Charmed by the Viking: A Paranormal Romance: His Viking Love, #1

By AJ Tipton

Michael's a small town guy, trying to keep his diner afloat. Sigvard is a big city event planner with a 1,000 year old secret. Can these two unlikely lovers save an entire town before it's too late?

 

Michael Wallace is perfectly content with his predictable routine. He's lived in the same town his whole life, waited on the same customers every day, and read the same book over and over again. But his routine is thoroughly shaken when Sigvard Tandoh blows into town with a wicked smile and a mysterious past.

 

Sigvard Tandoh is a cursed Viking who has wandered the Earth for 1,000 years. He thinks he's done it all, been everywhere and knows everything. But when he meets Michael, Sigvard finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew. When Sigvard's curse puts Michael in mortal peril, Sigvard must decide between staying with the man he loves, and keeping him safe.

 

This short, M-M paranormal romance is a quick, steamy and heart-warming read for small town folk and big city readers alike! If you like knitting puns, irresistible charm, and a love stronger than a hurricane, then you'll adore AJ Tipton's latest story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Savvy Storytelling, LLC
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393723806

AJ Tipton

AJ Tipton is a writing team: Annie and Jess (Get it? "AJ"). Based in Brooklyn with the greatest dog in the world as our mascot, we love to create fun romances that astound, amuse and arouse. Our romances are steamy and paranormal, with strong heroes saving the day through extraordinary adventures.   Check out our FREE novella, Coaching the Bear, for a taste of what our magical worlds have to offer! We are huge proponents of informed consent, and love to wind cheeky pop culture references into our works. Let us know which ones you catch!  Please say hello! You can get in touch with us through: Email: [e-mail] Facebook: www.facebook.com/AJTiptonAuthor Twitter: twitter.com/AJTiptonAuthor Blog: ajtiptonauthor.wordpress.com  

Book preview

Charmed by the Viking

Charmed by the Viking

A Paranormal Romance

AJ Tipton

Copyright © AJ Tipton 2020 The right of AJ Tipton to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (or other similar law, depending on your country). All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author, except in cases of brief quotations embodied in reviews or articles. It may not be edited, amended, lent, resold, hired out, distributed or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s written permission. Permission can be obtained from [e-mail]

This book is for sale to adult audiences only. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and incidents appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is purely coincidental.

All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

Cover art photos provided by abdominal_96, depositphotos and Shutterstock

Sigvard Tandoh grinned at his reflection in the window of his 1964 Aston Martin DB5, taking a moment to straighten his tie before heading in. His long, blond hair cascaded behind him, straight as a pin. It was the only remaining remnant of his Viking heritage, and he couldn't bear to cut it, even after a thousand years. Sigvard was here to see his best gal, after all, and knew he should do her the kindness of being as handsome as possible. He winked at his reflection. At least I'm still pretty , he thought.

He just hoped she didn't mind that he hadn't visited in twenty years.

A gust of wind blew across the mostly-empty parking lot, and Sigvard took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

Sig! Ruby Wallace's delighted voice rang out from her throne-like wheelchair as Sigvard strode into the game room of the Still Kickin’ Assisted Living facility. The strong smell of antiseptic only cemented the hospital-like feel of the place, the walls were a sickly beige, decorated with cheap, framed landscape prints thick with dust, and the white, tiled floor reminded Sigvard of a public bathroom. For the twentieth time, he wished Ruby had accepted his offer to put her up in a luxury suite with a private nurse, but his old friend was more stubborn than an ox in winter.

The nervousness he'd been pushing down finally dissipated when their eyes met and Ruby's face lit up.

At ninety-nine years old, Ruby was still a powerhouse of a woman, every bit the same tough-as-nails broad who'd befriended a lonely Viking nearly eighty years ago. She wore a stunning gold-patterned top with a knee-length black skirt, and her hair was a gorgeous halo of gray natural curls streaked with highlights of pure white.

You look stunning, sweetheart. Sigvard bent down to kiss Ruby on her smooth, mahogany cheek before settling into a chair at her side. How’s my favorite centenarian?

Ruby swatted Sigvard’s arm. "My birthday isn't until next winter! Don’t you start aging me prematurely. Her tone was stern, but her eyes twinkled with the same mirth from when they first met. We can’t all be ageless like you. I’m so jealous, I could spit."

Sigvard plastered on a smile. There were benefits to being cursed by an irate witch; he was locked into his body from his mid-twenties, unable to age or die naturally. If only that was the whole story. For hundreds of years, Sigvard watched as his friends and lovers grew old and passed away, leaving him behind. When it became too much to bear, he’d shut himself off from the world, afraid to get close to anyone.

Decades ago, Ruby, a stunning dancer whose kindness was only exceeded by her stubbornness, had forced him back into the world. The last eighty years had been the best of Sigvard's existence, and he owed all his success to her. Seeing Ruby so frail made his heart ache.

Time comes for them all, he thought with no small dose of jealousy. What am I going to do without her?

The windows rattled in their hinges, the sound startling him from his fearful musings.

Sigvard! She took his hand, glancing knowingly at the windows and then back to him. I read in the paper about that fancy gala you put on. Her warm, admiring tone was the same that he remembered from all those years ago, soothing his fears until the wind died down. "I hope you don’t plan on turning my birthday into such a garish display. She tutted. They said you nearly collapsed the ballroom with that water tank."

Sigvard laughed. Well, where else would I put the synchronized swimmers? He tapped his forehead. Use your brains, Rubes. Besides, what’s a Sigvard Tandoh party without spectacle? He had nothing but time to kill and refused to settle for anything less than breathtaking.

"Parties don't need spectacle, Sig. They just need people having a good time."

That's the same thing. Ruby’s disapproval eroded Sigvard's confidence somewhat— she'd been the one who suggested he try his hand at event planning, after all. The press had printed nothing but glowing praise for the entire event, though, so he had to be doing something right.

"No, it's not, but I can tell I'm not going to convince you. Synchronized swimmers. She tried to look disapproving, but didn’t quite manage to stop the corners of her mouth from curling up. That must have been quite the sight."

You could have seen it in person if you accepted one of my invitations for once, Sigvard pretended to scold her. I’ve gotten you on the list for some of the most exclusive events in the world, and you’d rather sit here and knit.

Ruby raised her hand as if she were going to swat his arm. You insult my knitting group at your own peril, old man, she threatened with a grin. Sigvard laughed—a more satisfying laugh than he'd had in a long time. He definitely needed to visit Ruby more often.

Are you okay, Nana? a concerned-looking man called over from across the room. He was dropping off cupcakes at the nurses' station. Just slightly taller than Sigvard’s six-foot two frame, the man had beautiful, deep-brown skin, a clean-shaven head, and eyelashes for days. Dressed conservatively in jeans and a button-down shirt the color of clear skies, his clothes weren’t tight, but there were just enough hints of rippling muscles to send Sigvard’s thoughts to the gutter.

"Ruby, who is that?" Sigvard's eyebrows rose as he indicated the exquisite man making his way over.

I know that look, she chuckled.

Sigvard kept his eye on the tall glass of water who was weaving his way around residents and visitors to their side of the common room.

He’s almost as gorgeous as Jacob was, Sigvard said. Something about how the man moved reminded Sigvard of nights at the dance rooms in the 1940's when the heat coming off Ruby and her husband, Jacob, made every couple within a twenty-foot radius sneak off to dark corners.

Ruby laughed, fingering the wedding ring hanging from a chain around her neck. Michael comes by it naturally. Her eyes were thoughtful as she followed the newcomer's progress through the room.

Is this man bothering you? the man asked.

Even his voice is gorgeous, Sigvard thought. The deep bass reverberated throughout Sigvard’s entire body, lighting up his every nerve like a spark. He couldn't remember the last time that had happened.

Ruby chuckled. He is. But I’m used to it. She patted a chair on the opposite side of her, beckoning the man to take a seat. This is my dear old friend, Sigvard Tandoh. Sigvard, this is my grandson, Michael Wallace.

Sigvard wasn't sure if it was just his wishful thinking, but he thought Michael’s eyes swept curiously over him before he offered a brief handshake. Michael’s hand was strong but soft, like a man who worked hard but also knew enough to moisturize. My favorite. It took a millennium of self-control to keep from caressing the man's palm with his thumb before letting go.

"You