Page 22 of Orc's Claim
“That’s very sweet of you, Ryko, but it’s not necessary.”
“But do you wish it?”
I nearly bite my lip again, fighting the urge to say yes.
“Lily?”
“It’s not a good idea, okay? Let’s leave it at that.”
“You are scared of me. Still. After all these weeks.”
“I am not scared of you!” I say with my hands on my hips. “I just think carrying me isn’t… necessary.” There, I’ve couched it in a way he’ll respect and drop the subject.
“This is something you want. I see it in your eyes.”
I do want it. To be carried and tossed about as if I’m as light as a feather. To screech and enjoy the terror of being lifted off the ground without the worry that the guy will buckle beneath me.
“You need a distraction,” he says.
“For what?”
“We use distractions when training new warriors. Mainly to keep a young male from thinking about the danger of the sharp blade his opponent wields or how falling from a gorja won’t kill him, but being trampled by its six hooves will.”
“What does this have to do with?—”
“I will carry you and if you require a distraction, I will slip my hand under your skirt.” The corner of his mouth kicks up. Then he grabs my ass with his large hand and squeezes.
I swat his hand away as my mouth falls open. “What are you doing?’
“A distraction,” he explains with that infuriatingly handsome grin of his. “You forgot about the idea of being carried.
I did, for a split second. He’s so well intentioned, but he doesn’t get it.
“It’s not about distractions. I’m too heavy. You’ll strainyourself.” There, I’ve put it out there in the universe, and he won’t be able to argue with me any more over a fantasy that is meant to stay just that… a fantasy.
Both corners of Ryko’s mouth lift fully, revealing more of his tusks. His version of a smile even though orcs don’t smile, not like humans.
Without warning, he tosses me over his shoulder and runs amazingly fast as if he’s carrying nothing heavier than a big, fluffy pillow.
And then his hand goes up my skirt, just as he warned.
I’m holding on for dear life as he runs, so I can’t push his hand away. Worse, I don’t want to!
The wind whooshes through my hair as trees whiz by in a blur. My breathing comes fast and deep from the sheer terror and excitement of being carried over a man’s shoulder as he races through the woods.
I feel so damn free!
All my hesitation and self-consciousness fade away. I’m laughing, enjoying the hell out of all this bouncing and lack of control. But mostly, I enjoy not worrying about my size.
Ryko’s got this. Or rather, he has me, as he races up the twisty, heavily-rooted path at top speed.
When wind blows up my skirt, I laugh. What’s one more intrusion when his hand is already exploring the curve of my backside?
A mile away, Ryko sets me on my feet. We’re in the middle of nowhere with huge trees surrounding us and a thick canopy of leaves above. His hands stay on my hips as I steady myself. The ride left me slightly dizzy and yet I’m still giggling, the high far from over.
With my skirt hiked up to just above my knees, I stare at him. “You’re not even winded.”
“Why would I be?”
