Page 11 of Orc Charming

“It was an amazing kiss. Our first. I’ll treasure the memory always.”

“Explain more about matings and . . . heat, which I suspect has nothing to do with the temperature around us.”

At least she wasn’t running from me or backing away in horror. “When we find our true mate, we have certain rituals we follow.”

“Like what?” We crossed the street.

“I don’t have a nest, and I apologize for that.”

“A nest?” Her eyebrows lifted, and she strode all the way around me, stopping in front of me. “I don’t see wings. You’re not a bird with a nest.” Her lips twitched with humor, but her gaze was completely serious.

“Males have a nest waiting in case they meet their true mate.”

“If it’s rare, why not wait until—if—you meet her first?”

I shrugged. “This is how it’s done.”

“Did you have a nest prepared in the orc kingdom?”

“I did.”

“Yet you didn’t meet your true mate there.”

“Because she’s you.”

Cat shook her head as if denying my statement. “Why the nest?”

“Because I’m supposed to do this.” Lifting her, I flung her over my shoulder. I pivoted and raced back across the street, car horns blaring and people shouting.

“What . . .? What . . .?” Cat cried.

When we reached her home, I opened the door and went inside. I didn’t stop until we’d reached her bedroom, where I laid her gently on the surface.

“Your bed will have to substitute for my nest,” I declared, climbing up over her.

“I . . .” Her hands cupped my shoulders, and her voice deepened. “For whatever reason, I find this very appealing. Is it possible for a human to go into heat?”

“Among orcs, it’s very common. I’m going to make love to you over and over, Cat, and I promise you won’t want to end this. You’ll be completely satisfied.”

Chapter 5

Cat

While I was wildly intrigued by this true mate process and, frankly, turned on by his words, I didn’t know him very well. Certainly not well enough to . . . mate with him.

“Shouldn’t you ask me if I want days of wild sex?” I said. My body shouted,yes, yes, please.

I did my best to shut it down.

“If you were an orc female, you’d know immediately, like me. You’d welcome me taking you to my nest.”

“We’re inmynest, evidently.”

“We could call itours.”

“We don’t know each other very well.” Although that wasn’t completely true. In my heart, I felt like we’d known each other forever, as if we were together in a past life. As if we’d sought each other.

“Unless you tell me no, I’m going to kiss you,” he growled.

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