Page 49 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

When she slanted her mouth to deepen the kiss, I forced myself to pull back. Fades, resisting her was getting more and more difficult by the moment, but it had to be done. “We need to get back before your father sends another mob after us.”

She laughed and took my hand as we began to walk. “It’s been a day, hasn’t it? We’ll have breakfast with Father and then take the ewes to the east pastures. They’re nice and open, so it’s easy to keep them all in view. We’ll be able to rest in the sun and gather energy for tonight.”

My blood heated at the thought.

As we walked, Susara continued to tell me of all the problems her herd often caused. She outlined the daily routines and explained how to care for the sheep. The longer I listened, the more content I grew. I could already imagine the long days spent herding together.

I couldn’t wait.

The walls of her village were in sight, and she mused. “I suppose the sheep wouldn’t be so eager to get out if their pen wasn’t so cramped. But there’s nowhere for it to be expanded out. We can’t even keep more than twelve at a time because of how little space we have to keep them in.”

I raised my brows. “Do you. . . want me to build them a pen outside the walls?”

She looked up at me with her huge, beautifuleyes. “What?”

“Wouldn’t be hard,” I said. “I could build a proper shelter for us next to it, where we could rest overnight to keep watch. On the nights your father doesn’t need you home, of course.”

Her lips parted as she looked up at me. “You’d. . . really do that for me? For the flock.”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, sunshine.” I stroked her golden hair away from her face.“Youare my priority now. I plan to protect you for the rest of our days.”

Her eyes went wistful and huge in a way that melted my heart. “That sounds good to me.”

Fades, was it possible to feel more joy than this? I couldn’t imagine it. I leaned down and kissed her hard, drinking her up. She melted into me, fitting so well it was like fate. For the first time in my life, I felt like I truly belonged.

I’d never thought the storm would be finished with me.

But it was. I’d found my sunshine, and these woods were where I would stay.

Stay.

Forever.

With her.

The End