on my side in the snow and it feels far better than the endless fight that’s made up my day. The violent tremors have almost fled and I feel strangely warm. Maybe stopping and resting has done me good? I’m not sure anymore.

  Alreck will be so angry with me. I hope that he’ll understand that I just needed to get out of here. That’s my last coherent thought before I allow blissful sleep to envelope me.

  Chapter Nine

  ***

  Fragments

  “Våkne opp, Vail! Faen! Vail! Våkne opp!”

  As if in a fog and far away, I hear Alreck’s voice and he sounds odd. Scared.

  “Come on, baby. Våkne opp! Don’t you give up on me! Pule!”

  I struggle to open my eyelids but they are too heavy. I feel like I’m moving, flying through the air, with something warm pressed against my chest.

  Open your eyes! I force them open just a tad and see a loose strand of his hair in front of me, blowing against a shoulder covered in gray camouflage. My face is pressed against his chest and I can see now that we are on a snowmobile. My limp arms hang around his neck as we move quickly up the trail. One of his arms is banded around my back, clutching my front against his chest. My legs are straddling his waist and I’m disoriented. Am I moving backwards? I manage a weak whimper.

  “Stay awake, you hear me? We’re almost there. Vail? Faen! Fuck, fuck!”

  I try to answer him because he sounds both frightened and mad. I wish he wasn’t, though. I wish I hadn’t run from him again.

  We jerk to a stop and he stands quickly with both of his hands gripping my butt to hold my weight up against him. I can’t struggle; I’m just a passenger along for a ride. He’s talking rapidly to me in the same distraught tone but I can’t seem to discern his words. I’m only catching fragments.

  “It’s … baby … there … okay? You … warm … just … a … m … all right? Ple … please … hold … Vail!”

  That can’t be right. Did he just say my name?

  Light and heat bombard my senses as I begin to pant … too hot! I start to writhe weakly in distress. Through the haze, I’m aware of him peeling the layers off my body in careful movements.

  He’s murmuring foreign words to me in a soothing tone. He sounds so nice … I fade back out.

  ***

  “Nooo!” A strangled scream of distress erupts from my throat as I’m lowered into a bath that feels like scalding lava against my skin. “Ungh, no! Please,” I whimper. My nerve endings are on overload with the pain. It feels similar to ice needles pricking me over and over. My eyes fly open and catch his, which are wide and wild and locked intently onto mine.

  “Vail, stay awake now. I must get your body temperature back up. You have to stay awake. No, do not close your eyes again, baby. I’m here with you now, Vail. You’re safe. Keep your eyes on mine.”

  I nod weakly, trying to convey understanding. Everything hurts and the trembling has started again. He rubs my back and speaks in a low, soothing voice while his firm hands keep me inside the water. The shaking becomes violent and I start to cry. I can’t seem to get control of my limbs and my shoulders keep slipping low into the water. I feel so very uncoordinated. The sensation makes me worry that I might drown, despite Alreck’s watchful gaze, and I start to cry harder.

  He whips off his shirt and climbs into the tub behind me, still dressed in dark camo pants, and eases me back against his bare chest. I give a jerky start at the hot, briefly uncomfortable sensation. The trembling continues as he crosses his big arms around my bare chest and holds me tight.

  “It’s all right, baby. Shhh, everything will be fine. Just rest back against me, okay?”

  That sounds like a good idea. I do as I’m told and lean back against him. He is so warm, and I won’t drown while he is holding me …

  ***

  I wake to find I’m no longer in the tub. The change is disorienting for a moment, until I realize I’m in his bed. I’m burning up and hear myself moan weakly. Sweat drips down my body and I try to push the blankets off. Alreck gently replaces them before pushing my hair back from my heated cheeks.

  He leans forward to speak to me. “You need to keep those on. I know it’s uncomfortable, but you have a high fever. Vail, you have to drink now, okay? Here, let me get you up.”

  He’s sitting behind me on the bed and pulls me up into a sitting position between his splayed legs. A bottle of water is brought up to my lips. I try to drink but sputter and cough on my first attempt. My throat feels like a vat of hot ashes.

  “Vail, try to drink now. If this fever doesn’t break soon I’m going to have to get you to a hospital.”

  This can’t be good. Desperation rings out crystal clear in his voice.

  I try again and manage to get a trickle of the water down my parched throat. He leans forward against my back and his face comes into view on my left side.

  “Vail, can you understand me?”

  I weakly turn and whimper at the slight movement. I look over into his blue eyes and nod.

  “Okay, that’s good. Take another sip and rest, baby. I won’t leave you.”

  I take another sip and just that simple movement wipes me out. I fall backward against his bare chest without thought. He feels so wonderful

  ***

  I open my eyes and see light coming through the window. My fingers are being touched gently and I shift my eyes downward. Alreck is kneeling on the floor beside the bed and touching my hand with care.

  “Can you feel me touching your fingers now, Vail? I want to make sure you don’t have frostbite.”

