Page 44 of His Orc Lady

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?” He groans, scrubbing his hand over his face. “Just don’t tell anyone else, all right?”

“Never.” I place a hand over my heart. “I’ll keep your secret as long as you promise not to tell Earna I fed you the secret kitchen cake.”

We’re nearing my room, so I slow my steps, not wanting this night to end. It hasn’t been nice, or easy, but Owen has made it lighter. With him, it wasn’t so horrible revisiting my past and delving into my memories.

“This is your door, correct?” Owen draws to a stop and inclines his head to the right. “I think I remember, but all I cantrulyrecall is you in a nightgown, so…”

I pinch his arm, scowling. “You are a wicked, horrible man.”

He grins. “Ah, but it was such a lovely sight, Mara. I hope to experience it again, and soon?”

He makes the last part into a question, and I’m mollified by the fact that he’s not presuming that what we did tonight meanshe has access to my bedroom whenever he pleases. In truth, Iwillgrant him that, but it’s lovely to know he’s not a man who would take what is not freely given.

“Tomorrow?” I ask, just as I did earlier that evening.

Owen’s eyebrows climb up. “All right.”

I put my hands on his chest, then slide them higher to cup the back of his neck. “It’s just…we have more to talk about. Before we, ah, continue on this road together.”

He brushes my lips with his. “I hope the rest of your story isn’t as sad. Not because I wouldn’t want to listen to it, mind you. I only hope you’ve already confided the heaviest parts.”

“I have,” I assure him. “Thank you for being such a good listener.”

Our mouths meet in a deep, sensual kiss, and Owen presses my back to the door, his hard body bracketing mine.

“Gods, how am I supposed to walk away?” He trails kisses down my throat, then licks the shell of my ear, sending a shiver through me. “Your taste drives me mad, Mara. And the way you respond to me…”

His hands grip my waist, his fingers digging into the muscles just over my ass. I rock my hips up on instinct, rubbing against the hard ridge in his pants. We both gasp at the contact, and Owen holds himself still for a long moment, then thrusts forward, just once, a groan falling from his lips.

“Fuck.” He pushes himself away from me. “I better leave. Tonight was for talking.”

He rakes his fingers through his messy hair, and I smile at the sight, becauseIcaused it to stick out like that.

“Come here.” I reach up to brush it back in place. “You can’t go walking around the Hill like you were dragged backward through a bush, even at this late hour, Captain.”

I straighten his collar, bearing the three gold captain’s pips, and sober up at the reminder that he’s still employed by theDuke of Ultrup, still beholden to the whim of Lady Willow and heresteemeduncle. I never want to meet the man who allows criminals to run free in his duchy, but I hope Ozork’s mate will choose a different path in life, one that will allow Owen to remain here if he chooses to.

When he looks mostly presentable, I step back and smile softly. “Goodnight, Owen.”

He leans in for one quick last kiss, stealing my breath. “Sleep well, Mara.”

Chapter

Twelve

I meant to visit the baths the morning after on the off chance that Owen took our joking seriously and would be waiting for me there, but a pounding from the hallway disrupts that plan. I open the door to find Vark standing there, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Gorvor needs you,” he says without a greeting. “Said to hurry. He’s calling all of us in.”

I squint at him. “Before breakfast? What’s wrong?”

Vark grins at me. “It’s way past breakfast, Mara. Were you up late last night? And does that have anything to do with a certain human captain who’s been seen trailing you around the Hill? Is he hiding in your room, perhaps?”

He cranes his neck to peer around me.

“Ugh, no!” I slam the door in his smug face, then yell so he’ll be able to hear me, “I need a moment! Will you wait for me?”

“Aye,” he calls back.

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