‘You bet. And I haven’t changed,’ Jazz assured him.
Taking hold of both his hands, she stood in front of him. ‘Submit,’ she suggested in a whisper. ‘You know you’re stuck with me for life.’
A few tense moments passed and then with a laugh of triumph he kissed his love, his passion, his life, his soulmate Jazz, and one kiss led to another as the flame between them raged white-hot. There might have been people around, but neither of them noticed. Passion as fierce as theirs could accept no restrictions. They remained locked in their own world until the headman passed on his way home and made some remark. ‘What did he say?’ he asked Jazz.
‘He said a passion as fierce as ours is a blessing for the village,’ Jazz explained, smiling, her lush mouth still swollen from his kisses. ‘That blessing comes in the form of many children, all in the service of Kareshi.’
‘We’d better get on it, then.’
Jazz faked a punch. He dodged out of the way, then, grabbing hold of Jazz’s wrist, he strode back at speed towards the pavilion. He paused at the entrance. ‘You were scared for me?’ He wanted to hear her say it again.
She smiled into his eyes. ‘You have no idea, do you, Tyr?’
‘No idea about what?’ He frowned down at her.
‘About how much I love you, you inflexible, infuriating man. You have to accept people care about you, and I’m one of those people. So if you face a pack of wild dogs on your own, or any other danger you care to name, you’d better get used to the idea that I’m going to be right there by your side.
‘What are you doing?’ she demanded as he swung her into his arms.
‘Shutting you up the only way I know how.’
‘You can try,’ she fired back at him as he carried her into the pavilion.
‘That would be my absolute pleasure, Princess.’
Mine too, Jazz thought as Tyr started kissing her. Tyr was exactly what she needed—a challenge—a man she could pit herself against in every way. A man she could love, she amended as Tyr held her close and kissed her deep. Every inch of his hard, toned body was pressing into hers, and her desire for him had never been stronger.
‘Now, let’s get one thing straight.’ Dipping his head, Tyr hit her with his uncompromising stare. ‘You won’t put yourself in danger again, because if something happened to you—’ He stopped. He took a breath. ‘My life would be over. You’re everything I need, Jazz Kareshi.’
‘Jazz Skavanga,’ she reminded him, laughing as she wound her arms around his neck, sighing as Tyr kissed her neck.
‘I love you, Jazz Skavanga, and I won’t risk losing you ever again.’
‘You love me?’ Pulling back, she lifted her chin to stare into his eyes.
‘More than life itself.’
‘You love me,’ she repeated, savouring the words.
Reaching for her hands, Tyr enclosed them in his. ‘Will you marry me, Jazz?’
She laughed as she leaned forward to plant a kiss on his mouth. ‘We’re already married. Are you asking me to commit bigamy?’
‘I’m not sure that’s strictly possible when you’re marrying the same man, but when we marry this time, I want it to be for you and me, and not because tradition demands it, or the people demand it. So, what do you say, Jazz? Will you marry me?’
Lifting Tyr’s hands to her lips, she kissed them and stared into his eyes. ‘Of course I will.’
Tyr’s kiss was tender and cherishing, but when he pulled back he was frowning.
‘What’s the matter?’ she said. ‘Not having second thoughts, I hope?’
Tyr laughed. ‘Far from it. The only downside to loving you so much is that I keep on having to make love to you.’
‘Oh, no.’ She pretended dismay. ‘But is that permitted when we’re not even married yet?’
‘Let’s break the rules. Unless of course you have some objection?’
‘None I can think of right away. Oh, well, maybe one...’
‘Which is?’
A tremor of anticipation ran through her as Tyr’s gaze dropped to her lips. ‘Don’t think for one moment that I’m going to promise to obey you.’
‘And break the habit of a lifetime?’ Shaking his head in pretended dismay, Tyr smiled faintly as he glanced at the bed. ‘You’re such a bad girl, you’ve given me no alternative but to send you straight to bed.’
