Page 19 of Arrested By the Orc

Finally, my family is gone. I love them but when you get all of them together in one place, they are too much.

And it couldn’t have been good that my future husband and my dad were outside and alone for far too long. Dad is loving but also crazy. He’s well known for letting his military training take over when it comes to protecting his family. Lila’s ex is literally afraid of him now and got a restraining order.

But the real reason is that I don’t need anyone’s approval to marry Bowen.

But it does make things much smoother if his family and mine are going to get along. And I like the idea that my mom left with the number of Bowen’s parents programmed into her cell phone. Mom is a no nonsense, former military wife who is used to organizing and will get in touch with them and I’m certain there will be meet ups.

Mom, Lila and Sara are already planning my wedding. Strangely I didn’t care too much as to when or where, as long as it’s held here in town and outside with a view of the lake behind us. And of course, my bakery would provide our own cake.

Although it feels weird to plan a wedding, when I haven’t been formally asked and there’s no ring. Does he really want to perform the ceremony or is it just something he’s putting up with for the humans?

The front door closes behind the last member of my family and we can hear the cars pulling out of our front drive. The inside of the house is suddenly quiet. We both remain standing in the foyer.

I look up at the massive orc in front of me. “You keep saying I’m your mate but…but does that mean that you only want me because your body is forcing you?”

“I’m with you because I love you.”

I blink and then smile wide. I love how Bowen always answers directly and never beats around the bush. “Oh, I love you too.”

“I know.”

I roll my eyes. “Is this another scent thing? You can literally smell that I love you?”

“No,” he answers gently. “I know by your actions.”

And then I take off the pink crop top I’m wearing, tossing it on the floor, letting him see my cute bra. “We’re really getting married?”

He shrugs off the unbuttoned shirt and all that’s left is muscles for days. I slept with him last night and only had a small amount of time to run my fingers along the warm green skin of his chest. He’s not hairy. His chest is smooth and strong. “Yes,” he says. “We’re really getting married.” And then he takes a small black box out of his pocket.

My eyes widen. “Is that…?”

“I’ve had this with me since that first week I followed you to your place of work. I went and purchased this for you. They told me it was the best and the one females like the most. I hope they are right.” He opens the box and I almost swallow my tongue.

“It’s…it’s beautiful.”

“Will you marry me and join my family line?”

“Yes, Bowen I would love to marry you.”

He slips the large diamond ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly.

“I want you to know I wanted to be with you before I knew you’d bought a house out right and before I knew you could buy a ring like this. I’m guessing you paid for this with cash too?”

“Yes, I paid for it with cash. And yes, I know you don’t care about the money.”

I shrug. “I can make my own money. I don’t need a man for his money. I need a man for his love and support.”

He grins. “I feel the same about you.”

I look up at him and meet his hot gaze. “Are you certain of this? Are you sure you want to be stuck with me for life because I come with that crazy family you just met. And you might be stuck living in this geographic location with me.”

“I am certain.”

“Because I would love for you to be my husband, Bowen. And the father of my children.”

He grins. And then he’s kissing me and this time it’s hotter than ever before. His hand cups the back of my head and his lips are on mine. I love kissing this guy. The tusks don’t get in the way and just add hot edginess.

His lips trail down and he’s licking my neck and kissing my shoulders and soon one bra strap is off and then the other. I help him out by reaching behind and unhooking the bra. In seconds I’m naked from the waist up.

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