The Viking's Heartwish, page 16
“You really do love me, don’t you, Thursday?” Delaney gave him a hug and he slobbered a lick across her face.
“Time for you to go.” Varik gave Roger a light shove. “Before I forget I am gentleman.”
“Oh...oh...ohhhhhhhhh! Oh...my...God!” Karen wailed before Roger had a chance to respond to Varik’s thinly veiled threat.
Including Thursday, four heads whipped in Karen’s direction.
“Karen?” Roger’s face blanched.
“It’s the baby!” Karen clutched her enormous belly. “My water just broke.”
All eyes were on the floor where a small puddle formed.
“You need to get me to the hospital, Roger. This is it.”
“The baby’s coming?” Delaney nearly shrieked.
After a loud, guttural grunt, Karen nodded. “Oh yeah. Definitely.”
“Now? You have to do it now?” Roger asked. “The timing is inopportune to say the least.”
“God damn it, Roger!” Karen growled in a voice so threatening it would strike fear into any man. “This is no time to be an asshole. Stop your whining and get me to the damn hospital. Now!”
Delaney had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Varik took Delaney’s hand and squeezed. She looked up and saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
“Okay, Karen, okay.” He put his arm around his wife. Turning to Delaney, he said, “Fine. Go ahead and keep the damn dog. He’s more trouble than he’s worth.” He turned to Thursday. “You had your chance, Ruff. I’m getting a puppy to replace you. A pedigreed puppy.”
“Looks like I’m not the only one being replaced by a younger model, Thursday.” Delaney winked at her furry, four-legged pal.
“Rogerrrrrr!” Karen howled in between the weird puffing breaths she was making. “Stop! Just stop yapping! I’m...uuuggghhhhh...having contractions!”
“Yes, okay, we’re going,” Roger said, turning to leave.
“Hey,” Delaney called as her ex reached the door.
“What?” he answered without turning back to look at her.
“I want that court document, the one giving you ownership of the dog.”
“Fine.” He took the folded document from the pocket of his slacks and tossed it at Delaney. “Here.”
Catching it, she held it out to him. “Sign it.”
“As you can see, I’m in kind of a hurry, Del.” He spun around on his heel. “Come on, I already said you can have the animal. Don’t you trust me?”
“Ha!” Karen commented.
“Ditto.” Delaney acknowledged.
“Sign the damn paper so we can go,” Karen ordered through gritted teeth. “Do it...now!” An ungodly growl followed...not from Thursday—from Karen.
“If you try anything funny,” Delaney warned, “you’ll find yourself back in court facing a formal request of alimony from me. I doubt I’ll have any trouble, seeing as how you just bought a fancy new house on the North Shore, and a big new luxury car. Got it?”
Before Roger could respond, Karen commenced with a series of grunts, wails and more peculiar breathing noises she must have learned from her Lamaze classes. The feral look in her eyes could have turned a man to stone.
Looking white as a sheet, and probably fearing he just might be turned to stone if he wasn’t careful, Roger snatched a pen from his pocket, scrawled his signature on the paper and slapped it into Delaney’s waiting hand. “Okay, done. I’ve legally relinquished ownership. Ruff’s all yours now. Satisfied?” He patted Varik’s arm. “No hard feelings, okay, buddy?”
Varik glared at him, energetic fury sizzling in the depths of his eyes. “Never call me buddy. I be watching you.” He made a V-sign with his fingers, pointing at his own eyes first, then Roger’s. “Be good, honorable man or I tell Tore you are very bad devil. Okay, buddy?”
Roger gave a cursory nod and Karen screeched again. She must have hit some hidden octave because Thursday’s head gyrated just before he started bellowing.
Amidst the cacophony, Roger scratched his head, put his cap on and looked at Delaney in a way he hadn’t done in years, almost as if he were seeing her for the first time. There was a time she would have done anything to have Roger gaze at her like that. Funny...now it just left her cold.
“Time for you go away, now,” Varik instructed. Delaney assumed he must have seen Roger’s longing expression. “Leave Delaney for me to love her and take good care of her always like woman of worth deserve.”
