Nordic Bound, page 15
I ask, concerned, “Kjetil, you should let Alreck carry that. I know you’re his new bar back but do you think it’s a good idea to carry heavy things?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” He comes out from around the bar to where we’re now seated. The limp in his right leg is still noticeable but is definitely improving with each week of therapy. Bern has been an angel, making sure that he doesn’t miss a single appointment, even staying with him as encouragement. When he’s not staying with Bern and Lisetta, he’s out at Dad’s place. Mikkel has given him a full-time job helping out at Heavy’s. For now he’s a glorified errand guy, but he’s eager to learn the craft and Mikkel has gushed that he’s mechanically inclined and a quick learner.
Kjetil gives a lopsided grin, saying, “Congratulations, Aksel. Full-patch status. That’s impressive.”
Aksel shakes Kjetil’s outstretched hand and says appreciatively, “Thanks, man. So, what’s the latest with you? It’s been a few weeks.”
Still self-conscious, my brother absentmindedly touches the long scar that marks his once flawless cheek.
I act like I don’t notice, knowing how shy he is as he answers, “Same old, still saving up for a ride. Hoping to have the money I need by winter. Then my goal is to keep it at Mikkel’s and work on it after hours.”
“That right?”
“Yup.”
I watch curiously as Aksel reached into his front jeans pocket to pull out a silver cable ring with a lone key twisting from it.
Looking my brother straight in the eyes, he says, “I don’t see any reason why you should wait that long. Here you go, and before you lose your mind, know that it needs a hell of a lot of work. That said, it’s a solid ride, a café racing bike. It has the potential to be one sweet ride if you put the sweat and time into it.”
My brother stares in open-mouthed shock, unable to move as I ask in disbelief, “Y-you’re seriously giving him your project bike? Aksel ….”
I throw my arms around his neck and shower him with kisses.
He looks past me, asking Kjetil, “Well, you gonna take the key, or am I gonna stand here looking like an idiot until my arm goes numb?”
I let go and watch as Kjetil’s trembling hand closes around the key, his voice filled with gratitude, telling him, “That’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever done for me,” he says. “Thank you, Aksel.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve arranged for it to be towed on a wrecker from my home this Tuesday. Mikkel is down with you keeping it in a spare bay at the shop—as long as you don’t let it interfere with your work. You know how tight he runs his business.”
“Yeah, absolutely. Of course. Hell, I-I’m speechless, actually.”
“You don’t need to say anything. Hey, looks like Alreck need you.”
He glances back. “Oh, shit. I have to go, but we’ll catch up later tonight. And thanks again!”
He disappears through the doors and down the stairs as I say tenderly, “And that is why I love you so much. With one selfless gesture, you gave him happiness and hope. You never cease to amaze, my thoughtful man.”
He squeezes me against his side and drops a kiss on top of my hair, telling me, “No, princess, you have that backwards, and don’t even think of arguing with your Sir, ’cause you know what happens to naughty girls ….”
My cheeks flush, and he correctly reads the, Oh, do I ever look in my eyes.
Lisetta rushes up to us, scolding playfully, “Are you two going to spend all night staring at each other like Romeo and Juliet? I mean seriously, it’s been … what, six months already. You must know every pore on each other’s faces by now! Come on, I need you both for doubles pool. We’re racked and ready. Don’t worry about drinks. We’ll make a run for shots after we break. Follow me.”
He looks down at me as I drag him along. “Jesus, she’s a fiery one.”
“Oh yes, and that’s why she’s a perfect match for Bern. I can’t believe their wedding is next month.”
Lisetta is picking out pool cues for us as we step up onto the platform. Bern says, “Ready to lose?”
Aksel fights a grin. “Speak for yourself, jackass. You’re the sucker who’ll be going down.”
My brother laughs. “We’ll see if you’ve got what it takes to back up your bullshit.”
