Page 16 of Guarded By the Orc

“The thing is,” I said with a dramatic sigh, reaching out to place my hand on his forearm. I watched his gaze dart to where I was touching him and then back to my lip. “I’d bereallygrateful if you helped me get back home so I can get what I need—” I sawhis lips part to cut me off, his brow furrowed with consternation and I decided to jump to flattery. “And Iknowwhat you’re thinking. That’s the first place they might look for me, so it would makeno senseto go there. But the thing is,” I added, sidling closer to him, batting my lashes. “I know you’re just the male to protect me. I need to get in and out. I won’t be staying. I promise.”

His narrowed gaze was now focused on where I was thrusting my breasts out toward him. They were straining against my blouse and his lips parted while a breath huffed out of him.

“Why do you need to go there?” he asked in a careful voice, his eyes darting to mine for a quick second before dropping back to my breasts. “Tell meexactlywhat you need.”

I have him.

Dropping all pretenses now, I released him and tucked my chest back to its normal position, my brain already flittering through everything I would need.

“The first thing I want to do is put a protection spell around this building. It would make sure that everyone’s safe. But to do that, I need my mom’s book and whatever ingredients she had on hand,” I told him.

It hadn’t taken me long to figure out that he wasright, even if I didn’t want to admit it to him. I would be safer here with the clan. But I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. So I’d need to make sure no one—especially Veron—could get to us.

Even if I didn’t have that much control over my powers—and they were still bound and manifesting—I could at least try the spell. I was also hoping that my coven would still be living there, and I would be able to speak to them and get them to safety.

I didn’t mention that second part to Rudgar. He didn’t know them the way I did. There had to be a reason they were selling their magick. They weren’t heartless and if they’d been able to help Rok, I’m sure they would have.

“You’d do the protection spellhere?” Rudgar asked, his expression suspicious. “And you won’t try to leave?”

I shook my head, letting him see the honesty in my expression.

“No, I’m going to make this my home base.” Satisfaction made its way across his expression and I couldn’t even get mad.

I wasn’t stupid. Just impulsive. I knew that I could protect them. My mom had been trying to teach me before she’d gotten sick.

Regret filled me, and I wished I could go back and talk to her more—spend more time with her and tell her how much she meant to me.

Swallowing hard, I turned away from Rudgar, but he wasn’t having it. He moved closer, pressing his face against my hair and wrapping his arms around me. The comfort that I needed, but didn’t want.

Tears prickled in my eyes and I tried to shake him off, but he ran a warm palm down my arm.

“It’s alright, Gul-ar,” he whispered in a voice that had me sagging against him. “Tell me what just happened.”

I let my head fall back against his chest and squeezed my eyes shut as he surrounded me with heat and comfort. “M-my mom,” I gasped, shaking my head, unable to continue.

He didn’t keep questioning me, letting me settle against him instead, tucking me close. The solace and protection that I hadn’t had since my mom died was finally within my reach.

“I miss her,” I gasped, turning and grabbing onto him as if he was my lifeline. “So much.”

He ran his huge hand down my back and up again. I hiccupped against him, sobbing for all I was worth. He kept rubbing big circles on my back while I cried in his arms and when I was done, I was drained.

He ran his tusks across the top of my head, and when he began singing a song in orcish—a gentle melody that sounded like alullaby, I felt my eyes drooping closed.

Damn it, I might be falling in love with him.

I stirred, snuggling closer to the warmth under me. I nuzzled my cheek against the velvet I was cuddled against. The vibration of a purr was music to my ears, softening my body even more.

“Rudgar?” I whispered, and a gentle stroke of big fingers down my back told me it was him. “I fell asleep,” I told him, and his chuckle made his chest shake under my face.

“I know,” he answered, keeping up his gentle touch. “That’s alright. You’ve been through the wringer.”

“You’re comfy,” I yawned, tucking my cold toes against his warm calf. He gave a slight jerk, before settling, his purr deepening in his chest.

I lifted my face to press to his throat, inhaling the comforting scent there. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” I told him, running my fingers through his long hair, playing with the strands.

“You mostdefinitelyshould” he disagreed, his hand moving lower down my back, giving my ass a squeeze, rocking my pussy against his thigh where I’d wrapped my legs around him.

“This is a bad idea,” I responded, but I didn’t stop him, gasping as he kept up the movement.

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