Page 38 of The Orc's Promised Bride

“Oh. Oh!”

The startled exclamation turned into a soft moan as he teased her bud with gentle flicks of his tongue. She trembled, her breath coming in sharp gasps. He wanted to hear those noises forever.

“Does that feel good?”

“Yes.”

“And this?”

He sucked her bud gently between his lips and was rewarded by a long moan and her fingers digging into his scalp.

“Oh yes. Don’t stop.”

Never, he thought, but his mouth was occupied with pleasuring her. He lapped at the slick folds, teasing and stroking her bud, listening for each change in her breathing, each whimper, each soft moan. He had never performed this act but she was so responsive it was easy to tell what pleased her.

Her body quivered beneath him, her breath coming in gasps, and he could feel her pleasure building.

“Please…”

“I have you, my mate,” he murmured, and focused on the small bud, increasing the pressure until she cried out, her back arching off the bed.

He lost himself in the sweet sounds of her pleasure, his Beast purring with satisfaction as she shuddered against him. Her body arched, her fingers digging into his shoulders as waves of release washed over her. His heart swelled with pride and possessive joy at bringing her such bliss.

But then he caught the sharp scent of salt. His eyes snapped open to find tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Horror crashed through him, dousing his passion like ice water. Had he hurt her? Frightened her? His Beast whined in distress.

“Jana?” He started to gather her close, to comfort her, then froze. What if his touch was the last thing she wanted? “What’s wrong? Did I?—”

She shook her head, but sobs continued to wrack her small body. He hovered uncertainly, desperate to hold her but terrified of making things worse.

“Please tell me what’s wrong.” He kept his voice gentle, fighting back his rising panic. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix it. I swear it.”

But she only cried harder, her whole body shaking as she curled in on herself. The sight of her tears felt like daggers in his chest. His Beast howled in frustrated anguish, unable to protect their mate from whatever caused her such pain.

“You’re safe,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “No one will harm you here.”

He forced himself to rise, though each inch of distance felt like torture.

“I’ll leave you in peace.”

His Beast clawed at him, desperate to stay with their mate, but he forced himself to take a step toward the door. Then another. The sound of her crying followed him, each sob another wound to his heart.

He had thought - hoped - that she was starting to trust him. To want him. But clearly he had pushed too far, too fast. Had misread her signals entirely. The thought of leaving her alone while she was hurting tore him apart, but staying would only make things worse.

His hand closed around the door handle.

“I’ll be right outside if you need anything,” he managed past the tightness in his throat. “Just call and I’ll come.”

CHAPTER 20

“No. Don’t go!”

Jana’s head finally cleared enough to realize Lothar was leaving. She scrambled after him, closing her hand around a muscular forearm. He stopped immediately, looking down at her with tormented eyes.

“I thought I frightened you.” His voice was rough with emotion. “I never meant to hurt you.”

She shook her head hard enough that her hair whipped across her tear-stained cheeks.

“Not hurt.” The words caught in her throat. “Just… overwhelmed.”

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