Nordic Lessons by Christine Edwards Read Free Book Online

a touch of fruit as well if you have it.”
    He nods once and turns to grab two glass tumblers from the drying mat on the back counter.
    She sits back down and leans close to me. “So, I can’t resist asking, how did you two meet?”
    “I was stranded on the side of the E18 motorway last evening. He came to my rescue.” I grin sheepishly.
    Her eyes twinkle as she asks, “Did he now? That sounds like him, rescuing a damsel in distress.”
    “Does it? How so?”
    “Since we were children, Mikkel has always been the fixer, making certain that everything is straight and on track. He’s an amazing guy, actually.”
    I ponder her statement as Mikkel places the drinks down in front of us. Planting both large hands wide on the granite, he leans in and murmurs, “Enjoy.”
    “Thank you,” I reply, once again lost in the burning intensity of his sensual eyes.
    I lift my glass to turn and toast my new acquaintance. She’s sitting very still, watching me carefully.
    I ask, “Is everything all right?”
    A lazy smile forms on her glossy lips. “Oh yes. Perfectly all right.” She lifts her glass. “To fun-filled fall nights. Skål! ”
    “Agreed. Skål! ”
    We clink glasses. After taking a sip of my zesty cocktail, I confess, “You know that was my very first toast here in Norway.”
    “I know that it’s the first of many yet to come. You know, Elora, my best friend is foreign as well. American, actually. Her name’s Vail. I miss her desperately, so having girlie company is quite nice. Speaking English with you reminds me of hanging out with her.”
    “Where does your friend live?”
    “In California. I saw her not long ago at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Have you heard if it? It’s in a state called South Dakota, up near Canada. An amazing scene. That place sets the bar for wild.”
    I shake my head as she continues on. “Anyhow, she’s engaged to Mikkel’s best friend Alreck. He moved to America to be with her. He had to go. He would’ve been destroyed without her. The love those two share is something amazing. The real deal, to put it mildly.”
    “Sounds romantic, like something that only happens in movies. Perhaps you’ll have a chance to go over for the wedding, then?”
    She grins. “Actually, they’re considering coming here for the ceremony. I can’t wait!”
    “Wonderful news. And when will that be?”
    “They haven’t set a date yet, but I hope it won’t be too long. I can’t wait to see her again.”
    I give her an understanding look before saying, “Yes, quality mates are rare.”
    She leans in and asks in a mischievous tone, “So, ask away. What do you want to know about him? Don’t be shy. We’ll keep this little conversation between us girls.”
    I take another deep drink of the chilled vodka, hoping for a touch of added confidence, and go for it. “Well then, for starters, how old is he?”
    “Thirty-six. And you?”
    “I’m twenty-eight.”
    “Did you know that he’s the president of Devil’s Wrath?”
    What?
    Pointing a finger at the ground, I blink and stammer out, “The president … of this motorcycle club?”
    She smiles proudly. “You know it, and a fiercely awesome one at that.”
    I study him from a distance. He is the most alpha man I’ve ever crossed paths with, so I can certainly see how he could be the club’s president.
    I turn to her, catching a hint of her light floral scent. “All right then, what else?”
    She giggles, “Hmm, let’s see, he’s über-private. He loves to cook. Has a serious passion for motorcycles that everyone in our conservative family tries desperately to understand. Oh, and he has a very dark sense of humor. He’s fabulous, and the best cousin a girl could hope for. Oh, I will say that I would never want to see him pissed off, though.”
    “Really?”
    She levels me with a serious look. “Yes, really. Can you imagine all that intensity consolidated into one lethal blow? But you have absolutely nothing to worry about. First