Page 42 of The Orc Chief’s Baker (Orc Mates Of Faeda #4)

Chapter

Thirty-One

TRINIA

S he was in trouble.

Brovdir walked next to her slowly. The clip he set was easy for her to keep. The paths they walked were clean and free of ice. There were no homes here, just large fir trees that made a thick canopy around them, offering seclusion. Something she desperately needed right now.

Because her mind was lit up like the first dawn of summer.

“I will ensure no harm comes to you.”

It was big talk considering their world was about to be redesigned. And yet she knew he could. She trusted this male to the very core of herself.

She shouldn’t.

He was basically a stranger!

She shouldn’t trust him, should she? Not after everything...

And yet . . .

“You are all that matters.”

Her stomach flipped and her heart fluttered and her body was hot with longing.

“Are you well, Trinia?”

She snapped up. “Hmm? Oh! Yes, I’m fine. Just fine.”

She was not fine.

He tipped his shaggy head, and her heart started skipping all over itself. “You’re going to wring your skirt until it rips.”

“Oh.” She dropped the fabric, but the wrinkles remained. Biscuits and jam, she hadn’t even realized she was holding it.

A green hand appeared before her, and she blinked rapidly. “Why not hold this instead?”

She shot her orc a hard look. “You want me to rip the skin off your hand instead of my dress?”

He snorted. “Not possible. Skin’s too tough.” Then his voice lowered as he said. “And pain would be worth it if it brought you comfort.”

Her heart jumped up into her throat all over again. The things he said... the way he acted...

One might think he was imprinted on her.

But that couldn’t be right. Orcs took years to form imprints. They came from loving someone, and love took time to grow.

But what if he was? How was she going to grapple with that in addition to everything else? Her mother’s bakery had been lost to Ronhold. Her woods were being lost to sinkholes.

Her entire world might soon be lost to the Fades themselves.

“Trinia, breathe.”

She sucked in a breath and her head cleared. She hadn’t even realized she’d stopped breathing.

“Here.” He held out his hand to her again, and she took it without thought. His fingers engulfed hers almost completely. His warmth flooded every part of her and made her stable despite how uneasy she’d felt a few moments prior.

“All will be well, Trinia,” Brovdir said again, and like before, his vow calmed her, soothed her. She wanted to lean into his chest, shut her eyes, and let him protect her until every calamity that was about to befall them had passed.

She wanted to stay at his side through every hardship from here on.

“W-where are we going?” She stroked her thumb along his knuckles.

He let out an adorably content huff and her heart tripped over itself. “To Elder Plog.”

Her brows arched. “Why?”

“Need to check.” Then he paused to consider before saying, “Rather go back to tree? Wait for me there?”

“Oh no.” She huffed out a dry laugh. “Absolutely not. The last thing I want is to be alone right now.”

His expression softened. “I vow never to let you feel alone again.”

Her lips parted in shock at his words and the intensity of the contentment they made her feel. Like finally catching her breath after a hard sprint or warming up after getting caught in a blizzard.

She hadn’t felt like this since... since before her mother had gotten sick.

And then Brovdir slowly lifted her hand up. His grip was loose, tender. She could have pulled away.

She didn’t.

He pressed his lips to her palm and her whole body shivered as lightning struck through her. His tusks felt cool against her fingers, but his lips were so hot she felt like he might be branding her. Marking her as his own.

Still, she didn’t pull away.

He lowered her hand again, his expression relaxed with pleasure, and then he looked into her face and his eyes went wide with surprise. She knew her expression must have been telling.

She didn’t care. She reached up, stroked her fingers through his shaggy hair, gripped hard. Pulled him down to her.

He came with a low rumble of pleasure that made her toes curl. Their mouths collided.

He tasted so good. Husky with spice. His lips were so soft, and the contrast against his hard tusks was incredible. She opened her mouth, wanting more. To taste him. To drink him up.

He let her delve her tongue into his mouth to duel with his, and she lost herself, drowned in him. She didn’t want it to end even as her body grew hot, her thighs clenched, and her core began to pulse with need.

He broke off the kiss, and she blinked up at him in shock.

“I... want you.” His voice was a bare growl. “Want you badly. We must stop.”

“W-why?” She could hardly keep track of what he was saying. It felt like her thoughts were thickly coated in sugar. “Why can’t we?”

“Because I will render you with child.”

Her breath hitched. She’d almost forgotten about that. About their deal. About the house he was supposed to build for her. About the business transaction.

But then she blinked rapidly as she comprehended his words. “Wait, you... you don’t want me to play conquest for you?”

His beautiful green eyes went wide, and his complexion went a little pale, but then he sucked in a hard, determined breath.

“Trinia of Oakwall.” His eyes held her captive. “I don’t want a son. I want you. ”

She lost all the air in her lungs.

“I will... build your house for you, and in exchange, I will host you until it is ready. You will keep me company during lonely nights.”

She exhaled, shivering at what he might have meant by “lonely nights.” “A—a whole house for advice and companionship. That doesn’t seem like enough.”

“It’s more than enough,” he said firmly.

She forced a laugh. “Oh Brovdir... you... you’re still really bad at making trades. I’m getting a much better deal.”

He gave her a lopsided grin that melted her heart. “Is that a yes?”

Was it?

“Brovdir, I—” Her mind grappled with this decision. It was too soon, wasn’t it? They barely knew each other!

He must have read her face because he pulled a paper out of his waistband.

The sketch she’d done of his house. The one that turned it into two bedrooms.

“We can do this,” he said. “Can build it in a day. You stay with me, but also have space until I have finished building your home.”

She couldn’t believe this. This was insane. She shouldn’t even consider staying with him.

She watched his hand as he held the parchment. His thumb brushed it almost tenderly. His grip was careful, like he didn’t want to risk creasing it.

He was trembling a little.

“Forgive me.”

Her eyes snapped right back to his face and her heart squeezed. His eyes were downcast, and his lips trembled, and she’d never seen anyone look more earnest in all her years.

“Forgive me for lying, Trinia. I vow never to keep secrets again.”

“Never again,” she repeated softly, unable to look away from him. Her whole body was drumming with longing. She’d lost everything .

But . . . gained so much just from him .

She exhaled shakily. “You... you can really work up this floor plan in a day?”

His eyes lit up with hope, and he nodded eagerly.

Biscuits and jam. She shouldn’t .

Staying with a friend would be far more logical.

She didn’t want to stay with a friend.

She wanted him .

She swallowed thickly and licked her lips. She could still taste him on them.

“Yes, Brovdir. I’ll stay with you.”