Page 8 of Wagered to the Orc
Och, well, she had a fortnight to learn now. Nodding once, I swung up and offered her my hand.
There was only a moment’s hesitation before she put hers in it and allowed me to lift her and settle her behind, and I decided to take that as a good sign. She hadn’t screamed or fought her kidnapping, but had been met with violence at my cousin’s hand, nonetheless.
Fook. I sighed as she settled herself behind me.Againstme.
Her small body pressed into mine so trustingly, when she had no reason to trust me, andsomethingdeep inside me slid into place.
I hadn’t expected that.
Hadn’t expected the way her scent suddenly seemed stronger—the sour scent of her vomit, the sharp scent of her fear-tainted sweat, the almost-hidden softness of her hair and skin…
And hadn’t expected my reaction to it.
Just as well she was sitting behind me so she couldn’t feel my completely inappropriate erection.
Torvor’s Hammer! She’s traumatized—she doesnae need yer arousal making things more difficult!
The reminder didn’t stop myKteer’ssudden interest.
I scowled at myself. The damn thing would react this way toanyfemale pressed against me, warm and needy. But this one was off-limits. She’d been through enough.
But the next fortnight was going to be hell if I couldn’t get myKteerunder control.
I spent the rest of the day struggling with the feelings, the urges, coursing through my body, and did my best to ignore Effie’s presence at my back.
The sun was low in the western sky as we approached my hidden croft, the special retreat I’d made on this side of the loch. There were a few other such places where I could go to be alone, but this one was particularly peaceful.
I prayed ‘twould remain so.
As we rode down the scree-covered slope into the valley, I heard Effie suck in a gasp at my back, and I couldn’t stop myself from straightening in pride.
“’Tis…lovely.”
“’Tis enough for me.” I’d always been alone, after all. “During the cold months, I have a home in our village, and I travel back and forth to bring horses back here to train. But this is…enough.”
Her voice sounded almost reverent when she whispered, “’Tis perfect.”
I tried to see the place through new eyes.
The small cottage nestled between two large oaks, which provided shade from the summer sun. The animal shelter in the rear, with no chickens or cows, but a fine place for the gelding and mare. The overgrown vegetable garden—untended, but still thriving. The thatch roof needed to be replaced in another season, but I knew I could make repairs in the next fortnight.
The mountain stream—wider than two of my heights—was one of my favorite aspects of this particular hideaway. I loved to fall asleep to the sound of the water burbling over the rocks, and of course ‘twas handy to have an easy source of water so close by.
And on the other side of the stream…
Effie gasped again when I lifted her down, but this time ‘twas not in pain. I knew, because my hands were on her waist, lingering there for a moment to satisfy myKteer’sdemands totouch touch touch.
Her gaze wasn’t on me, and for once, wasn’t guarded.
She was looking across the stream, to the mountainside which rose at a steep angle, thickly forested with tall pines and fast-growing birch, all keeping me in good supply of firewood.
With the sun setting, the shadows among the trees were long, and the glowworms were emerging.
I watched her expression light as her gaze darted across the mountainside, eyes widening in wonder as she watched the bright little bugs play.
“’Tis magical,” she breathed. “I have never seen…”
I had to force my hands away from her, lest I crush the wee human to me and hurt her again. “Aye, lass,” I managed gruffly. “Magical.”
