“Did ye think we’d be sleeping on our arses so you could just walk in and take our women and children, our homes?”
“It’d be fair revenge for what ya did to our village you dirty bastard!” Dagmar said, anger pulsing through his pained nose. Fueled by fresh frustration, Dagmar bent down at the knee and swinging his sword out hacked into the man’s leg. Blood sprayed across his chest, face and hair as the man fell down. Still, Dagmar had to defend himself against the wounded mans’ sword arm until he pressed a booted foot to his arm. “I’ll see you in the afterlife you lifeless asshole.” With that Dagmar drove the point of his sword into the man’s chest and twisted it until the man’s hand went limp.
Hearing roars and shouts of pain all around him, Dagmar pushed toward the heaviest of the fighting to Breslin and Bregnan working to push back a swarm of men. “Use some help?” he asked, his blue eyes full of vengeance.
“Some,” Breslin said as his sword swung up and hacked off a chunk of a man’s hand. The offender fell back, screaming. The threesome hacked and stabbed their way through the horde until they found Svenbreck and Duffguss. The two men were surrounded and easily outnumbered, but Dagmar had to give them points for not giving up. Even as his sword sliced through an enemy, he heard Dufguss yell. “Kiss my ass you bloody bastards!”
Smiling, Dagmar helped his men even the odds against them until the men of Dunkerie finally decided to retreat. The call to fall back was music to Dagmar’s ears. Still, he knew if they didn’t make their statement, the men of Dunkerie would regroup and attack Hail the first chance they got.
“We need to put these heads on pikes.”
“Good idea,” Bregnan said. “Make them think twice about trying to attack our village again.”
“Has anyone seen Svenbreck, or Dufguss?”
“We’re here,” called Svenbreck, with a small wave.
“Thanks for your help with that bit back there. We’d probably be less ourselves without you.”
“We’re men of Hail and we stick together. Not to mention I promised Aila I’d bring you all home.”
“Smart woman, that one,” Dufguss said.
“Smart, beautiful, and a tremendous pain in my ass,” Dagmar smirked.
“It’s your own fault she broke your nose boy-o, Duffguss laughed.
“I’m thinking,” Svenbreck chuckled. “That Aila may be more woman than I was prepared to deal with. I wish you luck with her brother.”
Battered and bloody, the men of Hail gathered up the extra weapons and any armor that was worth taking. They took the heads of the dead and made a long line of pikes to hold them. And just as the sun was reaching high into the sky for midday, the men of Hail set sail for home.
***
Aila heard the calls and shouts of excitement as villagers went running toward the gates. She could only assume the men had returned from battle. Fresh anger had her up and moving as far away as she could within the confines of their village, even as she fought to keep the weather from going crazy. Her powers were wonderful, except for when she couldn’t control them. Her mother would have shown her how, if she’d lived. Aila was left to learn on her own and when she was angry, the weather showed it. She wouldn’t go outside the walls again today, but as the rain began to fall, she wouldn’t stay and watch Dagmar use his battle scars to woo Asgurda or any other female that showed the slightest interest.
Walking quickly, Aila headed for the hot spring. Maybe a long bath would soothe away her bruised heart and kick the headache that throbbed in her temples. Stripping just as quickly, she dove into the spring, submerging her entire body in the warm, welcoming water. When she came up, however, she knew instinctively that she wasn’t alone.
“I have nothing to say to you, Dagmar Stalson.”
“Then you can listen,” Dagmar said, obviously ready to talk. “Whether you believe me or not, whatever you’ve cooked up in that brain of yours is a lie.”
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand here and let you call me a liar!” Aila shouted, probably loud enough for the whole village to hear her. “You may have made a fool of me and allowed me to humiliate myself in front of our people, but you will not make me out to be crazy or at a loss of my mental faculties.”
“You’re not crazy, and I wouldn’t try to make you sound so. I will tell you, though, that what you think you saw between Asgurda and myself never happened. We were talking, only talking. I was asking her if she could help me with a gift I needed to have ready for the Solstice.”
“You asked Asgurda to help you with a gift for the Solstice?”
“Yes. She’s craftier than she looks, and I needed her particular help with a present I had in mind for someone.”
“Oh,” Aila said, feeling even more foolish. She could feel the anger seep out of her like the water rolled off her skin. Her once white eyes turned a stormy gray as the thunder overhead quieted to a lovely rumbling sound that posed no threat to Hail.
“Aila, I know that in the past I’ve liked to collect quite a string of women. I can understand how seeing me with Asgurda would make you assume something that wasn’t true. I hope you’ll trust what you know to be true about me,” Dagmar said, stepping closer to her. “That I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
Aila finally looked up into his clear blue eyes and saw the truth in his look. She reached up and cupped his face, her eyes pleading for forgiveness. “I’m so sorry I judged you; that my first inclination was to accuse you without even letting you defend yourself.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” Dagmar smiled. “You know me better than anyone else. If anyone has the right to jump to conclusions, it’d be you.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
“Does this answer your question?” Dagmar grinned, and then she felt that wonderful mouth on hers. Passion ignited like a bomb inside her, exploding out along her nerves so that her whole body turned on. The rush of electricity along her skin was so strong that Dagmar jumped away from her. “There’s no chance of me being cooked to death in here with you is there?”
