“You’re mean,” I whined when I noticed he was fighting off a smile.
Chuckling, he peppered my face with kisses until I smiled back at him. “I’m sorry, my Finn. I only wanted to help.”
I pushed out my lip in a pout. “Maybe it helped numb it, but it didn’t make it go away.”
“No. That will take time. The salve helps. I’ll apply more after we eat.”
The clan had provided a gift basket of smoked meats, breads, and fruit for us so we could hole away together for a few days without being interrupted. It was waiting for us outside the tent when we awoke that morning. No one had told me about this part, and I was thrilled when Rath said we’d be staying togetherin bed for three days. I was less thrilled when I realized I would be too sore to enjoy it past the first night.
“You’re pouting,” Rath pointed out, rubbing his forehead against mine. “Tell me why, so I can fix it.”
That made me smile. My big barbarian was always so determined to take care of me. I just wished he could do it in the same way he did last night. One night wasn’t enough.
“I wish we could’ve had more than just one night. We can’t do anything more because I’m sore.”
If my family saw me pouting like this, they would have berated me for days about acting like a man. Rath only smirked and shook his head.
“No, kolrav. There is more. Much more.”
He had a look in his eye that promised I’d enjoy the things he was thinking about. Maybe not with him inside me, but there was more than just that to explore.
“Really?”
“Want me to show you?”
My sweet barbarian had already shown me so much. Kindness, patience, acceptance. From day one, he was determined to make my life better than I ever dreamed it could be. He showed me what it meant to be a true family, and how to trust someone after I’d been so hurt before. He showed me how to love. How to accept love in return, though I was still learning that one. He never rushed me or demanded more than I could give. And each lesson only made me fall further in love with him.
I looked forward to whatever he wanted to show me next.
