by Jane Godman
The more she thought about it, the higher her outrage levels climbed. He’d felt it, too, that fizzing yearning in his bloodstream that told him she was his mate, but it seemed he was afraid she was going to use it against him. Does he think I’m going to try and trap him into something permanent?
Amber cast a resentful glance at the figure in the chair. Vigo looked incredibly uncomfortable. His muscular body was slouched, his long legs stretched in front of him. She may be inexperienced, but she knew how these things worked. There was nothing to stop them having sex as humans. They would only make a lifelong commitment if they mated as wolves. Vigo didn’t have to be scared that she’d demand more from him. He’d made it clear he wasn’t ready for that, but nor was Amber. He certainly didn’t need to get all overprotective about her. Clearly, he thought he needed to take charge of the situation and keep her at arm’s length in case things got out of control.
A little smile touched her lips as she snuggled deeper into the bedclothes that were for comfort rather than warmth. He was making a big assumption if he thought Amber wanted to tie him down. Maybe hot, out of control, and no strings was what she needed right now.
We’ll just see how that keeping me at a distance works out for you, shall we, my big Arctic alpha?
* * *
Vigo had slept in some awkward positions during his life, but the night he had just spent in that chair had to be one of the worst. At first, he hadn’t slept at all, only dozing when Amber finally succumbed to slumber. Now, as he glanced at his watch, he resisted the temptation to groan. It was still early, but he knew he wasn’t going back to sleep.
Easing his cramped frame out of the chair, he moved toward the door intending to head for the communal room and coffee. Amber’s voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Where are you going?”
He turned with his hand on the door handle. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”
“I wasn’t asleep.” She threw back the bedclothes and slid from the bed, closing the distance between them. Clad only in a tank top and underwear, she was eye-wateringly tempting. Vigo’s weariness disappeared instantly as she stepped up close, tilting her head back to look at him. “Too much thinking to do.”
“That’s hardly surprising.” Right now, all he could think about was how good his hands would feel on her breasts. “You’ve had a huge amount thrown at you in a short space of time.”
She shook her head, the pale mass of her hair spilling about her shoulders. “All I could think about was you, and what a waste it was that we weren’t sharing that bed.” He couldn’t help the sound that left his lips. Somewhere between a sigh and a groan. “Don’t you want to have sex with me, Vigo?”
He drew in a ragged breath. “You know I do.”
The raw need in her eyes intensified until it was a hunger consuming them both. Even in the darkest days of his addiction, it had never been like this. Primal, fiery, and out of control. But this was more. Different. This wasn’t about chasing a high. This was about her. Needing this woman and no other. For all time. The thought terrified and thrilled him in unison.
“I get that you don’t want to make any kind of commitment.” Her words echoed his darkest fears.
He owed her some kind of explanation. “Amber, I . . .”
She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Maybe I don’t want that either.” She didn’t? That meant he was off the hook. Why should that idea bother him so much? “But I sure as hell don’t want to let this feeling go to waste, do you?” Fascinated, he shook his head. “So why don’t we just see where it takes us, no strings attached?”
“No strings attached?” Vigo managed to grind out the words as she withdrew her fingers.
“We can do that as humans, right? It’s only if we have sex as wolves that things get complicated. Tell me I’m not so inexperienced that I’ve got that all wrong.”
“You haven’t got it wrong, but”—this all sounded too good to be true—“are you sure?”
In response, Amber moved her hands down to the button on his jeans. Her fingers fumbled slightly and her face flushed pink. Vigo came to her rescue, covering her hands with his. He guided her fingers as she undid the button then slid down the zipper. As she pushed his jeans and boxer briefs over his hips, her gaze dropped, her expression becoming mesmerized. Her eyes widened and she drew in a sharp, little breath as she stared at his straining erection. Her reaction made Vigo feel like a god.
“Can I touch you?”
He gave a shaky laugh. “Right about now, that would make all my dreams come true.”