I roll my eyes at their banter. After the heated argument at Mikkel’s, my brother seems to have turned a corner—who knows why. Maybe it was Lisetta, or maybe he figured out that staying angry at Aksel didn’t do anything but cause problems for the family. Whatever the reason, about a month after he flipped out, he asked Aksel to join him for a beer, which turned into countless pints. Ever since then, it’s as if there’s never been tension between them.
Bern makes the break and comes to stand beside Aksel. His tone is all business as he asks, “You planning on going to the trial? They set the date for August fifth.”
“I’m planning on it. Might not get in though, seeing as I’m not family.”
Bern stares down at the felt-topped table. “Not on paper.”
Aksel looks at him but stays silent.
“Kjetil’s taking the stand.”
Aksel nods slowly. “I’d heard from Ingvild.”
“They’d better give him a long stretch or I’ll make him wish they had.”
“You have to prepare yourself for anything, Bern. He could get a soft judge or his attorney might have found something we don’t know about, something that could flip the case. Remember, Lars never laid a hand on Kjetil.”
My eyes widen as Bern strangles the cue. “He ordered it and he was there. That’s enough. That and Kjetil’s statement. And you can bet the men they now have in custody will be eager to spill who ordered it. The cops are good at turning criminals against one another. They’ll nail him; I’m confident.”
“We’re all hopeful.”
As if as an afterthought, Bern murmurs, “Doesn’t really matter, because he’ll never walk free on the streets of Norway again. That’s a fact.”
Lisetta calls out from the opposite side of the table, “Ingvild, you’re up.”
I position and take the shot, missing horribly because I’m far too distracted. I stand and lift my eyes to Aksel’s as he passes behind me. In a reassuring voice, he says softly, “He’ll get what’s coming to him. There are a lot of people determined to make certain of it.”
I trust him. I have to because he’s kept us alive.
Bern does his best to break the serious mood by slapping Aksel’s new patch, joking, “Thought you were too much of a pretty boy to pull off that horned demon, my man. Actually looks rather fierce on you, brother.”
Aksel downs the liquor that Bern hands him, saying slyly, “Coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Bern leans low, perfectly nailing a combo shot, then glances back at Aksel, telling him, “Do.”
Epilogue
Two Weeks Later
The growling cycle eases to a rolling stop on the shoulder of the mountainous road. The engine is still vibrating hard between my legs as I pull off my helmet to get a prime view of the majestic fjord nestled in the valley off to our right. Aksel is busy looking down at directions on his mobile when I ask him nervously, “Do you think we’ll make the ferry? Didn’t you say the last one to the Lofoten Islands leaves at six p.m.?”
“Easy, princess, I’ve got it covered. Behave and slide your helmet back on. We’re not far.”
I wonder why he’s not nearly as concerned as I am about the possibility of sleeping in the woods tonight, which is what will likely happen if we miss that boat to Alreck’s remote rorbu.
I check the strap on my helmet and snuggle against his back. He glances over his left shoulder, asking, “You good?”
“Yes, ready.”
His pulls us back out onto the winding mountain pass and I rest the side of my helmet against the center of his patch, drinking in the warmth of the late afternoon sunshine as it kisses the exposed areas of my body. With classes over and Aksel finally caught up with his orders, we’re able to sneak out of town for a long overdue getaway. The last time I visited the Lofoten Island chain was when I was a small child, so all I recall are flashes of tall peaks that reach into the clouds and bright red roofs on the small structures. I also fondly remember being so excited when we took a boat out to see the whales. I smile at the thought that I’ll be creating new memories there with Aksel. Vail showed me a virtual slideshow of recent pictures of the waterfront rorbu, Alreck’s childhood home. It looks like something out of a fairytale. I’m pulled away from my daydream as the cycle slows to a crawl, taking a sharp right off the highway onto a narrow dirt road.
Could the route to the ferry really be this rural? We’re heading deeper into the dense forest and I’m becoming more curious with each passing second.
Aksel is unfazed, clearly confident in the route he’s taking. Several minutes pass and the bike stops right before a grassy area where the tree line abruptly ends.
His hand reaches back to squeeze my thigh and he pulls off his helmet. I remove mine too and slide off the bike, stretching like a cat after the arduous ride.
