Page 35 of Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy

She spun slowly in front of me, her hand smoothing the fabric as it swirled around her thighs in a whisper. The pale bluebrought out her eyes, making them shimmer even more the sky and the sea combined. She looked down with yearning.

“What do you think?” she asked, her voice quieter now, uncertainty creeping in all over again as she studied my face.

I swallowed the emotions tangling up inside my throat and tried to shape my thoughts into words that wouldn’t fall short of what I felt seeing her in something I'd soon gift her. I crossed the small space between us, my gaze roving over her like she was the most precious thing I’d ever set eyes on.

Because she was.

“You’re beautiful.” I kept my voice low. “More beautiful than the golden lakes of my kingdom. The dress is pretty but it's only fabric. You glow like the reflection of a star on the clearest water. You . . .” I paused, letting the passion behind my words settle deep, hoping this would help me find the words I needed to tell her everything. What I wanted to say felt unworthy, too flat to capture the depth of my feelings. Finally, breathless with longing and awkward, yet needing to speak, I whispered. “You are why I dare to dream.”

“Ostor,” she croaked.

My face overheated. “I'm sorry. I misspoke.”

She shook her head. “No, you didn't.” Reaching up, she stroked my chest, pressing her palm against the area above my heart. “Thank you. I’m afraid because . . . I've been dreaming too.”

“Dreams should bloom like flowers after the rain.”

“You're right.” She glanced down at the dress. “It really looks okay?”

“It looks amazing. Perfect.”

Crimson flooded her cheeks, coloring her skin in a way that only made me want to kiss every bit of her. She coiled her finger between us, and I bent down, thinking she was going to say something saucy that went with the expression on her face.Instead, her lips pressed against mine. The kiss was too quick and held only a hint of a promise. I’d hold it tight within my heart.

She backed away, leaving my lips tingling and my pulse surging in my throat.

My mate was bold in ways that startled me. Thrilled me. Was I dreaming, or did she actuallywantme?

Rosey watched me, obviously pleased that she’d stunned me, but also a little unsure. Maybe she was wondering if she shouldn’t have kissed me. Or if I’d changed my mind about buying her the dress.

“The dress is yours,” I said simply.

After a moment, she nodded. She changed back into her other clothing while I stood outside the changing room with waves of protectiveness and need swirling through me.

Pride filled me when I handed the dress to the cashier and paid for it with a gold nugget, without a second thought. Gold appeared as welcome here as slices of money if the woman’s wide-eyed stare at it and eager nod when I asked was anything to go by.

We left and returned to our room, Rosey clutching the bag holding the dress like it meant something to her, as if it was so much more than scraps of fabric.

Inside our room, she carefully hung the dress in the closet, smoothing it with a smile that twisted my heart in all sorts of painful ways.

“I’ll wear it tonight for the rehearsal dinner.” Her voice brimmed with happiness.

My heart swelled so big I figured it would burst free.

I, Ostor, had helped her feel this way. I’d made her smile.

The knowledge was overwhelming and quiet all at the same time. To think that I could touch her heart if only in a small way.

It was enough to make me bloom like flowers after the rain.

Chapter 15

Rosey

Where are you?Macy texted.Are you and Ostor in bed or something?

Nothing like that,I replied.

Ostor’s hot. Cute. Incredibly sweet. If it was me, I’d be rolling around in bed with him myself.She added a bunch of suggestive emojis.

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