Page 17 of Hungry Like a Wolf (Vikings Rock #3)

T he feasting went on until dusk painted the sky lilac and pink. The air cooled and an owl called from the shadows of the forest.

Carmel spotted a woman in the crowd of revelers, long, blonde hair loose and her eyes darting constantly Carmel’s way. After a while, she spoke to Joseph. “Who is that?”

“Who?”

“The pretty woman. She keeps staring at me.”

“That is Helga.” He paused. “Take no notice.”

“What do you mean?”

He cleared his throat.

“Joseph?”

“You won’t want to hear it,” said the thrall.

“But I command it.” She was sure she’d heard the name before.

“Of course, Your Grace.” He inclined his head. “She was your husband’s bed companion and a carer for little Thormod this past winter gone, after he lost Queen Siggy.”

“Oh, I see.” She looked at Helga anew. This was a woman who had bedded her husband. Knew what that entailed. Survived. “And she resents me being here?”

“No.” Joseph shook his head. “She told me she admires your bravery for completing such a journey and she envies your beauty.”

“She said that?”

“Those very words.” He smiled gently. “Do not fear. You have no rivals here. This is your home now.”

She looked at Ravn, suddenly curious to see if his attention should stray to Helga’s. It didn’t. He appeared oblivious of her as he spoke loudly to his companions at the table and called for more mead.

“Your Grace,” Erin said, leaning close, her shoulder brushing Carmel’s. “Shall I help you prepare for bed?”

Carmel gulped. Just the thought of bedtime—bedtime with Ravn—had her stomach clenching. “No, thank you. I can manage.”

“Are you sure?”

“Aye, this is something I must bear alone.”

Erin smiled. “I think you will find it takes two. And you won’t have to bear it. You’ll enjoy it, not least because your husband is a fine king.”

Carmel didn’t answer. Instead, she stood, brushed a few crumbs from her dress, and took a deep breath.

Several heads turned her way. The hum of conversation dulled. More people’s attention landed on her.

“How do I say thank you in your language?” she asked Ravn.

“ Takk skal du ha .”

She tilted her chin and pasted a smile on her face. “ Takk skal du ha .”

“To our new queen. Sk?l!” Joseph shouted, raising his horn of ale. “All hail Queen Carmel.”

“ Sk?l. Queen Carmel.” The crowd cheered.

Carmel ducked her head in acknowledgment and stepped away from the table.

Ravn caught her wrist, halting her. “I will come to you soon. Be ready for me.”

The sudden urge to run into the forest came over her.

“Be ready,” he said again.

The dark glint in his eyes and the deep timber in his voice screamed need and want and lust. He was a man who wouldn’t be denied what he’d been waiting for.

“I am your queen.” She pressed her lips together and pushed down the urge to seek out shadows and solitude. “I will be waiting for you.”

“Good.” He released her wrist and reached for his mead again. “And remember, this is the first night of many that I will take you.”

Which was exactly what she feared. Stepping away from the table, she held up the hem of her gown and trudged her way across the beach. Some of the villagers were roaming around, children were playing, but they all stopped and looked at her with intense curiosity.

She managed a smile, aware that the way Erin had piled her hair up looked something like a crown, and tried to maintain as regal an air as was possible when she felt like a virgin about to be sacrificed.

When she reached her new home, she pushed through the wooden door then shut it tight.

Leaning her back on it, she blew out a breath.

“Dear Lord, what path have you led me down? I hope you understand it, for I do not.” She walked up to Thor and frowned at his stony face.

“No doubt you are enjoying this, huh? Right up your ugly, pagan street.” She pouted at him and walked toward the embers that glowed beneath a pot of warm water.

After washing her hands and face and rinsing her mouth, she removed her boots and went into the bedroom area. Thormod had left one of his wooden toy horses on the furs and she moved it to one side. Likely, he’d be looking for it the next day.

She paused at the end of the bed then dropped to her knees, hands clasped beneath her chin.

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Thy love guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie upon. There are four corners to my bed, four angels ’round my head, one to watch, and one to pray, and two to bear my soul away.

” She pulled in a deep breath, knowing she would need the protection more than ever. “Amen.”

The door clicked open and then shut with a resounding bang . She stayed still, her knees pressing into the soft rug on the floor, and the noise echoing around her brain.

Ravn was here.

Here to take what now belonged to him.

Her.

