Page 13 of Rough Riding Orc Cowboy

“Thank you.” I shifted, making the rocker move, soothed by the rhythmic motion, trying to wrap my head around what I'd done. I was free, but for how long? I knew very well what Bradley and my father would do if they found me. Drag me back by my hair, put a blade to my spine while someone married us, then lock me inside a house, turning me into Bradley's fuck doll. I'd never taste freedom again. Even worse, my children would grow up in the same, torturous environment as me.

As I rocked, I studied Ruugar, trying to see past his exterior. He was easily the strongest-looking man I’d ever seen. Gorgeous, too, though that shouldn’t matter. He sat like a mountain, and I’d bet nothing could uproot him. He’d been built to bear the weight of almost anything without buckling. Tall, almost seven feet, I’d say.

His skin was a deep, calming shade of green, speckled with tiny scratches here and there, marks of work, of effort, of a life spent building and tending to something more important than himself. His thick, dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, long and slightly messy, like he had better things to do than worry about raking a comb through it. His dark eyes seemed to see past my skin to the aching place inside me that was most vulnerable.

His black-and-white vest he wore over his bare chest only made him more striking, accentuating the powerful lines of his body.

And tusks. They jutted up from his bottom lip, prominent but not overwhelming, giving him an air of wildness without messing up the warmth in his expression. I'd never met an orc before visiting Lonesome Creek a few months ago. Before that, I had no idea what they were supposed to look like, act like. But Ruugar?

He was kind. Sweet, even.

He must have felt my stare because his gaze lifted to meet mine. My stomach tightened.

Heat crept up my neck, and I quickly looked away.

What was I even thinking? I couldn’t allow myself to feel anything for him. Being grateful for his help was one thing, but letting my heart flip over whenever he looked my way would only send me spiraling. I had to focus on escaping, not the odd yet exciting feelings I got whenever I looked at Ruugar.

“What are your plans, then?” he asked.

How would “I have none” go over? Would he laugh or would he shake his head and march me straight back to town?

“I’m still figuring that out,” I said, my voice quavering. I felt like I hadn’t slept in days. Months, actually, not since Bradley slid the gaudy engagement ring on my finger. Which I could hawk, come to think of it. If I knew Bradley, the diamond was real. That might give me enough to live on for at least a few weeks.

“You can stay here until you decide what you want to do,” Ruugar said. “I have plenty of room.”

Where? As far as I could tell, this was a one-bedroomhome. Although, I was more than happy to sleep on a sofa. Sure beat lying in a bed beside Bradley.

“That’s nice of you to offer,” I said. “But it’s not safe for me to be in Lonesome Creek for long. My father and Bradley will be looking for me, and I doubt they’ll give up until they’d poked their heads inside each building. Even the closets. They won’t stop until they’ve found me, and…” I refused to name it. It wasn’t going to happen. I’d ask Ruugar to take me a few towns over, hopefully one with a pawn shop. Once I had cash, I’d buy a cheap wig and board whatever bus would take me as far from my father and Bradley as I could afford.

“You’ll be safer here,” he said. “With me.” His voice came out neutral, like what he’d said wasn’t something that could change the course of everything. “I’m not taking you anywhere until you have a solid plan and the means to make it happen.”

A plan. Right. Without money, it really didn’t matter.

“We can keep you hidden,” he said. “They’ll eventually give up and leave town, and then, together, we’ll figure out what you can do. I’ll trade in the gold, and you’ll have enough paper money to start a new life.”

I swallowed, staring at him. His expression hadn’t changed, and I didn’t sense he was pressuring me. I only saw a certainty that whatever had to be done, he would do it if it meant keeping me safe.

I barely knew him. And yet somehow, I did. “You mean that?”

“Yes.”

The fact that he hadn’t tried to pry, hadn’t tried tocorner me into anything, not even into trusting him, eased some of my fears. He wasn’t demanding answers. He wasn’t trying to own or control me. He was just offering me a safe place to think, to regroup.

I didn’t want to run again. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“Okay,” I whispered. “I'll stay here with you for a day or two.”

Chapter 6

Ruugar

“So you haven't seen her?” My brother, Dungar, asked.

We stood on my back porch. He'd come knocking, but instead of inviting him inside like I usually would, I'd joined him on the sunny deck. It was going to be hot today. I could feel sweat beading on my face already. He'd explained about the scandal, how the bride of our town's very first wedding had run away, how angry the groom was, and how determined he and the bride's father were to find her.

I trusted my brother. He'd never force Beth to return to town and her groom, especially if we told him how horrible the man was to Beth. But I didn't trust her father or fiancé not to find a way to force her to go with them. I had to keep her hidden until they gave up and went away. Then I could help her settle in a place where she'd feel safe.

Not with me.Neverwith me. She deserved to find the freedom she'd sought all her life.

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