The large door to the chambers slammed open with a loud bang.

My eyes flashed open in surprise and I gasped in chagrin at being caught in the intimate embrace that the brute and I were encompassed in. His hand around my middle was like a hot brand that made the blood rush to my chest, making my body hot and frustrated. The other was threaded through my hair, unrelenting in its grasp. His lips were only a hairsbreadth away from mine and I could feel the slight release of breath escaping those tempting lips. My heart thundered loudly in my chest. 'Twas thumping hard enough to make me shake. I forced my eyes to his, bashfulness coloring my cheeks a dark red. Desire, longing, and the becoming look of frustration swirled entrancingly in the dark depths.

Aside from the feelings that the brute provoked, embarrassment and a tinge of humiliation rolled through my body. I lightly cleared my throat and tried to pull away from his seductive hold, yet he held firm, his arms wrapping completely around my waist and securing me to his frame. I grumbled in annoyance as the person at the door squeaked in mortification at catching us in such an affectionate position.

"What?" the brute said with a low growl, looking at the individual with irritation, pulling me impossibly closer.

I blew out a much-needed breath as my face was pressed into his chest. Was he trying to suffocate me? I rolled my eyes and finally looked at the person who barged in.

"Odin's blood! I knocked!" Ingrid chattered quickly, her cheeks staining a dark color. "I was going to ask Britta a small question, but it can wait till tomorrow! Farvel!" she said with a wave of her hand, a small laugh escaping her as she closed the door behind her.

I blinked quickly in confusion and my brow creased into a small frown. She was here then gone in nearly a blink of an eye. 'Tis late eventide, what was so important to burst into our chambers? Or, the Jarl's chambers, I reminded myself.

"These little lines shall become permanent if you do not stop frowning like that," the Jarl quietly said, lightly touching my browline to smooth out the wrinkles gathered there.

He moved his thumb and dragged it slowly down my cheekbone to rub sensuously against my lower lip. I simply raised a lone blonde brow at him, and his eyes now danced with mirth.

As soon as we were alone once more, I sighed and pushed hard against his chest to remove myself from his embrace and touch. He resisted for a few moments then finally released me. The brute groaned in frustration as I moved across the room from him. I rubbed my arms to make the sudden chill go away yet my body convulsed in a shiver.

He took a few steps towards me. "Britta, vær så snill, do not pull away from me. I have waited many seasons, do not push me away."

I turned away from his voice and sat down on the bed of furs. I closed my eyes as I heard the longing and pain in his low tone.

I did not mean to make the brute hurt like this. Truly I did not. My heart was beginning to tug towards him, opening up to his kindness and quick wit. But my mind was slow to give.

"Please, you must understand... I need time. That is all I need. Do not expect me to jump into your arms and forget everything that has happened, I shall not do it. I need time to grieve, to try and move on with my life. To try not to expect my little nephew to barge in this door and wake me up every morning. To realize that my parents and siblings no longer walk the earth anymore," I sighed out, my throat closing with strong emotions. "Just give me that."

I looked back up at him, pleading with my eyes.

The brute paused in thought and finally nodded his head. "Forgive me, min kjære, I have been too forward. I have waited ten summers, I can wait longer until you open your heart to me. I have been too hasty, 'twas my mistake."

He glided towards the bed and gathered my small hands in his. His callused thumb slowly rubbed back and forth across my knuckles in a soothing gesture.

His lips began tilting in the corners ever so slightly in a grimace. "I am sorry, Britta."

I let out a heavy breath. "I know," I softly whispered.

He rested his forehead against mine and I struggled to swallow down the thick chunk of choking emotions that were lodged in my throat. I closed my eyes and remained still, the small and silent connection between us soothing my mind and the massive clog of emotion went away at the simple and innocent touch. I slightly opened my eyes and looked at him. His eyes were closed and his face was clear of emotion. All of the small lines around his eyes were smoothed out. Almost at peace. He looked much younger at this moment. More innocent. Yet I could see the after marks from the fight, his lips were cracked and still stained with blood, his cheekbone coloring a few shades darker than his tan skin. The flesh along his right brow was split in an angry curve, but nowhere near as drastic as his large pale scar that adorned his features.

A sharp knock erupted on the thick wooden door. I started once more, pulling away from the calming atmosphere that was cocooned around us. The brute chuckled at my scare. I glared at him with a mixture of annoyance and amusement but lowered my gaze once he strode to the door and threw it open.

