Page 21 of Promised To the Orc
“I found this one as a baby with an injured wing. She stayed with me for several weeks until she was strong enough to fly off. She comes to see me when I’m here and prefers to sleep in front of the fire. I don’t know how, but she understands me. If I ask her to do things, she’ll comply. Like bring me a zig fruit or lead me to a herd of anthaler.”
Alta’s lips part in surprise. “But she’s wild!”
“Yes, but she’s also my friend. She’s free to leave whenever she wishes.”
Lilygrin looks up as Alta’s fingers graze over her fur, then goes back to destroying her food. She strokes her again and again, and the most beautiful smile blooms on her face. This dessin can calm my anger and set my mind in a better place. Just the feel of her fur and the sound of her vibrating purrs bring me peace. I’d hoped she would do the same for Alta.
Rain pummels the roof as a chilly breeze wafts in the open window. “Finish up, Lilygrin. I need to close the window.”
She ignores me.
“Come to the fire.”
Alta walks with me into the front room. I pull a chair closer for her to sit before the flames. Removing the scabbard, she sets it beside the chair and sinks into it. Moving my chair beside her, I do the same and close my eyes to enjoy the radiant heat.
“I meant what I said,” she breathes.
Opening my eyes, I roll my head to look at her. “About what?”
“When I promised to marry you. I don’t want you to think that I said it just to make you happy. I meant it.”
Alta stands and moves before me. Her small hands grip the arms of my chair and I have the strongest desire to gather her onto my lap. Our eyes meet and my breath stalls in my chest as I wait for her next move. She’s uncertain and I’m afraid she’s going to move away.Please, come to me.
“Maybe we can’t fulfill that promise, but… we have right now. This moment. Do you know how many more moments I wished to have with you? Some days, I wished to be back in the ice caves just so I could see you again. Tor—”
Taking her hips between my hands, I pull her onto my lap. Alta gasps and loops her hands around my neck. She’s so small and fragile against me, so I hold her tenderly. But then she gets to her knees and straddles my lap, her fingers playing at the base of my neck as her eyes drop to my lips. My mind swirls with need so strong; I can barely control it. I’ve waited for this so long…
“Can I kiss you?” Her cheeks bloom red.
I nod because I can’t speak.
“I don’t know how.”
Oh, my sweet human! Running a hand down her hair, I trail it to her spine and feel the delicate ridges through her clothing. “Have you been with a male, my Alta?”
A line forms between her brows as if she doesn’t understand. But then her eyes widen, and the color grows on her face. “I don’t… I haven’t… no. Not like that.”
Cupping the back of her head, I bring her lips towards mine. She sucks in a breath and lets it out, watching my every move. And then her breath mixes with mine and my lips press against hers. Alta gasps, her body tensing from head to toe. Using the tip of my tongue, I gently lick her bottom lip.
“Oh!” She melts against me and leans into the kiss. “Show me. Show me everything.”
Chapter Eight
Idon’tknowwhatI’m doing, but it feels so incredible that I don’t want to stop.
Tor’s lips are firm yet soft, and they do something to my entire body when they land on mine. His tongue sweeps along my lower lip and it makes my legs tremble. Each kiss brings a new awareness or response. My breasts ache as if they need to be touched and a shocking, demanding ache throbs between my legs. I’m not sure what to do about it or how to make it stop.
Something needs to happen before I explode from the inside.
Tor runs his huge hands along my sides. It tickles and makes my skin heat until I’m too hot and need to be rid of my clothes. Running his fingers along my ribs, he deeps the kiss with an open mouth and urges me to do the same. His tongue darts between my lips and runs along mine. It’s shocking but delicious. My body goes completely still yet craves more. The feeling of him against me is almost too much to handle.
He’s so big and heavily muscled and warm. Tor could crush me between his hands, yet they touch me with so much tenderness. Too much, almost. My body is getting greedier by the second and I can’t sit still in his lap. I need to… do something.
Spreading my legs wider, I sink lower onto him until the center of me presses against the shocking hardness between his legs. My brain lights up with surprise, but the feeling is too good to ponder it. Arching my back, I rub myself against him, easing the ache but somehow making it worse at the same time.
Tor groans as if I’ve hurt him. I try to move away, but he stops me with a hand on my hip.
“If it feels good, keep doing that,” he growls.
