Page 19 of Orc Charming

“The Earth’s an amazing place, and I’m glad I get to share this tiny bit of it with you.”

He tugged me onto his lap, and I leaned back against his chest with his arms around me. I’d never felt so complete.

“Mom and I used to come here all the time,” I said. “It’s been rough since she died. We were close. I know some kids don’t get along with their parents—”

“That sounds like me.”

“I’m sorry. Mom and I were friends. We went out to dinner together on our days off and worked side by side each day. She carefully guided me, sharing the knowledge she’d gainedthrough the years while never telling me what I should do. It takes a light touch to raise a child. You want to give them the freedom to make mistakes they can learn from, but you also want to keep them from being hurt.”

“She sounds like a wonderful person.”

I sniffed, my eyes stinging. I’d shed a lot of tears over the past year, and I’d mourn her forever, but it was nice to talk about her. “When I tell someone about her, I feel like a part of her still lives on. I wish everyone could’ve known her the way I did.”

If only I could’ve introduced Deegar to her. She would’ve adored him as much as I did.

We’d only been together for a few days, but I felt like he and I had been friends forever, only parted. We’d reconnected and slipped back into where we left off. I sensed what we were building would last forever.

I shifted around to face him, taking in how his eyes sparkled in the sunlight and how the light breeze ruffled his dark hair.

We kissed, and I clung to his horns, savoring how amazing it felt just to touch him.

He ran his hands up and down my back, sending tingles of electricity dancing through me. The warmth of his skin was like a balm to my soul. I felt safe, secure, and loved in his embrace.

His lips were soft against mine, his tusks firm. Everything inside me melted as I shifted in his arms. Could I imprint this moment on my mind to make it last forever?

Waves rippled along the shore, and the salty ocean breeze mixed with his spicy scent made my heartrate pulse. I felt more alive than I had before, and I’d do anything to hold on to this feeling. He deepened our kiss, and my moan rumbled in my throat.

We broke apart, and he cupped my face and stared into my eyes.

“You’re precious to me,” he said, his voice deep and growly.

Shivers tracked through me, and I wanted to take his hand and lead him back to my house. I wouldn’t stop until we’d reached my bedroom, and I suspected once we started touching each other, we’d never leave the room.

People passing smiled our way as if sharing the happiness seeping from my pores. It felt good to be with someone special, someone I could trust.

I just hoped nothing stepped in to break us apart.

Chapter 10

Deegar

We had lunch at an open deck restaurant and walked lazily through town, holding hands. Stopping periodically, we gazed through store windows, Cat pointing out things she liked. We laughed softly together about things we both didn’t enjoy, and I marveled at how our likes harmonized so completely.

Returning to her tidy home, we sat on the front porch again.

“Have you tried iced coffee?” she asked. “I happen to have brewed some this morning and put it in the fridge.

Grimacing, I shook my head. “Cold coffee? Who’d drink something like that?”

“Me.” She smirked as she rose from her chair. “And you if you’re brave enough to try it.”

I followed her into the kitchen as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carafe. She set it on the counter and grabbed a couple of large glasses from the cupboard, adding ice and a bit of cream.

“We don’t have cows in the orc kingdom.”

“What?” she gasped. “Does that mean you don’t have whipped or ice cream?”

I shook my head. “I’ve tried the latter. It’s good. Sweet and cold on the tongue.”

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