She reached out and, still with that enraptured look on her face, smoothed her thumb over his swollen tip. Vigo’s whole body jerked as he hissed in a breath.
“Did I hurt you?” Amber raised anxious eyes to his face as she withdrew her touch.
He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak. Taking hold of her hand, he wrapped her fingers around the wide base of his shaft as far as they would go. When she squeezed, he groaned and leaned his head back against the door.
“I want to feel you inside me, Vigo.” The words came out fast as her chest rose in time with her panted breath. “I want it so bad it hurts.”
Every emotion Vigo was feeling doubled up as the dam broke free inside him. His heart rate pumped up a notch, the air in his lungs coming harsh and fast. Grabbing the hem of her tank top, he dragged it over her head and threw it aside. Her underwear didn’t get such careful treatment and the flimsy material tore beneath his fingers like paper. He lifted her, staggering to the chair, not willing to take the few extra strides to the bed.
Her scent enveloped him, heady as a drug. She smelled of the tundra. Of crisp, frosty air, lichen, and berries. Her scent was pure Arctic female, designed to entice and ensnare him. All he could hear was their combined breathing, the thud of their mingled heartbeats. Amber’s slender thighs parted to straddle his muscular ones. Vigo gripped her waist, holding her in place above him, locking his gaze on hers.
“You’re sure this is what you want?”
She bit her lip. “You’ll never know how much.”
“Oh, I know. Believe me. I feel it, too.”
She leaned forward, the tight peaks of her nipples pressing into his chest hair. The ridge of his cock rubbed her soft folds. Vigo groaned. He wanted to take this slow and steady, but there was only so much exquisite torture he could stand. From the way she was trembling violently, Amber was feeling the same way.
He moved his hand down, finding the point where their bodies connected. “From the minute I saw you across the airfield, this is all I’ve dreamed off. Pressing up against you like this has been my idea of heaven.”
He drew her in closer and kissed her. Amber’s lips opened instantly, allowing his tongue access. He probed her mouth, caressing and licking and she moaned softly. He growled when she sucked his tongue, taking him deeper. The whole time they were kissing, he held her pressed tight to him, the underside of his cock spreading her, lightly grazing her clit. Slowly, Amber began to circle her hips, grinding against him, signaling she was ready, demanding more.
He kissed her jaw, her throat, moving lower to nuzzle the soft mounds of her breasts. “Amber . . .” Shaking and desperate, his own voice shocked him as it rasped out pure, molten need. “I can’t wait any longer.”
There was no need to discuss protection. Amber was a werewolf. Her cycle was that of a wolf. She would only be fertile during the mating season. This was her first time, so she was clean. Vigo knew he could say the same. His past might have led him into some sordid situations, but he had never been stupid enough to have unprotected sex. And his job meant he needed regular testing.
Reaching between them, he grasped his iron-hard length. Lifting Amber, he positioned his head at her opening.
“You take charge.” He lowered her slowly. “Stop at any time if it gets too much for you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, biting her lip as he entered her. She was so tight and hot it was all he c
ould do to stop himself bucking his hips upward and slamming all the way into her.
Her muscles stretched around him as he eased her down onto him, letting her adjust to his size. Amber gasped, dropping her head onto his shoulder, and Vigo paused.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No . . . it’s incredible.” She lifted her head and the blaze of passion in her eyes reassured him. “Like pain and pleasure rolled into one. The sweetest burn . . .” Slowly, she circled her hips, signaling for him to continue. “You won’t break me, Vigo. I want you to go faster and harder.”
The whispered words almost drove him wild. Gripping Amber’s hips, he thrust up, bringing her down at the same time, filling her all the way to the hilt. The edge of his control was a distant memory. Amber cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders, but he knew from the expression of rapture on her features that it was a sign she wanted more.