Weak-kneed at Varik’s loving words, Delaney turned to her ex. “Varik’s right, Roger,” she said kindly. “Your future awaits. You’d better get Karen to the hospital before she spits the newest Kullerton out on the soiled carpet.”
Eyeing them both, Roger remained silent.
“One more thing,” Delaney said. Roger responded with a questioning arch of his eyebrow. “Take care of Karen and the baby. Treat them right, Roger. They deserve much better than what you gave me.” With a quick nod to acknowledge Delaney’s words, Roger turned away.
One hand clutching her belly, Karen waddled over to Delaney, drawing her into a somewhat awkward hug. “Thank you, Delaney. Goodbye.” Karen’s smile quickly morphed into an expression of agony as she growled through another contraction. A moment later, she and Roger were gone.
“See?” Varik got to one knee, clapping the dog’s flanks. “I promise you Thor’s Day come back.”
“You did...” She gave him a curious look. “What made you so certain?”
Shrugging his broad shoulders, Varik said, “I told Thor’s Day I make him big steak and potato and give him beer. I tell him in Norwegian so he understand.”
“But he doesn’t understand Norwegian.”
Nodding confidently, he told Delaney, “His name is from Norse god. He understand plenty.”
Taking in his confident expression, Delaney offered a heartfelt smile.
“I also make wish for Thor’s Day return to you.” He clapped his chest. “Special wish from heart.” He tapped two fingers over his heart. “One day I tell you about it.”
Opening her mouth to thank him, a whopping yawn came out instead. Delaney’s fingers flew to her lips. “Oh, I’m sorry!”
Tracing her face from temple to jawline with his knuckle, Varik laughed quietly. “Poor Delaney tired after much emotion.”
To her horror, she yawned again, mortified she’d actually yawned twice in the presence of her wonderful Viking. “How embarrassing.”
“Is okay. I understand.” She could tell he meant it. “You have much bad, eh...stress today. Need plenty rest tonight. Must go to work tomorrow, yes?”
“Bright and early.” Delaney nodded, mentally preparing herself for the long night ahead. There was no way she was about to go to sleep before she finished cleaning the rest of Thursday’s chocolate disaster from the rugs. She feared some of the stains might already be permanent, and new carpeting definitely wasn’t in her budget.
Glancing at the clock, Varik said, “Time for me leave soon for play. Tomorrow we eat supper together, ja?”
“That sounds lovely,” Delaney said.
“Good. We feire...eh...celebrate, for you have Thursday back. Go restaurant and make happy time together. Forget sadness of today. Sound nice?”
“Sounds perfect.” Delaney smiled up at him, her heart full of gratitude that this man had come into her life. “I’m mighty glad you showed up on my doorstep, even if you weren’t selling fundraiser chocolate.”
“Best of accidents.” Leaning close, he kissed the tip of her nose. “I think of excellent plan for us. You like to hear?”
“Sure.” She couldn’t imagine what he meant but hoped it included lots of hugs, kisses and cuddling.
“For two week we do friendly neighbor planet dating. Is good amount of time.”
“Planet dating?” He had her stumped this time.
Varik’s eyebrow curved. “Mean no sex.”
“Ah...platonic,” Delaney said.
“Platonic,” he repeated. “Be hard to not make sex with beautiful Delaney,” smiling down at her, he caressed her face, his thumb lingering on her bottom lip, “but Delaney feel more safe to us know each other better first, ja?”
Although she felt she already knew everything about him that really mattered, she nodded, knowing he was right, regardless of what her libido screamed. His plan was clearly designed for her benefit, which, as far as she was concerned, propelled Varik into the same league as all her favorite romance heroes.
“It’s a wise plan,” she agreed.
“At end of two week...” his eyebrows danced with a devilish jiggle, “we make special celebration night. All night. You in Varik’s arms.”
“Perfect.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, stroking the back of his hair. “Your English may be broken but you still have a wonderful way with words, Varik.”
