Chapter 1

“All men are assholes!” Valerie muttered aloud and jumped to her feet.

Her bikini was soaked. The short beach towel resting over her shoulders was soaked. She was soaked, courtesy of her asshole boyfriend and his stupid friend, James.

She had been sunning herself by the lake, not bothering anyone, thank you very much, when the two jerks had dumped freezing water over her. They had snuck up on her like chickens. They knew she could floor them, if they didn’t catch her by surprise, with a single defense move she’d learned on a blind date with a very nice cop named David. Who was, unfortunately, not her type. It was too bad he hadn’t been.

The guy had been nice, but had nothing really in common with her. Conversation eventually turned to his job, an area they were both comfortable discussing. One thing led to another and the next thing she knew they were at a gym, exchanging dress clothes for sweatpants. David had spent most of the evening teaching her about the element of surprise, moral and intellectual strength, and one very handy way to use a man’s weight against him. Archimedes had once said: “give me a fulcrum and a lever and I will move the world.”

Now Mark and James took great pains to dance around her angry prowl of retribution. Knowing if she got close enough to grasp a wrist, they would be done for. Valerie had learned over time to perfect the move David had shown her. With one spin to a vulnerable arm, she could cartwheel a man onto his behind. Unfortunately, she could only concentrate on one man at a time. Water dripped from her sodden hair down her face into her eyes, and she blinked.

The first time Valerie had tossed Mark on his ass was on a dare. He hadn’t believed in her ability. After his numerous taunts, she had finally obliged. She’d grabbed his wrist in both hands, yanked back and up in a quick fluent motion, and viola! He’d spun forward onto his ass with a thump.

The move had apparently deflated his ego and challenged his manhood. It probably hadn’t help that she’d laughed and said those four taboo words—“I told you so!” The juvenile jokes had begun shortly thereafter and ended with her getting doused while she’d lounged unknowingly in the sun. It now appeared the men weren’t finished. It was also apparent they had been drinking.

“Come on, baby, we’re just playing,” Mark said, grinning stupidly from ear to ear.

“Why must you insist on behaving like children?” Valerie snapped.

With her concentration on Mark, Valerie lost track of James. The next instant, she was grabbed and lifted off her feet from behind.

Damn them!

Mark moved in and they each grabbed an arm and leg and tossed her into the lake off the dock. All the while giggling like two schoolgirls, instead of behaving like grown men. And that was the problem. There was no such thing as a grown man, just overgrown boys.

Valerie swam to shore. Both men dove in after her, but they climbed onto a floating raft, taunting her to join them and make them pay. Valerie wasn’t in the mood.

Barefoot, she swiftly walked up a moss and rock-covered path.

She was dripping wet, freezing, and on her way to find the cottage they were renting in a last-ditch effort to save their failing relationship.

Well aren’t we off to a great start?

It was bad enough that Mark had brought his friend along on what was supposed to be their private get together, but to have them gang up on her was just one of the ridiculous games they played. The only reason Valerie even tried was because she was so tired of the dating scene. It came at women from all directions, bars and clubs, in the paper, on TV, the computer—Meet your perfect match my ass! Every man she had met was such a letdown. Some were plain vermin.

In the beginning, Mark had been sweet, but over time he’d changed—or perhaps she had overlooked his failings because she had wanted it to work so desperately. She wanted what her parents had been gifted with, God rest their souls. Her mother had told her she had just known her father was the man for her the moment they met.

Valerie stopped at a small stump and sat, resting her head against a nearby tree. The anger she was feeling seemed to drip away with the water droplets that glistened on her body. Her eyes closed, and she envisioned her mother stroking her father’s hair from his eyes after he’d had a long day. One touch could make him smile, and that smile could light up the room. He would gather her mother close, nuzzle her neck, causing her to giggle like a girl, and then he would kiss her. Valerie sighed as her mind played the scene in her head. They had been such a beautiful couple, perfect for each other.

The warmth of the sun beating down on her was heavenly, and she sat for awhile feeling content to think of her parents. Her memories always had such a lazy calming effect that she could lose herself in. That kind of relationship was what she wanted. But you had to work at it, which was why she tried so hard with Mark. Only lately she seemed to do most of the giving while he did most of the taking. Just once in her life it would be nice to have someone guide her in a useful direction.

The serenity of the peaceful moment was what she had needed to compose herself. Finally Valerie opened her eyes feeling warmer and a bit more content and a great deal calmer. Her trek for the cottage began again at a much less harried pace.

Before long she stopped at a fork in the path. She didn’t remember it being here.

Which way was the cottage?

For heaven sakes she was lost. “Damn,” she mumbled. “This day keeps getting better and better.”