“No,” Aila laughed. Pressing closer to him, Aila felt the hardness that had always attracted her. Dagmar’s muscles bunched when she laid her hands against him, trapping them between their chests. She could feel the tight tips of her breasts as Dagmar continued to kiss her senseless. “I’ve wanted you here, like this, for a while now.”
“Hm,” Aila moaned. Her mind reeled, unable to focus on anything but how amazing her body felt. Dagmar pushed her back as he continued to spread warm kisses over her body.
***
Dagmar knew this stunning woman. He knew her needs, her wants, and the things that got under her skin. Her wants were easy as well, considering they’d known each other since they were children. “Turn around for me.” She did as he asked, trusting him in a way no other woman truly had. With Aila he could be himself without the need to impress anyone. “Will you give yourself to me, Aila?”
“What?” she asked, her mind already noticeably blurred by desire and arousal.
“Give yourself to me, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Aila chuckled. She turned in his arms again so that her beautiful gray eyes were visible in the high moonlight. “Why would you ask?”
“Because I need to know that what we have is something I’ve never shared with anyone else, ever.”
“Okay,” she continued to snicker. “Why are you being so off?”
“You know I’m always sort of a goof,” Dagmar laughed. Then his arm slipped around her wet, naked waist and he groaned. “Right now, though, I’m very serious.” He took her mouth again, before she could comment. Seeing her steeped in blurry passion was a vision he liked very much. His tongue found her lips eager to let him pass. Her flavor punched him like a warriors touch and Dagmar growled as his blood began to heat. Most women he bedded got the always-on-fire Dagmar, but with Aila he could be himself. He could relax and enjoy the process instead of worrying so much about the finished p
roduct.
Giving in to the need, Dagmar cupped Aila’s warm face, tilting her so he could press his warm tongue deeper. Her flavor rushed through him, igniting both a selfless want and a hungry need. When she met him with the same need, Dagmar let his fingers sink into her thick, dark curls. He tangled them there, tugging enough to pull Aila’s head back. He roamed over her jaw and neck as he worked other areas of her body. His hand wandered over her milky white breasts, teasing their tips until she moaned.
Fueled by fresh arousal, Dagmar took her nipple into his mouth, suckling like a piglet. Gods, did she move against him though. Her trembling only served to heighten Dagmar’s resolve to please her. While he trailed a hand over her lithe torso, Aila’s body opened to him. Her legs moved anxiously the closer he got to her, as if her pussy couldn’t wait any longer.
“Turn around again,” Dagmar whispered against her ear. “I want to open your eyes to new and beautiful experiences.” When Aila did as he asked, Dagmar ran a hand over her ass, enjoying the plump feeling of her backside. Bringing his palm down on her skin, he gave her a nice whack across her bottom. Her moan and consequent jump only served to fuel his need to fill her. Grabbing her hips, Dagmar pressed himself into the space between her thighs.
“Do you feel my need, Aila, the way I hunger for you?”
Her breathless response made Dagmar growl. One swift, hard thrust and he filled her fully, pressing his rock hard cock deep into her ripe pussy. Her swollen folds caressed him with each withdrawal and eagerly welcomed him again each time he took her higher. Using his fingers, Dagmar stroked Aila’s wet clit so that her moans grew louder with each thrust. He couldn’t wait to make her explode.
Pressing her, Dagmar pulled Aila’s hips tighter against him, using short, stimulating thrusts to build her slowly. He could tell by the way she moaned, breathless and choppy, that she was so close. Leaning forward over her, he pressed kisses to the sensitive skin across her shoulders and neck. Dagmar held himself back, fighting to control his own need. He teased her breasts and clit in tandem, creating a rhythm that she matched with her body. Joining him in a way she previously hadn’t, Dagmar found a new side to Aila he liked very much.
Feeling his own need come calling, Dagmar quickly gripped her hips and picked up the pace of his strokes, pulling her tight against him with each one, his cock filling her fully. Her breathing grew raspy as her orgasm swept over her, nearly knocking her off her feet. Dagmar reached around her waist to hold her up and tight against him as his own release spilled into her. In he aftermath of their lovemaking, Dagmar kissed her everywhere, relishing the feel of her wet, naked skin.
“You never cease to amaze me,” he said, a feeling of affection swamping him. He finally pulled back and leaned against the wall of the hot spring to pull Aila closer. Pressing a kiss to her wet mass of curls, he added, “I love you, Aila.”
Aila couldn’t speak. No one had ever left her this breathless. Looking up at him then, she caught that love shining in his eyes and smiled to herself. Who’d have thought that, out of all the men she’d known in her life, which admittedly wasn’t as many as some women, that it’d be Dagmar to ensnare her heart?
“I’ve loved you since I was eight years old.”
“There’s a vast difference between the love between friends and the love I’m speaking of, Aila.”
“Don’t patronize me as if I’m addle-brained, Dagmar. I know exactly what I meant, and so did you. I loved you, even then. If I hadn’t, there’s no way in the afterworld or the here and now that I’d have put up with you fighting me over ruling our people.”
