Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

K ari woke early, the sky barely beginning to lighten outside the uncovered windows. She'd snuggled even closer to Wulf during the night, her arm across his wide chest and her knee resting on his thigh - and against his erection. She swallowed hard as she realized the hot, solid length of him was pressed against her leg. Her shirt had risen up as she slept and the velvety skin covering his cock felt wonderful against her bare skin.

Despite the number of times she'd been aware of his erection, she'd never touched it directly and she was suddenly overcome with curiosity. He was still sleeping heavily, his breath deep and even, and she very cautiously lifted the furs enough to get a glimpse.

Oh my God.

He'd slipped free from the linen underdrawers he was wearing, exposing the whole massive length. His cock was a deep, rich green, darker than his skin, with a flared head and a second thicker area around the base. She swallowed again, not sure if she was more intrigued or terrified, and quickly let the covers fall back into place.

She carefully extracted herself from the tangle of furs and blankets, pausing to look at his for a moment before she slipped out of the room. His strong features no longer seemed strange to her but rather strikingly attractive. The dark braids tangled around his face gave him a wild look, and her heart skipped a beat as he smiled in his sleep.

I'm in so much trouble, she thought, and hurried into the small washroom to wash her face and gather her thoughts. His role in bringing her to this world still troubled her. She believed he hadn't meant to take her away from her home, but would he have hesitated if he thought it would save his people? And how could she possibly do anything of this kind?

She sighed and returned to the bedroom just as he sat up, a wild look on his face. A heavy sigh escaped him when he saw her and he held out his hand.

"I thought you'd left me."

She understood enough of that to give him a reassuring smile, then walked over and put her hand in his.

"You're cold," he said as his warm fingers closed around hers, still chilled from the icy water in the washroom.

Before she could respond, he tugged her back under the covers and wrapped his arms around her. They both froze as his naked erection pressed against her stomach. She snuck a quick look at him and saw he looked startled as well as pained and she had to fight a sudden urge to giggle. Apparently he hadn't realized his cock had escaped.

He cleared his throat, his voice hoarse.

"I... I did not..."

Taking pity on his obvious confusion, she pressed her lips softly against his. He returned it just as gently, almost reverently, and she found herself melting into it. A rush of warmth flooded through her, from her lips down to her toes, and her worries and doubts started to fade away.

"We must rise," he murmured when he finally pulled away, a regretful tone in his voice. "There is much to do."

"There is?"

"Always." He hesitated. "I take many of my meals either with my warriors or in the communal hall. Would you prefer to break your fast here?"

"Definitely," she said firmly as she soon as she deciphered the question, shuddering as she remembered that sea of eyes.

He grinned and dropped another quick kiss on her lips before climbing out of bed, forgetting his state of undress again.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, but it didn't stop her from inspecting that magnificent cock in even greater detail. She didn't even think she'd be able to put her hand around it, let alone her mouth. She blushed again at the direction of her thoughts, and his shaft jerked.

"You make control very difficult, my gemshin."

She understood enough of what he said to quickly look away, but one word confused her.

"Gemshin?"

She heard him pull on his pants before he returned to the bed, taking her hand and placing it on his bare chest over his heart.

"Gemshin."

He'd called her his heart? She melted a little inside, patting his chest shyly. He started to bend towards her and a brisk knock on the outer door was followed almost immediately by Merow bustling into the room with a tray of food.

"I didn't say enter," Wulf growled, but Merow ignored him.

"I thought you might be hungry this morning, Kari."

"I was about to fetch food for her," he insisted, but the older woman waved him away.

"You're needed elsewhere," Merow said firmly. "I'll take care of Kari."

He hesitated, then finally nodded, giving her a reassuring smile before pulling on a shirt and leaving. Merow grinned at her.

"Did I interrupt anything?"

"No," she said firmly, but she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed at the interruption.

Merow had brought porridge, a sweeter version than Egon had prepared on the trail, along with berries, fresh bread, and a strong sweet tea. The other woman was right - she was hungry - and she devoured it all before Merow helped her into a new gown, this one perfectly fitted.

Then, despite her nerves, Merow led her out into the bustling clan grounds. To her relief, although she caught many speculative glances, they were respectful rather than intimidating and she didn't feel as overwhelmed as she had the previous evening.

As they walked, she noticed the scarcity of females. She spotted a few more but they were mainly older, like Merow. The absence of children was even more striking and her heart ached for Wulf and his people.

"This is where we smoke our meat," Merow explained, gesturing to a large structure billowing with fragrant smoke. "And over there, that's where we tend to the livestock."

The older woman explained that they raised various types of animals. The pigs looked identical to Earth pigs, as did the horses, but the cows had a different build and an odd striped pattern on their skin and the animals they used for wool were as wooly as sheep but had the long legs of a mountain goat.

She nodded, taking it all in as Merow showed her around. She watched as some clan members wove intricate patterns into cloth, while others carved delicate designs into bones. The blend of practical survival skills and artistic expression fascinated her. As the morning wore on, Kari found herself relaxing. Many of the clan's activities were familiar to her through her studies and they had a rhythm that felt oddly comforting.

As they continued their tour, her gaze kept getting drawn to Wulf. He seemed to be everywhere, stopping to speak with various members of the clan. He always gave them his complete attention, offering a word of advice or simply a sympathetic ear. His leadership was a perfect balance of authority and care. He seemed to know each member of the clan personally, addressing their needs with genuine concern.

Their eyes met several times, and the intensity of his gaze sent a thrill down her spine. The morning's interrupted kiss had evolved into something more profound by evening.

