Page 53 of Viking in Love

They both stared at each for a long moment, transfixed.

Her shoulders dropped then. “Is there really nothing we can offer that would change your mind?”

“Nay.” Except…nay, I will not think of that.

“I would do anything.”

He should have said nay then. He should have turned and walked away. He should not be entertaining mind images of a naked red-haired witch, spread-eagled on his bed with a come-hither smile on her face. “Anything?”

“Yea. Just name it.” Her face bloomed with hope.

God, stop me. Quick, afore I jump into the quicksand of lust. All you saints, can you not put a lock on my tongue afore I say something I will surely regret? Unfortunately, all the celestial beings must have been busy elsewhere. As if drawn by a compulsion beyond his control, his fingertips traced the skin of her collarbone exposed by the round neckline of her gown. How can a collarbone be so sensual?

She whimpered at his touch, but did not shove him away as was usually her wont.

“Ten nights,” he told her, before he could bite his tongue.

“Wha-what?”

“You want protection under my shield, you forfeit your virtue. Ten nights in my bed, dusk to dawn. Simple as that. You will let me do whatever I want. You will do whatever I ask of you.” He waited for her to slap his face or kick him in the shin or lambast him with ugly descriptions of his character, but that did not happen. The quicksand is getting deeper and deeper.

“You cannot be serious.” She looked as if she might upheave the contents of her stomach.

“Serious as sin.” Oh, this is fun. She will no doubt attempt to push me over the wall. I’d best be ready to sidestep her assault.

“You are a wicked man.”

“Yea, that is one of my better attributes.” Come, m’lady, show me what a fierce fighter you are.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Because I want to.” It will come now. I am ready.

“Any acts, you say?”

Whaaat? Is she actually considering my insane proposal? I have really gone too far. Well, what the hell! “Any and all.”

“Would that include…perversions?”

He started to laugh, then coughed when he tried to stop. “Definitely,” he said. Oh, I wish Geoff and Wulf were here to witness this. They will never believe me.

“’Tis a deal,” she said, reaching out to shake his hand.

At first, he did not realize the implications of what she said. When he did, he stared down at her outstretched hand as if it were a snake.

But she took the initiative and grabbed his hand to shake. The grin on her face was like that of a cat who had just licked up all the cream.

Caedmon realized, too late, that he had made a big, big mistake, underestimating a Norse witchy woman. He was caught. And he was tingling, all over.

CHAPTER TEN

If kisses could talk…

Breanne stared up at Caedmon, trying her best to hide her dismay.

She had just agreed to his vile proposal in order to save her sister, but she did not really expect that he would follow through. Chivalry would emerge the victor in the end.

“How shall we seal this bargain?” he said, smiling at her in the most wicked way before lacing his fingers with hers again.