Page 12

Chapter 12

Eleri

S hould I be embarrassed by what we’d just done together? I hadn’t known Odik for long. We’d shared some of our pasts, but we hadn’t learned much about each other. We hadn’t even kissed!

What he’d done had felt so decadent. Like I’d stepped out of the staid village and into the arms of someone who turned me into a wanton creature.

I wanted him to do it again.

Instead of suggesting he keep moving his fingers inside me, I urged his hand away, fixed my clothing, and sat up. I scooted away from him for good measure.

He took my cue and fixed his own clothing, then fiddled with the fire. Gathering what we hadn’t eaten, he tucked it inside the pouch.

I was grateful he didn’t mention what happened.

“We’ll sleep as much as we can today, then continue traveling,” he said, patting the ground beside him. “You need to lie here with me.”

“Because we’re getting married?”

“According to my people and traditions, we’re already married. Orcs call it mated. My pendant choosing you, followed by me tracking you down in the forest and capturing you, was the only ceremony needed to link us together for the rest of our lives.”

A silly thrill shot through me. I didn’t want him to feel obligated to be with me solely because his pendant took an inopportune moment to flare when I was around, but I was uncomfortably attracted to him. I’d hate to think he’d tell me to find someplace else to live when we reached his island home.

“You didn’t exactly capture me,” I pointed out.

His mouth quirked up in one corner. “We can loosely call it that.”

“You collapsed at my feet.”

“Something I’m completely embarrassed about.”

“Why? You’d taken blows to the head. You passed out—”

“Something else I’m profoundly embarrassed about.”

“It’s natural. It happens at times like that. It’s nothing to be concerned about.”

“It doesn’t happen to me,” he grumbled.

When I grinned, his smile bloomed fully, and we both started laughing.

“Truly, you don’t need to be worried about it,” I said.

His mood sobered. “Truly, you need to come lay down beside me.”

“The fire’s just as warm on the opposite side.”

“Your back needs to face me. Then if something attacks, it’ll go for me first.”

“Won’t you or Zarran hear something coming?”

“I’d be mortified if I didn’t.” His sharp gaze met mine. “I’ll kill anything and anyone that touches you.”

“What if it’s a cute little creature like a chall?” I was teasing— testing him—though I wasn’t sure why.

Actually, I knew why. I was worried if I laid beside him, his fingers would wander, I’d spread my legs, and the next thing I knew, we’d be rutting. I knew it was coming, but I felt depraved for craving him so soon after meeting him. Surely I needed to know him a bit more before we progressed to something like that?

“If it’s a cute little creature like a chall, I promise not to kill it.” His stern gaze met mine. “Come lay beside me, mate. I’ve told you I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

And that was the problem. I was beginning to think I’d enjoy everything he chose to do with me.

However, it was childish to sit across the fire from him, arguing about me doing something as normal as lying with him for protection.

I rose and walked around to join him, resting on my side, facing the fire.

He settled behind me, his arms going around me, reminding me again of how much bigger than me he was when he could rest his chin on the top of my head with his knees lying by my feet. At least this kept his cock well beyond intimate areas if it came seeking.

“In all honesty,” I whispered. “I peeked.”

“At what?” The soft murmur of his voice was incredibly soothing. It lulled me, just like he lulled me.

“Your cock.”

“And what are your thoughts about my cock?”

“It’s big.”

“So am I,” he grumbled, following it up with a yawn.

“I’m keeping you awake. I’m sorry.” Heat scorched my face, and it didn’t come from the crackling fire.

“It’s not a problem. Do share your thoughts about my cock.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Call it curiosity on my part.”

“It’s also thick and veiny.”

“The veins keep the blood flowing, something I think you’ll agree is important,” he said gruffly.

“Naturally. It also has nubs on the sides.”

“They vibrate when I’m aroused.”

I’d missed that, but how intriguing. “What do they feel like inside a woman?”

“You’d need to ask a woman to hear the answer to that question.”

My belly burned with jealousy, and I wanted to gnash my teeth. “ Who has discovered this?” I bit out carefully.

He chuckled. “No need to be worried, sweet thing. My nubs exist solely for you.”

“You’ve given them to someone else or you wouldn’t know what they do.”

“Today is not the first time I’ve touched my cock.”

“Well, of course,” I said primly. Lifting a pebble, I threw it into the fire, which ignored my childish gesture. “Today wasn’t the first time I’ve touched my body either.”

“Of course.” He mimicked me— mocked me .

“I’m not jealous.”

“You have no reason to be. From now on, I promise not to share my nubs with anyone but you.”

“Not even your hand?” I asked.

“Now, that’s an interesting question. I guess the answer will depend on what happens over the next few days.”

“What do you think’s going to happen over the next few days?”

“I believe, my sweet mate, you’ll have to wait to find out.”

I rolled my eyes, though I didn’t argue his point. At the rate we were going, I’d be humping him by the end of the day.

“You also have a second cock,” I said.

“You’re quite an observant mate, aren’t you?”

“I educate myself.”

He released a deep chuckle. “Educate yourself about cocks?”

“Only yours. So far.”

“Always only mine,” he growled.

“Possessive, aren’t you?” The thought made the blood hum through my veins.

“I don’t share. You’re mine, and you’ll soon become used to the notion.”

I wanted to protest that I belonged to no one, but I suspected he was right. “If I’m yours, then that means you’re mine.” I said it smugly.

“Exactly.” Pure satisfaction came through in his voice. “As for my second cock, it’s called a spur.”

“Does it vibrate too?” I was getting wet between my legs again, which was silly. I’d never needed to pleasure myself more than once or twice a month. Certainly not two times within the span of a few moments.

“It will latch onto your pretty little clit and suck it while I pump my cock—complete with vibrating nubs—inside you.”

I was quivering at the idea. Lust was roaring through me, and I wasn’t sure what I should do about it. Nothing, I supposed. It wasn’t like I was going to ask him to push his fingers inside me again.

Though I wanted to.