Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
She raised her hips, eager for him to go deeper.
“Hold tight to me,” he said.
She gripped his arms and threw her hips up just as he slipped further in, driving him deep inside her.
She gasped loudly at the sting she felt but the pleasure overtook any discomfort.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked concerned.
“Nay. Nay,” she groaned.
He grinned and whispered, “Tame your moans or the whole village will hear you.”
She gasped again, then shut her mouth tightly.
“Hold on,” he said, and they soon were both lost in a world of pleasure.
She kept her moans trapped away when she wanted nothing more than to scream out with passion. She had no choice but to open her mouth, needing more breath, and she panted softly as her pleasure mounted.
Raff watched her, seeing the pleasure on her face increased his own.
After a few moments, she managed to say, “I—I—I—”
Raff saw she was about to climax, and he rushed his mouth to cover hers and captured her scream as she burst with satisfaction. He followed soon after, throwing his head back and stifling his own roar.
They lay side by side bathing in the afterglow of their lovemaking, their hands clasped, their breathing beginning to calm and their heated bodies beginning to cool.
“That was amazing,” Ingrid said.
“Aye, it was,” he agreed, squeezing her hand lightly.
“I am glad we handfasted and didn’t wait. And I think it would be better for everyone to know we are wed.”
He turned on his side. “Why is that?”
Ingrid turned toward him as well. “I want us to be together, share our meals together, sleep together, like any husband and wife does. I want all the time I can get with you.”
“What about your mum?”
“I will deal with her when the time comes. Besides, we can appease her by holding a ceremony during the harvest festival.”
“I am glad and relieved that you feel that way, since I don’t know how I would have kept myself away from you. You are home to me, the place I feel safe and loved.”
“Then tomorrow we will tell everyone, and you will move your things—home.”
“I can’t wait,” he said and took her in his arms, a chill running over them both.
Ingrid sprang up in bed and looked around as if she expected to see someone.
Raff sat up as well. “What’s wrong?”
“Did you feel that chilled breeze that swept around us?” she asked.
He nodded. “A draft.”
“That was too strong for a draft.”
Raff grabbed the blanket to pull over them as he fell back on the bed taking Ingrid with him. “It matters not. We can keep each other warm.”
They settled comfortably in each other’s arms and Ingrid was soon asleep, not so Raff. He worried the chilled breeze had something to do with the witch who had granted his wish. Was she letting him know she was not pleased with his marriage? Did she intend to do harm to Ingrid? He would see her dead before she did that. The only problem was that he wasn’t sure how to kill a witch, so she stayed dead.
Ingrid was dressed and already busy fixing the morning meal while Raff was adjusting his plaid.
“I’m pleased you don’t mind a quick morning coupling,” he said with a teasing smile.
She blushed. She couldn’t help it. “Like I left you a choice.”
He went to her, stepping behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and pressing his cheek to hers. “I wanted you as much as you wanted me.”
He kissed her cheek as a knock sounded at the door, and it flew open before anyone bid the person to enter.
Edith rushed in. “Do you—” She froze seeing Raff hugging Ingrid.
“We handfasted last night,” Ingrid was quick to explain.
“Well, it’s about time,” Edith said with a huge smile. “I am so happy for you both. The others must be told.” She turned and hurried off before Ingrid could stop her.
“We best go see to this or we won’t get the morning meal to ourselves with people dropping by to see if the news is true, or a tale Edith spreads,” Raff said with a chuckle and finished dressing.
The morning was overcast and the crisp air a bit windy, sending the canopy of bare tree branches tapping at the thatched rooftops and swirling debris across the harvested fields.
Raff and Ingrid walked hand in hand toward the center of the village where most of the people could be found. A cheer rang out as they approached, Edith having spread the word fast.
Agnes clapped her hands. “About time!”
Raff grinned, slipping an arm around Ingrid’s shoulders. “We wed yesterday, in her cottage. A proper handfasting, witnessed by the hearth’s fire.”
Ingrid’s cheeks flushed as more cheers followed. An elderly woman wiped her eyes and muttered something about good signs for the winter. Children danced around them. Even the goats seemed more agreeable.