Page 35 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy (Brides of the Lonesome Creek Orcs #3)

Sel

M y mate. My glorious, precious mate wanted me.

“I’m going to claim you in the ancient orc way, Holly,” I said, staring up at her beautiful face, into her lovely eyes that I swore contained the same love burning through me.

Biting down on her lower lip, she nodded.

I reverently turned her hand over and licked across the palm, all the way to her wrist. Taking her other hand, I did the same thing, grinning as a mating mark blazed on her skin.

Her breath caught. “That’s…” When she looked up at me, tears swam in her eyes. “How is this possible?”

I remained on my knees, adoring this woman with everything inside me.

“It’s you. Me. Us. I have claimed you in the ancient orc way, and your soul has accepted me as your fated one.

Does your heart accept me as well?” The last part was considered old-fashioned in the orc kingdom, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

“I think so.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes widening. “I’m sorry. That doesn’t sound like much of a commitment, does it? But it hasn’t been long, and this is all so new to me.”

Rising to my feet, I tugged her into my arms. “We have all the time for that. For now, know that I adore you. I claim you as my only one. And I am a patient orc. There’s no rush to feel anything. I just ask that you be patient with me and with yourself.”

She nodded, looking up at me with heady emotion in her eyes. What she gave me now was enough. It always would be. I’d never dream of pressing her for anything more.

I took her hand, and we went inside, finding Max sitting in the living room, reading.

He looked up when we paused in the doorway, and his gaze shot to our linked hands.

If she’d pulled away before he could see, I would’ve acted as if nothing was new between us.

But she was claiming me in her own, heart-felt way, and it made me so happy, I could barely think.

He rose and walked over to stand in front of us, his gaze still on our hands. “What… Mom?”

“Sel and I…” She lifted her chin. “I care for him a lot. We’re dating, I guess you could say.”

A human custom I’d only heard of. Something that could approach their version of mating called marriage.

Or it might not. But I understood why she’d take this cautiously with her son.

A male stepping into her life was also stepping into his, and she wouldn’t do this lightly.

I knew her. If she wasn’t sure something would come of “dating” me, she wouldn’t still be holding my hand.

Max barreled into me, giving me a hug before doing the same with his mom. Stepping back, he gazed at me sternly. “What are your intentions toward my mother?”

“Max,” Holly said with a sigh. “I’m an adult, and this isn’t the nineteenth century.”

I didn’t know what a time period had to do with this, but I’d seen a similar scene in a streaming image. He worried I would juice and confuse her. Wait. No. That wasn’t the phrase. Use and abuse. I think. Probably. I wouldn’t do either any more than I’d juice and confuse her.

I crouched to Max’s level, letting my hand drop to my knee with my palm toward the ceiling.

A gesture of respect and honesty, taught to me by my mother.

“My intentions toward your mother are to honor her. To cherish her. To stand beside her for as long as she’ll have me.

I would rather face ten charging sorhoxes than ever see her hurt. ”

Max squinted at me through his glasses, frowning like a young warrior trying to read the truth in a rival’s eyes. I did not look away.

“I will never mistreat her,” I said softly. “I would never confuse her. Or…juice her.” His brows flew up, and I coughed into my fist. “That came out wrong. The saying’s slippery in my head. I meant I’d never toss aside or harm her. Use. Abuse.”

He snorted. A full, honest youngling laugh that tumbled out of him. “You got that one a little off, but I like it.”

I smiled. “I care for your mother. She’s brave and kind. She’s strong in ways most warriors aren’t. And she loves you fiercely. Any part of her life I’m lucky enough to be in, I know you’re in too. I would never try to come between that. I hope someday you might let me be part of your life, too.”

Max blinked, his arms crossing over his chest, but his stance softened. “You mean like…you want to be my stepdad?”

Holly made a quiet noise beside me, but I didn’t turn.

“I mean I want to be someone you can rely on.” I chose each word with care. “Someone who will hold his sword at the ready, his back to yours. Who sees how close you are with your mom and will never try to step between you. I want to make your life better but only if that’s something want too.”

He didn’t answer right away, just stared at me with those sharp, thoughtful eyes. Then he stepped forward and hugged me again.

“I’m really glad it’s you,” he mumbled against my chest. “You make her laugh. She needs that. And I think she’s a little less scared now. That’s new.”

My throat went tight. I wrapped both arms around him and held on, careful not to squeeze too hard. “Thank you, Max. That means a lot.”

He pulled back and looked at Holly. “Is he going to keep sleeping in the barn?”

“Max,” she said, laughing, her cheeks pink.

“Just asking. I mean…” His face pinched. “You two sharing a room would be kind of gross, but also…I guess it’s okay.”

Taking Holly’s hand again, I squeezed it, and she squeezed back.

Gross and okay. I could live with that.

Especially when I could see the three of us standing together as a family. Maybe not now but someday.

“I’m glad you find that okay.” Holly hugged her son.

“I’m going to my room, then,” he said. “You two do…whatever.” Now his face was as pink as hers. He scurried around us and pretty much raced down the hall, banging his bedroom door closed behind him.

“That went well.” Holly peered up at me. “I think.”

“We don’t need to rush into this,” I said, stroking hair off her face, aching to touch her everywhere, not only with this simple gesture. “I can remain in the hayloft.”

“If you do, I’ll have to join you.” Her gaze met mine, and I found no hesitation there. “Or we can just go to bed in your room.”

“You’re sure?”

“Completely.” Tightening her fingers around mine, she urged me to follow her down the hall and into her—my— our bedroom. She kicked the door shut behind me and turned, pressing me against it. “So tell me, orc cowboy. How do you want to claim me tonight?”