Their forbidden tryst…
Is treason!
Helena’s spent her life preparing to be the Byzantine Prince’s bride. But when his cruel disinterest turns her position perilous, she finds salvation in fierce warrior Viggo. As the Prince’s personal guard, he knows her betrothed like no other. Could Viggo help her win his affections?
Only, Helena swiftly discovers the man she craves is not her husband-to-be…but thrillingly rugged Viggo! To act on their desires would be committing treason. Getting caught could be fatal. And yet, resisting their illicit connection feels like a fate worse than death…
Excerpt
The Viking She Shouldn’t Crave is set in 10th century Constantinople, where skilled Viking warriors fought for emperors in return for great riches, and the royal princes picked their wives at bride shows.
The story begins when the bishop’s daughter, Helena, is chosen. Prince Marianos must marry to sire an heir, and Helena must wed to save her family from financial ruin, but during their first moments alone, the prince’s charming façade drops, and Helena’s ideas of a romantic union are shattered.
She is surprised when his Varangian commander, Viggo, is kind to her, despite his belief that she is marrying the prince for wealth and status. As Viggo helps her to win over the prince’s affections, she soon discovers it is not the prince’s heart, but that of his right-hand man she cares about, but any attraction between them is forbidden, and Viggo must resist temptation – he needs the wedding to take place to receive his coin and help his pregnant sister...
In this scene, it’s the eve of the wedding, after the dress rehearsal, and Viggo is helping to prepare Helena for the ceremony – and her first kiss...
***
Viggo dropped his hand from her face and Helena felt him step away.
‘I can’t,’ he said, his voice gruff, his eyes still focused on her lips.
She wrinkled her nose, feeling vulnerable about her request—hurt that he was rejecting her. She tipped her head to one side. ‘Do you want me to look like a fool in front of all those people?’
‘Helena…’ His voice sounded desperate. ‘You are Marianos’s bride.’
‘And you said you cared about me. That you would help me.’
He gave a sharp shake of his head. ‘Not with this.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because it wouldn’t be right. It would be treason to kiss you.’
‘It would be a betrayal not to. How can you send me out there, in front of the enormous congregation, not knowing what to do? I’ll bump his nose, or knock his teeth.’ She tried to smile, but it crumbled.
He softened and stepped back towards her, raising his hand again, smoothing his thumb over the corner of her lips, and she felt her breathing quicken. ‘You won’t, Helena. You can’t get this wrong. Besides, you’re in a place of worship, it will be brief.’
‘How brief?’ she said, looking up at him. ‘So brief no one will notice? Or ever know?’
His eyes narrowed on her and something passed between them, a mutual understanding. He glanced towards the door, the need for discretion, to avoid detection, imperative, before turning back to her. He stared down at her, his ebony eyes searing hers, and her breath hitched.
As if his decision was made, his fingers slowly stole round her neck and twisted into her hair, making her shiver. Then gently, unbelievably, he drew her face towards his. She stopped breathing altogether. Her eyes fluttered shut as she waited for the touch of his skin and she gasped at the contact as their lips brushed, his mouth carefully pressing against hers.
She felt sudden heat. It was as if time stood still and she leaned in, wanting to linger, tender feelings rushing through her, needing to get closer, and then he abruptly pulled away. He dropped his hand from her jaw and she opened her eyes, feeling unsteady as she stood there looking up at him.
‘There,’ he said, moving briskly away from her. ‘You’ll be fine.’
‘Good,’ she whispered, nodding, reaching out to hold on to the altar rail, shocked at the disturbing feelings rushing through her. ‘Thank you. You were right. There really is nothing to it.’
He swung back to look at her.
‘I don’t know what I was worried about. To think I was concerned about a little kiss.’
Fire blazed in his eyes. The same fire that had erupted inside her—like a burning, desperate need. She knew it was destructive, that it threatened to destroy everything, but right now, in this moment, she didn’t care. And when he gripped her wrist, pulling her back towards him, bringing her up against his chest, hard, she gasped, thinking neither, it seemed, did he.
‘Did I disappoint you?’ he said.
And before she had chance to answer, he took her face between his hands and the impact of his mouth on hers again was explosive. This time, his lips were firm, moving with purpose, and he opened her mouth with his to kiss her fully. His hot silky tongue swept inside and she gasped at the erotic invasion of his tongue. She felt a frisson of heat ripple through her and her whole body trembled.
She thought about pulling back, thinking that she ought to, concerned someone might see them, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to. She was lost to him. And instead, her fingers splayed out against his chest as she sank into him, allowing his hands to move slowly over her shoulders and down the curve of her back, to press her closer, crushing her breasts against him and deepening the caress of his kiss.
Sarah Rodi
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Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after. You can contact her via @sarahrodiedits or sarahrodiedits@gmail.com. Or visit her website at sarahrodi.com
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