by PJ Friel
Except for Trygg.
I’ve never met a woman more capable than you.
Tonight something had shifted between us. I’d felt in Trygg’s touch how much he cared about me. Right now, he was in my bed, sleeping peacefully, while I stood half naked in my kitchen.
Alone. Afraid. And hating myself for it.
That wasn’t the woman he saw when he looked into my eyes and it wasn’t the woman I wanted to be for him. I shook my head. He deserved better than this. We both did.
How would it feel to embrace who I was? Stop fighting it. Would Trygg be willing to date the daughter of a Svartalf king and a Aesir goddess? Or would he run from me as fast as I ran from myself?
I glanced back towards the bedroom. He already knew that I was part Svartalf and he hadn’t even blinked. Royalty was what my birth parents were. I claimed none of that and it had been nineteen years since my heritage had touched me. Maybe I really could put the past behind me. Accept who I was and move on.
Tonight, I’d told Trygg that all I needed was him. He hadn’t run screaming from that either and I know he understood what I was saying. This wasn’t casual for me anymore and if I was going to take things further with him, then he deserved to have a woman by his side, not a scared little girl cowering from shadows.
I had to conquer this.
At least try.
Knives gripped firmly, I inched out into the grayness and tentatively reached for the shadows. Shocking cold bit into my fingertips. I flinched and looked at my hand. No damage. Frowning, I stepped closer and pushed my hand into the gloom.
It disappeared.
Gasping, I jerked my hand out of the darkness. The knife and my hand were both frigid. What had I just tapped into?
That time, nineteen years ago, in the warehouse, I’d watched the Svartalf meld into the shadows around me. They appeared and disappeared at will and when they touched me, their hands were like death, pawing at my skin.
Now, I knew why.
I slipped my knife-wielding hand into the shadows once more, watching it slowly disappear.
“Baby, what’s going on?” Trygg’s voice came from the hallway.
The knife slipped from my fingers as I spun around, wincing at the twinge in my ankle. The other knife dropped down the back of the couch, behind one of the pillows. I’d have to get that later, before Trygg impaled himself on it.
“Nothing. I...needed a drink.” God, did I need a drink.
Trygg prowled up to me and wrapped his arms around me, nuzzling his scruffy cheek against my neck and making me smile. I pushed against his chest with one hand, using the other to brace myself against the couch.
He gasped. “Shit! Your fingers are like ice.” Smothering my hand between his, he chafed it. “What were you doing?”
How to answer that?
Oh, nothing. Just sticking my hand inside a shadow, tapping into my Svartalf heritage. Did I mention I was King Alvis’s daughter?
Yeah, no. Instead, I gave him a sassy grin. “Let’s go warm me up.”
“Mmm...I love the way you think, Ms. Ullman.” He dipped down, swung me into his arms, and headed for the bedroom.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and if I squeezed a little too tightly, Trygg didn’t seem to mind. He just carried me back into the bedroom, lit now by my bedside lamp, and adorned with his captivating aura. His warm body covered mine and I willed myself to forget what I’d seen as he’d carried me away.
Or not seen.
The knife I’d dropped into the shadows was gone.
CHAPTER 35
TRYGG
“Levi, pull as close to the door as you can, please,” I said.
DG’s Grand Opening was the last place I wanted to be tonight, but I was determined to make the best of it. I was still making up for losing my shit last week and blowing our one lead to solving Gideon’s murder. Drew had vanished into thin air. No cab. Just gone.
I’d combed the city and found his apartment via dumb luck and my Super Sniffer, but he wasn’t there and hadn’t shown his face since. The berserkers all took turns watching the place twenty-four seven for the past week, but still no Drew. Bryn was certain he’d left town. I was waiting for the body to show up, and feeling guilty as hell.
Levi double-parked the limo in front of Bryn’s apartment building. Cars swerved around us, horns honking, drivers shooting killer glares at us. Akron, city of peace, love, and joy it was not, but I liked the crankiness of its citizens.