His kiss was far better than a verbal response. A dreamy sigh escaped her lips after his passionate goodnight caress. It was a delicious promise of what was to come.
Chapter Eleven
~<>~
AMIDST MOUNTING sexual tension, the next two weeks were heavenly. They talked about everything and anything, including topics Delaney and Roger had never discussed in their ten years together. Each day brought improvement in Varik’s English, in just two weeks it had vastly improved. She had no trouble believing he’d be speaking perfect English by the time he started teaching in the fall.
They learned each other’s preferences in books, movies, music, travel, food and more. Delaney adored his quick wit and sense of humor. It was a rare man, or woman for that matter, who could easily laugh at themselves. Varik had no trouble at all. The man loved to laugh and loved making her laugh.
It was a pleasure to cook for Varik. He lavished her with praise each time she made a new dish for him, making her feel like a master chef while, in truth, she was an average home cook.
“Tomorrow we celebrate,” Varik announced on the final evening of their two weeks of platonic dating, with sexual tension at its peak. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “I will cook this time. We start with champagne and liverwurst.”
Delaney wrinkled her nose.
“Pickled herring?” Varik asked, then laughed at Delaney’s “O” face. He was the more adventurous one when it came to sampling unusual foods. Delaney was determined to change that, little by little...with liverwurst and pickled herring at the bottom of her must try list.
“Cheese and crackers?” he suggested.
Relieved, she offered a thumbs up. “Now that sounds appetizing.”
“Then we will have baby back ribs. I remember you say they are your favorite.”
“I can’t believe you remembered.”
Taking her hands in his, Varik studied her face. “I find everything about you unforgettable, my beautiful Delaney.” His kiss was sweet and tender, as if he cherished her.
“Tomorrow evening will be magical,” he promised. “How can it not be when I hold you in my arms all night, skin to skin, heart to heart?”
Delaney surrendered to a dreamy sigh in response.
It all seemed too good to be true. Varik Jenssen had a body to die for, movie star looks, rock star talent, and a great sense of humor. He was kind and considerate, yet a fierce protector. He was a genius, and the man’s cooking rivaled Julia Child’s.
And he was incredible in bed too.
Dear Diary: I must have done something very good in my life to end up with the ideal man. I’ve definitely hit the jackpot. I can’t help looking heavenward and smiling. If you had anything to do with sending Varik into my life, Grandma Bekka, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Maybe fairytales really do come true after all...
~<>~
All the planets had aligned perfectly, the universe was in perfect harmony, and Delaney Malone’s life was synchronized with the heavens. At least that’s the way she felt Sunday morning.
Tomorrow morning, Monday, the first day she and Varik would wake up together, needed to be special. One culinary aspect Delaney had mastered fairly well was making breakfast. She’d whip up a couple cheddar-chive omelets, fry some crisp bacon, toast and butter English muffins, and serve them breakfast in bed with apricot jam, mimosas and strong coffee.
She wasn’t sure if Varik had everything she needed at his place, so she’d head to the grocery store to pick up the necessary ingredients and take them to his house when he came to pick her up this evening.
Imagining their special date tonight was enough to make her swoon...or maybe it was giggle. Probably a little of both. Delaney felt like a schoolgirl anticipating prom night with the popular captain of the football team.
She’d asked her boss, Paul, for Monday off, sidestepping any explanation of how magical it would be waking up in Varik’s arms after spending the night with him. Since Delaney was a veritable fixture at the office, never calling in sick or taking a day off, Paul was glad to see her finally taking some time for herself, assuring her the newspaper wouldn’t collapse and fold without her there for one day.
On his way to the airport tonight, Paul was stopping by at six-forty-five to drop off and explain the files she’d need during his absence next week. The timing was perfect, since Varik wasn’t picking her up until seven-thirty. Delaney would just get ready a little earlier than she’d planned.
