H erleif tried to calm himself.

He was unsuccessful.

Seeing Alexia’s naked torso had him hard. Aching. Yearning.

He’d wanted to rip the covers from the bed in order to expose all of her glorious body. He’d wanted to drink in her beautiful sight before he claimed her, marked her, and made her his for all eternity.

Where the hell were these feelings coming from? He’d lusted after women simply for sex, but this intense, dare he say, emotion , was baffling. Disturbing.

Consuming.

“Herleif!”

The bark of his name pulled him out of his lust-induced haze to see her standing, fully clothed, two steps from him.

“Why are you in human form?” she asked again.

He smirked. “Is this not more appealing?” All other women he’d encountered preferred it.

She frowned. “No.”

That one word gave him pause. Dare he believe she’d rather see him as a troll?

He instantly shifted back to his true form, earning a happy yip from Nonia.

He didn’t know how he knew the wolf-dog’s name, he just did.

He’d learned Alexia’s name from the dream walker who visited him earlier, no doubt the same one who had come to her.

Herleif studied her face as her gaze raked over him, all expression masked. That is, until her emerald eyes met his, and in them he saw a flare of longing. But in the next instant, she blinked and turned away, hiding from him.

“Alexia,” he called, but received no response as she left the bedroom, Nonia at her heels. He followed her into the kitchen area where she’d turned on dim lighting.

“Would you care for anything? I’m having tea.”

“Being cordial now, are ya?” he teased as he leaned against the archway.

Alexia whirled and glared at him “Do not start with me, Herleif. You were disrespectful earlier, and now you come into my home uninvited as if you have every right to do so. I should put you out on your ass again, you big jerk.”

She’d marched right up into his personal space and poked him in the chest, not the least bit intimidated by him.

He wanted to laugh at how cute he found it, instead he took hold of her hand, wrapped an arm around her waist, and hauled her against him.

Her breath rushed out, and he felt its warmth on his chest. When she began to struggle, he groaned at the feel of her body wiggling against him. His cock ached and his grip tightened.

“Stop,” he barked.

She fought even more, trying to free herself. “Don’t yell at me!”

Nonia gave a low growl, but Herleif ignored her. “Then do as I say,” he ground out.

“Like hell I will. Let me go.”

He whispered in her ear, “And if I don’t want to?

” Her movements stilled, but he felt the shiver run through her body.

“I happen to like you right where you’re at.

In my arms. Against my body.” He dared to lick the shell of her ear and delighted in her soft moan.

His hand caressed her low back, and she pressed her body closer.

“W-what are you doing to me?” she whispered as her free hand clutched his shirt.

He leaned back to look at her face and saw no fear, only curiosity. “Seducing you. Trying hard not to ravage you like the beast I am.”

“You ... you want me?” Her face held genuine surprise, perplexing Herleif.

“Is that a joke?” When Alexia shook her head, he asked, “Has no one ever desired you? Stated their interest in you?”

“No. I...” She lowered her head. “I was never around men until I came to New York.”

Herleif gently touched her chin and raised her head so their eyes met. “How is that possible?”

“It just is. I remained close to my family, my parents, on our island.”

Nonia had settled, seemingly satisfied her mistress was fine.

Herleif stroked her cheek, loving the silky feel of her skin. “Were you never curious about men? About sex?”

Alexia’s cheeks blushed beautifully, and she tried to look away, but he held her chin and her gaze. “Alexia?”

“Of course, I was curious about s-sex. I guess I figured one day...”

“One day?” he prodded.

“That it’d happen,” she blurted out, blushing a deeper red. “Silly, I know.”

“Not silly,” he said kindly, meaning it. “But in order for it to happen, there must be a male involved.” He tried not to show his astonishment at realizing she was a virgin.

She narrowed her eyes. “I know that. I’m not clueless. It’s not as if I haven’t—” She suddenly clamped her mouth shut.

“Haven’t what? Been educated? Read about it?” He lowered his voice. “Experimented by yourself?”

