Page 21 of Bred By the Orc
She returned from performing her ablutions and stood next to the tree trunk, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, her hands bunching in her skirts. I squatted near the fire and pretended I wasn’t watching her.
But when she began to pace, I noticed a small hitch in her step and I turned to give her my full attention. “Are you hurt?”
Sorcha froze, eyes wide, before she looked away. “I am fine.”
She didn’t sound fine. I slowly stood. “Lass, tell me what’s wrong.”
At my command, she blushed even darker, her attention on her hands gripped in front of her. “I said I’m fine.”
‘Twas clear she was lying. I stepped near to her and used my finger—claw carefully retracted—to lift her chin. “Mate,” I murmured, “if ye are in pain, ‘tis my responsibility to—”
“’Tis just a bit of soreness,” she blurted, and from her expression—misery and embarrassment—I realized what she meant.
Ah.
Last night she’d taken four of my fingers. She’d been ready for them, I’d ensured that, but I could imagine today she’d be sore.
Still, I winced for her. “’Twas necessary to prepare ye.” My cock was even bigger. “I’ll no’ touch ye again until ye heal.”
To my surprise, despite her embarrassment, she said, “I do not mind your touch.”
Of course, she said it while chewing on her cheek and staring at my chest, but myKteerstill crowed in victory. My Mate liked my touch!
Still, I hid my smile when I declared, “We will no’ ride today. Ye need a rest, and I will hunt.”
Her blue gaze flashed to mine. “Fresh meat?”
“Aye, Mate,” I drawled. “I will find ye a place to rest, mayhap beside a cool stream where ye could bathe. And if ye are a good lass and wait for me, I’ll give ye a treat when I return.”
I’d meant it to be teasing, and from the way she sucked in a breath, I could tell she thought I meant something sexual. Gods above, I was blessed with a Mate who responded readily to me.
And the elders were right; the scent of her arousal was the best thing in existence.
Sorcha’s expression lit when I escorted her to a small stream with a shaded bank. But she glanced nervously about as she reached for the ties to her bodice. “Is there anyone nearby?”
“Only me, Mate.”
I took her chin again and lowered my mouth. Varkaan—who had more experience with human woman than any male I knew—had described this to me, and I could understand the appeal of thismeeting of mouths.
The kiss was soft and full of promise. When I pulled away, she was watching me curiously. “What?” I asked.
“That was our first kiss,” she explained. “And your tusks did not get in the way.”
I couldn’t help it; I smiled and swatted her arse. “I’ll give you a dozen more kisses—on yer lips—if ye’re a good lass while I’m gone.” I straightened, readjusting my bow over my shoulder. “If ye need me, Sorcha, just call. I’ll no’ be far away.”
I’d always been a good hunter, but today I learned ‘twas surprisingly difficult to focus when my Mate was stripping nude and bathing nearby. Still, I was able to bring down three fatplarkets, and her smile when I returned with them over my shoulder was all the prize I needed.
MyKteerexalted, knowing I was providing for my Mate.
The rest of the day was spent lounging about. I answered her questions about our clan and her new home, and the customs she would become used to, and with each hour, I rejoiced more to realize she was no longer fighting her future.
That evening, after the promised kisses, I held her on my lap as I sat cross-legged in front of the fire and fed her the choicest pieces of roastedplarketmeat. She nipped shyly at my fingertips, and when Igrowled, pulled my hand closer so she could examine my claws.
“Just like a kitten’s,” she murmured, and my lips twitched to be compared to such a creature.
I offered her another slice of the tender meat. “Here, ye need yer strength. I’d be a poor Mate if I allowed ye to wither away.” The thought made me shudder.
Obligingly, Sorcha ate the offering from my fingertips, but continued to study me in the shadows. “A human husband would not fuss over a wife like this.”