His hands cupped her ass, a growl exploding from him as he lifted her almost all the way off him, bringing her back down until he was fully seated within her again. He repeated the action over and over until they were both trembling and breathless. Vigo had never known intensity like this. Slick with sweat, wild with wanting, his whole being was focused on the point where his body met Amber’s. Slamming together, grinding, rocking. His climax was close and he could feel her body tensing in time with his. Her eyes were beginning to glaze as he pressed a finger to her swollen clit.
As soon as he touched the tiny, throbbing bundle of nerves, he felt her muscles tighten around him. Amber gave a soft whimper, her eyelids fluttering closed.
“Look at me.” His voice was gritty, his own fierce need spilling over into the words. “I want to look into your eyes the first time you come around my cock.”
Instantly, he felt her come apart. Her gaze remained fixed on him as she shuddered through her orgasm. Vigo continued slamming her down and at the same time thrusting up into her. He began to shake and groan, his cock pulsing as his hot release shot deep inside her, setting off wave after wave of exquisite aftershocks.
When they were done, Amber curled into his arms. His hands roamed over her body. His intention was to soothe her, but oddly the point where his rougher flesh connected with her smooth skin sent a comforting sensation tingling through his own nerve endings.
Vigo couldn’t begin to name the individual feelings coursing through him. There were too many and they were too complex and acute. But, as he inhaled the scent of Amber’s hair and pressed his lips to her temple, there was one emotion that kicked in, stronger and harder than any other. When he analyzed it, he began to understand it. It was fear. He also recognized its source. Amber had said she was happy for them to give in to the attraction between them. That they could have sex as humans without any commitment.
That was all very well. But the connection between them had gone way beyond the physical. It seemed that stories about mates were all too true. No strings sex was all very well. But what happened when “no strings” meant perfection?
Nothing would ever match what had just happened with Amber. That was bad enough—or maybe good enough, depending on how he looked at it—but Vigo had discovered he was in even bigger trouble. The problem was, he didn’t want to match it. He had known, from the first kiss, the first touch, that he would never want anyone else.
“Is it always that amazing?” Amber appeared dazed as she lifted her head.
How the hell was he supposed to answer that? Tell the truth and he was lost. But how could he lie about something so earth-shattering? He drew a breath, sometimes only the truth would do.
Amber laughed. “Sorry. That wasn’t fair. You have to be a gentleman and tell me it was more amazing with me than with anyone else, don’t you?” The look in her shining gold eyes stole his breath all over again. “I’ll ask you an easier question”—she smoothed a hand over the hard muscles of his abdomen—“how soon can we do it again?”
Chapter Seven
The mystical palace of Jotunheim was located on Kvitøya, better known as the White Island. Situated on the remotest edge of the Svalbard archipelago, the White Island was a bleak wilderness. Viewed from the air, it was almost completely covered by an ice cap with only a few rocks protruding from its southwest corner.
On his first visit, Vigo had found it impossible to believe that Jotunheim could be located here. How could the enchanted forest and ancient palace of Norse mythology possibly be found anywhere within this desolate wilderness? The answer was simple and magical. Jotunheim was only visible to werewolves.
The brotherhood had left the compound early before making the journey to the White Island by helicopter. There had been some doubt about the weather conditions, but Madden, who was an experienced pilot, had no concerns about the forecast. Once he had found a safe place to land, they set off over the rocks, heading in the direction of the ice cap. Vigo remembered this walk. With no high ground to protect them from the wind, the visibility was poor and freezing fog rolled off the surrounding ice floes. It was a depressing landscape, one he would never choose to visit if he didn’t know it harbored a unique secret.
The White Island lacked the dramatic mountain ranges of Longyearbyen, but they soon began to climb a steep incline. Gunnar, who was in the lead, halted when the ascent was complete and waited until the others joined him. This was the moment Vigo enjoyed most. Instantly, the fog rolled away and bright sunlight illuminated the scene ahead of them. Before them lay a clear, still lake surrounded by snow-peaked mountains, the lower slopes of which were lush with white-veiled pine forests. The stinging wind disappeared and the low slung clouds were replaced by azure skies.
