Asbjörn snatches me by the waist, pulling me flush against his chest. “Breathe,” he urges, long and deep. Tightening his arm around me, he grabs my jaw with the other hand and guides my focus back to Ulf, whose expression is serious, a slight frown forming between his brows. As if he’s concerned for me.
“You’re okay. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you. And Ulf is watching over you. Nothing is going to happen to you. We’ve got you.”
We. The word swirls in my muddy brain.They’re both doing this to me.It doesn’t make sense—one man is here, one in the distance. Yet somehow, it makes perfect sense. I remember every kiss Ulf has placed on my forehead, every look demanding my attention, and his hand on my waist today. Small things that speak more than a hundred words. I have no idea what this is or why. All I know is that I want it. Badly.
So I give in. I fall captive to Ulf’s stare and melt into Asbjörn’s touch.
“Are you okay?” Asbjörn asks once my breath has steadied.
“I’m okay,” I say on a long exhale.
“Good to continue?”
I nod. I have no idea what’s coming, but I know that I want it.
13
Elina
Asbjörn keeps one arm tightly banded around my middle while he slowly slides his other hand up, over my chest and neck, to my face, and over my mouth.
My eyes widen when I realize what he’s about to do, and a slow smile spreads over Ulf’s lips at the sight of my reaction.
“Not that,” I manage just before Asbjörn presses his palm over my lips.
“Oh yes.”
Nostrils flaring, I pant as he hovers his fingers at the edges of my nose.
A reflexive jerk makes me tug at the chains when he snaps my nose shut. My nervous system is so wrought that any little jolt will add to the fear already thrumming deep within me.
“Don’t fight it,” Asbjörn coaxes. “Your breath is not yours to control anymore.”
Everything spinning, I grip onto the chains. But as I keep watching Ulf, the world also slows down. It’s so confusing. The dizzy haze over my brain deepens. I blink, trying to focus my thoughts. But I can’t. All I can see is the man who has been watching me for months. The man who has been dominating my dreams and is now dominating me from afar.
He makes a slow nod as if saying everything’s okay, and I stop twitching. I go still, melting into Asbjörn—melting beneath the magnificent power Ulf quietly wields over me.
The drums keep beating outside, dragging me deeper into the trance, and the glow of the fire creates a hypnotic light. For a moment, it’s like a dream.
But then my lungs start to heave in earnest. I release a low whimper behind Asbjörn’s hand. When he doesn’t react, I give a small jerk. Nothing.
The fear darkens, sweeping over my brain in a black fog. I jerk against the chains—against Asbjörn’s tight grip. Nothing budges, so I jerk harder. The desperation thrums within me, but somewhere in the chaos, there’s also a swirl of desire.
“Look at him,” Asbjörn demands in a terrifying growl, and I realize my eyes have shut. “You won’t get to breathe before you do.”
I snap my eyes open, colliding with Ulf’s unforgiving gaze. There’s no mercy or comfort, only sharp demand.
It’s like standing at the ledge of a steep cliff, watching an icy winter landscape. Brutal and breathtaking. I can’t process it. I keep writhing frantically and fruitlessly even as I watch him.
And then it all stops. Asbjörn pulls his hand away with an abrupt motion.
I reel, gasping and panting for precious air, shaking in my bonds and jerking as instinct takes me in its clutches.
It takes a while for me to calm down, and when I do, reality creeps in, embarrassment and uncertainty taking over. I want to cover myself—the fear written all over my face, my nakedness, and my bared desires. But I can’t even hide behind closed eyelids. So I do the only thing I can. I succumb.
A well of emotion washes over me the moment I go slack in Asbjörn’s arms. The flood is so strong it draws tears to my eyes. I have no idea what’s happening. Before I can figure it out,Asbjörn reaches between my legs and trails a finger through my dripping wet opening.
I gasp at the sudden flare of sensation.
