Page 37 of Marrying My Orc Boss

One of his hands tugs impatiently in my hair, sending delightful tingles along my scalp, while his other hand has traveled downward to fondle my backside. When he grips me fiercely, I have no choice but to arch into him. I want so much more of this, with less clothes and a bed that’s only a short distance away. Then we can talk after, make love some more, then plan our future.

“I had to hold back,” he comments as he moves back to taste my jawline. “It was inappropriate, and I-I didn’t want to force myself on you.” Then there are more kisses along my lips, before he’s moving again.

I’m inclined to giggle, witnessing my articulate and unflappable CEO lose his composure, but his touch feels like it’s stoking an ardent fire inside me. Even the trickle of the passing storm does nothing to cool the fever of his kiss. “Thank you for thinking of me, with everything, and for all of this.”

Immediately, I know it’s the wrong thing to say. Drakar halts abruptly against the slope of my neck, with everything stalling out. He gives a harsh exhale, then he’s pulling back and moving further away from me as he runs frustrated hands through his cropped locks.

“No, Sally, it’s not what you think.” He’s frowning now, and glaring diplomatically at a spot past my head. “We shouldn’t be doing this- I-I shouldn’t have brought you here like this, I’m sorry.”

There is a fraction of a space and time as the distance between us grows, where I want to chase after him and pull him back to me, yet I refrain. I realize the rain has already abated, the storm dying as swiftly as it flared up, with nothing but empty breezes to stroke my skin.

The actuality of his words slam into me like a brick, almost knocking me over. Where moments ago I felt as if I was soaring, now I’m plummeting. His apology rings hollowly through my ears, the rejection a gravity spiral I find myself falling into.

A combination of the events of the day, wine, and hormones threaten to overtake me as I struggle to regain my emotional footing. That’s right. With everything going on, I had forgotten that this is just a business arrangement for him. I’m a contractual worker, little better than a maid.

The thought almost turns my stomach, but a palm tree’s rough grip supports me, even as I waver on my feet. Drakar’s expression starts to morph into one of concern, but as he moves forward to help me, I halt him with a gesture. The last thing I need right now is the pitying assistance of a man who only wants to be my husband on paper.

How could I have wanted this? He holds himself back as I stand, another apology on his lips, but I silence that also. “Well, I suppose there’s nothing further to say or do on the matter.”

“Sally-”

“The contract still stands, of course. In full effect, despite this little lapse, as we’ll call it.” I can barely get the words out, and I can feel myself trembling, but whether it’s from hurt or anger, I can’t say. “Thank you for seeing me back to the hotel Mr. Tvojan, but I can see myself up to the room from here.”

“Sally, we should talk,” he pleads.

“No, I think we really should say goodbye here. You have a good night, Drakar, and I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t… don’t follow me.”

With that, I turn and head to the room, uncaring of the direction he decides to take. I leave the scene with my dignity intact, even if my heart lies shattered on the jungle floor.

CHAPTER 22

Drakar

“Don’t… Don’t follow me.”

Sally’s voice echoes in my thoughts, her words digging into my chest like a knife between the ribs. Despite the fact that days have passed and we’re now back home, the tremble in her tone still haunts me – even as I sit in my home office with the irrefutable evidence of Director Shields’ criminal activities glowing from my computer screen.

The investigator I hired did his job well. Everything is here, just waiting to expose Shields for who he really is. It’s what I’ve wanted to do all along, and yet my fingers hesitate over the call button as the number for the police sits in the dial queue.

It’s time to end this.

The dull ring of the phone fills the stiff silence in my office.

“Mr. Tvojan,” the familiar voice of an officer greets. “I’ve been expecting your call.”

The phone call is methodical as I reveal the evidence I’ve compiled against Shields, explaining his attempts to sabotage the company and the countless illegal dealings. The wheels of justice begin to turn as the police move to apprehend the director but, left in the aftermath, my thoughts consume me.

What am I supposed to do now? The original purpose of my marriage to Sally has been fulfilled. Shields’ downfall has secured my position in the company and taken care of any immediate danger to my reputation.

The silence in the room is deafening, and I find myself drawn to the window, my gaze wandering to the garden where Sally is hosting her friends for an afternoon barbecue.

The sound of their laughter carries through the open window, and I can't help but feel a pang of envy. I've never been one for social gatherings, but there's something about Sally's energy that makes me long to join them. She looks radiant, her eyes sparkling with life, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to truly be a part of her world.

I watch as Sally moves gracefully among her friends, laughing and smiling as she hands out drinks and plates of food. She looks so happy, so carefree, and it's all I can do to stop myself from going outside and joining her.

But I can't. I've made my choices, and I have to live with the consequences. I've used Sally to get what I wanted, and now that it's over, I can't just expect her to forgive me and move on. I've hurt her, and I don't deserve her forgiveness.

Gazing at her through the window, I can't help but feel a sense of longing. I want to talk to her, to apologize, to make things right. But I know that I can't. I've burned that bridge, and there's no going back.

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