Page 12 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER TWELVE

P osy’s sweet scent filled Varek’s head as she nestled against him. His heart thundered in his chest as he looked down at her contented face, but for once he didn’t feel the urge to run.

“The stars are beautiful tonight,” she sighed, pointing up at the clear winter sky.

His gaze followed her gesture, then dropped back to study her profile. The walls he’d built over the years felt paper-thin in her presence. “Not as beautiful as-”

He caught himself, ducking his head.

She turned to face him, brown eyes sparkling. “As what?”

The tips of his cheeks burned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this flustered - or this alive. Words failed him, but she didn’t seem to mind his silence. Instead, she reached up and traced one of his tusks with gentle fingers.

“I like how expressive these are. They give away what you’re feeling, even when you try to hide it.”

His breath caught. No one had ever touched him with such casual affection, such acceptance. The rest of the world fell away - the whispers, the judgment, the years of isolation. There was only Posy, her small form fitting perfectly against his side, her touch melting away decades of hurt.

“I never thought…” He cleared his throat. “This evening has been…”

“Nice?” She supplied with a soft laugh.

“More than nice.” The words came out rough with emotion. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to imagine a different future - one that wasn’t defined by solitude and regret. One that included the vibrant woman beside him, bringing color and warmth to his carefully ordered world.

The door to the cafe opened again and Rona emerged with a metal tray loaded with food. She carried it over to the railing, then gave them a cheerful wave as she hurried back inside. She didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see them snuggling by the fireplace but he had the uneasy feeling that his godmother would soon know all about it - if she didn’t already.

“Why did she-” Posy’s eyes widened to saucers as a long dark tentacle emerged from the river and plucked the tray neatly off the railing, and her grip tightened on his arm. “Was that…?”

“That was Sam.” His lips twitched at her reaction. “He’s a kraken.”

The tentacle emerged again, this time moving more slowly. It waved in their direction before retreating beneath the surface, creating gentle ripples in the moonlit water.

“He’s been here longer than I have,” he said quietly. “He keeps to himself mostly and people tend to forget he’s there until he reaches up to help.” He paused, recognizing a familiar pattern. “I think he gets lonely sometimes, living under the river. But it’s easier than dealing with folks who don’t understand you.”

The words hit too close to home. He hadn’t meant to draw the parallel between himself and the solitary male, but there it was.

Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding, and she squeezed his hand. “Does anyone ever visit him?”

“We talk sometimes. He likes sweets - and beer - both of which are in short supply in the river so I’ll occasionally bring some by.” He shrugged. “I suppose I’ve gotten to know him over the years. We both tend to be up late when the town’s quiet.”

“He can talk?”

“Of course. He just doesn’t choose to very often. He prefers to keep to himself, although he listens a lot.”

She shook her head. “This town never fails to surprise me. In a good way,” she added softly, smiling up at him.

The warmth of her smile and the softness of her body pressed against him were too tempting. His hand drifted to her face, feathering his thumb over her cheek. So soft. So delicate. Her eyes widened, and he hesitated. What if he’d read the signals wrong? What if she didn’t want this - didn’t want him? He’d been alone for so long, In spite of their previous kisses, it was hard to believe someone like her could be interested in someone like him.

But then she made an impatient noise and slid her hand around his neck, tugging his head down. Their lips met, and it felt like coming home. Her mouth was soft, her scent intoxicating. He could taste the chocolate on her tongue and feel her heartbeat racing under his palm. His tusks brushed her cheek as he lifted her onto his lap. He bit back a groan as luscious ass settled directly over his rock hard cock. Her other hand fisted in his shirt, holding on to him.

“Varek…” she whispered, and his name on her lips was more than he could resist. He nipped at her bottom lip, eliciting a gasp from her, and then she was kissing him again, her tongue tangling with his. When they finally pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed and her pupils dilated with desire, her lips swollen from his kisses.

It would be so easy to lose himself in her. To forget everything except how much he wanted her - needed her. But he couldn’t. Not here, in full view of the town. The thought sent a pang of loss through him.

She sighed and snuggled back against his chest, seemingly unaware of his turmoil. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. They sat there in silence for several more minutes, listening to the crackle of the fire and the gentle rush of the river, but the wind started to pick up and she shivered.