He dismounts and turns to me. I wait patiently, eager to know why we’re here.
He places his helmet down then takes mine out of my hands and does the same. He seems calm and relaxed as he reaches for my hand, telling me softly, “Come.”
We walk to the edge of the cliff and my jaw drops open. Several hundred meters below us lies the pristine, sapphire-blue water of the mammoth fjord.
“It’s Tysfjorden,” Aksel says appreciatively.
“It’s incredible. You know, no matter how many times I’ve seen these fjords, they still leave me breathless. I don’t think there’ll ever be adequate words to capture their awe-inspiring beauty. It’s powerful to see them like this, out here on our own, not on a tour boat jammed with people. ”
“Mmm, you’re right there.”
“So?”
“Yes?”
“Are we supposed to swim to the Lofoten Islands, or maybe abseil down to wait for a passing ferry?”
He takes hold of my shoulders, spinning me around to face him. His lips are hot as they meet mine, his kiss possessive and unyielding. I whimper, following his lead as our tongues spar with increasing urgency.
The slow burn of desire has been triggered deep within me when he pulls away. Head tilted, he watches me closely before responding, “You’ll pay up for that sassy comment, my insolent princess, but first I’m going to put you to the test.”
I sputter, “What? I was just kidding! You have to know that. Right?’
“You were disrespectful, sweetheart, and we both know it. But punishment will have to wait because we need to begin setting up camp.”
His eyes are shining as he observes my reaction.
“Camp? We’re spending the night out here?”
“That’s right. Wanted to make the most of our adventure north and besides, I’ve always wanted to sleep beneath the stars with a woman. I was merely biding my time to cross paths with the right girl for the adventure.”
“I was wondering why you strapped the sleeping bags to the bike. I thought it was just a precaution, in case we broke down. Now I see it was all part of your nefarious plan.”
Grinning deviously, he crosses his arms and says, “Oh, you’ve got that right, Ingvild, and that sinful plan is highly detailed, baby. Now move your sexy ass and gather some kindling while I set up camp.”
Alone, out in the wild with him … the infinite possibilities of what he’ll do to me tonight make every cell throb for his masterful touch.
He’s staring patiently across at me as my fingers stray up to play across my custom-made platinum collar—his own original design.
My voice, laced heavily with lust, is nearly unrecognizable to my own ears as I reply, “Of course, Sir.”
***
I shift my stance in a hopeless attempt to ease the relentless throbbing of my greedy cock. It still puzzles me how after all our time together she still has this powerful effect on me. Who the fuck cares? She’s all mine and this weekend is going to be unforgettable. I watch her bend to pick up dry sticks and think back on the time Mikkel told me about this hidden gem of a spot, suggesting that we might want to stop here for a break. Oh yeah. I decided a nice, long, very wicked overnight visit would be at the top of our agenda. I’ve neglected to mention the fact that we already have pre-purchased seats on the ferry that leaves tomorrow morning at nine a.m. I know how spontaneity drives her wild. The uncertainty, the possibility of danger amps her up to shocking levels. Tonight we’re roughing it, and my body is more than primed for intense play.
I get busy collecting large rocks to surround the area where we’ll have our fire. She’s made a sizeable pile of branches and sticks, so I call out, “That should be enough. Go ahead and unfasten the sleeping bags.”
“Got it.”
I find a large log and roll it over to the rocks, thinking it’s the perfect size for two.
“Good thing we ate that late lunch today.”
I look up and grin. “Yeah, it is. I have some protein bars, drinks and dried fruit packed in our gear, whenever you get hungry later.”
“Sounds tasty, Sir.”
I glance up from maneuvering the log and see the imploring, seductive look in her eyes. Nuh-uh, princess, you’re going to wait patiently for me this evening. What I have planned will drive you to the brink of sanity.
She’s on her hands and knees, smoothing out the navy-blue down bags, her long braid hanging beautifully over one shoulder, a cascade of plaited gold. I could watch her forever and never be bored. I light the kindling in several places then use a stick to poke it, making sure it ignites evenly.
