He shook his head. "No, I will go with you."
She scowled, her eyes narrowing. "You think I will flee?"
"I'm not willing to take the risk. I will bathe with you."
Pink bloomed in her cheeks, her dark eyes taking on an eager note. Did she not know how clearly the feelings shone in her every expression? She lowered her head, then turned to her wolves.
"I must check them first."
He said nothing as she rose and walked over to where her pets lay. To his view, the she-wolf seemed almost healed. Part of him wished the animal had been more severely injured. A moment later, he scolded himself for the callous thought. His own selfishness roused that thought. Logic warned he would have had a more difficult time seducing Thora had the wolf been more grievously harmed, at least in the beginning. Besides, the injured animal assured she wouldn't flee, even though he'd declared his doubts about that. The way the anger flashed in her eyes excited him and he couldn't stop himself from taunting her to gain the reaction.
His gaze settled on her back when she knelt beside the animals, the two wolves well-fed by the male's hunt for meat. He'd brought back several squirrels and a couple of hares. Both wolves had eaten heartily, as well as Ari and Thora had.
Finally, Thora rose, hesitating several moments before turning to face Ari. She held herself straight, chin high.
"I'm ready."
Ari grinned and stood. A wicked notion rose. She would be furious, but he knew just how to turn that anger into scorching desire. He motioned her closer and she obeyed, albeit hesitantly, as if she sensed his intentions. He waited until she'd stepped around the fire to stand right before him. A second later, he'd retrieved the rope from his belt and looped it around her wrists before she realized what he'd done.
She recoiled, her eyes sparking with rage. He pulled on the trailing end of rope, forcing her near.
"Bastard!"
He grinned. "Maybe. Or am I just using caution? You might try to drown me."
He ignored her spluttering reply, turning and leading her out of the cave. She gave a resistant tug, but ultimately fell into step. His ears burned, the curses she flung at him matching those of any warriors he'd known. If the gods honored any of the promises she made to destroy him, he would spend his afterlife in Helheim, rather than Valhalla. When they reached the stream, he sat down on the bank, using the rope to compel Thora to do so as well. He said nothing, merely held his leg out and pointed to his boot.
"Remove your own boots," she snapped. She turned her back toward him, stirring a chuckle.
"I want you to do it." He tugged on the rope, but she refused to face him.
"I can't, not with the way you've bound me."
Another pull on the rope, this one harder, gave her no choice and he kept pulling until she had turned to him once more.
"Do you remember when you agreed to follow my orders?"
"I never agreed to be treated like a slave."
"You belong to me, and are to heed my very command."
"You're an arrogant pig! I don't know why I –"
The remaining daylight highlighted the delightful blush creeping up her cheeks. What had she been about to say? She pressed her lips tightly together, clearly an effort to keep those words unspoken.
"Why what?"
She refused to answer, her cheeks darkening to scarlet. For a moment, the hope she possessed a real caring for him rose up before he tossed it aside, disgusted in himself for the weak desire. Instead, he focused on the need to assert his dominance, taking another step and quickly cupping the back of her head to draw her toward him. Her resistance started out strong, but he was stronger, and the moment his lips brushed against hers, the defiance faded and she responded to the kiss. In response, he swept into her mouth, gliding along the heated velvet of her tongue in an effort to stake his claim. A tiny moan escaped her. At that moment, she once more tried to pull away, but he tightened his fingers in her hair, holding her close. He should have expected the sharp bite she gave. Despite the sharp discomfort in his tongue, he pulled away chuckling.
"You test my patience. I think you do it on purpose."
She said nothing, her angry eyes narrowed on him, her bound hands held up in front of her as if to ward him off. He leaned close once more, but didn't stop her this time when she backed away.
"You know I will have to punish you for that."
He suspected she tried to hide it, but he noted the tiny shiver that swept over her, the way her breath hitched. So she anticipated his reddening her ass? What would she say when he used that pleasure against her? For tonight, she would be begging him for her pleasure. Before he finished with her, she would promise him anything he desired in order to reach her climax.
He could hardly wait to get back to their shelter.