Taking a deep breath, refusing to let go of her calm feeling just yet, she chose a direction and set out down a path. They were in cottage country after all; she would run into someone eventually. But as she walked, her content turned slowly to concern, and she grew wary. She had been on the path far too long. Her gait became slow and cautious. The farther she went, the more eerie the path became. A heavy mist rolled in to surround her. The trees seemed to grow in number and in height. A few were gnarled and ancient. She didn’t remember this much foliage. The path beneath her feet had disappeared, and she climbed over a log and pushed at some heavy branches to step into a clearing.

She then spotted the outline of something. Something very very large.

“Oh God, please don’t let that be a grizzly,” she whispered.

Valerie stopped dead in her tracks as the creature came forward. Her heart pounded in her breast. She swallowed hard. Her feet were frozen in fear, and her teeth began to chatter. The apparition came into the clearing, and Valerie almost dropped to the ground in relief. It was just a man. She squinted as he came closer, and the mist cleared around them. He was odd to look at, dressed in fur from the waist down, bare from the chest up. She shrugged, thinking he must be a hunter. She personally could care less about fur, but really this was overkill, literally. His legs and waist looked to be encased in a wolf pelt and leather.

The closer he came, the more her woman’s intuition rose to proceed with caution. She took a step back but stopped when he raised his splayed hand. He was a handsome brute. His blond-white hair touched the tips of his broad shoulders; he had strong, rugged, remarkable features. A generous amount of darker blond stubble covered his face to show he hadn’t shaved in at least a few days. His chest was massive, his arms and legs like tree trunks. And in one hand he held a sword. A nasty-looking, huge weapon.

What on earth do you hunt with a sword?

“Valkyrie,” the man whispered in awe.

She wasn’t certain she had heard him right, but she thought he’d said her name. How could that be? She would remember having met him. She was also startled with the way he was staring at her, as though she were some kind of goddess. She straightened her shoulders and stretched out a hand for him to shake.

“Yes, I’m Valerie. Have we met?” she asked.

“You are a gift,” he replied.

Valerie felt a blush forming. She knew she was beautiful, enough men panted after her, but she had never been called a gift before. The man suddenly dropped to his knee before her, his head bowed. Valerie cleared her throat with embarrassment and pulled her hand back feeling awkward. This was going a bit far.

“I am honored you will escort me to Valhalla,” he said in a clear voice.

“Valhalla?” she asked. “Is that the resort you’re staying at?”

The man looked up at her with clear blue eyes. He really was very handsome, odd, but in a cute kind of way.

“May I rise?” he asked, his voice sounded humble.

“Sure, knock yourself out,” she replied.

He looked at her stunned. “You wish for me to pummel myself?” he asked.

“Huh?”

The man rose before her and raised a fist. Valerie took a step back, eyes wide. His hands were huge. She splayed her hands before her, thinking he was about to strike her. To her surprise, he hit himself in the cheek, hard. Valerie screamed at him to stop.

“I am worthy then?” he asked, looking relieved.

“More like Looney tunes!”

“Are you not Valkyrie?” he asked in confusion.

“Valkyrie? My name is Valerie,” she said her name slowly, thinking him to be nuts. “Look I gotta go, but it’s been fun, really.” She spun around to leave, thinking she would find her own way back without this nut’s help.

She didn’t get far, before the man grabbed her arm. His long strong fingers wrapped themselves completely around her upper arm. Valerie had had enough of men and their juvenile games, first Mark and the water now this. No way! Pulling free, she grabbed his wrist with both hands, pulled his arm back and straight up sharply behind him in a smooth motion, and with something akin to a battle cry, she flipped him onto his ass. His body cartwheeled in the air, and he made a loud thump as his butt hit the forest floor. His breath was knocked out of him, and he groaned.

She would have felt sorry for him, from the bewildered look on his face, but he grabbed her ankle and down she went. He lay with his huge bulk on top of her. Valerie moaned.

Good God he is heavy.

Damn it. Why did she never remember to run like hell after knocking a guy down? “Get off me, moron,” she demanded.

The man rose, taking her with him. When she pushed at his chest he released her. He seemed to be thinking.

“Ah, now I see,” he said as though a thought had occurred. “I am not this, Moron you speak of. Is it him you wait for?”

Valerie rubbed at her eyes. Good grief, he really is nuts.

“Listen, I don’t know who you are, but I’m leaving,” she said.

“I’m Hott,” he declared with his arms spread wide.

Valerie’s eyes rose, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well you’re certainly full of yourself,” she said dryly.

“I have not eaten since yesterday,” he replied, then scratched at his head. “Your clothing is very odd. Do they wear this in Valhalla? Or do you have an angry master? Or perhaps you cannot afford to clothe yourself?” he added.

