Valkyrie Slumbering Read Online Free PDF Page B

abdominal muscles. Otherwise, he appears unharmed and the steady rise and fall of his chest shows he’s not even winded.
    “Impressive,” he says in a voice deep with desire. The sound tightens the muscles between my legs. How is it he has such a powerful effect on me? Perhaps it’s only the battle lust transforming into something else.
    The tip of my sword lowers a bit, more from shock than fatigue. “How long have you been watching?”
    His smirk turns into a full out smile. “Long enough to know those breeches hug ye in all the right ways when ye fight.”
    Flattery tickles at the edges of my anger. Careful of the sharp blade, I wipe my sword on my breeches and slam it into its sheath. “And what if I had needed help?”
    Laugher rolls from him. He steps out of the pile of ash and brushes off the legs of his breeches. Such a casual act after we just risked our lives infuriates me, and though I don’t want to admit it, kind of excites me.
    “Ye didn’t. Ye’re amazin’, faster and more agile than any warrior I’ve ever seen,” he says. The words flatter me more than I want to admit. Most men get angry once they realize I’m as good with a sword as they are, if not better. I can’t help but wonder if it’s his Alfhiem blood that makes Grím different, or if it’s just him.
    My eyes meander from his smooth face down the length of his hard body, snagging on the swell of his groin. My nipples press hard against my leather bustier in response. Clearly the battle has excited him as much as it has me.
    “Now you’re just trying to get my breeches off,” I tease.
    In a few long strides, he closes the distance between us. His fingers tilt my chin up, cradling it with the gentlest of touches.
    “Though I do hope the night ends that way, tis not why I said it. I mean it. Ye’re otherworldly when ye fight. Tis inspirin’,” he says, voice low, dropping lower with the last word. The tone stirs something deep inside me, for more reasons than one.
    My eyes focus on his lips as he starts to lean down toward me. Thunder booms overhead, and we both freeze, eyes darting to our surroundings. Nothing more sinister than shadows lurk across the twilight enshrouded hills. At least, not that I can see.
    “We should get back to the horses,” I say.
    Much as I want to strip that leather armor from him piece by piece and mold myself into its place, now is not the time.
    “We should,” he agrees.
    Jogging as quickly as we can across the rocky landscape without twisting an ankle, we rush back.

    The horses both stand where we left them tied to the line between the trees. Head drooping, eyes closed, the mare seems oblivious of the darkening skies and booming thunder. Standing opposite her, the stallion has one rear leg cocked in relaxation.
    I laugh and shake my head. Silly as it seems now, I’m still glad we rushed back. At least now if we’re attacked by more than we can handle, we have the option of fleeing.
    “Kyra, look,” Grím calls from off to my left.
    He stands atop a hill just above our camp, stripping off his armor. The setting sun filters through the clouds, outlining his dark silhouette in brilliant orange. Something more than desire draws me toward him, something infinitely more powerful and disturbing. By the time I reach him, he’s pulling off his tunic. Light spills across the planes of his chest as he turns, hands working at the laces of his breeches. Steam curls lazily behind him. My steps quicken.
    The last light of day reveals a pale blue pool no more than ten feet wide, surrounded by purple and white flowers that have closed their petals against the coming dark. The sweet scent of the flowers mixes with the tang of minerals in the pool, lending an almost pleasant taste to the air.
    My eyes are drawn back to Grím as he begins to push his breeches down his hips. He moves slowly, as if he knows I’m watching, yet he doesn’t turn away. The sight of the deep v of muscles leading down to his groin