Page 19 of The Passionate Orc
"Paint portraits of people's pets dressed as historical figures?" I read from Nar's list, laughing.
"People love their pets," he defended. "And who wouldn't want to see their cat dressed as Napoleon?"
"Oh! What about body painting?" I suggested. "People would pay to have temporary art on their skin."
Nar's eyebrows shot up. "You want to paint on strangers' bodies?"
"It's a legitimate art form!" I protested, though his expression of mock jealousy made me giggle.
"The only body you're painting is mine," he growled playfully, and the image of Nar shirtless while I decorated his muscled chest with paint sent heat flooding through me.
"That could actually be part of the fundraiser," I mused, trying to sound professional despite my flushed cheeks. "Live body painting demonstration."
He eyed me suspiciously. "Just me, right?"
"Just you," I confirmed with a smile. "Your first public art exhibition."
The panic that flashed across his face reminded me of his dilemma. "My clan?—"
"Would never attend an art fundraiser," I finished for him. "It's safe, I promise."
He relaxed slightly, though concern still lingered in his eyes. "What about an arm wrestling booth? Five dollars to challenge an orc warrior."
I imagined Nar crushing the hands of overconfident men who thought they could take him. "You'd make a fortune."
By midnight, we had a solid plan: a multi-faceted fundraising event with Nar's paintings as the centerpiece, along with live demonstrations, an auction of my work, and yes, an arm wrestling booth. We'd need to rent a space, handle marketing, and prepare enough art to sell, but it felt possible.
"Thank you," I said as Nar helped me gather the scattered papers. "For everything."
He pulled me to my feet and into his arms. "This is just the beginning, Emryn. I'm not letting you lose your studio."
The determination in his voice made me believe him. Standing there in the circle of his arms, I felt something shifting between us—something deeper than the physical attraction that had drawn us together initially.
"Stay tonight?" I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.
His eyes darkened, but he shook his head. "Not tonight. I want to start those new paintings for the fundraiser." He brushed his lips against mine softly. "Rain check?"
The tenderness in the gesture nearly undid me. This mountain of a man who could probably bench press my entire art supply cabinet was treating me like I was precious.
"Rain check," I agreed, walking him to the door.
As I watched him disappear down the hallway, I leaned against my doorframe and let out a shaky breath. Three weeks ago, I'd been single and focused solely on my art. Now I was facing the loss of my studio and falling for an orc who painted landscapes in secret.
Life had a funny way of changing just when you thought you had it figured out.
Chapter 7
Nar
I'd felt nothing like this before.
My large hands trembled as they traced the delicate curve of Emryn's cheek. Her blue eyes looked up at me with such trust, such desire. The moonlight streaming through her bedroom window caught in her curly brown hair, making it shine like burnished copper. My chest tightened at the sight.
"You're sure?" I whispered, my voice rough with emotion.
Emryn smiled, her fingers trailing up my bare chest. "I've never been more sure of anything, Nar."
Our lips met, and I tried to be gentle, my tusks grazing her soft skin. By the ancestors, I wanted to be gentle with her. Emryn was so small, so delicate compared to me, like a fragile blossom in my battle-worn hands. But her kiss wasn't delicate at all. It was hungry and demanding. Her fingers digging into my back, pulling me closer until I could feel every soft curve pressed against my hard angles. Fire raced through my veins at her touch, a primal need roaring to life deep within me.
