Page 4 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER FOUR

V arek stared in shock at the woman who’d bid on him. He’d noticed her the first time he scanned the crowd - a pretty little human with a heart-shaped face and curves that made his mouth go dry. But it was her eyes that had really caught his attention, warm and brown and sympathetic in a way that felt like understanding rather than pity.

She gave him a tentative smile, and something in his chest constricted. He managed a short nod in response, then stalked off the stage before Flora could make any more announcements. Unable to remain still, he paced the hallway behind the stage as Flora auctioned off the last three bachelors. He’d been dreading the auction ever since he made the agreement with Flora, and it had started off as badly as he’d anticipated. He’d done his best to remain stoic as the silence lengthened after Flora’s call for bids, counting the seconds until she gave up and he could escape.

And then the pretty little female had bid on him. What the hell had she been thinking? Was it some kind of joke? But despite her obvious nerves, her smile seemed genuine, her eyes kind. He ran a hand over his face, his palms rough against his skin.

As soon as the auction was over he’d have to face her. His stomach twisted at the thought.

Unable to resist, he edged closer to the stage, peering out at her from the wings. He couldn’t tell exactly how tall she was, but despite her lush curves she looked small. Fragile. So delicate he could probably span her waist with his hands. The thought of touching her sent an unexpected wave of heat rushing through him, but it was quickly followed by dread.

He scrubbed a hand over his face again. What was he doing? He couldn’t be attracted to her. Humans were fragile, breakable things. The last time he’d tried to help one…

The memory of accusations and angry faces flashed through his mind. His fingers dug into his palms until pain cleared his head.

She shifted in her seat, and the stage lights caught a splash of freckles across her nose. Something inside him ached at how soft she looked. How warm.

But that warmth wasn’t for him. Couldn’t be for him. She’d probably only bid out of pity - the poor, unwanted orc no one else would touch. Or worse, she’d been dared to do it, and soon the whole town would be laughing about it. Laughter might even be worse than fear.

The scent of honeysuckle drifted from the audience, and somehow he knew it was her scent. It wrapped around him, making his tusks throb with the need to mark, to claim. He forced down a growl.

This was exactly why he needed to stay in his cabin, away from temptation. Away from soft, curvy humans with kind eyes who made him forget what he was.

He left the wings and headed for the back exit, his boots thudding against the wooden floor as he lengthened his stride. The sooner he got out of here, the better. He’d fulfilled his obligation to Flora - more than fulfilled it. No one could say he hadn’t tried.

A red and white blur stepped into his path.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Flora planted her hands on her hips and glared up at him.

“Home.” He tried to step around her, but she moved with surprising agility for someone her age and he couldn’t bring himself to move her out of the way.

“That sweet girl just bid on you.”

“Out of pity.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue.

“Nonsense. I saw how she looked at you.”

“Like I was going to eat her?”

He gave her a humorless smile, but to his surprise she grinned back and waggled her eyebrows.

“Like she wanted you to.”

The tips of his ears heated at the all too tempting thought. “Flora-”

“Don’t you ‘Flora’ me. You made a deal - participate in the auction. That means following through with the date.”

“The deal was to show up. I showed up.”

“The deal was to participate.” She jabbed a small, bony finger painfully at his chest. “You’re not participating if you run away like a scared rabbit.”

His growl echoed off the walls. “I don’t run.”

“Then prove it.” Her face softened. “Give her a chance, Varek. Give yourself one.”

The scent of honeysuckle drifted down the hallway again, and his fists clenched. The thought of spending time with her, of having those eyes fixed on him, was far too tempting. And he couldn’t let himself be tempted.

“I can’t-” He swallowed hard. “I won’t risk hurting anyone again.”

Flora sighed. “The only one you’re hurting is yourself.”

The click of heels caught his attention as the scent of honeysuckle grew stronger. His pulse began to thunder in his ears as the female who’d won him rounded the corner.

Now that she was standing he could fully appreciate the red silk dress wrapped around those luscious curves, curves his fingers wanted to trace. Dark brown hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders, and her eyes - warm and kind - fixed on his face.

“Hi.” She stretched out her hand, pretty red lips curving into a shy, enchanting smile. “I’m Posy.”

Posy. The name suited her.

His hand automatically engulfed hers, and the contact jolted through him like lightning. Her skin was impossibly soft, delicate bones shifting under his grip. Heat radiated from that single point of contact, spreading up his arm and settling in his chest.

His muscles ached with the need to pull her closer, to scoop her up and carry her far away. The rational part of his brain warred with instincts he’d thought long buried.

She was so small. So fragile. One wrong move and he could break her without meaning to. But she didn’t look afraid, even though her head barely his sternum, and her fingers curled around his. That simple acceptance threatened to undo him completely.

He forced himself to release her hand before he did something stupid. Like give in to the possessive growl building in his chest.

Instead he bolted, his boots pounding against the floor. He heard Flora calling him as he burst through the back door into the frigid night air. He ran until the lights of the town disappeared, until his legs burned and his chest heaved, then made his way back to his cabin.

The familiar walls closed around him, but they brought no comfort. He paced the worn floorboards. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Her scent clung to his hand and he found himself breathing it in. He scrubbed it angrily against his jeans, but the ghost of her touch remained. Soft. Warm. Trusting.

“Stupid,” he muttered. “What was I thinking?”

He hadn’t been thinking. That was the problem. One look from those warm brown eyes, one brush of her fingers, and years of carefully built walls had started to crack.

The fireplace sat cold and dark and he seized the opportunity to do something useful. He stacked logs with more force than necessary, then struck a match. The flames caught, warming the room, but they did nothing to warm the chill in his heart.

More pacing, his boots leaving marks on the floor.

She’ll hear the stories. Someone will tell her what happened. What they think happened.

Despite Flora’s dismissal, the people of Fairhaven Falls had long memories. They’d whispered behind his back for years, mothers pulling their children closer when he passed. One small act of kindness from a stranger couldn’t erase that.

“It’s better this way,” he decided, the words tasting like ash. “She deserves better than a monster who hides in the woods.”

But his traitorous mind kept circling back to that smile. To the way she’d looked at him without judgement or fear. To the warmth of her small hand in his. To those luscious curves wrapped in red silk.

He groaned and dropped his face into his hands. “Damn you, Flora.”