Page 60 of My Fair Viking

But the woman in her did, and she exulted.

Tyra was walking away from him, and he was enjoying the event immensely.

In her tunic and tight braies, her hips swayed from side to side in the most enticing way. Did females have any idea how sensual their arses could be when viewed by the male from this angle? If they did, they would probably always back away from their men. He couldn't stop gaping.

"Tyra," he called out. "Why are you walking like that?"

She halted and looked back at him over his shoulder. "How?"

"Like… like you have a brick on your head."

"A brick?" she choked out, and turned to face him directly, though she was some distance away. He still sat on the bench. "That's ridiculous. A brick? Ha, ha, ha." Her face bloomed a lovely shade of pink, as if she were guilty of some wrongdoing.

A wrongdoing involving her walk? Nay, that could not be.

"It must be the chain mail I am wearing," she explained, still blushing profusely.

"Chain mail? Why are you wearing chain mail?" he asked, alarm ringing in his voice.

"I am off to check our borders with my men. Some Danish outlaws have been pillaging the area."

"Is it dangerous?"

"Of course it's dangerous."

"Don't go," he urged before he could bite his hasty tongue.

"Don't go? Are you demented? I must go. It is my job as chieftain to lead my soldiers. How could you think otherwise?"

"I don't know." He just knew that he wanted her safe. He did not want to picture her lying on the ground covered with blood. He wanted her close by so that he could help her, if necessary. He wanted her… well, suffice it to say, he wanted her.

"What is that look you are giving me?"

"A look? What look?" He tried to recall what expression might have been on his face.

"A hot look."

He smiled then, especially when he remembered that Tykir and Bolthor and Rafh and Rashid had advised him to give Tyra just that—hot looks.

She was scowling at him, waiting for an answer.

Well, a hell of a lot of good their advice had done. Hot looks, indeed!

"Methinks I will go with you," he announced, again without thinking.

"You… will… not. Besides, what about the people who come to you for your services?"

"They can wait. Father Efirid is here… and Rashid."

"And my father?"

"He is getting better by the hour. Surprisingly better."

"You are not coming with me."

"I just want to protect you." Another hasty, blurted mistake, he realized immediately.

Now her scowling face was replaced with an angry face. "Dost question my competence, Saxon?"