Page 34 of Secret Twins for the Orc

He huffs in amusement and sends me a sidelong glance. “You’ve been doing that all day, no reason to stop now.”

I rest my food on my lap. “Why did you offer to bring me here today?”

It’s such a switch from his previous behavior—from his initial annoyance at me working for him, his strange push-pull during dinner on Monday, and then his vague hesitance around me ever since he invited me here. The way he offered to bring me felt like such a deviation, and I want to understand.

I look back up at him as he finishes chewing his last huge mouthful and his dark brows lower. I guess he could easily give me some noncommittal response, or deflect and change the subject, but I hope he doesn’t ignore the intent behind my question.

Why did you ask me out? Did you ask me out? What is this for you?

Despite my earlier confidence in turning this into a date, I don’t want to be a bully or live in a delusion that he doesn’t also feel, and today was such a good day I…I guess I want it to be real. I want him to want it to be a date. I like this side of him. He’s been playful and relaxed, and it reminds me so much of the Rhokar I met all those years ago in the bar, I can’t help but want that orc back for good.

He finally turns to me, frown still in place, and shrugs slowly as if he’s confused at his own answer. “I wanted to.”

That says everything and nothing all at once.

A non-answer, but I feel like it’s an honest one. He doesn’t seem to be the best with his words—unless it’s to throw insults, a thought which almost makes me grin—and I feel my expression turning contemplative.

I put my food to the side and decide to ask a different way.

“Stop me if I do anything you don’t want,” I say quietly. “I won’t be upset, I promise.”

And before he can respond I touch my hand to his cheek and lean up, guiding his big frame to meet me in the middle, and I ask him with my lips.

The kiss is soft, and chaste, and lingering. I brush my mouth gently against his, careful of his tusks, and it feels so good, so right and comforting that it tugs at my heart and makes me feel warm all over.

But he’s frozen beneath me, I’m not even sure he’s breathing anymore, so I pull slowly away to look at him.

His eyes flutter open, and a whistle of air sucks in through his teeth as he remains bent towards me for a long moment. His dark eyes look a little glazed over, if I’m honest, and I lift a hand to tuck back a silky black lock that’s fallen out of his bun.

“Do you want me?” I ask quietly when he doesn’t seem inclined to move, and that breath whistles right back out of him as his eyes focus on mine.

“Yes,” he whispers.

I smile, my heart beating a sudden, wild rhythm against my chest in joy. “Good,” I say, and then tuck myself into his side, wriggling to press my body against his and leaning my head on his broad shoulder. “I want you, too.”

After a moment he shifts, letting out a long, shaky breath and wrapping his arm around me, and we sit there for a long time after that, watching the sun slowly set behind the bright, bustling market.

It should scare me, how strong the feeling of belonging hits me in that moment. Like I belong here, in this town, in Rhokar’s arms. Like I belong to him, like I’ve never truly belonged anywhere else.

And somehow, I’ve never felt safer, more at ease, than I do in this moment, in this feeling.

Chapter 13

Rhokar

I can’t stop staring at her.

She’s relaxed in the passenger seat of my pickup, smiling faintly and chatting as I drive her home in the barely-there light of the recently set sun. I’m doing my best to respond to her, but I can’t stop thinking about her kiss.

It was so gentle, so innocent. Why did it make me want to pin her against the ancient tree behind us, rip off her clothes, and claim her as mine and be damned if there was anyone there to see it?

I want her body, her skin on mine, her heat around me. I want to claim her flesh over and over again, until the memory of all other men leaves her forever and the only name on her lips is mine.

But what’s more—is that I want more. More than just her body.

I’m possessive. I’m bossy. I’m petty. I want her without giving her an inch of freedom to pursue others, to think about others, ever again. I feel too intensely, too quickly, and I’m afraid it’s going to lead me to trouble. But apparently, I’m also a fool. Because here I am, ready to do it anyway, to give her everything, after nothing more than the barest of kisses.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

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