Page 100 of The Very Virile Viking

"That makes sense. It's not like you're back in the tenth century and could return them to their mothers or other relatives."

He shook his head. "I would feel the same even then. Once I took those children under my shield, they became mine. No turning back. Ever."

Her heart swelled with pride that he felt that way. In an age when absentee fathers were often the norm, this man knew the meaning of fatherhood.

"Now, what did you want to tell me?"

She raised her head so that she could look at him. It took all the nerve she had, but the words had to be said. "I love you, Magnus."

He leaned up and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I know that, heartling."

"You know that?" she asked, softly at first, then added more shrilly, "You know that? And that is all you have to say?" Tears filled her eyes and she started to roll out of bed.

He tightened his arm around her shoulder and would not let her move.

"What? What is wrong now?"

"Surely you aren't so thickheaded that you don't understand what is expected of you when a woman says she loves you."

He thought a moment. "But I already told you that afore."

" Once! Once, you told me, and then it was in the middle of sex… or almost-sex… and that doesn't count."

"It does not?"

"Not by a long shot."

"Aaah, Angela, do you really need the words? I thought it was apparent in everything I do how much I love you."

She wanted to be angry with him, but she couldn't be, not with her pleasure at his heartfelt words.

"I think of you every moment of every day… when I am hoeing Grandma Rose's vegetable garden…

when I am spraying the grapevines… when I am playing with my children… when I watch you eat, or drink, or walk, or sleep. You have become the most important person in the world to me."

"A woman needs the words, Magnus."

"I love you, Angela."

She put the back of her hand against her mouth to stifle a sob.

"Why are you crying? I hand you my heart and you cry. Truly, I will ne'er understand women."

"I'm crying because I'm happy. These are good tears."

"Uh-huh," he said dubiously. "If women need the words, then men need action. We want to be shown affection."

It took her several seconds to understand. "You can't make love. You're hurt."

" That part of me is not hurt. It is hurting, but only for want of you."

"Magnus, you are in no condition to make love to me."

"True. But I am in perfect condition to have love made to me… by a woman who purports to love me.

Of course, she would have to be very gentle. Hmmm. Gentle love. I like the sound of that. You and I have engaged in almost-sex, bed games, hard loving, and everything in between. 'Tis time for some gentle love, do you not think?"

"Magnus, no."