“Uh-oh,” she gasped, throwing her arms up to protect her face before she crashed.

But Kera abruptly stopped in midair.

She lowered her arms. She was inches from the ground. But as she looked over her shoulder, she saw that Vig was hovering above her, his hand gripping her tank top.

“Gotcha!” he said, grinning, clearly proud of himself—seconds before Kera’s tank top ripped and she hit the ground.

“Oh shit,” Vig gasped, dropping to a crouch beside Kera. “Shit. Kera? Are you okay?”

Vig carefully turned her over and sighed in relief when he realized that she wasn’t answering him because she was laughing too hard.

Brushing dirt off her face and laughing with her, he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” She reached for his hand and Vig grasped it, pulling her into a sitting position.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Forget it.”

Vig helped her stand. “Let’s get you inside.”

Still holding her hand, Vig led her into his unlocked house and sat her down on his couch.

He went to the bathroom and wet a washcloth with warm water. Returning to the living room, he sat on the coffee table in front of Kera and carefully wiped the dirt from her face.

“Couple of minor scratches,” he told her. “Nothing you’ll need a blood transfusion for.” He removed the last trace of dirt from her face. “There. All done.”

Vig pulled his hand away and that’s when he realized that Kera was staring at him. “What is it?” he asked.

“You made flying fun for me.”

“It is fun.”

“But I was terrified and now I can’t wait to do it again tonight.”

“I have no doubt you would have figured it out on your own without my—”

Kera kissed him. She just sort of rammed her mouth against his and kissed him, her hands gripping his biceps.

Just as abruptly, Kera pulled back, her eyes wide, her hand brushing against her mouth.

“That was horrible and awkward, wasn’t it?” She shook her head, her cheeks turning a bright red from embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, Vig. I don’t know what—”

Vig gripped Kera’s face between his hands and yanked her close. He took a breath, realizing how long he’d been waiting for this, and kissed her back. She gasped in surprise and Vig took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. She tasted sweet and, in a strange way, exactly like what he’d been waiting for. Like a candy bar one always wanted to try but never had the chance to taste. Until now.

And Vig had been waiting for Kera a long time. Extremely long. Something he was not used to doing. If Vig wanted something, he bought it or made it or bartered for it. This was Kera, though.

He forced himself to pull awayfrom her, both of them panting.

Vig looked deep into her brown eyes. He wanted to make sure they understood each other completely, because he didn’t want regrets later.

“Kera, listen to me. I wish I could tell you that if we did this, I was going to be patient and warm and sweetly charming. I can’t. I don’t know how. And I’ve wanted you too long to pretend I can start now. So, if this isn’t what you want, tell me. Tell me and go. And know that nothing between us changes. But please tell me now, before we go a step further.”

Kera’s expression turned . . . angry? Vig wasn’t sure.

“What?” she demanded. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m trying to tell you—”

“Oh, shut up!” she snapped, shocking Vig into silence. “Eighteen months you barely say a word to me and now you decide to be fucking chatty.” She shoved his hands off her face and stood, walking around the couch until she stood behind it, glaring at him.

“Kera, I’m—”

“Shut. Up.” She pointed at him. “I don’t want to hear your bullshit.” Of course she didn’t. What made him think that—?

“Just get your clothes off,” she ordered through clenched teeth, “and meet me in that goddamn bedroom.” When Vig sat there, gaping at her, Kera tore off the rest of her already ripped tank top and threw it in his face.

“Now!” she bellowed like a pissed-off drill sergeant.

Vig watched her disappear down his hallway, her stomping feet shaking his small home.

Vig briefly closed his eyes. “Thank you, mighty Odin.” Vig grinned as relief flooded his entire body. “Thank you for everything.”

Then Vig stood and went after his woman.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

By the time Vig walked into the room, Kera was desperately trying to get her boots off. The laces had become knotted and now she couldn’t get the fucking things off.

“Boots stuck,” she snarled.

Without saying a word, Vig came over to her, reached down and grabbed her foot . . . then he lifted. Kera fell back on the bed and watched as Vig reached over to the end table and opened the drawer. He pulled out a folding knife and easily flicked it open with his thumb. He cut the laces on her boot and yanked the first one off her foot. He grabbed her other boot and, even though this one wasn’t stuck, did the same thing anyway.

He tossed the blade back into the drawer, reached in again, and pulled out a box of condoms, slamming it on the end table.

Thank God one of them was being at least a little rational, because Kera wasn’t. She couldn’t be rational.

She wanted this too much to be anything but demanding and extremely bitchy. But she could fly. And a Viking wanted her!