Page 23 of Obeying the Orc
“A few of the patrons said you’d left. That you, um, walked Mr. Foxthorne home after he tried to enter The Sweet Siren and Trevonn stopped him.” She stepped back and shot me a questioning look. “What happened?” She looked me over carefully, as though searching for bruises or blood or any sign of dishevelment that indicated I’d just been in a fight. Thankfully, none of the vile male’s blood had gotten on my clothing.
“Oh, that.” I gave her a comforting smile, not wanting her to worry. “Well, I said I would walk Mr. Foxthorne home, but I’m afraid he met with an accident on the way, and we never quite reached his abode. Such a pity.”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh my gods. Did you… kill him?” she asked in a horrified whisper.
“He’ll live,” I assured her, “but he’ll bear his injuries for a while.” I pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead, not caring that we were likely being watched by those who were naturally curious about our relationship. I met her eyes. “I promise he’ll never hurt you again, my sweet female. You needn’t fear him or any other male in this town. I vow that I’ll protect you, always.”
She cast a cautious glance around, but no one was standing close enough to overhear our conversation, especially above the sound of the piano. “Are you about to propose marriage again, Knot? Because while I appreciate you defending me, I-I still can’t accept. We are too different, you and I, and it would never work.”
“We aren’t too different, Natalee. You simply think we must remain bound by the titles that have been given to us. Priest.” I snorted. “Formerpriest. Siren. But it doesn’t matter to me, and it shouldn’t matter to you. I believe we are meant to be together.”
“You’re wrong, Knot,” she said in a voice so torn with anguish that it nearly brought tears to my eyes.
I scooped her up in my arms and headed for the stairs. No one moved to stop me. Because I’d reserved her. Because I had reserved all her nights going forward. She might work in a brothel, but I was the only male with whom she would join.
“You’re mine, Natalee,” I told her in a commanding tone, “and I will keep coming back here, night after night, until you come to your senses and agree to become my wife.”
CHAPTER12
NATALEE
My heart poundedagainst my ribcage as Knot carried me upstairs, and disbelief continued to swirl through me. While he hadn’t divulged the specifics of his encounter with Mr. Foxthorne, it was apparent that he’d gravely injured the human male who’d attacked me. As a priest, Knot had taken vows of peace, every holy male did, but it would seem he’d broken those vows on my account.
I would be lying if I claimed I weren’t touched.
But gods. Truth be told, I was deeply moved by Knot’s defense of my honor.
My pulse quickened as he opened my door and carried me inside my bedroom. He kicked the door shut and set me on my feet. I peered up at him, completely at war with myself. I wanted to accept his proposal of marriage so very badly, but I tried to force the desire aside. Faircross needed him more than I did. The spiritual wellbeing of an entire town had to outweigh my need for a husband. My need for Knot.
He cupped my face and gazed at me with an intensity that tore down my defenses. Gods, how could I resist him? Perhaps we were only meant to share nights at The Sweet Siren. Eventually, he would tire of me. But until then, I intended to savor each night spent in his arms. I tried not to think about the large sum of money he passed Madame Sage as he left in the early morning hours, money I knew the madame would take care to deposit into a bank account she’d recently opened on my behalf.
“You’re so beautiful, Natalee.” His deep voice rumbled through me and melted my insides. I felt momentarily lightheaded as I held his handsome gaze. “And your soul calls to me. Gods, I have never wanted anything as much as I want you. I feel as though you’ve bewitched me, but I can’t claim to mind it. I am obsessed with you. I am ravenous for you.” Heat flared in his eyes, then he lowered his face to mine and kissed me soundly.
Heat pulsed between my thighs, and I felt myself growing wet and achy for my big orc defender. My heart went pitter patter as I remembered what he’d done for me, and I circled my arms around his waist and pressed my body against his.
I immediately detected the hardness of his massive erection. A thrill rushed through me as I recalled the size of him. He’d only claimed me once last night, but he seemed much more amorous tonight, perhaps as a result of his fight with Mr. Foxthorne, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he planned to take me more than once. A spasm of pleasure affected my quim at the prospect.
“I can smell your arousal, human female,” he said with a growl as he finally broke the kiss. “You’re soaking wet and ready to be claimed by your orc master, aren’t you?” His dark eyes glimmered with heat.
My breath caught at his bawdy talk, and I couldn’t help but remember the spanking he’d given me last night when I hadn’t obeyed his orders. I craved his dominance, and I wouldn’t be averse to the feel of his palm descending on my bottom again, though I wasn’t quite brave enough to ask for a spanking. But maybe I could… coax him into giving me one?
I narrowed my eyes at him and said, “You, sir, are not my master,” in the most flippant tone I could muster.
His eyes flashed, his nostrils flared, and he gripped my arms tighter. “Aye, I am, and you are my helpless little human slave.” His eyes gleamed with humor for the briefest moment, then his visage grew serious again. “I suggest you try your best to please your master, lest you suffer my wrath. Little slaves who don’t obey get punished.”
Oh my. I was so excited by the naughty game I’d instigated that I could scarcely breathe. Or maybe he’d been the one to instigate it. I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that not only did I want it to continue, but I wanted to see how far I could push him. I lifted my chin and said, “You don’t have any right to boss me around.”
He chuckled darkly, then spun me around and forced me to bend over the bed. He made quick work of lifting my skirts, yanking away my drawers, and baring my bottom. At first, I thought he meant to spank me, but then I felt the hugeness of his male appendage pressing against my aching quim.
“I think perhaps you need a firm lesson in obedience, little slave.” He gave a quick thrust, forcing the head of his massive girth inside me. I couldn’t restrain a whimper. “You’re going to take all of my cock. Every fucking inch. And you’re going to lie there and take it, little slave, until I spurt my seed deep in your core.”
He gave a deep groan and jerked his hips forward, impaling me in one quick movement. Oh gods. He was filling me up with his hugeness, and I couldn’t do anything about it. He withdrew partially and then slammed inside again. I grasped the covers, needing something to hold, and I gasped as he set a fast rhythm of pounding my quim, just as he’d promised.
A wave of submission washed over me, and I couldn’t deny that it felt like he was my true master, and I was at his mercy.
“That’s it,” he growled, pumping his shaft faster into me. “Take your punishment like a good little female. Keep those thighs spread wide for your master.”
His crass words caused a fresh pang of arousal in my core. I whimpered as his scrotum hit my clit over and over, and it didn’t take long for a thunderous release to claim me. I cried out and undulated my center against Knot’s pounding cock as best I could, rising briefly on my toes as I jutted my hips back. Pleasure swept through me, and I struggled for air.
