Wanted by the Viking

by Joanna Davis

  Most likely because he knew the child would keep her docile. If that's what he thought however, he was in for a surprise.

  And she'd tell him so too, as soon as someone removed the gag from her mouth.

  The moment she was free she intended to jump overboard with the child and swim for the nearest coast. She was strong. She could manage a few miles at sea. That's if her arms and legs weren't numb from the damn ties!

  She adjusted herself again as Grayson walked by humming. The foolish man had the audacity to wink at her, as if this were all in good fun! He'd abducted her, breaking their bargain. She would not trust him to keep his word again.

  Kendra knew now that the gigantic warrior planned on keeping her indefinitely. She could admit to herself that the thought wasn't entirely unpleasant- if he'd asked instead of just taking! She'd come to enjoy his touch, and even appreciate his company. But to be his woman forever was a different matter altogether! She was still a healer and did not want to lose that part of herself.

  Several hours passed without incident, the boredom lulling her to doze off even in the uncomfortable position she was in. Once or twice, a stoic Viking brought her something to drink, even dribbling milk for the babe. At last the men seemed to spring into action, hoisting this and pulling at that. The ship was a flurry of motion. Kendra made herself ready to flee. If they were close to shore then there was a good chance she could escape.

  Just then Grayson's thick calves came into view. She wrenched her neck to stare up at him with unconcealed malice. But the stupid man just smiled at her with something akin to glee.

  "Mhhffffffrahhh!"

  He patted her head reassuringly.

  "Don't be frightened, woman. We are here!"

  She followed the direction he was pointing in and her eyes grew wide with awe. It was a bustling port, a true Viking stronghold. They had crossed the ocean, instead of sailing up the coast as she had hoped.

  Now she was well and truly stuck.

  **********

  Grayson hoisted his woman onto his lap, settling her bound body against him before accepting the baby that Ulric handed up. He smiled at the infant and nestled her into Kendra's lap. He put one arm on the child and grabbed the bridle. Behind him, the donkey was laden down with his portion of the spoils the warriors had taken.

  It had been a good season.

  He squeezed the tempting flesh of the silent woman in his arms.

  A very, very good season.

  "Are you thirsty woman?"

  She said nothing. That's when he remembered the gag in her mouth. Gently, he pulled it free.

  "Here, have a sip of wine. 'Tis good Flemish wine."

  "Stolen most likely."

  She sounded surly but she opened her mouth and drank deeply all the same. He chuckled.

  "Twas fairly won. We are the stronger, and the stronger wins the spoils."

  She said nothing but made a disdainful harumphing sound. He chuckled some more, grabbing a round breast and squeezing. She squealed indignantly and wiggled, bringing her bottom in direct contact with his loins.

  By Odin, his woman pleased him!

  Grayson had never had anything of such value before. He had a newly finished hut, some wealth, and a remarkably fine woman to keep his furs warm.

  He could hardly believe his good fortune as he rode out of town with a wide grin across his face. The countryside rolled by as he contemplated taking his woman in his own bed and all the ways he would pleasure her. Aye, he wanted his mate to be happy as well.

  And she would be happy. Even if he had to make her so.

  "There on the hill! Do you see?"

  "What is it, you brute?"

  "Your new home!"

  He dug his heels into the nag and hastened up the hill.

  Sooner than he knew it, he'd be taking his woman in his own bed.

  He could hardly wait.

  Ten

  Kendra stared around her in wonder. It was an impressive structure, she had to admit. Grayson kept called it a 'hut' but it was more of a scaled down long house to be truthful.

  He even had some wooden beams, though there were few trees along the rocky shoreline. She wondered how he'd accomplished that.

  He was watching her she realized so she attempted a scowl.

  "'Tis impressive Grayson but you must return me to my homeland."

  He just grinned at her, watching her as if she were some sort of exotic beast. In a way, she was. She lay the sleeping infant on the table and sighed.

  "She needs to be bathed and changed."

  Kendra wrinkled her nose.

  "So do I."

  "Me as well."

  She watched as he started a fire in the enormous stone hearth. He was trying to impress her she knew. She sighed again, knowing that for the time being she was stuck here. He'd even untied her at last, secure that she had nowhere to run.

  Abruptly she decided that she better make the best of it. It would be interesting to stay in one place over the long winter. She knew that she'd be safe here. And the large viking would keep her warm and occupied.

  Perhaps overly occupied. She shivered, knowing that more of his vigorous mating was imminent. Part of her was looking forward to it, truth be known.

  Aye, they would stay here for the winter.

  It was for the babe's sake of course. Or so she reasoned with herself.

  "Do you have a basket?"

  He frowned, carrying in a fresh bucket of water. He must have a well. That was good.

  "No. But I can get you some reeds tomorrow."

  She nodded, feeling very domesticated suddenly. The thought of weaving baskets for a babe while sitting in front of a roaring fire did hold some appeal. Even the sight of the hulking man who had dragged her across the ocean filled her with a quiet warmth.

  Perhaps he had caught her after all.

