Page 21 of Orc's Mate

When I grinned, his smile bloomed fully, and we both started laughing.

“Truly, you don’t need to be worried about it,” I said.

His mood sobered. “Truly, you need to come lay down beside me.”

“The fire’s just as warm on the opposite side.”

“Your back needs to face me. Then if something attacks, it’ll go for me first.”

“Won’t you or Zarran hear something coming?”

“I’d be mortified if I didn’t.” His sharp gaze met mine. “I’ll kill anything and anyone that touches you.”

“What if it’s a cute little creature like a chall?” I was teasing—testinghim—though I wasn’t sure why.

Actually, I knew why. I was worried if I laid beside him, his fingers would wander, I’d spread my legs, and the next thing I knew, we’d be rutting. I knew it was coming, but I felt depraved for craving him so soon after meeting him. Surely I needed to know him a bit more before we progressed to something like that?

“If it’s a cute little creature like a chall, I promise not to kill it.” His stern gaze met mine. “Come lay beside me, mate. I’ve told you I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

And that was the problem. I was beginning to think I’d enjoyeverythinghe chose to do with me.

However, it was childish to sit across the fire from him, arguing about me doing something as normal as lying with him for protection.

I rose and walked around to join him, resting on my side, facing the fire.

He settled behind me, his arms going around me, reminding me again of how much bigger than me he was when he could rest his chin on the top of my head with his knees lying by my feet. At least this kept his cock well beyond intimate areas if it came seeking.

“In all honesty,” I whispered. “I peeked.”

“At what?” The soft murmur of his voice was incredibly soothing. It lulled me, just likehelulled me.

“Your cock.”

“And what are your thoughts about my cock?”

“It’s big.”

“So am I,” he grumbled, following it up with a yawn.

“I’m keeping you awake. I’m sorry.” Heat scorched my face, and it didn’t come from the crackling fire.

“It’s not a problem. Do share your thoughts about my cock.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Call it curiosity on my part.”

“It’s also thick and veiny.”

“The veins keep the blood flowing, something I think you’ll agree is important,” he said gruffly.

“Naturally. It also has nubs on the sides.”

“They vibrate when I’m aroused.”

I’d missed that, but how intriguing. “What do they feel like inside a woman?”

“You’d need to ask a woman to hear the answer to that question.”