Thor rolled them, so Greer laid stretched beneath him. His fingers went to her mons, and one circled her pearl. She rocked her hips up to meet his hand as their gazes locked. He slipped one finger inside her, and her head pressed back against the pillow. When a second finger entered her, she grasped his wrist and pressed harder. These were things she remembered from so long ago but hadn’t experienced since. His thumb rubbed the nub, and she writhed.
“Wheest. I’ll make it better.”
“I need ye.”
“I ken. Let me pleasure ye.”
“Ye are.” She cried out when he moved, and she feared he was pulling away. But he eased down the bed until he laid between her legs. He kissed the inside of her thighs as he moved toward her sheath. He licked from stem to stern. “Thor, nay mon has ever…”
He smiled at her wolfishly before he moved to devour her. His tongue flicked her pearl before delving into her entrance. His fingers and tongue worked in tandem as he pushed her to her limits, then he pushed her over the edge. Her body tightened as her core spasmed. She fisted the bedcovers as her hips rose to press her mons against his mouth.
“Thor.” She moaned his name as she settled back against the sheets. Her eyes didn’t want to remain open, but she didn’t want to miss a moment of watching her husband. He’d started to pleasure her that way once, but she’d grown too embarrassed and made him stop. Now she chided herself for not only refusing to let him taste her, but not encouraging him to do so. She wouldn’t miss that opportunity again.
“How do ye feel?”
“Replete. But—” She rolled to face him as he moved up the bed. “—I want to touch ye.”
“Ye dinna have to do that. I didna do any of this because I expect aught in return.”
“Do ye nae want me to touch ye?” He was pushing her hand away as she asked, and the rejection stung. Had her offer made him think of her past? Made him think she was a whore to be so forthright?
“I canna stop thinking aboot ye touching me. But I want ye to ken I give ma love and affection freely. I dinna do it just so ye’ll return the favor.”
“I ken that. I never thought ye did.” It shocked Greer that she had rejected nothing Thor had done so far. She welcomed it. But her mind also understood the circumstances were entirely different. Everything about their time together felt different. Some acts were the same, but the effect couldn’t be more opposite. “I want to do these things with ye. I dinna want it to be done to me or for me. I want us to be equals.”
Thor understood how significant that was for her. She’d had no control over what happened at Gunn Castle, and they had done everything to her. She also didn’t want him to only pleasure her because she wanted a say in what they shared. She wanted what she desired to matter as much as what he did. She wanted a partner.
“Touch me, please,” he croaked. He guided her hand beneath his plaid, and she cupped his bollocks. He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Thor?”
“I’m trying nae to finish. I want to last more than a few seconds.”
She rolled them in her palm before moving her hand up his rod. She remembered the way he felt as though eight years ago was only that morning. His sword was honed of the strongest steel, and she marveled at how hard he was for her. She stroked him as he kissed her. She explored his mouth with her tongue, their mutual excitement building. She savored the feel of being in control of her own actions and being with someone she cared about. She understood his pride wished for him to last longer, and she imagined he wished to prolong her ministrations just as she’d wished for his to never end. But she wanted to bring him to climax and offer him the same surreal satisfaction she’d experienced.
“Wee one, slow down. I need—”
“I ken what ye need, and I want to give ye that release.” She redoubled her efforts, stroking him with varying speeds and tightness until his kiss became savage, and his hips thrust in her hand. He yanked his plaid out of the way and pushed up on his elbow as his seed shot forth, covering her belly and breasts. Other men had done that as though it marked her as theirs. It had always revolted her and made her more resentful. Now that it was Thor’s essence that covered her, she loved how it made her feel like his.
He settled beside her as they lay facing each other again after he used his leine to clean her. She leaned in to kiss him, and it was tender after their burst of passion. He drew her closer, so she once more rested her head on his chest when he rolled onto his back. Thor wouldn’t press for anything else that day. He was content to share the quiet with his bride after exploring and pleasuring each other.
“Thank ye,” Greer whispered.
“I can say the same to ye. Thank ye, lass.”
“But nae just for the pleasure. Thank ye for going slowly with me. I dinna feel as scared as I did before.”
“Good. I want to share these moments with ye, especially since there is so much uncertainty now. Whatever happens, I will be by yer side for all of it.”
“I ken. And I willna cower behind ye again. I want us to truly be partners.”
“There is naught wrong with seeking shelter from those who might harm ye. They are a threat to ye, and I dinna blame ye for yer reaction. I hated sending ye away. Hearing ye call to me was the worst thing I’ve ever endured. But ye were safer abovestairs, and I’m glad ye didna see what happened to Samuel.”
“Samuel? What happened to him?”
“He’s nae alive anymore.” Thor tucked his chin to watch Greer, but he couldn’t see her face clearly. She nodded but said nothing. “Are ye all right with that?”
“Vera. He wasna any better than Edgar, and I told ye how he got between us. I’m glad he canna do that again. Did ye kill him?”
