Page 21 of Orc Charming

“Let’s go inside where they can’t nibble.” I couldn’t stop thinking of what I’d done for him in the kitchen. The amazed look on his face. The way he’d bellowed when he came. The way he’d looked at me after, as if I meant everything to him.

Somewhere between the thrift shop and that can of whipped cream, I’d fallen in love.

What should I do about it?

I didn’t have to think long or hard to come up with an idea.

We watched another romcom, him picking it out this time, laughing at the silly jokes and the cute way the couple fell in love. I felt like the characters’ lives mirrored ours, and it wasn’t hard to see us slipping into the same happy ending.

“Another day off tomorrow,” I said. “What should we do?”

“We could walk on the beach again. It’s amazing there. I can see why you love living so close.”

“We could hike Trellor’s peak if you’d like. It’s only about three miles round trip, and the trail’s easy. The view from the top can’t be beat. The ocean stretches in front of you, dotted with islands, and if you use binoculars, you can see Canada in the distance.”

“That sounds like the perfect way to spend the day.” He rose, glancing at the clock. “I suppose we should go to bed now.”

“Yup.” I got up as well and walked toward my bedroom door.

“I’ll try to wake before you do. I’d like to cook you breakfast.”

“I adore bacon almost as much as you,” I said with a sultry smile. “Though you’re a close second.”

His laugh barked out. “If you’d like, we could do a comparison in the morning.”

“Or . . .” I gathered the courage to speak “Or . . . you could come to bed with me and give me a sample I can use when comparing to the bacon in the morning.”

His eyes widened, but the sexiest smile crept across his face. “What are you offering, Cat?”

“Everything. Me. You. Any way you’d like to be with me.”

“Are you sure?”

Nodding, I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I am. I want to be with you, Deegar.”

“Mate,” he breathed, striding toward me.

“I haven’t been with anyone in what feels like forever,” I croaked. “At least a year before Mom died. I was sad for such a long time. I couldn’t bear to open myself up to someone new.”

“I understand.” He tugged me into his arms and held me. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Lifting me off my feet, he carried me into the bedroom.

Chapter 12

Deegar

Ilaid her gently on the bed and followed her down. My precious mate. I knew she had doubts about us. I’d been around humans long enough to know they didn’t have the same faith orcs did about matings and fate.

But she was trusting me to show her how wonderful it could be between us. She may not know me much on the surface, but deep down, where it counted, she saw the true me. The person I’d only shown her.

I feathered my lips against hers, and when she cupped my shoulders and moaned, I pressed harder, claiming her mouth as I would her body. Her lips were soft and warm against mine, and my heart beat like the roll of thunder across the landscape. Anticipation made my throat tight. I wanted this moment to be perfect. I’d take my time, savoring every second. Yes, my cock was on fire. That was to be expected while I was in heat. But I needed her with me through everything we did.

I traced my fingers down her sides and slid them beneath her shirt, teasing across her soft belly. My pulse roared, and everything inside me told me to shred through her clothing. Claim her hard and fast. But it was vital I not hurt her. I wasbig, so much larger than her, and if I wasn’t careful, this moment wouldn’t be special.

Nudging up her shirt, I helped her remove it. Then the snug garment she wore beneath that restrained her glorious breasts. Piece by piece, I stripped her until she lay beneath me like a goddess. The fates had crafted her solely for me, and I was incredibly honored that she wanted to give herself to me.

“Tell me what feels good, what you like,” I said, leaving her mouth to kiss down her neck, nibbling. Would she protest if I marked her as mine? I’d save that for later.

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