"Jarl Aderick, we have the bath as you requested," the young servant meekly said, his eyes downcast in respect.

His gaze shot to me perched upon the bed of furs, and I could clearly see the curiosity glinting in his green eyes.

The brute growled and simply gestured to the corner of the room with his chin. "Over there is fine."

The servant quickly nodded and moved the tub where the Jarl requested and two younger servants came in soon after with cloths and soaps for the Jarl's bath.

I stood, almost awkwardly waiting for the servants to leave once more. Once the door shut with a solid sound, and we were alone, I took slow steps away from the bed.

"I shall go to let you have your bath, Jarl Aderick." I said quietly as I began making my way towards the door.

A loud belly laugh left the brute as he heard my meek words and I froze.

"You do not have to leave at my expense, Britta. Stay."

I turned around on my heels to respond and I gasped in surprise, covering my eyes with my hands. I let out a small squeak at the nearly naked Jarl. Just before I had covered my eyes, the brute had unlaced his pants, the fabric curling away from his body. The material rested loosely on his hips, just along the sharp crease of his hip bones that cut into his long limbs of legs. The long black hair that reached his shoulders was in an updo, twisted away from his scarred face.

"J-Jarl A-Aderick," I sputtered out, my entire body flushing hotly.

He was magnificent, but as a maiden, I was never allowed to gaze upon the warriors nor any man that wore barely any clothing. Usually seeing a bare chest once or twice was acceptable, but this was nearly too much. 'Twas custom to keep my mind and body pure. Now I could see nearly every sculpted inch of him. Well, not every inch, I thought to myself with a furious blush staining my cheeks again.

I heard him pad over to where I stood and his warm hands covered mine. He pulled slightly as if to test me, and I resisted, clamping my hands tightly over my curious eyes.

I heard him chuckle low and several breaths passed by before I heard a quiet splash of the hot water within the tub being disturbed.

I let out a pent-up breath in relief and my eyes flashed open as I dropped my hands. A light giggle left me as I gazed upon the Jarl in the tub. He was completely submerged in the steaming water, only his face was visible. He looked like a young child taking a bath. He sent a wink and I could not help but roll my eyes at his coquetry.

I turned back towards the bed, keeping my distance between the naked Jarl and myself. Just before I could get comfortably in the bed, his voice interrupted the quiet and peaceful tone of the room.

"Britta?"

"Ja?"

"I forgot my cloth and soap. Can you get it for me, min søte?" There was a heated glint in his eyes.

Repressing a retort, I silently moved to the desk where the servants placed the soap and cloth. With both in hand, I quickly shoved them in his outstretched hand.

I turned around to head towards the bed but froze as he coughed once more. I inhaled deeply through my nose to calm my rising temper, knowing exactly what he was trying to do, and let it out as I slowly spun to face him.

"What?" I said through my teeth.

The drittsekk only smirked then quickly banished the small uplift of his mouth. His face was now a smooth emotionless mask, a tinge of mischief in his eyes.

"I cannot reach my back, my arms are too sore and my body aches," he shifted slightly in the tub, making the water splashed along the sides and run over the edge. He let out a loud groan in exaggeration. Or so I believed.

A few breaths passed by as I stood there stunned. I watched him in amazement at the gall and apparent desperation that he had.

"Vær så snill?"

"You must be jesting," I deadpanned.

"Nei," he chuckled, his face holding innocence and helplessness. "I need your help."

I pursed my lips trying to hold back my laughter. I could see right through him. I drummed my fingers along my arms as I crossed them and leaned a hip to the side. My head tilted as I stared at the brute who lazily gestured to me to come closer.

I simply shook my head at him in exasperation.

He stuck his lip out in a pout, and I snorted with laughter as he suddenly looked like a man-child.

I looked towards the ceiling, silently praying to the gods for strength and having the power to resist the Jarl of the Dahlsten clan. Heaving a loud defeated sigh, I ran a hand through my locks and walked to where he waited. I chose to ignore the small triumphant smile that was pasted on his face and briskly held my hand out for the cloth.

I moved behind him quietly, keeping a good distance between myself and the tub. The sudsy material was hot on my fingers, and I gently wiped the dirt and sweat off the Jarl's muscular back. His muscles bunched and flexed as I ran the cloth in large circles continuously along his back, my attention focusing on the light scars along his shoulders.

