Page 7

Briar

If you had told me that this big, bad alpha male—who spends his days protecting people and facing danger head-on—was also a magician, I’d have laughed at you and called you silly. I mean, it’s just so absurd, isn’t it? The image of Orion, all broad shoulders and piercing gaze, pulling rabbits out of hats or making cards vanish into thin air feels like a scene straight out of a comedy film.

As I watch him shuffle the cards with practiced ease, a mixture of awe and disbelief swirls within me. Here he is, this fierce protector who can take down threats without breaking a sweat, suddenly engaging in something as whimsical as magic tricks. The contrast is almost comical.

But then again, there’s something endearing about it. Seeing this serious man—who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders—light up when he talks about magic brings a smile to my face. It’s like catching a glimpse of a playful side of him that most people never get to see.

I can’t help but chuckle to myself. This isn’t the kind of thing I expect when I think about Orion. He’s not just a fierce warrior; he has this delightful, quirky edge that’s utterly unexpected. The way he concentrates, furrowing his brow as he tries to master a sleight-of-hand move, makes him look surprisingly approachable.

Approachable but deadly. And let’s not forget the fact that he's stunningly gorgeous. Like he’s so hot the chickens lay hard boiled eggs in his presence.

He sets the deck of cards down and smiles at me, the corners of his mouth curving up in a way that sends a flutter through my stomach. “It’s late. You should probably try to get some rest.”

I nod, perhaps a little too quickly, as I rush out, “Right. Sleep. Sure thing.” My mind races, and just as I'm about to salute the man again, I stop in my tracks. A chill runs down my spine, and all I can think about is the nightmare that had gripped me earlier.

“Um,” I whisper, feeling foolish for what I’m about to ask. My cheeks heat up, and I can’t tell if it’s embarrassment or something else.

“What is it?” he asks, rising from his chair with an ease that emphasizes his strength. There’s a warmth in his gaze, and for a moment, the shadows of the day melt away, leaving just the two of us in this cozy space.

“I was wondering if you’d lay with me? Until I fall asleep,” I rush out, my voice barely above a whisper. The words tumble out before I can overthink them, and suddenly I feel vulnerable, laying bare my fears in front of this formidable man.

The request hangs in the air between us, and my heart thunders in my chest, half hoping he’ll say yes, half terrified of what that means. Would he think I’m childish for needing company? Or would he understand the comfort that comes from not being alone in the dark? I hold my breath, waiting for his response, feeling the weight of my own emotions pressing against me like a storm ready to break.

He nods. “Of course I will.”

Together we move down the hallway, toward the back guest bedroom, and I peel back the covers. We’re silent as Orion crawls into the bed beside me, wrapping an arm around me so I can rest my head in the crook of his shoulder.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible in the stillness as Orion turns out the light. The room is bathed in soft shadows, and for a moment, I’m left with just the sound of his steady breath and the rhythmic beat of his heart, strong and reassuring. It's strange, but comforting, being this close to him. I’ve always felt so guarded, but right now, as I lay beneath the warmth of his presence, my defenses start to dissolve.

“Who’s in bed?” Jeb squawks from his cage in the corner of the room.

“Oh, Christ,” Orion says, and I quickly get up.

“Let me just put his blanket over the cage,” I say, knowing he’ll fall asleep as soon as I do. I say a quick goodnight to Jeb, who’s obviously upset about Orion being in here. I snuggle back into bed with Orion, and everything slows down. It feels right here.

Sleep pulls me under slowly, like being wrapped in a cocoon of safety, and I let go. The world fades.

At some point, though, I stir. Something firm presses into my back, and for a second, I can’t piece together where I am. My mind fumbles through the fog of sleep, but then the warmth and scent—fresh and woodsy—register. I blink, trying to refocus. Soft morning light filters through the window, casting a pale glow across the room, and that’s when I feel it.

An arm. Not just any arm. Orion’s heavy arm, draped over me.

My breath catches in my throat. He’s behind me, his body close, the warmth radiating from him like a furnace. I can hear his soft, even breathing, and my heart does a somersault as I realize the situation I’m in. I’m in bed with him. Well, technically he’s in bed with me, but still .

I freeze, my thoughts a jumbled mess. What do I do ? Do I move? Do I stay here? My mind flits to the ridiculous idea that I should be analyzing what’s pressing into my back.

Oh my god.

I realize the thing poking me in the back is him. Like him him.

I jolt upright, his arm falling off me. This action wakes him up and he groans. It’s so sexy too. However, I try my best to pretend I didn’t just wake up to Orion pressing his hard dick against me.

And from the weight of it. The size of it.

It’s massive.

Like the Titanic of dicks. Probably even bigger than that.

I bound out of bed, trying to escape the awkwardness as quickly as humanly possible. Smooth, Briar. Really smooth.

My feet make a beeline for the bathroom down the hall, and as soon as I shut the door, I let out a slow, deep breath. I lean against the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror, heart still pounding.

Did he actually wake up? I wonder, hoping against hope that he didn’t notice me bolting like a startled deer.

I quickly do my business, splash some cold water on my face, and exit the bathroom. With ninja-like precision, I steer clear of the bedroom. No way am I risking another awkward moment there. Instead, I head for the kitchen, and like some kind of wizard, Orion is already there, standing at the counter, brewing a pot of coffee.

Great. Of course, he’s up.

“How’d you sleep?” he asks, his back still turned to me as he fiddles with the coffee maker like some expert barista.

I freeze, my brain suddenly swarmed with one very specific, very inappropriate thought: I wonder if he’s still hard.

Nope. Nope. Nope . Abort mission, Briar. Focus on literally anything else.

I plaster on a smile and answer way too quickly, “Great! Like a baby.” Then, because I apparently have zero self-control, I keep talking. “Although I never get why they say that because babies don’t actually sleep. My cousin’s baby slept maybe an hour a night and cried the rest of the time. Honestly, it was more like sleeping next to a banshee.”

I stop mid-ramble, realizing how far off the rails I’ve gone. I clamp my mouth shut, suddenly wishing for a time machine.

Orion turns just enough to raise an eyebrow, his expression mildly amused. “You talk a lot, don’t you?” His voice is low and casual, like this is all perfectly normal while he masterfully works the coffee machine, barely glancing my way.

“Only when I’m nervous,” I whisper, inwardly cringing.

Why did I just admit that?

He stops mid-coffee-pour, blinking at me as if I’ve said something far more interesting than intended. His eyes lock onto mine, amusement still dancing in them. “Are you nervous now?”

Cue internal freak-out. “No! I mean— yes . I mean—" I throw my hands up in surrender. "I woke up with you in my bed, okay? I’m a little… flustered.”

He smirks. "You bolted pretty fast."

I shrug, playing it off like I’m totally cool and collected. “I have a strong bladder.”

He chuckles, turning his attention back to the coffee. "You should work on your exit strategy. Maybe next time, don’t run like I’m chasing you."

“Next time?” I raise an eyebrow, trying not to think too much about the implications of that statement.

"Who knows," he says, smirk still in place as he pours another cup. He slides one across the counter to me. “Stranger things have happened.”

I take the mug, hoping the warmth of the coffee hides the flush creeping up my neck. "Yeah, like a big bad bodyguard who also dabbles in magic tricks."

He grins at that. "Hey, never underestimate the power of sleight of hand." He winks, and damn if my stomach doesn't do a little flip.

I take a sip, trying to distract myself. "Yeah, well, just don't pull any disappearing acts on me."