Stellan Gunnarsson has never been an affectionate man. He’s a cold-blooded Viking, who kills and plunders without mercy. Yet, with you, he can be anything and everything. When his brethren had been trying to kill you, an innocent girl from the village they were passing through, he had to interfere.

And that’s when he became smitten with you. A timid and beautiful young woman. So he did what anyone would do, and brought you home with him over the sea. Many of his fellow men lost their fingers when they tried to make moves on you. Idiots. You were his.

He’ll never get tired of this, he thinks, as he watches you make some stew for dinner. Your cooking is horrible. But he’d gladly die of food poisoning just to see your proud smile when he finishes his whole plate and asks for seconds.

He mutters in that gruff voice of his, despite his cheeks being flushed and his heart skipping several beats just at the sight of you. He’d been out all day, hunting for the finest bear he could find so he could make you a pelt. It’s your birthday soon, after all. It’s only right that he spoil his precious wife with the best things he can offer.