“There we are, sir,” Levi said. “I’ll be waiting right here for you and Ms. Ullman. No rush. I’m with you for the night, until your head hits the pillow...wherever that pillow that might be.”
I grinned at the elderly Jotun’s wink in the rearview mirror and hopped out of the limo, curbside in case one of the drivers decided to get a little too road-ragey. Within two minutes I stood in front of Bryn’s door, adjusting the sleeves on my tuxedo, straightening my bowtie, running a hand through my hair. Finished preening like a court dandy, I knocked.
Bryn opened the door. I forgot how to breathe. My blue-jean-wearing asskicker had been replaced by a fair-haired goddess wrapped in a deep purple gown. The material shimmered in the light and the wide V-neck exposed just enough of her mouthwatering assets to make my cock instantly hard.
I followed that V up her chest to her shoulders where tiny embroidered sleeves showed off her toned arms. Feminine, yet strong. Such a turn-on. She laughed and struck a pose, flashing a creamy thigh from the slit in the floor-length skirt. I wanted to drop to my knees and worship her right there.
I made a circular motion with my finger. “Turn around,” I said, my voice husky.
Her lips curled into a smirk and she gave me her back.
“Fuck.”
I grabbed Bryn’s hips, moved her into the apartment and closed the door behind us. She needed to be reminded that she was mine before anyone else laid eyes on her, especially DG. Hands splayed against her belly, I pulled her ass against my cock while nibbling her neck. She moaned and arched her back. Sheer cloth embroidered with tiny beads covered too much of her stunning skin.
So irresistible.
She shivered when I pressed her forward and kissed the middle of her back. “Trygg…”
“You look amazing, baby. Not a woman in that club will compare to you.”
She turned in my arms and ran her fingertips down my chest. One stopped on my stomach, but the other continued down to cup my heavy erection, earning her a hungry growl.
“Mmm...no one will even notice me standing beside you.” She lifted on her toes and whispered into my ear. “You can’t see it, but I’m so wet for you right now.”
Actually, I knew exactly how wet she was. Her scent was driving me crazy. Sometimes Odin’s gift could be a blessing, sometimes a curse.
And just like that, guilt replaced my desire.
The twinkling length of her diamond-and-amethyst earrings gave me something else to focus on. I traced the shell of her ear, down to her lobe. “I like these earrings.”
“They’re clip-on. Never got pierced. Too easy to rip out in a fight.” She murmured, tilting her head to give me better access.
For just a moment, sorrow warred with amazement. That she even had to worry about someone attacking her made me want to wrap her up in my arms and keep her safe from everyone and everything. Bryn would be the first to rip me apart if I tried that, though.
When her fingers reached for my zipper, I grabbed her wrist. “If you lower that zipper, I’m going to fuck your mouth and ruin your makeup.”
She gasped and looked up at me. Her cheeks were flushed pink, but there was no embarrassment in her heavy-lidded gaze, only lust. “I thought we already discussed the need for better threats.”
I laughed. “No threat intended. That’s a promise. You have no idea how badly I want to mark you right now, put my stamp of ownership on your body.”
Her eyes widened and she bit into her bottom lip, looking unsure for just a moment then she whispere
d, “Do it.”
A growled ripped from my throat and the lust I’d seen in her eyes exploded through my body. Fuck the guilt. I was desperate for her and feeling so out of control that it scared me. I paused long enough to make sure the monster inside hadn’t somehow seized the reins, but it was only me and the gorgeous woman in front of me.
I twirled her around and pressed her, face first, against the door with the full of my aching body. Gripping her wrists, I yanked them up and pressed her palms against the wood.
“Keep them there until I tell you otherwise. Understand?”
“Mmmhmm.”
Her breathing was loud in the room, faster even than the times we’d gone jogging together in the morning. She was just as desperate for this as I was and she proved it when she rubbed her ass against my cock and whimpered.
Fucking whimpered.