“I have no master,” she said in outrage. “And you should talk. You look like something the cat dragged in or coughed up, fur ball! I’ll have you know this is designer bikini wear,” she snapped.

Stepping forward and with his hand splayed over her one breast, he touched her bikini top. Valerie slapped him across the face. He didn’t flinch; he just stared down into her eyes then grinned.

“Do you wish to toss me on my ass again, Valkyrie?”

“Valerie,” she ground out. Then bold as can be, she pressed her hand onto his crotch refusing to be intimidated. She immediately wished she hadn’t. His penis hardened under her fingers. It was huge.

“If you wish to name my cock I would prefer something more manly. Not Valerie,” he replied.

“My name is Valerie,” she howled.

“And mine is Hott.”

“You’re really called hot?” she asked. Then remembering where her hand was she snatched it away. He looked disappointed.

“I am truly named Hott, Valerie.”

Valerie stepped back away from him. His hand remained splayed in the air, as though touching her in thought. He was still grinning. Valerie didn’t know what to make of him. The guy looked like he had just walked off an erotic novel cover. Standing at least six foot four, every ounce of him was solid, bulging muscle. And his dick was straining against the wolf hide. He was studying her.

“You are my gift from Odin,” he declared.

“Your what from who?” she asked eyes raised wide. Isn’t Odin a God?

“Alfarin was correct. Odin is angry at my loss and has replaced my sweet Drifa with you. I have been given a great gift. It will not be long before you are with child, and I will have my Biorn back as well.”

“I beg your pardon?” she squeaked.

“You do not need to beg, unless you feel the need…”

“Buddy, I don’t care if you are hot. I want to sleep with you like I want a good case of the clap.”

“The clap?” He looked at her with puzzlement, then smiled. “Do not worry, my little Valkyrie, you will be applauding when I finish.”

“Screw off,” she snapped.

“What is a screw? Is that the name of this odd-looking breastplate you wear? Then of course it must come off,” he said.

His hand reached out quickly and before she knew it he had her bathing suit top in his hand. Her generous breasts sprang free, and he looked at them in approval.

When she reached for her top, he held it above her head. Losing her temper, Valerie grabbed for the hand with the sword. She flipped him onto his ass again. She then placed her bare foot onto his solid chest.

“If it is your wish to be on top you need only ask,” he declared with surprise.

Hott dropped his sword and lifted his arms to her. Valerie released his wrist. “You really think I’m just going to fall on top of you and have sex with you?” she asked.

“Of course, you are my gift from Valhalla. All night I walked and prayed for a sign that things would be set to right. This is my answer. You are my answer. Most certainly the Gods would not send such a tempting woman so scantily dressed if not to appeal to my manhood. You will not anger Odin by refusing, nor would I,” he replied.

She detected a warning of sorts. “So, Odin is your God and I’m your gift from him and you think I’m a Valkyrie?”

“Yes. Do not fear, little Valkyrie. I would never harm such an honored gift of the Gods.”

He grabbed her ankle, and flipped her off her feet. He was on her in seconds. Valerie groaned as his bulk settled onto her. He shifted slightly, taking more of his weight onto his hand. She could feel his huge cock press against her. For one terrifying moment she thought he would rape her. She pressed both hands against his rock- hard chest and pushed, preparing for a battle. Instead his mouth settled over hers in the sweetest kiss she had ever experienced.

The warmth of his mouth heated her insides. His tongue danced across hers. His breath traveled down her throat like a caress. It was the most undemanding kiss she had ever experienced. It was as if he were giving something to her instead of taking. When the kiss ended and his face rose to gaze into her eyes, she was panting. Her hands had dropped to the sides of her head. Valerie didn’t know whether to knee his balls or fondle them.

“What do you want?” she whispered.

“I am a Viking warrior. Since I cannot go to Valhalla, it would seem Odin has brought Valhalla to me,” he said gruffly. “It would have been a good day to die, but now it is a better day to live.”

When his head dipped again, Valerie raised her hand to stop him. Unsure what was happening, she didn’t know if the man was deranged or if this was some kind of a joke, but he honestly seemed to think he was a Viking. Truth be told, she was ready to believe him. The way he was dressed, his mannerisms, he even smelled like he was from another time and place. What was going on?

“This can’t possibly be real. I’m dreaming, aren’t I?” she said. “That’s it. I’m dreaming. I must have seen you on a cover of a book or something and just forgot. I fell asleep on the log while I was daydreaming in the forest about the perfect man and relationship and I’m still safely dreaming.” She smiled feeling very relieved.

