Confessions

"Yes, Ragnar, you've been very good," she said, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was nearby. Satisfied they were alone, she grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him.

"So, what's my prize?" His grin was broad and shameless.

She didn't answer, but her gaze remained locked on his. Without a word, she undressed him.

Piece by piece, she removed his clothing, her slowness a calculated torment. Each motion was precise, almost agonizingly meticulous, as if she relished drawing out his anticipation. Her gaze never left his, intensifying the tension with every agonizing second.

Finishing, she moved her hands to the buttons of her dress. Almost teasingly, she undid them one by one.

"Come," he said, as he helped her with swift motions until she stood before him, clad in the thin, white undergarment.

She shoved him on the bed and sat down with control and determination on top of him. He breathed heavily.

She kissed him across his chest, her lips trailing upward along his neck. He groaned.

With no words, they pressed close, their bodies intertwining as they clung to one another.

It was as though they had known each other for eternity. He felt so familiar, so right. All the time they had spent longing for one another had built a tension, a pressure between them.

She paused for a moment, her eyes locking with his. A faint smile curved her lips, as if she were waiting to see how he would react.

"No," he said, carrying a warning. The challenge in her gaze darkened his tone. "I've done everything you asked. Now it's my turn."

Without another word, he seized her with force, spinning her around in a controlled movement. She gasped, the sound escaping her lips before she could stop it.

His grip was firm, but the intensity of it sent her pulse racing.

He placed his hands under her dress and yanked it up, sending a shiver through her as he did so with almost teasing speed.

Her breath was heavy and uneven as he leaned in closer, pressing his weight against her. She could feel every inch of contact-his body against hers, his warm breath grazing her ear.

"I want you now."

She took a deep breath, trying to summon the strength to regain control, but it was difficult.

As his attention wavered for a moment, she seized the opportunity, gathering every ounce of strength to twist her body free from his grip. She stood over him again.

A triumphant smile spread across her face, her eyes locking with his, daring him, as if she had reclaimed control.

With graceful yet firm hands, she gripped his arms and pressed them into the mattress with a determined but sensual movement.

He furrowed his brow, but a smile formed on his lips. "So we do it your way," he said with a grin.

She leaned in closer, and the air between them shifted. The lightness vanished, replaced by an intense electricity.

But in the middle of their secret embrace, footsteps echoed outside the door. Silence followed the door's failure to open; then, someone tinkered with the lock.

Panic surged through her, and she grabbed a nearby cover, throwing it around her as she stood up.

But how could she explain this?

The door creaked open, and there was no time to hide what was unfolding.

Then Thora stepped in, her eyes wide with confusion. She stood frozen for a moment, as though the scene before her was unimaginable. Yet, she said nothing.

Sigrid finally spoke: "Ragnar... you came in to check on me, didn't you, Ragnar?"

"Without pants?" Thora blurted.

"Yes, I was freezing," a crooked smile pulling at her lips. "Ragnar was just trying to warm me up."

Ragnar took the hint and began dressing. Sigrid could see the disappointment in his eyes as he left the room.

"What are you doing? Most women would be thrilled if a man like Erlend even looked at them!"

Sigrid's heart sank, and she hung her head, guilt washing over her. "I don't know, Thora... to be honest, I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Don't be upset; I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was, aren't you here for Erlend?"

Sigrid hesitated, her voice faltering. "No, not really... He's a good man, but..."

Thora looked at her, as if reading between the lines. "But you like Ragnar, don't you?"

"Yes, I suppose I do."

"Well, one would have to be blind not to see what's going on between you two."

Sigrid sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I can't help it, Thora. Believe me, I've tried. But I keep being drawn to him, again and again. It's like I have no power to resist him."

Thora's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Regardless, tell Erlend the truth."

"Honest about what? That Ragnar and I were about to...?" Sigrid's voice trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence.

"No, not that honest," Thora laughed. "I mean, you shouldn't keep him in the dark. It's obvious he cares about you, and he's a good man. You owe it to him to be honest."

"You're right," she said, wiping away a tear. "I'll do it tomorrow."

The next morning, she found Ragnar sitting on a stone by the harbor. She couldn't help but smile to herself as she took in the sight of him, his expression unusually serious. Was he worried about something? She wondered.