Her heart squeezed and her breath caught in her throat. She could have sobbed, but she fought it back. In that moment, she’d rather have been going into battle without her spear than facing her new husband and his big, hungry cock.

“Lord, give me strength,” she murmured.

“What are you doing?” Ravn asked.

“I am praying.”

“For what?”

“For the Lord to protect my soul.”

“You have me to protect you now.”

She heard the soft clang of buckles, the swoosh of material, and then the bang of his boots as he removed his clothing.

She waited—waited for him to grab her, shove her legs apart, and take her. Ride her like a devil possessed until he filled her with his seed.

But he didn’t. The water splashed. Another log landed on the fire and there was the crackle of sparks.

Still, she waited. Her pulse thudded in her ears. Her pussy quivered and a shiver attacked her entire body, rattling up her spine.

“Carmel.”

She didn’t trust herself to speak.

“Carmel. Stand up.” His voice was firm, demanding obedience.

With shaking legs, she did as he’d asked and stood.

Focusing on one section of fur—a piece with several dark strands in it—she bent over.

Double. Then with a few tugs and flicks, she raised her gown up her legs and over her bare buttocks.

Presenting herself to him with her gown pooled in the hollow of her back.

Palms flat and fingers sinking into the thick pile.

She squeezed her eyes shut. The humiliation of baring her naked ass shred a dignity she’d always held dear.

“What are you doing?” he asked gruffly.

“I am ready for you, as you requested.” The cool air washed over her buttocks. She hadn’t realized how hot she was. She swallowed and waited for him to kick her ankles apart, shove his cock in deep and blast out his desire.

“Like that?” he asked.

“I may be a virgin, but I have been told this much.” Oh, why couldn’t he just get it over and done with?

“Carmel.” He was behind her. She could feel his body heat and hear his breathing.

This was it. She braced for impact.

“Carmel, I am not a horse or a dog, or a pig or an elk, for that matter.” He set his wide hands on her ass cheeks and squeezed her flesh almost to the point of pain.

She gasped and locked her knees. “Oh!”

“And much as I am tempted to fuck you like this, and I will at some point, this is not right for our wedding night.” He squeezed her ass some more, pushed her forward, then pulled her back onto his cock. But it didn’t penetrate. The heated shaft lay against the cleft of her ass.

“I… I don’t know what you mean.”

“You will.” He reached for her and pulled her to standing.

With her back to his naked chest and his cock lodged between them, he whispered, “I want to see your face when I am inside you. I need to see your face, to make sure I am getting it right for you.” He turned her and crooked his finger beneath her chin.

The hem of her gown fell around her ankles again. “Tonight is about you, not me.”

“But I…” The reflection of the flames gave his eyes an ethereal glow. A few strands of his hair were damp from where he’d just washed and hung to the left of his temple.

“Carmel, I want you, my cock is already hard for you, but there is more to those words.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I want you to learn the pleasure a man and woman can find together. That is what I really want.”

His hardness pressed against her. It was impossibly big and solid; she didn’t dare look at it. “I can’t imagine there will be any pleasure, just pain.”

He frowned as though her words had pained him. “Do you have so little faith in your god?”

“I have ample faith.”

“Then trust that he has made the joining of a man and woman pleasurable.” He paused and ran his finger down her neck, to the hollow of her throat. “Do you trust me?”

“I want to,” she said breathily.

“So do.”

“I’ll try.”

“When the sun rises, you will understand what I mean about pleasure.” He ran his fingers to the neckline of her dress. He traced it left to right, his touch a gentle caress. “But I can’t tell you. I have to show you.”

He lowered his head and kissed her. A gentle, unrushed kiss that created a strange longing inside her that wasn’t at all unpleasant. If she did trust him, would she get more of that feeling? Would it grow?

She rested her hands on his bare chest and then found herself running her palms up his warm flesh to circle his neck. Despite her fears of being close to him, it felt right.

“You taste of everything I’ve ever needed,” he murmured, kissing across her cheek. “I’m so thankful to have found you.”

“Oh…Ravn.”

She tipped her head back and he cradled the crown of her head and kissed down her neck. It was like having butterflies brushing against her. How could such a big man be so delicate?

“We need this off.” He found the lacing on the back of her gown and undid it.

Immediately, the material loosened and then he stooped and gripped the hem, staring into her eyes he pulled it upward.

She was acutely aware that within seconds, she would be as naked as he and there would be no going back.