She somewhat reluctantly agreed to accompany him to the Great Hall for the evening meal. Although it was still somewhat raucous, she no longer felt as intimidated by the huge males. Their banter, thought loud, was playful rather than aggressive, and she was content to watch and listen.

As the meal ended, Wulf rose to escort her to their rooms. She suspected that a few of the contents in their direction were on the ribald side, but fortunately she wasn't entirely sure and was able to keep a pleasant smile on her face.

He turned to her as soon as they entered his rooms, and her heart skipped a beat as she stared up at him.. He cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek as he studied her face. He seemed to find whatever he was looking for because he smiled, and then he kissed her. Kissing him feels like coming home, she thought, leaning into him.

But then he made a harsh sound in his throat and deepened the kiss, his mouth hungry and demanding. They were both breathing hard by the time he pulled back.

"I cannot say I am sorry, but I do not want to rush you," he said, and she understood what he meant.

"I - we - need time," she murmured and he nodded, then gave her a rueful grin.

"I suspect it would be best if I slept in my leathers."

She laughed, but shook her head.

"I want you to be comfortable. I'm sure we can control ourselves."

A week later, she decided she'd been a little too optimistic about their ability to control themselves. The passion between them had only grown stronger and their kisses had become... more. The amount of time they spent together, the intimacy of their bodies pressed together all night with very little between them, along with the kisses - and now the touches - had her in a constant state of arousal.

His caresses had gradually progressed from her face and her hands to her shoulders and arms. When she didn't object, he moved on to her waist, and then her hips, and then even more sensitive areas. The previous night he'd spent a long time caressing her breasts, especially fascinated by her nipples, tugging on them and rolling them between his fingers, discovering the perfect amount of pressure to make her writhe with pleasure.

As delightful as it had been, it hadn't been quite enough to make her climax and the lingering arousal haunted her dreams, leaving her frustrated and needy. She woke before him again and decided that it was time to take matters into her own hands - literally. She slid her hand down between their bodies, shivering with anticipation as she gently touched his massive cock for the first time.

He stirred restlessly but didn't wake, and she carefully tried to close her hand around the thick shaft. As she'd suspected, she couldn't enclose it completely, but she gave him a long firm stroke. His body suddenly tensed and then she was on her back with him looming over her, his eyes almost solid black.

"What are you doing, my gemshin?" he asked, his voice harsh and guttural.

"Touching you. Can't you tell?"

His eyes closed briefly, and when he opened them, she was shocked by the sheer heat in his gaze. He shifted so that he was laying between her thighs, pressing his massive erection against the aching vee of her body.

"This is a dangerous game," he growled, rocking his hips against hers.

She could feel his shaft rubbing her clit through the fabric of his shirt she used as a nightgown and she moaned in frustration.

"A game I want to play," she whispered, her fingers digging into his massive shoulders as she rocked her hips against him. "Show me what pleases you."

He shuddered, a groan escaping him. He propped himself up on one elbow and took her hand in his. The heat in his eyes made her quiver as he guided her hand to his heavy sack, his balls shifting under her palm.

"Here," he whispered, then nudged her hand higher. "And here."

When he guided her hand back to his shaft, he was thick and heavy in her hand, and she could feel every vein throbbing with his desire. The wide band at the base shifted when she stroked it and he growled again, then kissed her, his tongue spearing into her mouth. His hand closed around her breast, his fingers working her nipple, and making her clit pulse with excitement.

She gasped when he broke the kiss, his lips moving to the column of her throat. He licked and sucked, then nipped her collarbone and she whimpered as a hot, tingling sensation rushed through her.

"Please," she begged, and she was rewarded when his head dipped lower, his hot mouth closing around a stiff peak, his tongue swirling around it through the thin fabric of his shirt.

Her whole body felt like it was on fire, her hips moving against his of their own volition. The stimulation took her to the edge of climax but once against she lingered at the peak.

"More," she demanded, and his head snapped up to look at her.

"Tell me, what you need," he commanded.

"I don't - I just need-"

She squeezed his cock, trying to convey what she wanted without words and his eyes darkened.

"Are you wet, my gemshin? Do you want me to touch your needy little fitti?"

"Yes," she breathed, hoping she was interpreting his meaning correctly..

He gave her nipple one last lick before moving down, pushing the shirt up until it bunched around her ribs. He stroked her mound, then eased her thighs open with one broad hand, exposing her to his gaze.

She held her breath, waiting for him to touch her, to ease the burning need that consumed her. Instead he simply studied her.

"Wulf!"

He looked at her, then suddenly smiled.

"Patience, my gemshin. Let me admire your beautify."

Her cheeks heated as he gazed down at her exposed pussy, but his gaze was so frankly admiring, so passionate, that when he ran his finger along the edge of her labia she almost climaxed from that touch alone.

"Wulf," she begged again, and he smiled.

"I will take care of you," he promised, and then her head fell back as he finally, finally, stroked her aching clit, circling it with a rough finger.

"More," she ordered, and he gave her exactly what she wanted, slipping one thick finger inside her.

They both groaned. His finger felt wonderful, his skin rough, the pressure perfect, but she still wanted more. She wiggled encouragingly and he added a second finger, stretching her deliciously. His thumb stroked her clit, sending a tidal wave of heat rushing through her, the pressure building until her release finally washed over her in long shuddering waves.

"Beautiful," he murmured, then pulled his fingers from her, making her gasp again.

He kept his eyes on her face as he sucked his fingers clean and the sight sent another ripple of desire through her. She reached for him, eager to taste him as well, and he groaned. He was still rock hard against her stomach and she gently ran her hand over the wide base.

"Later," he said, then kissed her softly and tucked her against his body. She could feel the tension in him but exhaustion and satisfaction claimed her quickly and she fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear.