Ragnar finally broke the kiss, though he made no move to pull away. He stayed close, his breath mingling with hers, and began pressing soft kisses across her face. First to her forehead, then along the curve of her cheek, down to her jaw, and up to her temple. He lingered at each spot, taking his time, until Circe's sweet giggles filled his ears, wrapping around him like a balm.
He smiled against her skin before finally drawing back enough to look at her properly.
They were now laying facing each other on the wide bed and Ragnar took the opportunity to study her face, his eyes full of open adoration, as if she had arranged every star in the sky just for him. Circe looked back at him with the same tender expression, her fingers lightly tracing the line of his shoulder. For several long minutes, neither of them spoke and the world outside their chamber felt distant and unimportant.
