Free To Tempt A Viking by Michelle Willingham Page A

to feeling pain.
    ‘Go to sleep, Elena.’ His voice was gruff and she couldn’t understand why he seemed reluctant to talk. In the past, he’d always been an amiable man, friendly and easy to be with.
    Not tonight.
    ‘What have I done wrong?’ she asked.
    His hand caught her wrist in the darkness. ‘Do you know how much I envy your husband?’
    The words held a dark edge and she could think of nothing to say. Though his grip wasn’t forceful, she sensed that he was on the brink of fury.
    ‘He has a beautiful wife,’ Ragnar said. ‘Possibly a child on the way. A family.’
    The envy in his voice revealed a lonely man. One who had never had any of those things. She swallowed hard, unable to find the right words for sympathy.
    ‘You love him, don’t you?’ he said quietly.
    ‘Yes,’ she whispered. She would always be loyal to Styr. He was a strong man, a good provider. He’d done everything he could to make her happy. And now that they were going to have a child, it would all be better.
    Wouldn’t it?
    In the darkness, Ragnar released her wrist and she huddled on her side. She remembered the last time her husband had joined with her. Styr had done everything he could to please her, touching her in a way he thought would give her a release. Instead, she’d been cold inside, unable to react. Thoughts of her childlessness had haunted her until it seemed as if a stranger were touching her. Her marriage had been breaking apart and she’d wept in her husband’s arms. He was as frustrated as she was and both of them were ready to give up.
    Freya, how she wished she could take back the words when she’d asked him not to touch her again. Though she’d meant only for a short time, Styr’s expression had turned to frost. He’d done exactly as she’d asked and it was as if she’d thrown up a stone wall between them.
    ‘I don’t think Styr loves me any more,’ she admitted. ‘I was cruel to him when I didn’t mean to be.’
    ‘All marriages go through difficult times. He asked about you on the journey here,’ he told her.
    That only made her feel worse.
    ‘And what if we don’t find him?’ she murmured.
    Ragnar took her hand in his. ‘I’ll always take care of you, Elena. No matter what happens.’
    She squeezed his hand tightly, grateful for him. ‘We’ll journey back to Gall Tír, starting tomorrow morning.’

Chapter Six
    R agnar was beginning to think that this was his punishment. The small tent was filled with her scent and it was a constant torment to be so close to Elena. Jealousy was eating away at his mood and he’d not slept at all.
    Worse, the storm was growing more intense, the wind howling against the small tent. Despite the heated stones, the cold air slipped through the crevices, making it more uncomfortable.
    Elena slept fitfully and once, she moved to snuggle against him. He tried to remain still, but when she pressed her bottom against him, it was nearly his undoing. Only a thin layer of cloth separated their bodies and his honour was worn down to a thread.
    Not yours , his brain reminded him. Only a man without honour would touch her while she was unaware of it. She was his best friend’s wife and he had to bury his desires and feelings. No matter how much he might want her.
    But what if Styr is dead? The terrible thought twined around him until reason intervened. Even if that happened, she would never turn to a man like him. She knew of the countless men he’d slain and the violence he was capable of.
    His father had taught him well.
    When she tried to snuggle against him, he could not let her do it. ‘Elena,’ he said, pushing her from him. ‘Wake up.’
    She rolled over and ended up on top of him, which was far worse. Her breasts pressed against him while her face rested against his heart.
    ‘Wh-what is it?’ she whispered sleepily.
    ‘You can’t lie so close to me.’
    Gently, he pushed her back and she sighed. ‘I’m just cold, Ragnar. I didn’t mean to bother