He parted the folds of delicate flesh between her legs with one hand, gripping her hip with the other. She sighed helplessly and lifted her head to peek down at him. But pressure started to build deep inside her and Noelle was lost in something indescribable and unknown as she tossed her head side to side. There was both a gentleness and darkness to his possession. And she never guessed fingers could do that! Oh, she remembered women bragging about such things. They hadn’t lied!
How much longer will he torment my poor body? Nothing could have prepared her for what he did next.
The shock of his tongue between her thighs moving in perfect harmony with his agile fingers reminded her of a dance. She whimpered and flailed, and grabbed fistfuls of hair to try and wrench his head away. The sensations he elicited were mind-bending.
He tethered her wrists together with one hand and pulled them aside. A new sensation heated her insides. Her flesh pulsed around his fingers and tongue similar to a heartbeat.
“Randvior…” she moaned uncontrollably. Beautiful bursts of colored light flickered around her.
He slammed his mouth onto hers, flooding her with the taste of her own arousal. This man was surely bound for the fires of Hades. A string of huskily garbled words in that godforsaken language he spoke followed.
Raising his head, he whispered. “Min lille dukke, I must…” He didn’t finish and she barely managed to nod consent.
He thrust inside her. Liquid heat spread from her loins to belly, followed by pain. Randvior redistributed his weight and cradled her face so tenderly in his hands that she nearly burst into tears. The virginal pain was a small price to pay compared to the pleasure he had shown her already. She knew he would make her forget all that pain.
“Everything is all right, please don’t stop.”
He didn’t hold anything back. He stripped her maidenly fears away, layer by layer. Noelle instinctively raised her hips to absorb the brunt of his powerful thrusts.He’s magnificent!Randvior’s own satiated cries mingled with hers as he appeared to lose consciousness for a moment. Her body shuddered with fulfillment.
And then ached with regret. A single, unseen tear trailed down her cheek…
Her life would never be the same again.
Chapter Seven
Vikings
Noelle slept fitfully—waking,then dosing off again. Finally, she decided to stay awake. Unaware of how long they had lain together with their limbs intertwined, she gritted her teeth, didn’t like feeling so vulnerable. Weakened from the physical strain of matching her lover’s rigorous stride, her legs and mind felt numb as thoughts tumbled in her troubled mind. She sat up. No secrets remained between her and the Viking now, and she needed to get her priorities straight. Preferably before Randvior woke up and saw her tear-stained cheeks.
She reflected on many things, her new status was her primary concern. The hope of ever emulating the good deeds of the Blessed Virgin disintegrated, but there was always the Magdalene to consider. She huffed and swung the bulk of her hair over her left shoulder. In a careless moment of passion, she had lost her innocence. The unforgettable sensation of Randvior surging inside her a last time lingered between her legs. And wanton thoughts made her skin tingle with embarrassment.
She also remembered Brian’s stinging insult—calling her a Norseman’s whore.
She stared at the wall, resentment stewing. Brian had deceived her. He had purposely chosen her as the sacrificial lamb and sold her into slavery. And she had willingly given herself to the Viking. What a fool she was.
Serious consequences would follow. No wonder the guards and servants cast sympathetic looks her way after the terms were agreed upon in Durham. Forced to witness the proceedings and everyone butsheknew what fate awaited her. She snuck a peek at Randvior. His eyes were closed and his lips slightly upturned at the corners.Even in slumber, he finds me amusing.
Try as she might to forget, Noelle knew she must accept her bitter portion of responsibility for this sinful act. He had seduced her—but she never refused him. Cautiously, she reached and touched the fingers of his left hand. Those masterful hands awakened fantastic feelings inside her. And oh God, when she touched him, his hands alone were a force to be reckoned with.
What a selfish, stupid, girl. Noelle crossed her arms over her center and hugged tight. What if she was already pregnant? Her father’s maids told her on more than one occasion that a man’s seed is more potent if it spills inside a virgin. And she’d seen plenty of animals mated at home. If it only took one time with sheep or goats, what would make it any different between humans?
Noelle momentarily thought to wake Randvior and demand he marry her. But that would mean he would win.No,tis better I act the satisfied wench.She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of winning so easily, of winning her.
Fluffing the thin pillow on her side of the bed, she lay back and heaved a troubled sigh. No matter how much she tried, she simply couldn’t get comfortable. She tossed and turned, shifted from one position to another. Finally, she rolled onto her stomach and ended on her back again. Of course, she moved with exaggerated motions, and shook the bed, hoping to disturb her lover’s infuriatingly peaceful sleep. The flesh between her legs ached. She stared resentfully at Randvior. What kind of man falls asleep after he deflowers a maiden?
’Tis no more than a casual affair to him, more evidence of his discourteousness. Noelle tapped her closed hand on her forehead in deep thought. As a child, she had pledged to guard her virginity until married. Most of the women in her father’s household surrendered to physical yearnings and bedded different men every night.
Shaking her head, she realized it was no longer advantageous to consider escape. Not now.
Randvior opened his eyes. Rolling onto his side, he playfully smacked her thigh. He slid his hand between her legs and gently massaged. Her traitorous body responded to his touch, it felt like a thousand needles pricked her skin at once. Noelle pushed him away.
“If all you desire is a mindless creature to keep your bed warm, you can take a dog as your companion, not me.”
He laughed blissfully and started to tease by tickling her from head to toe. Randvior’s inability to acceptnofor an answer grew more evident in bed play. Noelle marveled at his tenacity as he played her body like a master musician.
Pausing, Randvior smoothed tangles of hair from her face, grazing the curve of her lips so lightly with his fingertips that she shivered. Already hot and wet, Noelle disliked not having any control. She refused to let physical feelings get in the way. Infatuation is no measure of true love.
“Leave me be!”
