She had no idea what she wanted to say. Fortunately, Ulf seemed satisfied with her reaction. “I think you liked that. And you did gallop, not merely canter, you know.”
Yes. It had felt a lot faster than it had earlier, while they had ridden to the beach together. “I did?”
“You most certainly did. I’m impressed.”
“Oh, I loved it, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”
Ylva knew she was on the edge of tears and she didn’t want Ulf to witness it, because then he might think she had been scared by the galloping. She had not, she was simply overwhelmed by what she had felt. The freedom, the happiness, the pride. On impulse, she threw her arms around the horse’s neck and gave him a long, heartfelt hug, keeping her eyes screwed shut until she had herself under control once more.
“Thank you,” she murmured in his ear over and over again.
Her new life was well and truly starting.
Finally, she dared to turn around. Ulf was smiling to himself, arms folded across his chest.
“Do you think I could have more of that bread now?” she asked shyly. “I’m feeling rather hungry.”
He burst out laughing. “Of course, you will do. Hungry and thirsty, I wager.”
“Yes.” And he would be thirsty as well, after all that running. Ylva made to turn to the blanket and winced. Every muscle in her body protested when she took her first step. “I fear I might well be sore tomorrow,” she said, not feeling sorry at all. Some things were worth paying a price for.
“Yes, I fear you might. Come.”
They sat on the blanket and devoured the rest of the food. Just as they finished, the sun was swallowed by the cliffs.
“Perfect timing,” Ulf observed, placing everything back into the saddle bag. “It’s time to go.”
Ylva nodded, already knowing she would treasure the memory of this perfect day forever.
As they rode backto the village, Ulf lost himself in all sorts of musings involving, unsurprisingly, the woman currently nestled in his arms.
Would he ever get the image of Ylva’s perfect breasts, with their pink nipples puckered by the cold and the water clinging to them, out of his mind? He hadn’t meant to expose her but the lack of resistance when he had lifted her from the seabed had taken him by surprise, and allowed him to feast his eyes on the most glorious sight he had ever seen.
He afforded a smile.
He had wished for an adventurous woman the other day, only to regret the thought when she had cut his side a moment later. Now, he knew he had been right to think that an adventurous woman was the kind of woman he wanted in his life. This afternoon was proof of it. He lusted after Ylva’s perfect body, he admired her beauty, but, even more to the point, he was in awe of her courage. The way she had galloped to him on that beach, with her hair blazing a trail behind her, had been incredible.
Being with someone who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, who was the epitome of a daring spirit, was showing him what he had been lacking in his life.
His smile broadened when he noticed that she had barely said a word from the moment they had set off, whereas on the way to the beach, she had talked incessantly. No doubt exhausted by the sea air, her riding lesson and the relief of finally being able to live a normal life, she was unable to fight her fatigue.
“I think I’m falling asleep,” she mumbled.
The comment wrenched a chuckle out of him. Did she really think he had not noticed? “Yes, I can see that.” And feel it. She had gone completely limp against him, a soft bundle of loveliness. “’Tis no issue. Just close your eyes. We have a little while to go yet.”
“Does Rastok know where we’re going?”
“Ratatoskr,” he corrected, feeling his smile widen even further. Really, she was irresistible. “He doesn’t, not from here, but I do. Don’t worry. You’re safe.”
“Mm. I know. I’m safe with you. Always. Thank you.”
It took longer to get back home than it had taken to go to the beach, because in the dark and with a sleepy Ylva in his arms, Ulf could only walk. Not that he minded. It felt right to have her against him, all relaxed and warm, with her hair smelling of the sea, and tickling his nose. Once they arrived at the hut, he would have to let her go and settle in his furs by the fire pit. Whether he would manage to fall asleep was another question. He felt anything but tired.
Eventually, they reached the sleepy village. Everything was quiet, telling him that it had to be much later than he had realized.
“Ylva,” he murmured when they stopped in front of the hut. “We’ve arrived.”
“Mm.” She grunted but she didn’t move.
