There were no nerves. She wanted her fire stoked, and Halsten was volunteering himself as kindling.
“You know, when your face is flushed, your freckles look a thousand times cuter?” He quickly popped up and kissed the bridge of her nose where her largest cluster of freckles sat. She felt his hand just below her collarbone tugging at the tie there.
His hand slid the material down one of her arms, exposing her chest. She gasped when his palm rested against it, encasing her fully as he squeezed. Linnea pushed on his thighs, making him back up so she could slip her legs out from beneath him and position them on either side of his. Having her legs spread with Halsten kneeling between them made her squirm, a feeling she had never felt with any other man.
He sat back and gripped the sides of her thighs before staring hungrily at her. He licked his lips and Linnea could see him straining against his trousers.
“Gods, Linnea,” Halsten mumbled. “You’re fucking perfect. I don’t know what I ever did to land myself in this position, but I don’t deserve it.”
Linnea laughed but it quickly faded as another wave of heat ran through her. The longer he stared, the more she ached for him.
Halsten gripped the waistband of his bands before asking, “You’re sure?”
She nodded.
His brows furrowed. “Words,” he commanded.
“I’m sure,” Linnea responded breathily. She was nervous, but Halsten was safe.
Halsten untied the knot holding his trousers up and slipped them down his thighs and Linnea was mesmerized. She quickly realized how addicting this could be. Not sex in general, but sex with this man. The sounds he made and the jerky movements with her slightest of touches made her feel wanted. It made her feel powerful.
Linnea lifted her nightgown in confidence, and Halsten let out a string of curses that she hoped meant something positive even though they sounded quite filthy.
Halsten ran a hand over her and she writhed. She wanted him to take her right here in this dirty inn.
“Please,” Linnea whimpered.
“Words,” he said in a low growl.
Linnea said the filthiest thing she had ever said, demanding the filthiest thing she had ever desired. “Fuck me, Halsten.”
Halsten once again released a steeple-shattering strand of curses as he slowly slid into her. While he was completely immersed in her, he worked her center with his hand.
“Little Flame. My good Little fucking Flame,” Halsten whispered to himself and closed his eyes.
HisLittle Flame. He brought one of her arms to his face and kissed the scar on her wrist.
Stars danced across Linnea’s vision as Halsten ground into her and her body broke out in a tingling sensation.
As she came down, Halsten’s movements slowed to a stop and he pressed his forehead to hers.
“Nowthatwas a high-pitched moan.”
Alternate Chapter 47
“All right, now that Linnea isn't here, how do you really feel?” Kaid leaned against the closed door, folding his arms over his chest.
Halsten sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “The mender said there’s nerve damage, as well as a muscular tear. She told me she could try to repair the muscles surgically, but it was risky and I still would most likely come out of the surgery in the same condition.”
“And what is that condition, Halsten? Why are you in bed?”
“Because of the nerve damage, I can’t exactly feel my foot sometimes. It’s like it’s there, because I can feel the pressure ofit touching something, but I can’t feel the sensation on my skin, if that makes sense. And then,” Halsten leaned off the side of his bed, pulling out a stick from underneath it. “I have to walk with this. Probably forever. Like some old goat, waving his cane around yelling at kids to not trample his flowerbeds.”
Kaid laughed despite the devastation he felt. “I’ve seen a lot of young dukes using canes as a fashion statement. Own it, brother.”
They dove into telling the tales of their journeys. Kaid never wanted to be separated from his best friend like that again. He knew that if the sirens won the war, he would likely figure out a way to spend his time in both kingdoms, but he wouldn’t be leaving his best friend in perilous situations every time he departed, so that was different. He also would not be leaving his friend alone any longer, now that Linnea was around. He could never repay Linnea for the care and love she provided for his best friend the last few days.
Kaid poured a glass of water from the pitcher and handed it to Halsten. “So, youhadto claim the other Blomvin woman, hmm?”
