Page 39 of The Orc Who Saved Christmas

But I want more.

I drop to my knees behind her, my hands tracing the curve of her hips, the soft swell of her backside. My tongue darts out, tasting the salt of her skin as I explore the valley of her thighs, parting them gently with my hands. She gasps as I find her core, my tongue delving into her folds, lapping at her wetness with ravenous hunger.

"Thrag," she moans, her voice thick with desire. "Please, I need you inside me."

Her words ignite a fire within me, the alpha male in me roaring to life. I rise to my feet, my hands never leaving her body as I position myself behind her. I can feel the heat of her, the slickness that tells me she's ready for me. With one hand on her hip, I guide my hard length to her entrance, teasing her with the tip before slowly pushing inside.

We both groan as I fill her completely, the sensation of her tight walls clenching around me nearly sending me over the edge.

I begin to thrust, each movement deliberate and powerful, evidence of the strength and desire that courses through my veins. Claire meets my rhythm, pushing back against me, her moans growing louder with each deep stroke.

I reach around her again, finding her most sensitive spot with my fingers, stroking her in time with my thrusts. "Come for me, Claire," I growl in her ear.

And she does, her body shattering around me, her cries of pleasure echoing off the walls of our modest home. Thesensation of her release triggers my own, a rush of heat that floods through me as I find my release deep within her.

We collapse onto the bed, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, breathing in the scent of her, a scent that I've come to associate with warmth, safety, and home.

"Thrag," she whispers, turning in my arms to face me. "I love you."

"And I love you, Claire," I say, my voice filled with the depth of that love. "You've given me something I thought was lost forever."

She smiles at me, her hand reaching up to trace the scars on my chest—scars that remind me of the pain and loss that defined my life before her. "You're not alone anymore, Thrag. You have a family with me."

I pull her closer,our bodies fitting together perfectly, as if we were made for each other. And in this moment, with Claire by my side, I know that I've finally found my true purpose, my true home. I am an alpha male, a protector, a warrior—but above all, I am hers, and she is mine.

We are one.

40

CLAIRE

The night is crisp, and stars twinkle overhead. It's been almost a year since our magical wedding night. Thrag has brought me to the little abandoned cabin on the side of the settlement to show me something. My breath forms clouds in the winter air as we stand outside the doorway of the cabin.

"Ready?" he asks, his deep voice a low rumble that sends a thrill through me.

I nod, my heart fluttering with anticipation. "As I'll ever be," I say softly.

He opens the door, and I gasp, my hand flying to my chest. The cabin, once a forgotten relic, is transformed. Candles cast dancing shadows upon the walls, and the scent of pine mingles with the warm spice of cinnamon, filling the room with the essence of the season.

My eyes land on the centerpiece—a towering Christmas tree, its branches adorned with handcrafted ornaments and strung with dried berries. Garlands of evergreen entwined with holly berries drape across the mantle, and mistletoe hangs in the doorway, its presence an open invitation for stolen kisses.

Thrag stands beside me, his arms crossed over his broad chest, a look of pride etched onto his face. "Merry Christmas, Claire," he says.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I throw my arms around him. "How did you do this?" I whisper.

He chuckles. "I had a little help from our friends," he admits. "They were more than eager to bring a bit of your human tradition to life."

The sound of laughter and music drifts in from outside as the villagers begin to arrive, their faces alight with joy. Children dart around the room, their eyes wide with wonder at the magical scene before them.

I pull Thrag aside, away from the growing crowd. My hands tremble as I take his in mine. "You've done so much," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is... it's more than I could have ever imagined."

He leans down, his breath tickling my ear as he whispers, "I would move mountains for you, Claire."

My heart swells, and I rise onto my toes, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that speaks of love and gratitude. We stand there, under the mistletoe, lost in each other as the world around us fades into a blur of warmth and light.

Pulling away, I glance around the room, taking in the laughter and camaraderie that fills the space. "I never thought I'd see the day when an orc would teach me the true meaning of Christmas," I say, a smile tugging at my lips.

Thrag grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And what meaning is that?" he asks.

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