"Are you giving me an order?" He arched an eyebrow, his mouth set in a grim line.
A momentary recollection of his earlier words poked through her concentration. She forced them aside. If he meant to intimidate her, she'd not allow it. Meeting his gaze steadily, she nodded.
"I am. I cannot remove the tunic if you don't. Unless you'd prefer to end this now."
Another hearty laugh echoed around her. Several moments passed in which he kept his stormy gaze upon her, but finally, he did as she asked and raised his arms.
When she bent to grab the hem of his tunic he thrust his hips toward her. A hint of the solid bulge against her core startled her, forcing her back, the tunic gripped in her fingers. The movement pulled the garment up and over his head and upraised arms, leaving him nearly nude before her. She tossed aside the tunic, her gaze hungrily absorbing the sight of his firm muscled shoulders and chest glistening in the firelight. For several moments, she kept her focus above his waist, but curiosity soon took over. Daring a glance into his smug expression, she ignored the twinge of annoyance and let her eyes drift lower. She gulped, hoping her expression didn't reveal her sudden wariness.
His shaft rose long and thick from a bed of dark curls. While she found the sight impressive and intriguing, she feared he would split her in two. Surely, he didn’t intend to… her eyes snapped back to his face.
"Don't worry, Thora. It will fit."
Heat scorched her cheeks. Had he read her thoughts? "I… maybe this wasn't the best –"
He pulled her close, knocking the breath from her lungs. His hard cock lined up perfectly with her damp sex, her core clenching with spasms of desire.
"I assure you, you will enjoy all of it. Well, there may be a moment or two of pain, at first. But it will soon pass."
"How would you know?"
"I've bedded my share of virgins."
Thora had nothing to say in response. He pressed another bruising kiss against her lips and soon she forgot her worries. He drew away, cupping her face in his hands, his fingers moving gently over her skin and sparking all the banked fires back to life.
"Come, I will show you."
He took her hand and led her to where he'd arranged the furs. She took a moment to look over at her pets, relieved to see that both appeared to sleep. A twinge of guilt for not being at their side now, when Kata needed her most, made her tug on Ari's hand. He turned to face her.
"I should check on them. One more time."
His lips twisted in a half-scowl, but he gave a slight incline of his head and released her hand. "Go. Return to me quickly."
She turned, feeling oddly exposed. Walking naked in the forest was not something she had done before, especially not with a fierce warrior watching her every move. She tip-toed to the wolves, pleased when both lifted their heads. She knelt beside them, gently stroking their fur. That Kata seemed comfortable soothed her worries.
"I will be with Ari if you need me. Kati will come, right boy?"
The male pressed his nose into her hand and gave her an acknowledging lick. She smiled and leaned close.
"I will call if I need you."
Kati's eyes possessed a message, telling her he understood. Stroking Kata once more, she rose and turned to face the man waiting for her. Her agitated worry returned and she gingerly made her way back to him, ignoring the bite of twigs and pebbles under her feet.
When she was a few steps away, she paused. After tonight, everything would change. She took a deep breath. And the next step.
CHAPTER FOUR
The sight of Thora walking toward him, head held high, set fire raging in Ari's veins. The tease over the last hours had only inflamed his senses and his lust neared its breaking point. Control lay in frayed threads around him. He needed to slow down. While he anticipated his domination of her, he didn't want her to truly fear him. Well, maybe he did, just a little. Still, ensuring her loyalty to him when the time came to reveal the truth before the council was another facet of his revenge that he must not forget.
Yet, somehow, something about this woman screamed that his life would be forever changed once he possessed her. At the moment, he didn't care. In the morning, he would ensure his control and dominance over her. But now, tonight, he wanted nothing more than to sate himself with her body.
She paused a few steps away and her shoulders lifted with a sharp breath. His gaze was immediately drawn to her full high breasts, the pink tips hard. His fingers itched with the need to touch her. He moved toward her at the same moment she took another step closer, bringing them mere inches apart.
He placed his hand on her shoulder, savoring the way she quivered beneath his touch. She possessed a deep passion, one which had likely never been tapped, judging from her reactions. His hands on her breasts alone had brought a fiery climax he'd not expected, and clearly, neither had she. What would happen when he finally explored the depths of her body? Anticipation of the eruption of Thora's deepest passion also held a warning, one he heeded by composing his thoughts. For the coming hours, nothing mattered but the physical connection. The rest would follow.
He drew her near, pressing a kiss against her full lips, his cock hard and seeking her damp heat. Her eager response spurred him to slide his hands along her hips, fingers drifting lower to find the soft tangle of curls hiding her secrets. Secrets he meant to uncover, and claim for his own.
Beneath his touch, her body tightened. In pleasure or fear? He paused in his exploration, using his tongue and his lips along hers to once more soften the muscles in her shoulders and arms. When he slid his fingers along her pussy, she gave a little moan and leaned heavily into him. Her slick flesh near scorched his hand and the heavy sweet scent of her arousal surrounded him, overtaking his senses.