‘Really?’ She slanted a look at him. ‘I was hoping you might say that.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THEIR HUNGER FOR each other remained fierce. Would they ever get enough of each other? Jazz wondered when Tyr finally swung out of bed around noon. And that was only because they’d heard helicopters overhead and knew it had to be the equipment he’d ordered.
‘I’ll be back soon—’ He emerged from the bathing tent dressed in a muscle-defining top and snug-fitting jeans that outlined his virile form with loving attention to detail. Rolling over in bed, Jazz closed her eyes on Tyr’s distracting below-the-belt architecture, which was currently putting a considerable strain on his jeans.
‘Be ready for me, Jazz. I’ll be hot and dusty, and in desperate need of your attention.’
‘Before you go—’
‘Jazz, there isn’t time for this.’
‘Are you sure?’ She spoke quietly and intently as she stared up at him. ‘The helicopter hasn’t landed yet.’
Tyr was already reaching for the zipper on his jeans. ‘You’re shameless.’
‘And you’re here, sex slave, so get on with your duties.’ Easing into position on the edge of the bed, she settled back and rested her legs on his shoulders. Tyr was standing up and looming over her, his leverage perfect. ‘I won’t keep you long,’ she promised shakily as he thrust deep.
She kept her word. Tyr did too. He worked skilfully to bring her the fastest maximum relief. But it still wasn’t enough. ‘I need more,’ she groaned when he withdrew carefully.
‘Keep that thought,’ Tyr advised as he secured his belt.
‘Now—’ She reached for him greedily.
‘If you’re going to disobey me, I may have to spank you,’ he warned.
‘And if you dare do that, I would have to send you straight to bed.’
‘It’s a deal, wife.’ Dipping low, Tyr smiled as he dropped a short, but seductive kiss on her lips.
Lying back on the cushions, she watched Tyr stroll across the pavilion towards the entrance. His sexy swagger made her hot for him all over again. Tyr was a highly sexual being and hers to love. What was not to like when the man she married was the love of her life and the hottest thing on two magnificent, hard-muscled legs?
‘When I’ve finished unloading the equipment, I’m taking you to watch the villagers fly their kestrels.’
‘Only when I’ve worn you out, I hope?’ she called back to him.
‘By that time your legs won’t hold you up.’
‘Then you’ll have to carry me to the dune to watch the kestrels flying.’
Tyr laughed. ‘That’s how I got into trouble the first time around,’ he reminded her as he ducked his head and left the tent.
Throwing herself back on the bed, she grabbed a cushion to cuddle. It was a poor substitute for Tyr, but he often made her wait, and one thing she did know: it was always well worth it.
* * *
When Tyr came back after unloading the equipment, they made love. It was very different this time as he embraced her in the gathering shadows of early evening. He kissed her gently on the lips as he moved, and it was as if he wanted to take his time to savour every moment, as if this was a precious interlude before everyday life intruded. Being close, and staring into each other’s eyes, added a special depth to their lovemaking. It wasn’t just a hunt for physical satisfaction that drove them now, but a desire to be one
in pleasure, in aim and in life. This was love, Jazz realised as she stared into Tyr’s eyes.
‘Now,’ he instructed softly, holding her firmly as he skilfully tipped her over the edge.
‘Those are the only instructions you’re allowed to give me,’ she teased him later as she snuggled contentedly against Tyr’s powerful chest. ‘But you can give them to me as often as you like.’
‘Was that a hint?’
‘If you need one,’ she confirmed, moving to accommodate him.
Tyr was so big—huge. She would never get used to the way he stretched her and filled her completely, or his ability to bring her so much pleasure. He knew her body and her responses better than she knew them herself. He knew exactly what she needed and how to give it to her, as she hoped she pleased him.
‘What do you think, Princess?’ Tyr stopped moving briefly. ‘Sinking into you is heaven. Working you is bliss. Seeing you come apart in my arms is the best thing in the world for me.’
She smiled as she used her hidden muscles to grip him tight.
‘That’s what I like about you,’ Tyr whispered against her mouth. ‘You’re never at a loss for something to do.’