She had intended to tell him she'd decided, but she let him stew a little longer. At least until they returned home.

The memory of the previous day made her cheeks flush. The way she had wanted him, how impossible he had been to resist.

She approached and sat beside him. A boyish grin briefly brightened his face.

Without hesitation, his hand glided toward her thigh, but she caught him, placing her fingers over his and stopping him.

"Not here," she said, glancing around. "Someone might see us."

His eyes scanned the empty harbor. "No one to see here," he said, a sly smile creeping onto his lips.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Or are you just afraid you won't be able to stop if I try?"

She shot him a warning look, but the heat in her cheeks betrayed her. "Ragnar, don't push your luck."

"And if I do?" He said, his hand brushing hers, his grin widening.

"I'll swiftly show you who's in charge."

He chuckled, leaning back. "Fine, I'll behave-at least until we're out of sight."

"I think it's time to go home, Ragnar."

"Oh? Can't we spend a few more days here together?"

"No, Erlend doesn't deserve this. I'm going to have a talk with him."

"And tell him your heart belongs to another?"

"Watch out, Ragnar, don't push me."

A heavy silence settled between them before she asked, "Who was the woman in the water that day, by the way?"

He drew in a deep breath before answering. "She was the wife of a friend of my father."

"Oh, that must've been an uncomfortable situation when your father saw you."

He turned toward her, surprised. "How did you know he saw us?"

"Someone told me," she said with a sly smile.

"To put it like this... I've never seen him so angry."

"Did you like her?" She scrutinized him, her gaze sharp, searching for the truth.

He hesitated, then sighed. "No. I did it to irritate him. Because he said I wasn't good enough for you."

He looked at her, the seriousness returning to his face. "He blames me for my mother's death, you know."

"I don't believe that, Ragnar. Has he said that?"

"You don't know him the way I do, Sigrid, and he doesn't need to say it; I know."

Uncomfortable, she tried to change the subject. "There's something I've been thinking about."

"Let me know."

"I feel you've shown me you are serious when it comes to us these last days and are willing to change," she began carefully. "But sometimes... it's like you become someone else. Someone so reckless, it frightens me."

"I know. I get like that when I drink. And I drink sometimes to cope... with the pain."

It was the first time she had seen him this vulnerable.

"I promise you I'll never touch another drop again."

She put her hand over his and stroked it before she kissed him lightly on the cheek and stood. "Wish me luck," she said, before walking with determined steps toward the main house.

●●●

Erlend couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes when she told him she was leaving.

"I'm sorry for wasting your time. The woman who becomes your wife will be fortunate. I mean that."

He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Can I ask you why?"

"If I had gone through with it, it would have only been to escape my brother's grip, not for the right reasons."

His shoulders slumped, the weight of her words sinking in.

"You deserve someone who's certain about you, Erlend."

He gave a small, resigned nod, his eyes filled with understanding despite his hurt. After a long, lingering moment, they said their goodbyes.

The boat ride back was long. She couldn't stop thinking about how much she wanted Ragnar.

Their gazes locked throughout the journey, and it must have been impossible for the rest of the crew to ignore what was happening between them. But she didn't care. Soon, she would declare it to everyone.

The ruthless, tormented, and beautiful man in front of her-imperfect in so many ways, but hers.

Thora shook her head with a resigned chuckle. "You two, honestly."

When they reached land and started up the path toward the estate, Sigrid, Thora, and Leif went ahead, leaving Ragnar behind with the rest of the crew to handle the baggage and secure the boat.

She turned to look at him one last time, her heart racing. He held her gaze, a look that took her breath away.

With a smile, she turned back and continued up the path, already expecting what awaited them.

When they arrived at the farm, Erik met them with a serious expression on his face. "You're back already?"

"I am not to marry him."
Afraid that he would be disappointed, she felt a lump form in her throat.

"Good, because my brother-in-law is here. He's leaving for Inderøy soon.
He came to fetch medicine and to see you."

"Me?" She said, frowning.

"Yes. Bjørn is near death. It's he who's sent word for you."

A gasp hitched in her throat, but no sound escaped.

She had just been so certain about the future and was excited about it. Now, she felt like everything had to be put on hold.

"It's up to you," he said, his tone showing that her expression showed doubt.

"No, I have to go. I have to see Bjørn one last time."

●●●