She spent the afternoon organizing and tidying her townhouse, which was in far better shape than when it was purchased. After being up most of the night two weeks ago, scrubbing, she’d managed to clean and sanitize all the carpeting until there were no more traces of Thursday’s mess. Then she got the bug to clean everything else. Though she should have been exhausted after the stressful visit from her ex, plus getting so little sleep, she felt oddly refreshed and revitalized the next morning.
Daydreaming about the platonic two week courting period Varik had personally planned gave Delaney all the vitality she needed.
On the way to the grocery store she noticed the weather was picture perfect. Bright, sunny and mild with a light sprinkling of fresh snow sparkling in the sunlight, concealing the shoveled piles of dirty gray snow on the roadside as if they’d been sifted with powdered sugar. It was one of those beautiful days that almost had her loving Chicago in the winter.
Everything had neatly fallen into place. It was as if all her ancestors conspired to grant her the happiness she longed for.
It wasn’t until Delaney was on her way home from the store that it hit her.
She’d fallen in love.
“But how is that possible?” she asked herself while driving. “I’ve known Varik less than a month.” Doing her best to be logical and rational, she wondered if this was only a case of lust. She’d be an idiot to deny her libido had been working overtime since they’d met. God knows she’d never experienced anything remotely close to the passion she and Varik had shared that first day. But then...maybe she’d simply been carried away by having amazing sex with a gorgeous guy in costume.
Then she remembered all of Varik’s endearing qualities, all the wonderful traits that had nothing to do with his prowess as a lover. He was unlike any man she’d ever known. It was almost as if he’d been created just for her. As if they were true soul mates, destined to be together.
“And that all adds up to love,” Delaney said, pulling in to her driveway. “There’s no other explanation.”
As the garage door rose, she expelled a wistful sigh and glanced down the street to Varik’s townhouse, daydreaming about the perfect romantic night she had in store.
She was just in time to see a shapely blonde wrapping herself around Varik when he opened the door. A moment later, after sharing a passionate kiss, they’d disappeared into his house.
And Delaney Malone’s entire world imploded.
~<>~
At a loss as to what to do, Delaney paced, muttering aloud with Thursday pacing at her side, moaning in commiseration.
“Maybe she’s his sister,” she mused, frowning when the image of the statuesque woman draping herself over Varik came into view. “Perhaps Norwegian brothers and sisters are more...demonstrative than their American counterparts,” she reasoned, aware her pseudo logic was ridiculous. If they were siblings that greeting would have bordered on incestual.
Thursday chose that moment to whimper. “You’re right, Thursday. There has to be a reasonable explanation. Varik’s a good man. He wouldn’t do this to me. He just wouldn’t...” Thursday responded with a soft bark.
Her mother’s frequent warnings about too-charming men soared to the forefront of her mind. It was the last thing Delaney wanted to think about now. Nonetheless, the memory stuck, followed by disagreeable recollections of her decidedly anti-charming ex-husband.
Varik oozed charm, while Roger was devoid of it. Maybe Delaney was meant to find someone in the middle. A man of mediocre charm.
“Varik’s not like Roger,” she told the dog. Thursday gave her a doubtful look. “He’s not,” she insisted. Recalling all the sweet things Varik had said to her, all the kind, loving words he’d spoken in adorable broken English, had her succumbing to a wistful sigh.
“What if I only think I’m so smart and it turns out I was just fooled by a charming guy the way my mother always warned me?” Only a fool, a complete idiot, would brazenly drag an unknown man dressed like a Viking in off the street, telling herself he was a paid prostitute parting gift sent from her departed grandmother.
Tears sprang to her eyes.
“He was a stranger. I had hot naked sex with a total stranger, Thursday. Sex that I initiated.”
Standing in place, she felt a rush of heat. Not a pleasurable, passionate rush, but the sick, mortifying burn of humiliation.
“Well of course the man’s going to bend over backwards being charming and cordial after I welcomed him to the neighborhood with a rousing roll in the hay. Why wouldn’t he? After all,” her hands flew into the air and came crashing down at her sides, “he’s got to keep the whore two doors down pacified so she’ll happily perform the horizontal mambo again when the mood strikes him.”
