“Stay.”
It was the one word Strian longed to hear. Gressa was willing to take the chance of getting pregnant. He knew that meant she would not leave him. He kissed her neck as his seed flowed into Gressa, her legs entwined with his and her arms wrapped around him. She clung to him just as he clung to her, and for the first time in ten years, they both felt like they were where they belonged.
Nine
Apounding on the door woke Strian. He looked down at Gressa who slept tucked against his chest. They had made love throughout the night until the early rays of dawn greeted them, and they both grew too exhausted to remain awake. Now the sun streamed into the chamber, alerting Strian to the time. It had to be the middle of the morning, well past when he should have been in the training yard.
Gressa shifted and opened her eyes but snapped them shut as the brightness startled her.
“Are you going to get that? It sounds like they don’t plan to leave.”
“I’m willing to wait them out. I have no intention of either of us leaving this bed today.”
Gressa rolled over to look at him. She slid her hand along his belly up his chest to his shoulder. Strian leaned forward and kissed her as she slid her leg over his hip. Both were content to forget whoever continued to hammer on the door. It was only when they heard it slam that they pulled apart. Strian had just covered Gressa in time when Leif burst into their chamber.
Leif froze as he took in the scene of clothes strewn around the room and the couple in bed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I would have---” Leif stuttered and backed out of the room.
Strian gave Gressa peck on her nose before leaving their bed. He moved to the door, but Gressa gasped.
“Aren’t you going to put some pants on? At least wrap a blanket around you?”
“No.”
“Strian!”
“I have every intention of letting Leif know I plan to return to my wife. The man can’t keep his hands off his own wife. She was pregnant within a moon of their marriage. He’ll understand.”
“Still--”
Strian was through the door before she could finish her thought. He pulled the door closed and crossed his arms as he glared at Leif, who in turn laughed.
“There’s nothing funny about barging in on a man with his wife. A wife who was content to laze the day away in bed with her husband. Speak.”
Leif continued to laugh, able to tell Strian had plans for the morning, and they didn’t involve anyone but Gressa.
“We were wondering where you were.”
“I think your sister sent you to rescue me. Who couldn’t guess what I would be doing with Gressa in our home? Especially after the scene I made last night. I thought it was rather obvious to everyone I still consider her my wife.”
“Freya’s nagging might have had a little to do with it, but weallstill thought you would make it to the training field. This isn’t a time to grow lax.”
Strian glared at Leif as he insinuated Strian shirked his duties.
“Have you already been to Tyra and Bjorn’s door? Are they in the fields?”
Leif’s brow furrowed.
“Of course not. They’re newlyweds.”
“And just what do you think we feel like? It was our first real night together as husband and wife. It’s been ten years since I’ve had my wife in my home.” Strian growled. “Go tell your sister and all the other busybodies, that we will emerge when we’re ready and not before. If that’s in a day or a week, that’s no one’s business but ours.”
Leif opened his mouth to say something, but Strian was faster.
“I may have let you think I’ve been with other women, but I haven’t touched a woman since the last time I made love to Gressa. It was easier to let you think I moved on than hear you nagging that I should. Leave, Leif, before I throw my best friend out of my home.”
Leif nodded.