She laughed with him, loving the way they were so close now, and when Tyr lost control this time, he called out her name and told her he loved her.
‘I can never get enough of hearing that,’ she whispered when Tyr rolled onto his back.
‘You shouldn’t be so amazing,’ he confided with a smile.
‘Is sex the only reason you love me?’
Staring deep into her eyes, Tyr grew serious. ‘The sex is just one wonderful part of it, of you.’
‘Cue violins?’ she murmured, smiling back at him.
‘Must I punish you for making light of my protestations of love?’
‘You can do anything you want to me when your mouth looks so sexy when you talk. In fact, just speak to me, just tell me that you love me, over and over again. I’ll never get enough of hearing it.’
‘You’re in luck, Princess,’ Tyr said as he drew her into his arms. ‘You’re going to be hearing me tell you that I love you quite a lot.’
* * *
The sky over the desert at dusk had turned a sultry violet tinged with gold. A big ivory moon hung low in the sky as Jazz and Tyr watched the villagers fly their kestrels. The sky was so clear, Jazz could see the blackened craters on the face of the moon, and the huge dark shadows on its cream-cheese surface. The villagers had been so thrilled to see them, they had immediately handed Tyr the best bird.
‘Here, Jazz, you take him,’ Tyr offered.
She smiled up into the eyes of the man she loved, thinking how Tyr had changed, but then so had she. He was relaxed now, as well as open and tender, while she was a woman in love.
Tyr handed her the gauntlet to protect her hand from the kestrel’s talons, and then passed the beautiful bird over. The kestrel was quite calm as it was still wearing its intricately embroidered hood.
‘It’s a long time since we’ve done this,’ Tyr observed as they admired the bird.
‘Another time, another world,’ Jazz agreed. Which was why she wasn’t surprised by the weight of the bird on her hand, which was almost literally as light as air, thanks to its hollow bones. ‘But this is the prize falcon and you’re supposed to be flying this one.’
‘They’re bringing another bird over. And be warned, it looks as if my silver lady is around twice the size of your male.’
‘But not half as determined.’
‘Should I be jealous?’ Tyr asked as Jazz stroked her bird’s feathers.
‘When my male bird wins, you can be pleased for me—even relieved that I’m prepared to accept that there might be the odd occasion when a male can prove himself superior to a female.’
Tyr laughed; then someone blew a horn to alert the bait man who was standing on a bluff almost half a mile away. His job was to throw up the meat that the birds had been trained to catch before bringing back their prize to the person flying them.
Tyr and Jazz loosed the cords on their kestrels’ hoods at the same moment, and with their keen sight restored, the birds soared high into the air. Tyr and Jazz watched until the kestrels had disappeared from sight. The villagers were taking bets on which bird would return first, but as Jazz stood leaning her back into Tyr, with his arms around her waist, she sucked in a deep breath of desert air and thought, All bets are off. I love this man, and everything else we have to face, we’ll face together. The only thing that matters is that we are together, and so close in every way.
Excited shouts went up in less than a minute. The birds had been spotted. They travelled fast, and it was only a matter of seconds before they returned. They could travel at over ninety miles an hour, Jazz remembered.
‘The male’s back first,’ Tyr noted, grimacing as he stared up at the sky. ‘Small and fast.’
‘But caring too.’ Jazz laughed as the male bird she was flying hovered instead of landing on her hand, as it should have done. It continued to wait in the sky until the female had landed safely on Tyr’s gauntlet. ‘You win,’ she conceded.
‘Only because your bird waited for his mate before he came in to land,’ Tyr observed as they rewarded the kestrels with tidbits before replacing their hoods. ‘They mate for life.’
She flashed a look at him. ‘This I know.’ Her cheeks warmed as her heart filled with love for Tyr. For the first time since their marriage ceremony, she really did feel like a young bride on the brink of a new life and a lifelong adventure with the man she loved.
‘And now there’s only one thing left to do,’ Tyr remarked as they watched the villagers start to pack up and leave.
