“You are a brute.”
“I’m rather protective about my side of the bed.” I brushed my fingers over her face. “Now, hush. It’s time to sleep.”
Skadi jerked her head away, sitting up. Wrong move. Unless it was planned, then, well played. One of her thin shoulder straps slid down her arms. The tattoos I noticed on the night of our vows curled around her skin in beautiful filigree and vines of blossoms. They seemed to curl around her breasts, her ribs, likely down her stomach.
Gods, I adjusted to hide the rush of blood between my legs.
Without a word, I made the foolish misstep of sliding the strap back on her shoulder.
Skadi smirked. “Do you enjoy my attire, Husband?”
“Not at all.” I didn’t look at her and rolled onto my stomach.
I shuddered when her fingertips started to trace the crossed blades inked on my back. Skadi pressed her body against my arm. The warmth of her skin, the way she smelled like the spiced icing she loved so much, tangled my mind in a fog.
“Are you certain?” Her voice was low, almost needy. “It is the perfect dress for a man’s hands to handle.”
This was a game, I could see it. Raised by crooks and schemers, I’d do well to keep sight of my mark.
In one swift motion, I released my pillow and managed to roll my bride half under me. Her eyes went wide, but there wasn’t fear there. Perhaps it was the same stun I felt from how easily we fit each other this way.
I stared down at her, my fingertips tracing the lines of her throat. “Do you want me to handle you, Fire?” The tip of my nose followed where I touched. Skadi’s breaths sharpened when my lips ran across her jaw. “I’d be happy to. Want me to undress you?”
I tugged the strap of her shift off her shoulder again.
“That . . . isn’t necessary.” She shifted, her thigh rubbing across my cock. Gods, she’d feel the need there.
This was a dangerous play—one where I might cause more harm to myself in the end. “So certain?” I let my hand fall to her leg. “I could make good on my promise to have you screaming in pleasure.”
A soft whimper spilled over her lips. She desired a piece of me, and hated it. I knew the feeling.
“We . . . it is expected.”
I arched my hips against her just enough to add pressure to her own. “It is.”
Skadi’s shoulders rose with rough gasps. Gods, she was stunning and I feared if I allowed it—if she allowed it—I might find too much comfort with her wrapped up in my arms this way.
“We could do all of it, Fire.”
“If . . . we could just . . . get it over with.”
“True. I could start with my fingers, slow and gentle, just enough to get you ready for my cock.”
My hand drifted higher, nearly falling into the heat of her center. Skadi dragged the tip of her tongue over her lips. She didn’t want to enjoy my touch, but she was bending beneath it.
“I could do it all.” I leaned close, hovering my mouth over hers. “But I’m rather tired. Sleep well.”
I planted a quick kiss to the tip of her nose and rolled back to my side of the bed, pillow smashed under my body again.
Skadi’s breath shuddered. It only lasted a moment before she grunted in frustration, made certain her feet kicked my hip once or twice as she readjusted on the bed. The woman moved with enough force she rocked the entire structure. Intentional, no doubt.
When she finally settled was the moment I allowed myself a look.
“What did you do? Build a nest?”
Skadi had aligned two long pillows on the edge of the bed, like a wall between her and the door, and the quilts gathered nearly over her entire head.
“Go to sleep, Prince.”
