Page 48 of Rough Riding Orc Cowboy

Exhaling hard, I strode away from the falls, circling back toward camp.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but it had been long enough for my pulse to settle, though the fire inside me refused to die. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her again, kneeling in the dim light, her skin exposed, her lips parted in shock at my sudden entrance.

I wanted to lick those lips. Wanted to press my mouth to the center of her chest and work my way down, flicking my tongue across the tips of her breasts just to hear what sounds she might make.

I groaned, shaking the thought loose.

This was torture. Like a frayed rope stretched too tight, each thought of her pulled me closer to snapping. My restraint was threadbare, unraveling, and no amount of willpower could knot it back together.

I had to go back inside the tent. Get some rest because I had to be up early.

Pausing near the entrance, I listened for any sign of movement. All I heard was the faint whisper of wind against the fabric, the rustling of trees beyond the clearing, and her soft, steady breathing inside.

Asleep. Thank the fates.

If she was awake… If I had to face her right now after everything, I wasn’t sure what I would do. Walk around some more, I supposed.

After removing and carefully folding my clothing, laying them in a neat pile on the ground, leaving me only in my loincloth, I unzipped the tent flap. As quietly as I could, and holding my breath, I crawled inside and secured the tent once more.

Darkness greeted me, but I could still make out Beth’s form curled under the sleeping bag.

Stay on your own side, Ruugar.

I settled onto the sleeping bag, trying to ignore the firm ground beneath it. The blanket was thin, barely enough to hold off the creeping chill of the night, but it would do. There was no way I could crawl underneath with her. Let her have it. She deserved only the best.

I was about to put my back to Beth when she moved. With a soft exhale, she shifted in her sleep, rolling toward me, her small body pressing into my side, her head tucking against my arm.

I went still. Breathlessly still.

Her warmth seeped through my skin, branding me. Her breath feathering over my arm.

She was touching me. Not intentionally, but I didn’t care.

I clenched my teeth, forcing down the tremor that threatened to roll through me as I adjusted the blanket around her shoulder, careful not to disturb her sleep.

I should move. Slant my body away from hers. Putdistance between us before this became unbearable. All it would take was the smallest shift, the slightest tilt of my shoulders, and the space between us would return. But my muscles refused to obey. I remained locked in place, my pulse a drumbeat in my ears. It was all I could do not to lean in, to gather her close. Join her beneath the blanket.

But I didn’t move. Icouldn’tmove.

Beth had sought me in her sleep. She wasn’t awake, wasn’t deciding to do this consciously, but something deep inside her had let her body lean toward warmth, towardme.

I ached for it to be real, but it never would be.

Except for tonight.

For now, I could let myself pretend she wanted this as much as me.

Chapter 17

Beth

The sun had melted away the last of the morning chill, leaving the campsite warm and golden. Birds called from the trees, and the river gurgled where everyone splashed, laughing as if nothing in the world could trouble them.

I wished I felt the same.

Ruugar worked with the sorhoxes, brushing one’s thick hide with slow, even strokes. He hadn’t said much to me since breakfast beyond the necessities—passing dishes, muttering instructions. No teasing, no clipped grunts that almost counted as conversation. Just silence.

Heavy, unbearable silence.

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