Page 17 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

P osy floated in a pleasant daze as Varek carried her into the living room and sat down, cradling her in his lap. She’d never come that hard in her entire life. He held her as if she were delicate, precious, and his spicy scent enveloped her as his mouth claimed hers again. Her skin tingled as he slid his hand down her side.

His tusks grazed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She tangled her fingers in his dark hair, loving how the strands felt like silk against her skin.

But a whisper of doubt crept in. The memory of him walking away, of days of silence, of the walls he kept trying to put between them…

She pulled back, pressing her hands against his chest. “Wait.”

He froze. His eyes searched her face, confusion and concern replacing the heat that had been there moments before.

“I need to know. Are…” Her voice cracked. “Are you going to push me away again tomorrow?”

His arms tightened around her. “Posy-”

“No, listen.” She traced her fingers along the strong line of his jaw. “I want this. I want you. But I’ve already had one man decide I wasn’t worth staying for. I need to know you won’t do the same thing.”

Pain flashed across his features. He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her lips.

“I won’t walk away. Not again.” His voice dropped to a rumble. “These past days without you… I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Wanting you.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.” He brushed his lips against hers. “No more running.”

The last of her hesitation melted away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss. He kissed her as passionately as before, but this time he pulled away before things escalated..

“What is it?” she asked softly.

“I meant what I said about not walking away, but it goes both ways.” He swallowed hard. “This… being with someone… I’ve never…”

The vulnerability in his expression made her chest ache. She covered his hand with hers. “It’s okay.”

“I don’t want to mess this up.” His thumb brushed across her lower lip. “For either of us.”

“Then let’s take it slow.” She pressed a soft kiss to his palm. “We don’t have to figure everything out tonight.”

The tension in his shoulders eased. “You’d be willing to do that?”

“Of course. We can just spend time together. No pressure, remember?” She wiggled a little, feeling his erection flex beneath her. “But I feel as if I’m leaving you hanging, so to speak.”

His lips curved into that rare smile. “Trust me, I enjoyed myself. But you’re right. We should wait. Although I’m going to find it hard to keep my hands off you. Especially if you’re naked.”

Heat flooded her cheeks but she smiled at him. “Then I guess I’d better get dressed.”

“Unfortunately.”

His eyes swept down over her body appreciatively as she stood, enjoying the way his gaze lingered on her as she walked into the kitchen. A wicked impulse struck her, and she slowly bent to pick up her pajama pants, giving him an eyeful of her naked backside. The rough growl that escaped his throat made heat pool in her stomach.

“Teasing minx,” he muttered.

She grinned, unrepentant. “Just giving you something to remember me by.”

He snorted. “As if I could forget. Now put on some clothes before I change my mind.”

She pulled her pajamas back on, then grabbed one of her oversized vintage sweaters. When she came back, his eyes traced the soft curves of the fabric.

“You look beautiful.”

“I look cozy,” she corrected, but he only shook his head.

They ordered Chinese and settled back on the couch to watch a movie.

“What do you want to watch?” She picked up the remote, trying to focus on the screen instead of the heat radiating from his body.

“You choose.” His deep voice rumbled through her.

She selected a classic romantic comedy, though she couldn’t concentrate on the plot. Every shift of his body, every brush of his arm against hers sent sparks through her system.

Halfway through their meal, his fingers grazed hers as he reached for his drink. The touch jolted through her and she turned to find him watching her, his amber eyes dark with desire.

“This isn’t working, is it?” His voice was rough.

She shook her head. “Not really.”

His hand cupped her face and she leaned into his touch. Their lips met in a heated kiss that made her forget about food, movies, and everything else except the feel of him.

His fingers tangled in her hair as he deepened the kiss. She pressed closer, lost in the taste of him, the way his tusks grazed her skin. Taking it slow was going to be harder than she’d thought.

He broke the kiss, his breath ragged against her cheek. “I should go.”

His words sent a chill down her spine and she caught his hand as he started to pull away.

“Stay. Please.” Her heart hammered as she waited for his response.

He studied her face for a long moment. “Are you sure?”

“We don’t have to do anything. I just… I don’t want you to leave yet.” She traced her fingers along his palm, marveling at how small her hand looked against his. “We could finish the movie.”

He hesitated, then settled back against the couch. “All right.”

Relief flooded through her as she curled into his side. His arm came around her shoulders, pulling her closer until her head rested against his chest. The steady thump of his heart beneath her ear soothed her racing pulse.

On screen, the movie continued to play, but she was more interested in the warmth of Varek’s body, the way his thumb absently stroked her arm. The tension between them eased into something softer, more comfortable.

She felt him relax by degrees, his muscles loosening as she gently stroked his chest. When she glanced up, the harsh lines of his face had smoothed out, making him look younger.

This felt right - just being together, no pressure, no expectations. Just the two of them in their own quiet bubble, away from the complications of the outside world.

She drifted awake to warmth and scent of herbs. Her eyes fluttered open to find herself nestled against Varek’s broad chest, his arm draped protectively around her waist. They’d fallen asleep on the couch during the movie, and somehow he’d stayed.

With his pattern of running away, she’d half expected to wake up alone.

She traced her fingers along the soft flannel of his shirt, watching the rise and fall of his chest. The morning light filtering through her curtains softened his features.

His eyes opened, catching her in the act of studying him. Instead of pulling away, he tightened his arm around her.

“Morning,” she whispered.

His response was a deep rumble that vibrated through her body. His free hand came up to cup her face, thumb brushing across her cheek, and the tender gesture made her breath catch.

She lifted her face to his, and his lips met hers in a slow, thorough kiss that made her toes curl. His fingers tangled in her hair as he deepened the kiss, drawing a soft sound from her throat.

When they finally broke apart, his eyes were dark with desire, but there was something else there too - a vulnerability that made her heart ache.

“I thought you might be gone when I woke up,” she admitted.

“I thought about it.” His voice was rough. “But I didn’t want to leave you.”

She pressed another kiss to his lips, savoring the way he responded instantly, like he couldn’t help himself. The knowledge that he’d chosen to stay, fought against his instinct to run, filled her with warmth.

Then she caught a glimpse of her vintage clock and jolted upright.

“Oh no, Nina’s going to be here in fifteen minutes!”

She scrambled off the couch, her legs tangling in the throw blanket, but he steadied her with those big hands. “I’ll help carry down the candles.”

She rushed to freshen up while he gathered the boxes. Her reflection showed tousled hair and kiss-swollen lips. A quick brush through her waves and a splash of water on her face would have to do.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Varek had already moved the candles downstairs. She found him arranging them on an antique display table, carefully positioning each one.

“They look perfect there.” She straightened her bright yellow dress, smoothing the vintage fabric.

He turned to her, his amber eyes warm. “I’ll get you some coffee from next door.”

“You don’t have to-”

“I want to.” His gruff tone held a note of tenderness that made her heart flutter.

She watched him duck through the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame. The bell chimed as he left, and she pressed her fingers to her lips, still feeling the phantom pressure of his kisses.

The memory of waking up in his arms sent a pleasant shiver through her. He’d stayed. After all his running away, he’d actually stayed.