Heat curled in my belly and my balls drew up tight. I clenched my jaw, my fists, my entire goddamn body, until I knew I wouldn’t give in and sink inside her sweet heat. Because if I did, we wouldn’t be going anywhere for the rest of the night and I knew Bryn would feel guilty about standing up Dezi and that asshole Jace.
And there came my own guilt again because I knew Jace had told Dezi what he was while I was too much of a coward to come clean to Bryn.
“We should leave, baby,” I said against her neck.
“No,” she moaned. “I don’t really want to go rub elbows with a bunch of snooty people. Neither do you.”
She was right. I didn’t. DG’s party tonight was for the elite. The unwashed masses would get their chance to grace his presence next week. Tonight, he catered to his friends and business acquaintances. I was looking forward to one thing about this night. A reason that roared up from my gut every time I thought about her on the dance floor with DG’s hands on her.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I breathed into her ear as I cupped her breasts and began teasing her nipples. “I do want to go to DG’s club opening tonight. Know why?”
She released a little sob and shook her head.
“So everyone at that club will know.”
I slid one hand inside the thigh slit of her dress and cupped her pussy through her satin panties. Her head fell back against my shoulder and I gripped her chin, turning her so I could claim her lips. She opened for my tongue and met my thrusts with her own, telling me exactly how she wanted me to fuck her.
She came up for air and whispered against my lips. “What will they know?”
“They’ll know that you’re mine and that I keep your sweet pussy well satisfied.” I bit her bottom lip then soothed it with a kiss. “I’m going to make you come so hard before we get to the club that all the men there will take one look at you and know they don’t stand a goddamn chance.”
“Oh, god,” Bryn whimpered. She rested her forehead on the door and bucked her hips back against my cock. “What about the women, though?”
“You’re so hot the women will want you, too.” I grinned against the back of her neck.
Bryn laughed and stopped moving. She looked over her shoulder at me, eyes dancing with a mixture of desire and humor. “I think they’ll be more attracted to you.”
“Then they’re idiots,” I said, smiling. “But it doesn’t matter if they’re attracted to me. I don’t want them.” I pressed a kiss to Bryn’s bare shoulder then backed away. “Let’s go.”
She turned around, still leaning against the door for support. Her lips were kiss-bruised and her chest and face were still flushed with desire. She looked a little confused, a lot disgruntled, and massively edible.
“I thought you were going to make me come first.”
“I said I was going to make you come before we got to the club. I never said it would be here in your apartment. I have a limo waiting downstairs.”
Bryn shivered. “You’re a wicked man, Trygg Mackenzie, but no sex in limos.”
“That depends on your definition of sex.” I handed Bryn her clutch purse and opened the door. “After you.”
Bryn snatched her keys off the table and tossed them to me. “Lock up, stud.”
I caught the keys and grinned at her. On my way out the door, I slapped the light switch off then stopped. “Do you want me to leave the light on?”
“Will you be coming home with me this evening?”
“If I’m invited. Are you inviting me?”
Even though she always said yes, I still asked.
She nodded. “Leave the light off then.”
I caught and held her gaze. She still hadn’t said the words, but they were there in her actions, nonetheless. When I was with her, Bryn felt safe...even in the dark. For the past week, no matter when I woke up, she was always there sleeping beside me. That told me everything I needed to know.
I closed and locked the door then joined her at the elevator. When she nudged her shoulder against mine, I turned and cupped her chin, then brushed the softest of kisses against her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, and finally her lips.
“You are so beautiful,” I said.
The elevator opened and she kissed my palm before stepping inside. “You might get lucky in the limo.”
Chuckling, I darted in beside her right before the doors closed. With Bryn’s arm tucked in mine, we rode down in silence, but her lingering gaze told me that I was definitely getting lucky in the limo.
When we exited the building, Levi hopped out of the car and opened the door to the back seat. Giving a respectful nod, he said, “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Ullman. My name is Levi and I’ll be your driver for this evening.”
“Hello, Levi. Please call me Bryn.” She held out her hand to him. “It’s nice to meet you.”