“Sit with me, Ingvild.”
She takes a deep drink from her thermos, pours some over her hands, and then turns to walk over and drop down next to me. Her slim, denim-clad legs brush against mine as she offers me the water. We stare into the fire for a long while before I shift to face her. She’s looking thoughtfully into the dancing flames and I can’t resist staring at the rise and fall of her ivory breasts, on gorgeous display in a fitted, low-cut white top.
“I’ve invented a game.”
She pulls her attention away from the blaze and stares at me. “Oh really? What kind?”
“The kind that involves you, me, and the forest.”
Right there. I see the raw desire in her face. She’s practically salivating to know where I’m taking this.
“Does it have a name?”
“Takedown.”
“And what are the rules, Sir?’
“It’s basically a very adult version of hide and seek. I expect you to choose a very good hiding spot where you remain hidden for at least four minutes. The difference is, Ingvild, if I find you before that time is up, each minute in my favor is equal to ten ruthless over-the-knee fireside spankings. Are you clear on my rules?”
Her fingers are splayed out on her knees and she’s huffing out excited little breaths as she asks, “And what if I evade you? What then, Sir?”
“If I can’t find you in the allotted time, then you get to name whatever sexual favor you want.”
“Mmm … I like that part of the game, Sir.”
“I thought so. I’m going to give you a full five minutes to choose your spot. I’ll sit right here and wait before I hunt you down. Ready?”
Her head whips in several directions. Adrenaline must already be racing through her veins because her eyes are wide and she’s clearly breathless.
“I’m ready.”
“Make me proud, princess. On three … one, two, three!”
I blink and she’s up and gone, the noisy crunch of leaves the only indicator of her possible course. I fight the urge to turn around and look, instead deciding to keep myself distracted by unpacking a few necessary items from the saddlebags that I carefully lay out at the bottom of my sleeping bag. After that I toss extra logs onto the fire to make sure it’s roaring. It’s summer, but this far north it never really gets hot. The last thing I want is for her to get chilled when she’s stark naked. I practically lick my lips at the sinful thought.
I glance down at my watch. I stopped hearing any movement nearly as soon as she bolted. At first it bothered me, thinking that she might be lost, but no, I know her. Even though it’s not dark out—the midnight sun preventing darkness this time of year—she’ll stay fairly close. She has her wits about her and above all, my naughty little pet wants me to hunt her down.
I crank my arms back and forth to relieve the tension of the road. Then I raise my chin and yell, “Time’s up, baby! Hope you’re ready ’cause I’m coming for you!”
***
It takes all my self-control to keep my body stock-still as he closes in on me. I knew he would expect me to hide behind one of the trees thick enough to conceal a body, so instead I found a dense thicket with a rotted tree stump in the middle. The entire mass only comes up to my knees, but if I lie absolutely flush with the ground, then I’m concealed, at least from the side he’ll be coming from.
It’s odd that he’s silent—no playful teasing that he’s on my trail. Then again, he’s a trained hunter and he obviously takes this game seriously. I press my palms into the grass and leaves, trying to still my trembling. I can hear him off in the distance—the slow, methodical snapping of twigs under his heavy boots followed by moments of dead silence. It will be a miracle if he doesn’t hear my shallow breathing. In my ears, it sounds like a relentless roaring. Closer, ever closer he makes his way toward me. Knowing him, he can smell my perfume.
Oh God, I should have gone farther into the forest. Damn! He’s closing in now, and from the sound of his footfalls, he’s cutting a direct path toward me. The urge to push up and sprint for it is nearly overwhelming but I decide to wait it out and call his bluff. Maybe it’s merely a coincidence that he’s this close? Ever so slowly, I flip my hand over and lower my face down into my palm as a precaution against making an involuntary sound. One thing I’ve learned over the past year is that fear can cause you to react in ways you’d never think possible. In this scenario my roiling emotions are seesawing between pounding lust and pure terror—a seductive combination.