  I open my mouth to speak but only an odd rasp comes out. I try again, with the same result. He stands and gets the bottled water and gently lifts my head to give me a sip. I try for a third attempt. “Sorry, I-I’m so sorry, Alreck,” I sputter.

  His face fills with sadness. “Shh, don’t worry about anything. I’m not angry with you. You must understand this, baby.”

  I feel something wet at my foot and look down to see Titan lightly licking my toes.

  “He has rarely left your side. He knows you are ill.”

  “Titan,” I whisper.

  He looks up at me with wise chocolate eyes.

  I look back to his beautiful owner and whisper, “Thank you.”

  He holds my gaze with an intense expression on his face and then once again assesses my hand.

  “I can feel everything fine. I’m just sore everywhere.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No, just thirsty.”

  “Okay, here. Have a bit more but go slow. You’ve been out for the better part of twenty-four hours. Thank God I found you when I did. You wouldn’t have made it another hour out there. I would have gotten to yo
u sooner but Edgard and I stopped at his place for coffee after hunting.”

  “I’m sorry, but I had to get away from here. I’m too tired to argue with you about it.”

  “I understand, Vail. You just rest today and don’t worry about anything, all right?”

  “Okay, Alreck.”

  He draws himself up to his full, dominant height and takes the few steps to the bedroom door before turning with an extended lowered palm. “Titan, bli med Vail.” Stay with Vail.

  The giant dog seems to understand and lowers his head to softly nuzzle my foot.

  I promptly fall back to sleep.

  ***

  I stretch out and open my eyes. It’s light out. Lifting my arm to check my watch, I see that it’s now one in the afternoon. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and slowly stand. At some point Alreck dressed me in a clean white camisole and a pair of matching lace sleep shorts. He’s seen me naked now on a number of occasions. I should be appalled but for some reason I’m not bothered at all.

  Movement from the window catches my eye. He’s repeatedly hauling a huge axe up over his shoulder to chop firewood. I watch his smooth movements for a long time and wonder how we ever came to be thrust together like this. If things had been different that night at the club, would we still have ended up together? Lisetta warned me away from him, and even though he kidnapped me, he has let no harm come to me. Maybe he really is trying to protect me …

  As if sensing me watching him, he halts his work and places the axe on the large chopping stump. I lift a hand to wave and attempt a weak smile.

  Crossing the snow-covered yard, he disappears from view, and I hear the front door open. I cross to open the bedroom door and look up into his face. He glances down at my lack of attire and I can tell that he’s valiantly trying to hide his interest.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Better, thanks. Almost normal.”

  “That’s good. Come sit at the table and let me get you toast and tea.”

  I pad barefoot across the warm cabin and take in his massive body, now clad in jeans and a down vest over a white thermal shirt. He prepares everything in silence and I wonder if he has changed his mind about being angry. He turns, breakfast in hand, and relief washes over me as I take in his calm face and handsome grin.

  He places the two plates down on the table, followed by a pot of tea and two mugs.

  While pouring the tea, he asks, “So, tell me, what are you studying at the University?”

  The question surprises me. “Oh, well in Oslo, Scandinavian Studies this semester. Back in the States I’m in grad school earning a master’s degree in history. I would really like to teach one day.”

  He appears thoughtful for a moment. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-five, and you?”

  “Thirty-one.”

  I wrap my palms around the aromatic tea. “Have you always lived here? In this cabin, I mean.”

  “Yes, I was born here. I moved to Oslo when I was seventeen, though.”

  “That’s young. Why?”

  He stares at his tea. “It’s a very long story. Another time.”

  I don’t want to push and take a nibble of my jam-laden toast. “Mmm, this is lovely.”

  He watches my mouth. “Good.”

  Abruptly, as if uncomfortable with the emotions flowing between us, he stands and says, “I have work to do now. I will leave the door to my workshop open. Should you need me, just open the door and call out, all right?”

  I wish that he would stay and talk with me, but I respond, “Yes, I’ll be just fine.”

  ***

  The rest of the afternoon is spent taking in the glorious Nordlys from the sofa. I’m on chapter four of Pushkin’s tragic romance Eugene Onegin and loyal Titan has not left the floor in front of me.

  Isn’t he cold out there? I decide to get up, feeling considerably well rested, and cross to see what I can possibly make us for dinner tonight. I want to do something nice, seeing as I’ve caused so much stress. I suppose in all reality we’re equal, since I’m being held as a virtual prisoner here. When did the lines become so blurred?

  I decide on a modified Cali dish of fish tacos. I use cornmeal, water and oil to make homemade tortillas. Even though I’ve made them several times, it takes two tries on the batter before I get it down and I’m pleased with the end result. I sear the fish, a delicious cod, in a lime and olive oil mix. Then I chop up tomatoes and onion into a fresh salsa.

  The door opens and cold wind sweeps in before it’s quickly shut once again. He stands still in the entryway and watches me.

