Page 53 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
Hope bloomed where I’d been wallowing in loss. So much hope. Maybe too much. I’d loved before. Lost, too. But beingwith Holly felt like I was standing at the edge of something vast and good. I wanted to reach for her, hold the truth of her words close. I'd assumed I was alone in this bond, but perhaps I wasn't. And if that was true… Stars above, if she ever gave it to me, I’d never take her heart for granted.
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to work the tension loose. My eyes drifted across the open land, the way moonlight glossed the fence rails and turned the grass silver.
She twisted the edge of her sleeve between fingers. “Despite that, I believe I’m still figuring out what I want. But… lately, I think maybe I want to be part of something that feels like home. That feels steady. Safe. I want something that's all mine.” She glanced at me, then looked quickly away. “I'm not sure what that looks like.”
Her words hit deep. If I could, I’d gather all those things and lay them at her feet. I wanted to tell her she already had that, here, with me, but it was too soon and that could push her into something she wasn't yet ready for.
I'd told myself I'd remain patient, and I would. I'd wait forever for her if I had to. Patience was strength.
“You deserve all of that,” I said.
“What about you? What do you want for yourself?”
It took me a moment to find my voice, because I wanted to tell her all my hopes and dreams were wrapped up in her. I wanted to ask her if she thought she could ever have feelings for me.
But I’d known almost from the start that I could not pressure her. She had to come to me because she wanted to.
I kept my statement neutral. “I love it here. The bakery. The routine. Working with some of my brothers. The fresh air. It’s a good life.”
She tilted her head, watching me. I liked the way she really listened. It told me she valued every word. “I can see that. Thisplace is…you.” Her low laugh rang out. “It fills you, but you fill it as well. I’m not sure that makes sense.”
“It does; you’re right.” Could it fill her as well while she filled Lonesome Creek with everything precious she was?
We kept walking, slower now. The night pressed in around us. A few bugs cheeped along the path and something small moved in the grass near the sorhox, then stilled. A mouse, perhaps.
She bumped her elbow gently against my arm, looking up. “Youdidn’t truly answer your own question. What doyouwant for yourself?”
I met her gaze, holding nothing back, and let the words rise because I couldn’t keep them in. “I’d like to build a future with my fated mate.”
Chapter 18
Holly
He'd like to build a future with his fated mate? She was dead.
“She, um, how would that be possible?” I asked as carefully as I could, watching his face in the moonlight.
“I've kept something from you.” He held out his arm and flipped it over. Moonlight hit his mating mark, making it gleam.
“I saw that. Gracie has one. She explained what it means. It's from your mate, right?”
“It's from you, Holly. It appeared the moment I kissed you.”
I shook my head. “No. It can't be.” The words came out hoarse, and my skin felt too tight.
He shrugged one shoulder. “I didn't tell you. I didn't want to pressure you, yet here I am, pressuring you just by showing it to you.”
I blinked, stunned, unable to process what this might mean.
“I felt I needed to be honest with you. Holding this back would be unfair.”
“Okay, so…” I started pacing back and forth in front of him while he watched with despair growing on his face.
“I've made things difficult.”
“Actually…” I wasn't sure what I thought. A week ago, I would've run from him the same way I had from Melvin, but Sel wasn't my ex. I'd seen that almost immediately.
And I liked him. A lot.
