Page 35 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Miranda.”

She looked up and he let out a ragged sigh, raked a hand through his hair, and swallowed hard.

Some of her toddlers liked a cuddle when they were having a rough time.

She reached out and took his arm, holding it tight to her chest. He let out a long breath and didn’t pull away from her.

“I’m sorry I didn’t insist they take me back to your home.”

He said nothing but she could feel the tension release in his arm.

She reached up and stroked his jaw. “Why don’t you untuck your teeth? We’re alone now.”

He snapped his gaze to her face a moment, and his throat worked.

Then he did.

“That’s better,” she assured him, gentling her touch.

His eyes flickered down her body. “Do you like my dress?” she asked.

Govek continued to stare, throat working in a slight gulp.

“It doesn’t fit very well. Viravia must have been a total hottie. Not that she isn’t hot stuff now that she’s pregnant, just...”

Govek’s eyes got large.

Shoot, was he jealous of women too? Was she making it worse? “Anyway. It was really nice of her to let me wear her clothes. Even if I don’t do them justice.”

“Miranda.”

“Yeah?”

“You are beautiful.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks and stomach and Miranda finally found the strength to go quiet. Instead, she distracted herself looking at the tree houses as they passed. The paths were vacant, and the homes were dim. She wondered where everyone was.

The tree houses were amazing. She couldn’t wait to see Govek’s home.

“How much farther?” Miranda finally asked. They were surrounded by woods now with not a single house in sight. The paths were much more overgrown and there weren’t any lanterns. It was so dark she was glad she had Govek’s arm to help her. Only his glowing green eyes were visible in the night.

“There.” Govek pointed to a tree about fifty yards away. It had taken quite a bit longer to get to his home than she expected. It was fairly small compared to some of the others they’d passed but it was too dark to really judge. As they drew nearer, she could make out the porch. Three steps led to a front door.

A front door which was half off its hinges.

“Er. Did you get robbed?”

Govek shot her a confused look before noting where her eyes were. “No. I’ll mend it tonight.”

“Not tonight. We should just relax tonight.”

“You wouldn’t rather be sure you don’t get eaten alive while you sleep?”

She quirked a smile. “We both know the only creature I could be eaten by right now is you.” He tensed again and Miranda straightened. “That was a sex joke, Govek. I don’t think you’re actually going to eat me.”

He didn’t respond and her gut twisted.

“Govek, how many members of your clan think you’d really hurt me?”

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