Page 97 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“That’s true,” Miranda mumbled as they began up the trail. The autumn chill wasn’t bad this morn. The sun was warm and melted every spec of frost it touched. The dappled light was lovely as it played over Miranda’s rich, brown hair and soft features. He watched her cheeks grow pink from exertion as they climbed the steep path.

So far, none of their unwelcome visitors had bothered following their scent up the hill behind his home, and Govek hoped that trend would continue. The constant slew of orcs at their door had long grown insufferable.

It was especially infuriating when they came late at night or early in the morning. Miranda was weary enough from her constant nightmares. Hovget was the only male that hadn’t tried to bother them in the last few days, and the only one Govek would have welcomed since it meant he could finally retrieve the sleeping tincture for Miranda.

Miranda tipped her head to the bright sky, hazelnut eyes twinkling. Her breath made fog around her face.

She was so beautiful it made his whole body flood with warmth. This gorgeous woman was happily following him up a trail, ready to make camp in the cold with only him for company all day. Content to warm up by sitting in his lap and jabber until he was left with no illusion to what she really thought.

And what she thought was so wonderful. Delight at the scenery, pleasure over the food.

Compliments for him. Constant, endless touches and sweet words that made him ache.

How had he gotten so fucking lucky?

He couldn’t lose her.

She shot him a sly grin that made his heart thunder. “Wanna race?”

Govek blinked slowly. “You want to what?”

Miranda burst into laughter. “Govek, you make it sound like I just asked you to chop your hand off.”

“I cannot decide if you are delusional enough to honestly think the match would be fair,” he muttered, though his irritation lightened at her continued laughter. “You would stand no chance in this.”

“Well, then how about you give a girl a break and let me have a head start?”

His eyes narrowed. “A head start?”

“Yeah, I’ll start running and you count to like thirty or something before?—”

“Counting to a hundred would not be enough,” he snorted. “Perhaps not even to a thousand.”

She smacked his arm, and he grinned helplessly at her courage. “Hey, I’m not that slow.”

“You are, Miranda. I have seen tree slugs that?—”

“If you compare me to a tree slug, you are going to thoroughly regret it.”

“As I was saying, I have seen unbelievably gorgeous butterflies that could flutter faster than you.”

“Better, but seriously, it could be fun. I mean, worst-case scenario, you catch up to me in half a breath and maybe we could play a little game. I could be the butterfly and you could be the hawk chasing me down.”

The comparison made his blood simmer even as he worked for calm. “Miranda, hawks eat butterflies.”

“Even better.” She smoothed her hand up his chest, forcing him to stumble to a stop. “I think I’d like being eaten by you.”

Tension shot through Govek so quickly, Miranda tensed with him.

She blinked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He wrenched the worthless memories of his last encounter with Yerina out of his mind. He had lost control with her, but he would not make the same mistake with Miranda. He could not.

He would never forgive himself if he drove Miranda away.

“Govek, I was only teasing,” Miranda said, brows pinched. “If you aren’t into giving oral, that’s okay. I’m not going to pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to.”

He growled low, raked his hand through his hair. Fuck! Her words were torture. He wanted to taste her so badly it was almost painful. His mouth watered and his tongue tingled. Fangs clenched with the desire to bite.

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