“I should probably head back. The shop opens early tomorrow.”

His chest tightened. The evening had passed too quickly, but he couldn’t keep her out in the cold. He pulled out his wallet and placed cash on the table.

“Oh no, I can’t let you-” She reached for her purse.

“Already done.” He stood and offered his hand, surprised by how natural the gesture felt. Her small fingers slipped into his, warm despite the chill air.

Rona appeared to collect their payment. “You two have a good night.”

Her smile held no judgment, and this time he saw the genuine warmth behind it. It caught him off guard - was Posy right that not everyone in town viewed him negatively?

He was still thinking about it as they emerged on the quiet street. He automatically put his arm around her and she leaned into him.

A tentacle broke the river’s surface behind them, waving goodbye. He raised his free hand in response, catching her delighted grin from the corner of his eye, and his lips curved up despite himself. Strange how her presence made everything feel lighter. Instead of heading directly back to her apartment, he guided her towards the stone wall bordering the side of the Town Square that faced the river. The moon painted silver streaks across the dark water below, and somewhere in the distance, a night bird called.

He pointed downstream to where the river curved. “Do you see that island? That’s where Sam lives.”

She squinted at the dark shape. “Is that a house?”

“Yes. He built it himself.” He leaned against the wall, keeping one arm around her.

“But he’s alone out there?”

“He likes his privacy.” The words felt hollow as soon as they left his mouth. How many times had he used that same excuse?

She turned to face him, her eyes wide and dark in the moonlight. “It must get lonely though. Being so isolated from everyone.”

His throat tightened as he recognized the parallel. He looked back over the river, uncomfortable with how easily she saw through his defenses.

“I told you Sam talks to people sometimes,” he muttered, but the defense sounded weak even to his own ears.

“But not as often as he could.” She placed her hand on his chest as she’d done earlier, the warmth of her touch burning through his shirt. “Not as often as people might like to see him.”

Before he could respond, he heard footsteps. The familiar stench of expensive cologne hit his nose, followed by Sebastian Blackwood’s nasal drawl.

“Well, if it isn’t the monster of Fairhaven Falls.” Sebastian’s leather shoes clicked against the cobblestones. Two sets of footsteps followed - Marcus and James, no doubt. “And look, he’s found himself a little pet.”

The three came to a halt in front of them. Sebastian was tall and slim, with a permanent sneer on what might have been a handsome face. Like Nakor, Sebastian was expensively dressed, but he didn’t wear the clothes with Nakor’s natural ease.

Posy stiffened against him, her fingers curling into his shirt.

“I didn’t think you had the balls to show your face in town again,” Sebastian sneered, his gaze flicking from Posy to him and back again.

His hands curled into fists, fighting the urge to throw Sebastian over the wall.

“You’d better watch out, sweetheart,” Sebastian drawled. “He’s not as tame as he looks. Ask anyone in town. They’ll tell you he’s nothing but a brutal, violent-”

“We’re leaving.” He tightened his arm around her shoulders and steered her away, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.

Sebastian’s laughter followed them up the street. Shame and anger twisted in his gut and the walk back to her apartment passed in a blur of self-recrimination. All the progress he’d made that evening evaporated.

They reached the stairs leading to her apartment, the warm glow from the windows above beckoning him, but he knew better now.

“Will you come up for coffee?” she asked quietly. Her fingers brushed his arm, gentle and warm. “We could talk about-”

“No.” The word came out harsher than he meant. He stepped back, breaking contact. “I can’t.”

Her face fell, but he forced himself to look away. This had been a mistake from the start. He’d known better, but he’d let himself hope. Let himself believe he could have something normal, something good.

“Varek, wait-”

He turned and stalked away, his long strides eating up the distance. She called his name again, but he didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

The lights of the town fell away behind him as he reached the woods. Darkness wrapped around him like an old friend, familiar and safe, but for the first time in years, it felt suffocating rather than comforting.

He’d been foolish to think he could move past what happened, that the town would ever see him as anything but a monster. Worse, he’d been selfish to drag her into it. She deserved better than to be tainted by her association with him.

The weight of solitude settled over his shoulders like a heavy cloak as he walked deeper into the woods. This was where he belonged. Alone. Away from everyone.