Page 113 of A Tale of Two Vikings

His chest constricted and he realized that he hadn’t thought of his dead brother in days…or leastways he hadn’t been dwelling on his absence the way he had since the battle. Esme was responsible for that.

Bored with the birthmark, she curled up against him once again, like a pet cat. In fact, she might have even purred. “Toste, you said that you have been celibate for a year. Why is that? I mean, I cannot imagine a man of your appetites depriving yourself of such…uh, pleasures.”

Toste felt great satisfaction in her mentioning the pleasures he’d gotten from their bedsport, because her words also revealed that she’d gained those same pleasures. “My appetites?” He hooted with laughter. “Well, actually, I was not celibate by choice. Vagn talked me into joining up with the Jomsvikings, and they are celibate whilst living on their island fortress.”

She nodded. “Poor fellow. Must be you need a woman’s touch to satisfy hungers.”

“Yea, I do,” he said with mock seriousness. “In fact, Esme, there is something special I would do for you, in return for your…uh, ministrations this day to my…uh, hungers.” By thunder, what a great idea I have just thought of. Will she go for it?

She narrowed her eyes at him, not at all fooled by his sad demeanor. “Something you would do for me?”

“Yea, it is a particular sexual position that women adore and men…well, we abide it, though it is not our favorite.” Vagn would get such delight out of this ploy of mine. Will Esme?

“Really?” She was still skeptical, but interested.

That’s it, Esme, girl. Let your curiosity take over.

“And this thing you would do for me—would it count toward my decreasing days…you know, since you initiated it, not me?”

Esme, you are way too smart for a woman. “I suppose I could bend the rules a bit. I am a kindhearted fellow.”

She slanted her eyes at him and said, “I don’t know. Explain this particular sexual position that women adore.”

“Have you ever seen dogs engaged in coupling?”

“Yea,” she said and curled her upper lip with distaste.

All right, so mentioning dogs was not the best mind-picture to give her. But, bulls and cows or stallions and mares probably wouldn’t have gone over any better. “Well, this position is called dog-swiving.”

“It sounds awful.”

Time for a little damage control. I do not want to scare her off. “Well, like I said, it is not a man’s favorite, but they do it betimes to please their women.” I am so good, I amaze myself.

“Well,” she said. “Is it as good as that other trick you taught me? The Viking S-spot?”

“Nothing is as good as that, dearling. But close.” He sensed that she was softening. Time to go in for the kill, but first he must sweeten the pot. “Methinks I could even take two days off your tally if you agree to this. Trust me, Esme, you will not be sorry.” Said the wolf to the lamb.

“All right,” she said.

With those words, Toste whipped the fur pelt off the bed and began to spread it out afore the fire. Esme sat up and watched him carefully. She was not fooled by the rogue, not one whit. The Viking was up to no good, but two days off her tally? She couldn’t resist that.

Any more than she could resist him. The things he had taught her about her body and sex play were amazing. She would have to go to confession first chance she got, of course, and would be doing penance for years, but it might very well be worth it. On the other hand, she might be dead.

But now, the rogue stood unabashedly naked and aroused, beckoning her toward him with the fingers of both hands. She stood and walked toward him, not so unabashed about her nakedness but getting better at it.

“Down on all fours,” Toste instructed, pointing to the fur pelt.

“Like a dog?” she inquired, arching an eyebrow at him.

“Like a very pretty dog,” he said, smiling in such a winsome way that she probably would have stood on her head if he’d asked.

He came up over her from behind, placing one hand over her breast which hung embarrassingly loose and his other hand over her woman-fleece. “See, isn’t this nice?”

“It seems crude.” She felt way too open to his wicked fingers this way. In addition, she had no control in this position with her hands and legs out of commission.

“Sometimes crude is good,” he said. Already he was proving his point by nipping at her shoulder with his teeth. He’d pulled her hair back above her ear to give him greater access. At the same time, he was alternately twirling the nipples of both breasts between his thumb and forefingers. “Do you like it yet?”

“I’m not sure.” But she rubbed her rump back and forth against his manpart and heard him groan against her ear. “Now I’m liking it.”