Page 102 of Viking in Love

“You want me to hump you?” he inquired with mock innocence.

“Have you ever made love with a hunchback afore?” Sybil glanced up at Geoff as he wrapped an arm over her hump.

“Not lately.”

They were both laughing as they walked off.

“’Twould seem that Geoff and Sybil are a good match,” Breanne remarked.

He shrugged. “Both of my wives were biddable afore the weddings, too. You cannot trust women that way. They change afore a man’s very eyes. From angel to devil’s spawn in a heartbeat.”

“That is the kind of drivel Archbishop Dunstan would spout.” She smacked him on the arm. “You do not believe that. Besides, since when is a biddable woman an asset to be desired?”

“Oh, I do not know about that. I am thinking of something right now where I would bid and you would agree.”

“Can you think of naught else but bedplay?”

“Nothing so enjoyable.” He winked at her. “What is that thing on your nose?”

“Porridge and peas, smashed together.”

“It is sliding off.”

“Not to worry. I have spares.”

He leaned in closer, sniffing. “And that fruity scent?”

“Raspberries. I used the juice to make my spots.”

“I love raspberries.” He licked a line from chin to ear. “Yum!”

She sighed, swaying on that line betwixt stubborn and biddable.

I am so good! Really, I amaze myself betimes.

“Stop it! I will have to repaint myself now.” Her words were strong, but her voice was weak.

One more push and she will sway right over that line. “Let me lick you all over, and I will help you respot yourself. In fact, there are several special places I am inclined to paint on you. Using a feather.” How do I come up with this stuff? Must be one of Geoff’s talents wearing off on me.

Her tongue darted out and flicked across her suddenly dry lips. He had caught her interest. Even so, she resisted. “After the blistering lecture Archbishop Dunstan gave us over the kiss out in the bailey, I have decided to be good.”

Oh, please, do not! “There is no fun in that.”

“There is no fun in being labeled a strumpet, either.”

The cleric had warned them of temptation, fornication, impure thoughts and deeds. And laid most of the blame at her door.

“He ne’er used the word strumpet.”

“He implied it. And did you notice his mention of Eve’s wicked ways, but no mention of Adam’s wicked ways?”

“He did mention women being Satan’s whips.” Caedmon chuckled.

“’Tis not funny. You would have thought I was a harlot, all because of a mere kiss.”

“It did not feel ‘mere’ to me, sweetling.” In fact, hot and wild would be a better description.

“To me, neither,” she conceded.