When Levi raised Bryn’s hand to his lips, she laughed and gave the older gentleman a little curtsey. It was the most carefree I had ever seen her. Her blue eyes danced with mischief and she wiggled her brows at me.
“Maybe you should drive, Trygg. Levi can sit in the back with me.”
“I’m very flattered, Ms. Ullman, but I don’t think my heart would survive the trip.”
“Bryn,” she corrected him.
“Ms. Ullman.” Levi winked at her and stepped back, allowing me to help her into the limo.
“It’s a losing battle, sweetheart,” I said to her.
“It’s a fifteen minute drive to Ms. Simmons’s residence, Mr. Mackenzie.”
“Thanks, Levi.” I climbed in after Bryn. “Don’t open the partition until I knock.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He closed the door behind me and a moment later we pulled out.
“He’s sweet,” Bryn said.
I turned and cupped her face. “Not nearly as sweet as you.”
My lips claimed hers, taking small sips at first, but as my thirst for her grew, I took longer and deeper pulls. Her soft moans grew louder when I slid my hand inside the slit of her dress, caressing from her knee to her thigh and around to cup one bare cheek.
“Oh, fuck. You’re wearing a thong.”
“Mmmhmm. What are you wearing?”
Her hand stroked down from my chest, heading towards my crotch, but I grabbed it and pressed it to the seat as I knelt in front of her.
“Keep both your hands on the seat or I’ll stop what I’m doing. Understand me?”
Her whimper was my only answer, but it was good enough. I loved that she was willing to relinquish control like this. The way she’d taken command in her office that first time, I hadn’t been sure she’d ever be able to let go, trust me enough to take the lead.
Especially when I didn’t deserve it.
Pushing aside all thoughts except those of Bryn’s pleasure, I moved her dress out of the way, exposing her slim legs. And a dagger.
“You expecting trouble, baby?” I was torn between admiring her preparation and feeling disgruntled that she hadn’t left her safety completely to me.
“I always expect trouble.”
“They’d have to get through me to get to you.” I gripped her
knees hard.
“Yeah, but I need to cover Dezi’s six.”
I parted her knees and kissed the inside of her thigh. “That’s what her boyfriend is for.”
Bryn snorted. “No, that’s what her best friend is for.”
My hands reached the satin covering my prize. “Let’s focus on us, shall we?” With a single finger, I pulled aside her panties and dove forward, closing my lips around her clit.
“Trygg,” Bryn moaned my name and buried her fingers in my hair.
Her sweet apple scent filled my nose as I pressed closer and lapped at her folds. God, I wanted her surrounding me, needed it. Gripping her thighs, I dragged her to the edge of the seat and raised her legs to my shoulders until she wrapped them around me and arched against my face. The leather of the knife sheath chafed my face. Zero fucks given.
“That’s it. Ride my face, baby.”
With that little bit of encouragement, she went wild, bucking against me and using my mouth for her pleasure. God, she was making me so hot I had to jam the heel of one hand against my cock before I jizzed in my pants. Sliding two fingers inside her, I hooked them and rubbed against her g-spot.
“Oh, god. If you keep doing that I’m going to come,” Bryn moaned.
I thrust my fingers faster and sucked harder on her clit, flicking my tongue back and forth until her thighs went rigid and she arched up off the seat. She whimpered my name and her pussy went tight around my fingers as she convulsed against my mouth. The throbbing of her tight walls made my cock ache to be buried inside her, but this wasn’t about my pleasure. It was about hers, always hers.
When she quieted and sank back down onto the seat, I slowly pulled my fingers out of her and gave her one last soft lick, humming with pleasure at her taste. Turning my head, I kissed the inside of each thigh, nuzzling them as I watched her slowly come back down from the pleasure I’d given her.
“Feel good, baby?”
I lowered her legs from my shoulders and pulled a packet of wet wipes from the bar. She gave me a wobbly smile as I cleaned us up then climbed back onto the seat.