A dream would explain the sudden fork in the pathway and all the surreal mist flanking their little cozy area. It would explain why she thought she was still in the forest since she had fallen asleep in the forest. Her smile deepened. She had been privy to a few sexy dreams. They could be fun. And the guy on top of her was hotter than hell and sexier than any man she’d ever seen. It must be a dream. Her boyfriend had been such a jerk lately, and she was always complaining about wanting a real man, so here he was, conjured from her lonely thoughts.

“If I am dreaming, I do not wish to awaken,” he replied. His eyes were intense as he gazed down at her. “I want you, I ache for you. Please let me have you.”

She swallowed hard and nodded her head.

Once more his mouth claimed hers. This time Valerie joined his tongue in the dance. Her hands explored his wide chest, touching his rock-solid hardness, and she shivered. He was steel covered in satin. Her fingers trailed over the few scars he sported. She reasoned further it was a dream—of course a warrior would be scarred. She was panting again when he trailed fiery kisses to her bared breast. His mouth latched onto her nipple, and he suckled most of her breast into his mouth. He tongued her nipple, working the bud. She moaned.

“Do not clap yet—there is more,” he said when he released her.

Feeling this must be some crazy dream, Valerie gave in to her hidden desires. Things she would never do with her boyfriend, she wanted to do with Hott. She reached for his penis, fumbled for the zipper or buttons to release him and frowned, wanting him before she woke. All she felt was some sort of tie. Hott reached down and struggled out of his clothing. He stripped her bikini bottoms off her with his teeth, grazing her hip. As her bathing suit slipped off, Hott lifted her ankle and sucked each toe into his mouth. Mark had never done that.

Hott licked her instep to her calf. His tongue trailed its way up between her thighs and all thoughts of what Mark did or didn’t do vanished. When his lips tasted her heat, she jumped in surprise. She was no inexperienced virgin, but she wasn’t prepared for such an experienced man. He laved every inch of her, over and over—until finally his tongue dipped within her. Valerie grasped his hair and whimpered.

His fingers were stroking gently deeper, as though searching, and she cried out when one large finger delved into her ass. No one had ever done that! She wiggled under him uncomfortably, and he removed his finger to wipe drops of spilled cum onto it to moisten it, before he continued his exploration. It was an odd feeling of both pleasure and pain as he slipped one then two fingers in and out, but before she could decide if she liked it or not he removed his fingers from her and settled over her. She groaned under his weight, and he settled his bulk more evenly.

Valerie tugged on his arms to encourage him as he slid two other fingers up into her heat. His fingers were so thick and long, and she wiggled her hips against him wanting more, feeling hotter. His mouth latched onto hers in a demanding kiss and when they broke free he was panting.

“I can wait no longer,” he declared, his voice was a rough throaty growl.

“Thank God!”

Valerie reached down to guide him inside her. She was wet, hot and very willing. Her hand wrapped around his huge, swollen cock, and she shuddered. He was much bigger than any man she had ever been with and for a second she panicked. Then remembering it was just a dream, she spread her legs for him.

His large calloused hand squeezed her bottom, lifting her hips to meet him. The head slipped inside her, pushing deeper without stopping until he filled her. He felt good as she closed around him, feeling her insides stretch to accommodate him. He grinned down at her when she accepted his entire length. Her back arched as he pulled free of her. She felt his grip tighten and more of his weight settled onto her.

He then mounted her with the enthusiasm of a denied man. When he thrust back into her, she gasped, then choked on a scream. His power was overwhelming, and she had no doubt it was a warrior who was taking her. Further and further he rammed himself inside her. She thrashed beneath him. His one hand held her two wrists high over her head, pressing them into the grass. His arm pulled her waist higher, and her legs wrapped around him, bucking up to meet his heated thrusts. His head bent to capture her mouth as she yelped and moaned beneath him when again his finger slipped into her ass.

He was relentless. She had never been taken with such brute strength. He was overpowering and commanding and she was having the time of her life. She was so hot and sweat ran down their bodies as she bucked against him. He grunted like a wild animal as his hips rose and fell, and again he pushed his fingers into her ass. She came hard and fast with his last brutal thrust. She groaned underneath him. His entire weight was on her, and she found it difficult to breathe.

“Hott?”

“Mmm?”

“Will you move please? And get your fingers out of there.”

Hott rolled over, taking her with him. “That was indeed a good warm-up. But now the fun really begins,” he said. His deep voice washed over her.

Valerie shuddered at the look in his eyes. He looked like he was about to devour her. More startling was the fact she had an ever growing worry this was not a dream. It was too vivid, more vivid than anything she had ever felt. She had experienced a few moments of real pain; she had never done that in sleep. She could smell the grass beneath them; she could feel a small stone pinching her tender skin. She had tasted the man who she lay across. Hott was real. And as his semen ran across her thighs, she realized she wasn’t going anywhere until he was done with her.