  **********

  Grayson found it hard to focus on washing himself. He was too busy staring at Kendra as she stripped down to a thin shift and began running a wet cloth over her skin. She tilted a small bottle from her back, allowing a few droplets to fall onto the cloth before applying it again.

  "What is that? It smells familiar..."

  She glanced over her shoulder at him, her nipples poking holes through the sheer cloth. His breath caught in his throat at the sight.

  "Oil of lavender. It has a cleansing and calming effect of the senses."

  "Aye, it does."

  He barely recognized the sound of his own voice, 'twas so husky.

  "Come here woman."

  She looked startled, the cloth forgotten in her hand.

  "But I'm not finished."

  "You are clean enough for my purposes."

  He reached out, too impatient for the daft woman to make up her mind. He'd show her that he was in the right of things. A proper, drawn out mating was just the thing to settle her into her new home and way of life as his woman.

  She dropped the cloth, making a wet splat sound on the floor, but neither of them seemed to notice. His focus was on her skin, damp and dewy where it shone in the firelight. He reached down and pulled her chemise over her head. She stood bare and beautiful before him.

  Her mouth was parted slightly as she watched him lower his head to her pert nipples, gasping as he pulled one deep into his mouth. He held her hips to keep her still as he flicked the sharp point of his tongue against her sweet teat again and again.

  He growled and bent at the knees, burrowing his face between her legs. He could not get enough of her sweet nectar, even after he hoisted one of her legs over his shoulder.

  "Come."

  "The bairn-"

  "Bring her!"

  He dragged Kendra by the hand to the sleeping chamber and watched impatiently as she tucked the child into the corner of the room on a folded blanket. Then he scooped Kendra up and tossed her onto the pallet.

  "I will have my way with you now woman. And you will do naught to gainsay me!"

  She stared up at him, a
ll naked and tousled beauty on the thick furs. He pulled her legs apart and stared hungrily at the delicious spot between her legs. Then he dove forward, lapping at her petals with all he was worth.

  Grayson thrust his tongue inside her tight wet warmth, groaning at the feel of her. She was writhing above him as he stroked his tongue in and out of her. He reached up for her most sensitive spot and lightly circled his thumb against it. Kendra shot off the bed, her body arching in his hands.

  He grinned and kept going as she shuddered around him. Finally he stopped and lifted himself up to stare down at her.

  Her eyes were closed and a dreamy smile was on her face.

  That's when he realized what had happened.

  His woman was sound asleep.

  Eleven

  Kendra rolled over onto her back, the light from the open window waking her from a deep sleep. She gazed around the room dreamily. Slowly it registered on her that this was a new place. Not that that was anything new. She woke up in unfamiliar surroundings more often than not.

  She sat up sharply, reality crashing down on her.

  This was his place.

  Grayson Hendrick's.

  A baby cried nearby.

  A baby…. oh no, the baby!

  How could she have left the child unattended so long!

  She ran into the other room unclothed and stopped short. Grayson was sitting by the fire with the babe on his lap. He was bouncing his knee softly while he dribbled goat milk into Rowena's puckered lips.

  The man was cooing.

  Relief at seeing that all was well nearly made her giggle. Instead she sunk slowly to the floor, suddenly unable to support her legs. Grayson looked up and saw her, a smile crinkling his eyes.

  "What are you doing on the floor woman? You merit a chair, at the very least."

  She giggled then, loud and slightly hysterical.

  "You find me funny? I bet you do, after you left me all alone and unsatisfied last night."

  He looked so disgruntled that she laughed full out. The fierce warrior was scowling at her but there was a warmth in his eyes that made her insides feel like melted honey. She stopped laughing abruptly.

  He'd gotten under her skin. Sweet Jesu, but he had.

  Kendra hadn't stood a chance against the bossy oaf. She shook her head at her own foolishness. Aye, he was bossy and braw. But also kind and gentle. The way he cradled the bairn brought out an overwhelming emotion inside her.

  She wasn't ready to examine what the emotion was just yet.

  That was alright. It's not like she had anyplace else to go.

  Outside a light snow began to fall.

  **********

  Grayson swung the axe, splitting another log. Wood was a rare commodity out here but he'd managed to stockpile some over the past year. Plenty enough to keep his young family safe and warm for the coming winter months.

  Family.

  It wasn't exactly how he'd imagined it, but it was his all the same.

  He frowned. Warriors did not dream of home and hearth. They dreamed of riches and streets running with the blood of their enemies! Yet he had had an image in the back of his mind ever since the moment he saw Kendra shielding that child like a Valkerie so long ago.

  She had guts, his woman. And pride.

  He hummed to himself as he worked, thinking of the way she'd ridden him astride just that morning. By Odin the woman had strength in her thighs! A good thing too, or she would have fallen off when he started bucking as his seed erupted.

  She'd be breeding before the spring at this rate.

  Mayhap she already was.

  A huge smile was on his face as he carried a bundle of wood to the side of the house, adding to the growing stack. He scooped up a prime piece to throw on the fire and stepped inside.