He turned to watch Amber’s face, wanting to enjoy the wonder of her expression as she viewed what should have been impossible. Soaring pine trees should not be able to grow here. The blue flowers called Jacob’s ladders usually flourished much further south and shouldn’t be peeking through the snow. A gull swooped down and disappeared into the trees. Vigo watched as Amber’s eyes tracked the arc of its flight in fascination. Except for the occasional polar bear passing by, no creatures lived on the White Island.
“What’s going on?” She turned her head to look at him.
“Welcome to Jotunheim. This is all part of the magic.” He didn’t add that there was another side to the beauty. Amber knew the stories about Fenrir. She would know this place harbored dark secrets.
They began their descent into the valley. The temperatures increased until it felt like a mild Arctic summer. The slope here was gradual, making the downward climb easy. When they reached level ground, they paused on the stony shore of the lake. Its waters were so clear they appeared turquoise in the bright sunlight.
Through the trees the rocky face of the mountain was visible. Set into the rock were two huge wooden doors. These imposing structures were carved with symbols and studded with iron work. At the side of each door there was a statue of a giant wolf. The doors led inside the ice-encrusted mountain and into the palace of Jotunheim.
“It never fades, does it?”
Jenny came to stand beside Vigo as they gazed up at the entrance to the place that was the center of werewolf legend. It was almost five years since they had been the rookies on the team. So much had happened since the first time they stood before these doors, but he knew exactly what she meant. The feelings were the same now as they had been back then. He glanced around at the faces of his companions. Four hundred years ago, Wilder, Samson, Lowell, Madden, and Sebastian had been captured and brought here by Santin the Siberian, Angrboda’s youngest son. They had been tortured and humiliated before a bloody confrontation secured their release. Even though their memories of this place were clouded by that experience, Vigo saw the same awed expression on their faces as they looked up at the giant doors. Cindy clung to Sebastian’s hand, her eyes huge and her whole appearance apprehensive. Amber looked ready for a fight.
The sense of wonder never goes away.
Vigo wasn’t sure whose voice he heard in his head
. It didn’t matter. Whoever it was spoke for all of them. They were werewolves, creatures of mystery and legend. They followed their goddess and honored the traditions of their past. Good or bad, Jotunheim was in their blood.
Ah, fuck. Now we have to ask those wolves to let us in.
There was no doubt about that voice. It was Samson’s. It was said that the stone wolves guarding the door were a direct conduit to the goddess Angrboda herself. Through them, she alone would choose whom to admit into her palace. If she decided not to allow a visitor entrance, the legend was that he or she would meet a swift and horrible end.
As if to reinforce the legend, a rumbling growl issued from deep within the throat of one of the stone statues and Cindy gave a little cry of alarm.
“The goddess is with us, remember?” Sebastian said, placing an arm around her shoulders.
“Are you quite sure those wolves know that?” Cindy cast a fearful glance up at the huge statues.
“Permit my guests to enter.” Angrboda’s deep, authoritative voice rang out.
Nothing happened for a long, silent minute. Then, very slowly, the doors slid inward, opening like a vast gaping mouth in the side of the mountain.
They stepped into a gloomy passageway, lit at intervals by flaming torches fixed in sconces to the stone walls above their heads. With an echoing groan, the doors closed behind them. The corridor took them down, as though they were entering the bowels of the earth. Vigo saw Cindy cast a longing look behind her and remembered doing something similar the first time he had come here. He reached for Amber’s hand and found it icy and unresponsive. When he glanced at her face, her features could have been carved from the same rock as the walls. She was so hard to read, it was difficult to know what she was feeling. Most people taking this walk for the first time were fearful and apprehensive, so he guessed she felt the same. He also guessed she would die before she let anyone know it.
