Pleasure of His Bed
Page 26
Bodin gritted his teeth, fighting to dissipate the adrenaline still heating his veins from battle. He forced a deep breath into his lungs and struggled to soften his voice. “You are free, sweet one. I am not here to dispute that.”
She stared at his hand. The wind blew a drop of blood from the tip of his knife. Tears rimmed her lashes. “Then why are you here? To kill more of my people? To kill me before you sail?” Determined not to cry in front of him, she clenched her teeth, lips quivering with cold.
“Never.” He sheathed the bloody dagger. “I could never harm you, sweet one,” he admitted. Bodin raked his fingers through his hair, dislodging the accumulating droplets of mist before rubbing his jaw, easing tense muscles. “The blood on my dagger is that of Erek and the three men who chose to follow him.” The dark red spatter of proof was visible on his clothes. “I do not abide betrayal.”
The words of his violence trembled through her. Chessa blinked, staring at the waves lapping onto the shore, one after another.
“Chessa. Come back with me.”
Slowly she turned to face him, chin raised as she dared her fate. “I am done being a slave.” She turned on her heels, her back to him. Tears spilled over her lashes, racing one another to mix with the rain. Bodin’s hands gently gripped her arms. She shivered, wiping at her cheeks.
“I do not wish a slave.”
Unable to control her constant shivering, Chessa could only manage shallow breaths. Might he really want her? Not likely, a little voice inside whispered. She stared out at the rough water of the bay. Thunder rumbled, spilling a line of rain onto the frothy surface of the sea. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. Nothing had turned out like she thought it would.
“Chessa, did you hear me?” Bodin turned her to face him, his grip tightening. “You will never be a slave again. Ever. I swear it.” His gaze narrowed on her, watching. “Do you understand me?”
She stared at the laces of his tunic, unable to meet his determined gaze. Her brows furrowed. “Then what do you want of me if not to warm your bed?” His fingers caressed her cheek—fingers so warm her numb skin began to sting from his touch. His thumb tilted her face upward, giving her no choice but to meet his gaze.
Bodin dropped his head forward, lowering his mouth almost to hers as he spoke in a low, growling whisper. “I wish a new bargain with you. One that allows me to hear your laughter and share your tears, to watch the sun rise in your eyes every morning and the moon set on your skin each night. A bargain that secures me the whole of your heart, Chessa.”
“And what…” She tried to swallow away the growing lump constricting her throat, but it would not go. “And what would be my part of this bargain?”
“To be happy.” He smiled, his lips brushing against hers in the barest of touches. Her body shuddered, and she swayed into him, sending his gut into spasms. “And, if you wish, to bear my sons and daughters.” Through a sheer force of will he did not truly possess, Bodin released her and straightened. If he continued to touch her, there would be no bargain, just his will. He fisted his hands in an attempt to control the plaguing doubt that sickened him, and then he glanced down at her stomach. His knuckles went white.
Chessa stood frozen as the rain poured unnoticed from the sky. Had she really heard the words, or had she heard only what she’d wanted to hear?
“My men are awaiting word, sweet one. Will you sail back to the village as my wife? Or do I remain here, skulking about in the cover of the woods, longing for glimpses of you?”
Chessa’s head spun. So precarious was her state of balance, she sank to the muddy ground to keep from falling. Bodin dropped to one knee in front of her. But he did not touch her.
Impatient, he pressed, “Have we a bargain, Chessa?”
Dazed, she looked into his eyes—serious, truthful, longing eyes. Wishes did come true. “Yes,” she breathed. The word barely crossed the threshold of her lips when his mouth closed over hers.
Bodin wound his arms around her back and beneath her knees, lifting, possessing as his lips refused to relinquish claim.
She clutched at him, wanting to be closer, though she could hardly breathe. His grip was crushing as he carried her quickly down the trail and onto the beach.
Hefting her aboard his ship, he steered her across the deck boards to the hold.
“When do we sail?”
“Now.”
The ship was already free of the shore. She smiled as he took her hands, lowering her. “And when does this new bargain begin?”
He dropped down behind her. “Now.” He nuzzled her neck, making her squirm and squeak as he nipped at the soft, pale skin that was now his to touch at will. “I intend to have a son growing in your belly before the dawn—if there isn’t one there already.”
Chessa wormed closer into Bodin’s side, snuggling deeper into the very male scent of his warmth, his hands already roaming her body again. She smiled, closing her eyes with a deep breath as his touch roused her yet again.
Watching her, Bodin whispered against her salty skin. “What has you smiling so?” He moved atop her small body, urging her thighs apart with just a touch.
She laughed softly. “You.”
He paused in his attentions and lifted his head to look into her eyes. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, “Me?”
He positioned his thumb to dig into her ribs, a warning. He would tickle her, if necessary.
Chessa squeaked, her eyes wide as she tried to squirm sideways out of his reach, but he lowered more of his weight onto her, preventing any escape.
Bodin grinned, growling as he taunted, his thumb skimming lightly along two of her ribs. “Tell me why you laugh, sweet one.” His finger pressed a little deeper.
“Bodin! No!” she squealed, her body jerking involuntarily beneath him.
“Last warning.” He smiled, sucking one of her nipples into his mouth.
Chessa’s body reacted, arching, straining. “It’s just that you’re so determined.”
He released her breast long enough to ask, “Determined?” Then he lavished attention on the other soft, pale mound of flesh.
“Yes,” she panted, her fingers threading through his hair, urging him lower. “To have a son.”
Bodin chuckled. “I always keep my bargains, sweet one.”
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