Page 6 of Orc's Claim
Next time? “I never see anyone out here.”
“You may not see them, but they will see you, especially since you walk like a herd of yengas.”
My hand drops away like a brick. “If you’re going to make jokes about my weight, then I’m leaving.”
One hand lands on my shoulder while the other points to the forest floor. “You walk on leaves and branches that crunch beneath your feet. Seek bare ground. Heel down first, then roll your foot slowly. Always move slowly, unless you’re being chased.”
He’s… not making fun of my weight. He’s trying to keep me alive.
That large hand slides down my arm, touching me similar to how I touched him. “I would never insult you, female. Or hurt you.”
Female. That’s so cute.
My eyes travel up sculpted pecs, past those three-inch tusks that appear sharper than the knives I use to cut leather, to those amazing green eyes that never seem to leave me.
“My name’s Lily.”
“Lil-ie,” he repeats, taking his time to accent the syllables correctly. Then one side of his lip kicks up. “Your name feels right in my mouth. As would the rest of you.”
I clench my thighs, impressed at how unabashed and direct heis. The male knows what he likes and wants. Apparently, that’s me.
Do I want that too? Just thinking about being with this gorgeous and playful man sends a thrill through me. I’m not ready for anything serious, but I sure don’t want to walk away from him, either.
“What does this name Lily mean?”
“It’s a flower back on Earth,” I answer even as the thought of him going down on me, something I’ve never had, intrigues me on so many levels.
“A flower of beauty, like the sossa blooms on Orcos? Or the poisonous rasnids on Kovos?”
“I don’t know about those flowers, but Earth’s lilies come in many colors and some have wide petals that curve back gracefully while others are thinner. But they all smell sweet and have a regal appearance to them.”
“Then your name is well-earned.” Two thick fingers slide down my cheek. “You are more beautiful than any flower found on my world and this one.”
Boy, he’s a charmer, but he also seems sincere. I must be missing something. Guys as hot as him don’t go for girls like me. Overweight with boring lives.
“And your name? Or should I call you The Orc Who Wrestles Yengas?”
“That is a good name, though too long to call out in battle.”
“I hope I never meet you in battle.”
“Never as my enemy, Lily. As a female who welcomes her male home.”
There he goes again, the corner of his mouth kicking up, sending a pleasant shiver through me.
“I’m not sure what you’re saying, but I think I better get back to the market.”
“Not alone.”
“Why not?”
“You carry no knife.”
“Even if I had one, I’m not skilled enough to kill anything, especially something as fierce as a yenga. Or an orc.” Now I smile, because… Hell, just because.
“A knife is for more than killing.”
“You mean to scare a person off, even though I have no knife skills?”