Her eyes widened as her mouth formed that perfect O, and all Herleif could think about was filling that cavity with his cock.

“Herleif!” she snapped.

“By the gods, I love when you say my name. Whether in anger or in question.” He brought his face to her neck, inhaling her sweet scent of arousal that stirred his blood and caused his cock to become hard as granite.

“How I’d love to hear you scream my name in ecstasy.

” He licked her galloping pulse. “Would you like that, Alexia? Would you want your first time to be with me? A troll?”

She reared back, surprising him with the stern look on her face. “Why do you do that? Why must you be so self-loathing?” When he loosened his grip, she stepped back further, raking her gaze down his body then back up again. “Is there something wrong with you? Are you ashamed of who you are?”

He bristled. “Never.”

“Then stop making it sound as if being a troll is abhorrent. Because it’s not.”

Rather than think too hard about her words and how they warmed the depths of his soul, he reverted to his usual snarky arrogance. “Does that mean you’d welcome me in your bed?”

“Ugh!” She threw her hands up in exasperation and returned to the task of getting mugs and tea out of her cupboards.

Herleif held back a laugh as he watched her backside, enjoying the view of her curves and her long hair swaying with her movements. His mind took an erotic turn and quickly had to shut down those thoughts. Otherwise, he would have her on her hands and knees as he plowed into her from behind.

And that wouldn’t begin to slake his thirst for her. It certainly wouldn’t be what she deserved, which was to be cared for, treated with tenderness. To be loved.

Herleif didn’t know if he was capable of love. Lust, yes, most definitely. But love? That involved vulnerability. Trust.

“If you’re a coffee drinker, then too bad. Tea will have to do.”

Herleif’s thoughts returned to Alexia’s task. “Tea would be fine. Thank you.”

She turned to face him, her brow raised as if she couldn’t believe he’d been polite.

“What? I do have some manners.” He grinned.

She scoffed, but he caught her grin as she turned to prepare the tea.

Herleif moved closer and leaned against the counter, simply watching as she moved about, pulling food from the fridge while the water heated.

Within moments, the drinks were ready, and she’d arranged meat, cheese, and fruit on a plate she set on the counter between them.

Her gaze met his and she smiled softly. “I figured food was also in order, given it’s nearly dawn and time for breakfast. Are you hungry?”

“Famished,” he said, and he wasn’t talking about the need for food. But he reigned in his lust and thanked her for her efforts. “I rather like us being cordial to one another,” he said, using her words, earning a grin.

“Well, Herleif Aganarsson, let’s talk about our mission.” She popped a grape in her mouth then smiled wider. “Am I correct that you were also visited by Fate’s messenger and informed of what’s expected of us?”

He nodded. “To save souls from a soul collector.”

“I was told, together we’d know what to do. So, how do you propose we find this soul collector?”

Herleif frowned. “I have no idea. Why should I know what to do?”

“Because the dream walker said so.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I guess I should know what to do.” He gave Alexia a stony stare. “Anything else he said I should know about?”

“No.” She looked thoughtful for a moment then said, “It occurred to me we know little about one another, so let’s remedy that.”

Herleif cocked his head and felt his brows furrow. “And how is that supposed to help us?”

“Knowing lineage, background, abilities, it all matters, and it may give us a clue as to how we proceed with this mission.” She moved around the counter to stand by his side.

Only she grabbed the tray of food and started to walk to the living room.

“Nonia, say goodbye to Herleif and go rest. I’ll call you if I need you. ”

The wolf-dog quickly nuzzled against him before disappearing.

Alexia then called out, “Please grab the mugs and join me on the couch. Might as well get comfortable.”

Herleif chuckled and did as asked, carefully handling the mugs with his beefy hands and bringing them to the table in front of the couch.

After placing them down and not spilling a drop, he sat, watching Alexia as she picked up her tea.

She then curled her legs beneath her bottom and seemed to relax.

“Now, tell me all I need to know about Herleif.”