Free Viking Warrior by Connie Mason

tanned all over.
    Reyna had to force herself to look away.
    “Are you ready to return home with me?” Wulf asked once he was dressed.
    “No, I intend to return to your brother’s hall. Olaf might have need of me.”
    “My mother can take care of him. I know you are exhausted; you worked hard today to save lives.” He placed the drying cloth within her reach. “I will wait down the path and escort you to your bed.”
    Reyna waited until Wulf walked away before leaving the pool and drying herself. She didn’t want to return with him to his hall but had no authority to refuse. Wulf was her master, whether she liked it or not. Why did she feel a strange tug inside her when she looked at him?The feeling was unsettling in light of their history, and she couldn’t understand why she was experiencing these unwarranted sensations. Why was she attracted to the Norse raider? She should not have any feelings but hatred for Wulf the Ruthless.
    “Are you ready?” she heard him ask, his voice resonating through the darkness.
    “Aye,” Reyna answered as she shrugged into her tunic and fastened her belt around her waist.
    Reyna followed Wulf to his hall and stepped over the threshold. The hall was dark; no one had been there to tend the fire or rush lights. While Wulf added wood to the hearth and set a rush light into a sconce, Reyna removed a wolf pelt from the cupboard and prepared to curl up on a bench.
    “No!” Wulf said, removing the wolf pelt from her hands. “You have earned the right to a real bed.”
    Reyna drew back in alarm. “I am not sharing your bed.”
    “There are other sleeping alcoves in the hall. You may choose one for your own.”
    “Uma will be angry; she was here before I arrived.”
    “Uma did not save lives today,” Wulf pointed out. “Nor does she possess a skill as useful as yours. My mother wants me to reward you, and I intend to respect her wishes. As our healer, you shall have a real bed and wear clothing befitting your skill. ’tis my way of thanking you for your services.”
    Emboldened, Reyna said, “Setting me free would be a more fitting reward.”
    Wulf’s mouth flattened. “I have no intention of freeing you. Where would you go? What would you do? I am your master—no one else can protect you as I can.”
    “I will never call you master,” Reyna stated.
    “Go to bed, Reyna. I am weary of bandying wordswith you. You are welcome to use the sleeping alcove or not. ’tis your choice. Good night.”
    Reyna stood in the center of the hall, contemplating her choices. Could she trust a man like Wulf the Ruthless to leave her unmolested? Her bones ached and she was so tired she could barely stand upright. The bench was as hard and unyielding as it looked; she knew that from experience.
    But if she chose to claim a sleeping alcove for herself, she would earn Uma’s enmity. In Reyna’s opinion, refusing the comfort of a bed and room of her own would be stupid, and she wasn’t stupid. Reyna chose the sleeping alcove.

    Wulf was too aroused to sleep. The memory of Reyna’s naked body beneath the water in the pool haunted his thoughts. He was hard as stone and not likely to lose his erection any time soon. But he would not take her against her will; he wouldn’t be able to live with his guilt or the accusation in her eyes if he did. Hurting her as Rannulf had done did not appeal to him.
    What was he to do with Reyna?
    Though Wulf should have been exhausted from the battle, his body refused to relax; most of his discomfort was due to unrequited desire for Reyna. There was no help for it. Since he wasn’t going to have Reyna beneath him this night, he stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed, pulling the wolf pelts over him. He tossed and turned restlessly, his body too sore to find a comfortable position.
    Finally, he rose from his bed and walked naked into the hall. His steps led him to Reyna’s sleeping chamber. He pushed aside the curtain and stepped inside. Pale moonlight