“Well, you have to admit that this confusion between you and Wolf’s sons was too good to not mention,” Gytha said, thankfully oblivious to his musings.
“Yes. Although if I’m honest, I’m not certain that claiming we are betrothed will be enough to stop Edita. Sleeping with Arne clearly didn’t put an end to her views on me. Knowing I’m to marry another woman might not be enough to deter her.”
“No. I’m not surprised.”
“Not surprised? What do you mean?”
It was when Haakon arched a brow at her that Gytha realized she had spoken before she could think.
Everything within her dissolved because she could not answer his question, not honestly, at least. She could not admit that, had she been in Edita’s place, she might well have found it impossible to give up on her hope of ever seducing Haakon, that she’d meant that the woman would be a fool to abandon the fight, considering the possible reward. She could not speak out loud any of those shameful thoughts she wasn’t even supposed to have thought, or hint at the attraction she felt for him.
“I mean…” she started, floundering for something less damning to say. “Is this Arne a good lover?”
The look on Haakon’s face could only have been described as shocked. But what was hiding behind it? Was it disbelief at her daring? Plain disapproval? Would she even go as far as saying that it was jealousy? She didn’t know. But something was brewing in his eyes.
“Why the hell would you want to know that?” he finally asked.
Good question. Why had that been the first question to cross her mind?
The expression on his face made it clear she had better give him an answer, and fast.
“Well, if he’s not capable of giving her pleasure, it would only be natural for Edita to try and find someone else to see to her needs.”
There, Gytha thought, this seemed rather reasonable. It was… Except that it made it look as if this was what she, herself, did every time a man did not give her satisfaction. Earlier she had given him the impression that she was experienced, now she was giving him reason to think that she chose—and discarded—her lovers based on their performances in bed. Well, too late. Better that than admit she was, in reality, still a virgin.
“I think there’s nothing wrong with Arne’s ability to satisfy a woman,” Haakon said slowly. “But I wouldn’t know.”
Damnation, he seemed to have concluded that she wanted to go see for herself what the man could do with a woman in his arms. She didn’t, but she couldn’t back down now. She couldn’t let Haakon suspect that she was, in fact, attracted tohim, that she was wondering howhebehaved in bed with a woman, because he wouldn’t know what to make of this.
She wasn’t sure herself.
Never before had she had such inappropriate, disturbing, downright carnal thoughts about a man. Never before had she tried to imagine what he could do to her with those long, elegant fingers, or wondered how his naked skin would feel like under her palms, or asked herself if she would be brave enough to let him put his mouth between her legs.
Eadhild had once told her, cheeks aflame, that being licked in that secret place was the most amazing delight a woman could experience. Gytha had been so shocked to hear that this was something men could do that she had not even asked any questions. Now she dearly wished she had, so that she could imagine Haakon doing it with all the precision needed.
Dear lord, what was wrong with her? Was she depraved? Or was she normal to wonder? To want to experience the sensations?
“Are you all right, Saxon?” Haakon asked, frowning.
“Perfectly all right.”
Only I was imagining you licking my…well, you know. Just ignore me.
Obviously, her father chose that moment to exit the hut. Realizing she was still holding Haakon’s arm, Gytha quickly took a step to the side. It was one thing for Edita and Arne to see them together, quite another to let her father suspect that she and the man helping her friend were more than passing acquaintances
Haakon took a step back himself. Their position now appeared perfectly innocuous. With luck, no one would know she had been picturing Haakon’s head between her thighs, using his tongue in the most scandalous way.
“Send Haakon into town when you have dealt with the slave trader,” she heard her father tell Wolf, who nodded his agreement. “If I’m not there, he can leave the message with Gytha. She has been keeping herself abreast of the whole affair, which is a help.”
“Of course. I will.”
She and Haakon exchanged a glance. It sounded as if they would have to work together in the weeks to come, and this until they found Osberga. How ironic, if not cruel. For months she had wanted to take part in her father’s investigations. Now that she had finally been given a chance to join one, she had to collaborate with the first man who made her think all manner of shocking thoughts, a Norse god who set her blood on fire.
Her father spotted her and nodded.
“Gytha, are you ready to go?”
She was. A lively gallop was the very thing she needed to clear her mind of lascivious images involving the blond man by her side.