  Kendra was tending the child, feeding her milk from the goat he had procured. He shook his head. Who would have thought that he would get a child and a woman in one fell swoop? But he had. And he was glad of it.

  Grayson cleared his throat loudly and assumed a gruff demeanor. It was no good having the woman think she ruled over him. Best to make sure she knew her place was to serve and obey her lord and master.

  "When you are done tending to the whelp I am going to take you to town."

  Her mouth opened in surprise. He might have sounded too gruff perhaps. He tempered the command with a small smile.

  "I thought you might like to pick out some cloth. For you and the child."

  Her smile and nod was all the answer he needed.

  Grayson walked outside to split more wood.

  He was a lucky man indeed.

  Twelve

  Kendra sat in front of Grayson with the bairn cuddled tight against her chest. She stared at the stark countryside that was now her home.

  Home.

  She'd dreamt of such a place many times but it had never looked like this. No, she'd always dreamt of a little house deep in the woods like the one she'd grown up in. This was a far cry from the woods. The stark beauty of the landscape was broken only by the lush blue of the sea. The air was cold but the man behind her kept her snug and warm.

  And safe.

  Funny that the man who had chased her for so long would engender that sort of emotion in her. But there it was. He made her feel safe and sound. And now that it was even more important with the sweet babe in her arms.

  And the one she suspected was on the way.

  Two children.

  One of her body, the other a parting gift from her days as a traveling healer.

  She'd love them each the same, she knew.

  A baby…

  She had to laugh when she thought of how much she's changed from an independent woman to one who was content to stay at home by the fire.

  And she was content. Strangely so.

  Exceptionally so.

  She snuggled back against his wide chest. He was so hard and firm. The man's muscles had muscles! True, he was bossy, but a leader had to be so. She didn't mind it at all anymore. It was one of the things that made Grayson who he was. He squeezed her affectionately as they rode up to a cluster of buildings. This must be his town. It wasn't very large but it was well kept and bustling with large fair headed women and men.

  Kendra stared around her in awe. She was tiny compared to most of them! That must explain the curious stares coming from every direction.

  Or perhaps it was because Grayson had never showed any inclination of taking a woman before now. That's what Ulric had told her on the ship. The thought filled her with a strange pride.

  They stopped and Grayson climbed off the back of his horse. He tied the bridle to a post outside a well made structure of daub and thatch. A round faced woman stepped outside to watch as he lowered Kendra to the ground.

  He turned to the jolly looking woman and smiled in greeting.

  "Greetings Amma! This is my woman Kendra. We are looking for some good, fine clothing for her and the bairn!"

  Amma bobbed her head agreeably and gestured to the open door.

  "You are most welcome as always Grayson Hendrick. Your woman as well!"

  Kendra heaved an inner sigh of relief. She'd been concerned that she would be unwanted here. Of course Grayson and his warriors had been more than friendly, but it was the women who would make her new life here bearable- or not.

  She was smiling as she entered the building and stared in awe at the stacks of fine fabrics on display. She'd never seen half of the colors or textures anywhere. But how?

  She saw that Amma was watching her face with a secret smile.

  "My husband goes a'raiding too."

  Kendra almost laughed. Of course he did. But so did her man after all. The were Vikings.

  Her man.

  She stole a glance at Grayson who was watching her with an openly loving look. The raw desire in his eyes nearly took her breath away. He looked like a man at worship.

  Kendra often caught him looking at her in this way- a way that sent shivers through her enti
re body and filled her heart to overflowing. He must love her after all, more than just wanting to poke her with his mighty rod.

  Love.

  That was funny. The fiercest warrior she'd ever met. And he loved her.

  She knew that there was a very good chance that she felt the same, but she decided to keep it to herself for the time being.

  Better to keep the man on his toes!

  *********

  Grayson fingered a fine red felt.

  "'Tis warm. And very… um… becoming!"

  The women chuckled and nodded approvingly at his choice. He put his finger to his chin and moved on, considering his next selection. A bright blue caught his eye. It matched his woman's eyes perfectly. And there was a lavender that would look fine against her skin.

  "This, and this as well."

  He turned to see her watching him and smiled sheepishly.

  "If you like them that is."

  She nodded at him. She did like them. He stood up straight.

  "I know what would look good on my woman Amma!"

  "That you do Grayson. Can you hold the bairn while I take her measurements then?"

  He nodded and watched as Kendra stripped down to her chemise. His fingers itched to touch her as Amma used a piece of string to measure around Kendra's supple waist and high firm breasts. Amma made a knot to record each measurement. He stared at the outline of Kendra's body… feeling a heaviness grow in his groin.

  He cleared his throat loudly.

  "We should be getting back now, woman."

  Both women gave him a startled glance. Perhaps he had sounded too eager. That wouldn't do.

  Kendra was just slipping her gown back over her head when the door burst open and several of his warriors burst in.

  "Grayson you old dog! Where have you been hiding?"

  "Are you keeping him busy healer? He looks like he's getting soft!"