  I call out in a lighthearted tone, “Oh hey, I hope you’re hungry because I made enough dinner for us and any imaginary neighbors! Perhaps some moose or deer?”

  “Shouldn’t you be resting?” he asks in a concerned voice as he moves into the kitchen. He crosses to the sink and washes his hands. Motor oil bleeds off them and into the steel sink.

  “Nah, I think I’m back to normal, so you had better be on your A game. I’m thinking that my next attempt will be via water.”

  He can’t stifle a manly smirk, but lets my sassy taunt go. He strides over, stopping close against my back, and gazes down over my shoulder. Familiar heat radiates from him and interest flares from deep within me. “What’s this?”

  “Fish tacos, of course.”

  “It smells delicious. I’ll clean up now and we can eat together.”

  I turn to him and grin. “Sounds good.”

  I watch him disappear into the bathroom and glance down at my attire, which happens to be the same camisole and tiny shorts from this morning with the addition of fluffy gray socks and a thigh-length peach cardigan. I really could use a bath as well, but it will have to wait until after dinner.

  I find a lone fat candle in a side drawer, light it and place it in the center of the circular table before checking for anything else I may have forgotten. I open the fridge to get a bottle of beer for him and a bottle of Perrier for me when, out of the corner of my eye, I catch the bathroom door opening. I come incredibly close to dropping both of our drinks straight down onto the wooden floor.

  There are no words.

  “I, ah, need to get my clothing out of my bag,” he says hesitantly.

  He points to his bag near the sofa, but I barely comprehend his statement because I’m in visual wonderland. A white towel is stretched around his lean hips and, as my eyes venture upward, I can’t hide my lust.

  Oh my, he’s nothing short of beautiful.

  Golden skin ripples across his honed stomach, which proudly displays a row of perfect abs. His chest is hairless aside from a light brown pleasure trail that begins at the top of his stomach and disappears beneath the towel. A beautiful coal black, interlocking Nordic design tattoo winds up his left arm, beginning low on his forearm and flowing up and across to his massive shoulder in a sleeve. The intricate design stops just above his heart, where a vivid red and blue Norwegian flag rests proudly across his thick pectoral muscle. The richness of the red color is stunning against his smooth skin. Glossy wet hair hangs down an inch past his shoulders and I have to steady my hip against the kitchen counter to keep from swooning. He’s that damn fine.

  “Certainly,” I whisper and nearly trip over the single word.

  I stare at his thick, muscular back as he strides across to his bag. The stretched towel leaves little to the imagination. His sculpted ass is rock hard and clothing should be permanently banned for a man like him. Seriously. Covering that up is tragic.

  I try to focus as I plate our dinner and hope that he enjoys it. Taking my seat, I do my best to act casual but I’m far from it. That encounter left me whirling and I need to regain my composure before he comes to the table. Inside I’m trembling, and it’s not from fear.

  I hear his deep voice beside me. “It’s good that you’re feeling better now. I knew you were a tough one.”

  Shyly, I look down at my hands clasped in my lap. “Yeah, well, I had to put in
a good effort, right? But, let’s not get into another disagreement tonight, Alreck. Let’s just eat and enjoy the evening together, and the view.” I sweep my hand across to the Aurora Borealis that hangs in green and rose splendor just outside the wide windows. I’ve moved the dining chairs closer together so that we both can take in the scene. Will I ever get accustomed to their mysterious beauty?

  “You know, Vail, I was really scared for you, and I don’t scare easily. I’m happy that you’re all right. Don’t ever do something like that again.”

  “You left me with few options.” I stare at him with open defiance.

  He sighs. “You’re right, let’s not argue tonight. You cooked a nice meal and I look forward to enjoying it with you.”

  “Please eat, then, before it gets cold. I found the fish in the fridge. Did you catch it yourself?”

  “Yes, right off the dock yesterday.”

  The tacos are flavorful and I watch as he devours them in clear appreciation. I decide to ask the question that’s been on my mind since I met him. “So, if I may ask, why were you in prison?”

  Oh, this could be bad.

  His hand freezes around the taco that is almost to his lips. He sets it down, takes a generous swig from his beer and begins. “Nearly a year ago, Ragnar and I were out together drinking downtown in Oslo at a place where his girlfriend is a cocktail waitress. There were several bikers there from different clubs, and most often we have no problems with one another. Ragnar’s girl is younger than he is … was … and quite pretty. She also dresses to sell drinks and get tips, if you know what I mean.”

  I nod that I do, eager for him to continue the story, and surprised at his willingness to tell it.

  “We had been drinking pretty heavily since noon that day and were both well on our way to getting torn up. Ragnar noticed a table of guys nearby that kept looking at his girl and making comments. He didn’t want to get her into any trouble at work, so he let it slide for a while and asked me to watch out for her while he used the restroom. I guess they thought that once he was out of sight it was a green light to feel her up. One guy even put his hand right up her skirt while the other grabbed her tits. They obviously weren’t counting on me watching or giving a shit.”