“No?” Dagmar challenged. “Think I’d just roll over and give it to you? I think not.”
“Oh, no,” Aila laughed. “I’d never have made that mistake. You’re too piggish and bull headed.”
“Damn right, woman,” he chuckled. “You ready to get out of here yet?”
“Yeah. Unlike you, I had a terrible night’s sleep and could use some rest.” Aila laughed when Dagmar chased her to their piles of clothes. He caught her just as she grabbed her tunic.
“Not so fast.”
“Let me go!” She giggled until she felt Dagmar all but shove her behind him. “Hey! What the—“ Only when Aila caught a glimpse of Svenbreck did she realize that Dagmar was trying to preserve her modesty. Quickly she slipped on her tunic and, grabbing her leggings with her toes, slipped those on as well.
“I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt, I didn’t realize anyone was using the spring bath.”
“No one is using it at the moment. Thank you again for your courage and loyalty today, Sven.” Dagmar shook the man’s hand, even though his eyes never left Aila’s.
“Are you coming to the Winter Solstice celebration at the end of the week?” Aila asked, desperate to relieve the tension in the air.
“Planning on it,” he smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to wash up quickly. I’ll see you all later.”
“Alright,” Dagmar agreed. “Have a great night.”
Dagmar walked Aila to her tent and, grabbing her hand, pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Milady,” he said with a mock bow. “Will I see the lady later?”
“You will indeed, good sir,” Aila laughed. All she could think about before, during, and after supper was that Dagmar had said he loved her. Was that true or just wishful thinking? She so wanted to believe that it was the truth. She wanted a chance at a future with him, because if any of it was a lie, she’d cease to be the woman she was and become someone she didn’t like.
Sighing, Aila lay down on her bearskin blanket and fell asleep. And sleeping, she dreamed of a man who met her need, indulged some of her wants and knew her more intimately than any other. Still, she could never see his face in the dream, and to sink her hopes on something or someone she could commit to was still foolhardy for her ultra-cautious mind, even if a piece of her heart did desperately want to believe him.
THE END
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Protected By The Cowboy
Western Romance
Prologue
Inez Guzman dreamed of being a nurse since she was a little girl. When she was 5-years-old, a mobile medical clinic came to her neighborhood in Mexico City to vaccinated the children and old people against the flu. She remembered swarms of women in blues scrubs walking from family-to-family down the long line of people waiting for their shot, gathering their names and medical information, asking all of them if they needed to see a doctor for another reason other than receiving their vaccination. Almost all of them did. Inez’ neighborhood was a poor one and most of the children had not seen doctors since they were born, the same could be said of a good number of the adults as well.
When the nurse came to her family, she smiled at Inez with a brilliant perfect smile. Her voice was so cheerful and happy as she asked her about how she was feeling. But then a rough man came and interrupted the nurse, shoving her by the shoulder, telling her to hurry up, that people were waiting. The nurse apologized to the man for the wait and politely asked him to wait his turn and then tried to start talking to Inez again. But the man was very angry and he shoved the nurse again, harder this time causing her to stumble backward.
And then the nurse hit the man.
Inez remembers it so clearly. The man’s large, beefy hand shoving the nurse in the chest and her fe
et tangling briefly, but then finding solid footing. The nurse’s face was so full of rage, the corners of her mouth turned downward, her jaw set, and then she reared back and seemed to punch the man with her entire body right in the man’s nose. She remembered the sound of her fist against the soft bones of the man’s face, a hard packing sound followed by a spray of blood from his broken nose. The man fell straight back into the dirt, unconscious. The nurse then returned her attention to Inez with the same broad and friendly smile.
She decided to become a nurse on that very day. She had never seen a woman so powerful, so strong. Her father was a gentleman who never laid his hands on his wife or children. But Inez knew many men who did. Men who used their wives as punching bags when they were drunk, or just whenever they became angry. Men like her uncles, her grandfather. But the nurse, Inez knew no man would ever touch her. She was to be treated with respect or you would face her wrath.
So Inez worked hard in school, was always at the top of her class, but her family was poor, and she was sent to work at one of the cell phone factories when she turn thirteen. She hated it, but her family needed her. She saved her money, though. Every extra peso she made, she stashed it away, keeping it buried in a coffee can in the weed backyard of an abandoned house two streets down from her. Every week, the amount grew larger and larger, and she knew that God was looking out over her because no one ever discovered her can. God wanted her to become a nurse as much as she did. He wanted her to go to America, find a better job, and then go to school to become a nurse.
And on her 24th birthday, Inez counted up her money—her pounds of coins and wads of dirty bills—and she had saved up $5000, which was enough to pay the coyotes to take her across the border into the deserts of Arizona. She had to admit that it wasn’t the way she wanted to come to America. But it seemed like America only let the wealthy into their country legally, and not even her $5000 was enough to convince the American government that she would be a productive citizen. So her only way across the border was to give her money to the coyotes and pray to God that when they dropped her off in Arizona, the sun would not be too hot, or her walk to civilization too long.
Highlander's Love: Winter Solestice (Against All Odds Series 3) Page 3