With a finger, I lightly traced the numerous long and crooked blemishes that trailed from his neck to the bottom of his shoulders.

"You have so many scars," I murmured quietly, almost to myself.

The brute acknowledged my words with a grunt. "Many battles," he muttered back.

My fingers grazed a sore that was still healing on his shoulder blade, the frayed skin on the mend that held a slight color of roseate.

He quickly grasped my wrist, refraining me from my adventurous exploration of his marked skin. I stopped breathing at the intense expression on his face. Did I do something wrong? I barely touched the wound, at least not hard enough to make the brute to be in pain. A small part of me grew worried as I wondered if he was in pain.

"Jarl Aderick?"

"Aderick," he finally rasped out.

"What?" I asked quizzically, my head tilted to see his face.

"My name is Aderick. At least for you. Call me Aderick, kjære."

I nodded silently first, then stopped myself when I realized that the Jarl - or Aderick could not see my response.

"Okay."

He did not let go of his hold on my wrist like I thought he would after a breath of silence. Instead, he pulled hard enough that I was removed abruptly from my position behind him and pressed into the side of the cask right before him. I suddenly lost my breath as I caught the look in his swirling hypnotic gaze. My body trembled as my mind finally realized the seductively entrancing position I was in, kneeling by the wickedly handsome Jarl as he sat in the tub naked as the day he was born. I forced my eyes to stay on his, resisting the urge to look down into the sudsy hot water.

I closed my eyes, feeling something clench within me as he brought his hands from the water to stroke my face.

He pressed his forehead to mine, gazing deeply at me. I opened them and stared back with wide eyes and my heart began pounding furiously.

"Britta," he breathed, his thumb caressing my jaw.

The moisture from the water on my face only heightened my senses and my awareness of the Jarl touching me. The roaring in my ears along with the soft crackling of the fire made my body hum with excitement, lust, and anticipation. This unfamiliar feeling along with my accelerated breathing made the atmosphere around us so much more. More, how I do not know, but the only thing that was running through my mind was more. I gulped loudly as the strong desire to press my lips to his rose, which were only a few hairbreadths from mine. His fingers just barely grazed my lips, making them part without protest.

With a loud, painful groan of want, the brute crushed his lips to mine in a fit of desire. My mind shut down as the wonderfully new feelings rose from my chest where my heart lay beating fast to my center that burned and throbbed in a low beat. My body was now in charge, my thoughts leaving to the wind outside. I let out a low moan as his tongue traced the seam of my closed lips, begging for entrance into the untouched cavern. I willingly gave into the spell, no longer able to resist him and his hypnotic touch.

A warm palm slid behind my neck, holding me in my place. My breaths came out in harsh pants as I continued to kiss the brute with a near clumsy frenzy, and after several moments I finally pulled away to give my burning lungs a chance to recoup. I clutched his wet shoulders, one hand unconsciously trailing into the hair along his nape. My head was thrown back as the brute rained kisses down my throat and up towards my ear. He sucked at the flesh there, and I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden sensitivity. He chuckled, the vibrations running in bolts through my body.

"Aderick," I moaned, shaking with the overload of emotion and mindless pleasure.

He simply hummed in response, slowly taking his time with his lingering kisses. My breathing and heartbeat began slowing to a regular rhythm as the Jarl left one last kiss upon my throat, right on the fresh scar on my neck.

He held himself against my throat, breathing heavily. I sighed as exhaustion from this eventide and our heated short union pulled on my mind and body. I shakily rose to my feet, pulling away from the brute's hold. A blush crossed my face as I noticed the satisfied look on his features.

I stumbled to the bed, lightly pulling on my gown's laces to free my body from its restrictive hold. I shimmied out of the black gown and threw it to the side, not caring about what the Jarl would see, as he had seen most of my exposed flesh apart from my shift. I crashed on the furs and closed my eyes with a satisfied sigh. I faintly heard the swishing of the water as the brute rose and changed into night clothes.

The bed finally dipped as the weight of him joined mine. I did not move, nearly asleep. I felt him pull a fur over my shoulders, tucking the material around me. Warm lips briefly touched my hairline before muscular arms pulled me close.

I finally fell asleep with a small smile on my face as I snuggled into the warm body of Aderick.

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