‘Because my wife amuses me.’
Jazz faked a frown. ‘I think you’d better explain that remark.’
‘Let’s just say, you’re a natural in the bedroom, and you’ve been hiding this talent for how long?’
‘As I tried to explain, a princess of Kareshi doesn’t exactly have the opportunity to express that side of herself as freely or as often as she might like.’
‘Oh, so you would have expressed yourself before now, if it had been permitted?’
‘Stop fishing, Viking. I’m a good girl. Always have been.’
‘Then I’m glad you changed for me.’
‘I’m wicked now,’ she agreed happily. ‘So I hope when you talk about a long night, you mean a long night of pleasure for me?’
Tyr’s brow furrowed, but his mouth was still curved in a smile. ‘I’m counting on it, Princess.’
Jazz was still floating high on the rippling aftermath of pleasure, and that was exactly what she needed to hear. But had she really thought there was nothing left that Tyr could do to shock her?
One more thing she was wrong about, Jazz realised as Tyr placed his big, work-calloused hands beneath her buttocks and lifted her. He positioned her to suit him with her legs spread wide across his powerful shoulders.
She felt exposed. She felt vulnerable.
She was exposed. She was vulnerable. And had to remind herself yet again that this was Tyr Skavanga and she trusted him. They were husband and wife, and nothing was forbidden to them.
Tyr used pleasure like a spell to make her forget any embarrassment she might have suffered, and to the point where she actively encouraged him when he placed a cushion beneath her hips. Kneeling in front of her, he lifted her even more as he dipped his head and worked another spell, with his mouth and with his tongue, and with his fingers as she pressed urgently against his mouth.
But shouldn’t she be doing something?
‘Shouldn’t I...?’
‘Reciprocate?’ Tyr supplied, flashing his wicked smile.
Now she wished she hadn’t said anything, though she guessed a pause suited him, as it only made her more frustrated than ever.
‘There’s no rush, Jazz,’ Tyr remarked, confirming this. ‘We’ve got all night, remember? All night to please you, Princess, so stop worrying. Instinct is all you need.’
But did she have the right sort of instinct?
The pleasure was so intense, she turned her head away, feeling embarrassed at the overwhelming power of her response. She wanted to cry out, and moan and sigh. It was taking everything she’d got just to remain silent.
‘Let yourself go,’ Tyr advised, his tone husky and amused. ‘You’ll enjoy it so much more if you do. Why deny yourself pleasure, Jazz?’
‘I can’t take without giving something back, that’s why. And you can stop smiling,’ she warned, longing to touch Tyr, to explore him and test his responses. But Tyr was too skilled for that, and made sure she lost control again before she had chance to put her plan into action.
‘You’re just too good at this,’ she panted out.
‘Are you complaining?’ he murmured against her mouth.
‘I just want to know when it’s my turn.’
‘That was your turn.’
‘Oh, you’re impossible,’ she complained, finding she lacked even the strength to play-punch him.
‘Agreed.’ He dragged her close.
‘Is this meant to soothe me down?’ she demanded when Tyr finally lifted his head. ‘Because if it is, you’ve failed miserably.’
‘That’s great news,’ Tyr murmured.
Every part of them was touching as he kissed her, but she couldn’t wait any longer and took the initiative, transferring her kisses from his mouth to his ear, and then his neck. And when she heard his sharp intake of breath, she moved over him and pressed him down onto the cushions. ‘You’re mine, Tyr Skavanga.’
‘Your sex slave?’ Tyr suggested. His smile broadened. ‘Excellent. Feel free to use me any way you like.’
‘I do like.’ And she would. Tyr was magnificent. His body was beautiful. Built on an epic scale to a flawless design. Flawless, except for the scars that she traced with her fingertips—
‘Don’t,’ Tyr warned softly as she examined the map of memories. ‘Don’t spoil the mood, Jazz.’
That map might take a lifetime to unravel, she accepted. Tyr repaid her restraint with a slanting smile that made heat rush through her. Now she could think of only one thing, and that was Tyr. She wanted to bring him pleasure, and, kissing her way down his heroic frame, she only stopped when she reached the waistband of his shorts. Drawing a deep, steadying breath, she hooked her thumbs beneath the elastic at the waistband and drew them down.