‘And what’s that?’
‘Make love to my wife.’
‘I have to agree,’ Jazz said softly as they joined a group of villagers heading for home.
Linking fingers, they walked in silence, their steps in perfect harmony until the pavilion came into sight, when they started to walk faster. Jazz hoped that no one noticed they were practically running now. If anyone had noticed, they were far too polite to mention it.
EPILOGUE
THEY RENEWED THEIR vows in a very different land from Kareshi. In Skavanga beneath an ice-blue sky, where the heat of their love threatened to melt the tundra, along with Tyr’s three sisters, Britt, Eva and Leila, who attended this very special ceremony of dedication and renewal of their marriage vows with their husbands, Sharif, Roman and Raffa. Leila and Raffa brought their twins along, as well as their newborn baby boy, while both Britt and Eva were heavily pregnant, though even in the last months of her pregnancy Britt had gone the extra mile to work her usual magic on the party.
The ceremony was being held in the open air on the shores of the frozen lake, outside the cabin that had been in the Skavanga family since that first prospector had followed his dream and slammed his pickaxe into the icy ground. Back then there had been no facilities to speak of at the cabin, but each generation had made improvements, and now it had been transformed into a twinkling haven of warmth and welcome: a cosy nest amidst the snow, with flowers of the desert arranged around the door, and around the wedding arbour outside, beneath which Tyr and Jazz would stand.
‘I’m happy to get you off my hands,’ her brother teased Jazz as he kissed her warmly on both cheeks.
‘No more wedding plans to make and break?’ she teased him back.
Sharif’s eyes were warm with amusement. ‘I knew this would happen before you did, but if I’d said anything...’
‘My stubbornness would have held things up even more,’ Jazz suggested wryly.
‘So long as you’re happy, Jasmina.’
‘You can see I am, Sharif.’
‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I can. And as my wedding gift to both of you,’ Sharif said in a loud
er voice so everyone could hear, ‘I am happy to announce that I am going to hand over control of home affairs in Kareshi to my sister, Jasmina, and to her husband, Tyr—my dear and trusted friend, who is like a brother to me. I do this because I know you will both put the interests of our people above your own, and I hope this edict will allow Jazz to continue with the work she has already started so successfully in Kareshi.’
‘Just hearing you call me Jazz is a great step forward.’ Laughing, Jazz threw herself into her brother’s arms and hugged him tight. ‘Thank you. Thank you, Sharif. There’s no limit to what we can achieve together.’
‘I think this might work, don’t you?’ Sharif turned his dark amused stare on Tyr.
‘I never had any doubt, Sharif.’
‘Oh, no. You don’t do that,’ Jazz exclaimed as she moved to stand between them. ‘I am never going to be invisible again.’
‘Invisible? Jazz?’ Eva exclaimed.
The two men exchanged a look over her head and laughed.
‘Not a chance,’ Tyr whispered as Sharif left them to join his wife, Britt. ‘You are the least invisible person I know.’
‘And now you’re distracting me,’ Jazz said, frowning as everyone left them to go inside the cabin for the feast the Skavanga sisters had insisted on preparing between them. ‘What was I complaining about?’
‘Not enough sex, I think,’ Tyr said, straight-faced.
Jazz could only be thankful that her brother had gone inside. There were a few things she definitely didn’t want to share with him.
‘And I’ve got something for you,’ Tyr whispered.
‘Later,’ Jazz warned.
‘No. Now,’ Tyr argued. Reaching inside the pocket of his impeccably tailored suit, he brought out a ring. It was studded with the flawless, flashing blue-white diamonds of Skavanga; he showed it to Jazz.
‘“For ever”,’ she said, having read the inscription on the inside of the band.
‘“And always”.’ As Tyr finished off the quotation he’d had inscribed inside the ring, he placed it next to the simple platinum wedding band on Jazz’s marriage finger. ‘This is for you, Jasmina—Jazz—the woman I’ve loved for ever, and will continue to love for ever. My friend, my lover, the woman who gave me back my life.’
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