Page 14 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)
Chapter 14
Tilly
“ Y ou’ve got to be kidding me,” I tell Bodin as I open my front door, ready for a full day of work after two days at home. I fold my arms over my chest and lean against the doorframe as I eye the cart he’s so gallantly waiting next to.
“I don’t kid when it comes to your health and safety,” Bodin says with a glorious smirk that almost makes me abandon my rational plans for the day. I want to drag that gorgeous orc into the cottage by the front of his shirt and seduce him with my wiles.
Who am I kidding? Wiles? I have none. I tried my best to get him to fuck me in the kitchen, but all that male did was make me the horniest I’ve ever been. If he doesn’t ravish me soon, I might just combust. I’ll have to call Audrey for some tips and tricks, stat.
“Bodin!” I protest, and try my best to form a pouty face so he’ll take pity on me. “What will creatures think when I roll into town on that cart like some kind of queen in her chariot?” Just thinking about it has me shivering with embarrassment.
Bodin stalks toward me and crowds me against the wall. Slipping one hand to the back of my head, he grips my ponytail with the lightest touch and directs my face up toward his. “They’d love to have something new to talk about,” he says with a devilish glint in his eyes and slips his other hand around my waist, tugging me closer to him.
I will not swoon so early in the morning. I will not swoon. I will not…
Despite my best efforts to remain unaffected, my body practically melts into his, and I reach my arms up around his neck to rest at his nape. My fingers barely meet around his thick neck, and honestly, I love it. I’ve never felt small in my life, but with Bodin I almost feel… precious. Not just due to his much larger size, but with the way he takes care of me too.
Bodin’s expression softens as he says, “In all seriousness, though, it’s super early and no one is up yet—unlike us early risers. I thought I’d help you to the base of the main hill, then I can carry you up the incline to First Street.”
I frown and jab a finger at his hard chest. “You are most definitely not carrying me into town. And I’m really okay. Look.” I lift my leg to the side to show off my sensible footwear and the way I’ve carefully braced it. Being a nurse comes in handy when you’re as clumsy as I tend to be.
Bodin’s thumb finds its way under my top and goose bumps skitter across my skin as he traces circles on my lower back. “Did you go for a run this morning?” he asks in a voice I know doesn’t necessarily mean to be sexy, but has me feeling all kinds of ways.
I allow myself to place my palms on his chest only, instead of veering south where they really want to explore. “No. No running. I’m injury-prone, not injury-seeking.”
Bodin’s smile is full of approval and he rewards me with a light peck on my lips. “Good. Let’s keep it that way. You can tell me all about your plans for the week while you’re staring at my ass from your chariot.”
“Fine, you win.” I huff playfully, knowing it’ll speed up my recovery time if I keep resting my ankle. “Just know I’m staring at your ass and your back. They’re both very nice to look at. And your pretty hair—you might have to give me tips on getting it so bouncy.”
Bodin smiles and bends down to nibble along my jawline. “I’ll keep that in mind. I won’t be giving you a list of what I like to stare at with you, because we’ll be here all day.”
I arch my back and tilt my head to give him better access. “Maybe you can tell me over dinner tonight? I’d like to thank you for all your help. Properly.”
Bodin pauses and cups my face, his brow furrowing with a clear apology. “I’d love to, but I have plans with my ma tonight. Can we do breakfast tomorrow morning instead, and I’ll walk you to work again after?”
I reach onto my tiptoes and press my lips to his. I don’t mind him having dinner with his mom instead of me. I find it extremely endearing actually. All too often males will shove their families aside if there’s the possibility of getting lucky—which Bodin has a very high chance of—if I do say so myself. But having him say no right now makes him even more attractive to me. Plus, he has a good relationship with his sister too, and her wife. He’s a real family man.
Do not picture a bunch of little Bodins running around the yard. It’s too soon. Too soon!
I swallow all my thoughts down and accept. “Yes. But no cart tomorrow.”
Bodin lets out a heavy sigh of relief like he was unsure if I’d accept his excuse, and dazzles me with a full smile, teeth and all. “It’s a date.”
“It is, isn’t it?” I whisper back. A kaleidoscope of butterflies—that’s the medical term for this feeling, I’m sure—takes flight in my stomach and I just about float away. Luckily, Bodin’s arms hold me in place or I’d be across the sea by now.
I switch gears from fuzzy feelings to the practicalities of planning a breakfast date. Looking at the garden, I envision what the date could look like if I had some outdoor seating. “I’ve been meaning to speak to Beck about ordering a patio set from Cape Easton. He’s the one in charge of all shipments, right? Katie said something about that last week. I want to set up a little nook between all the flowers, right there.” I point to a spot in front of the purple hydrangeas, right next to some yellow forsythia and blue delphiniums.
Bodin follows my gaze. “No need to order anything. I have some stuff lying around that I can bring tomorrow morning. I think it will suit that spot. ”
“Stuff?” I ask, unsure if we have similar definitions for the word.
“A table and two chairs,” Bodin says shyly, his cheeks turning a beautiful shade of umber. “I upcycle furniture as a hobby.”
My toes do that curling thing again at how cute he is, enjoying this new element he’s revealing to me. I reach up and cup his face. “That’s really generous of you, but I can’t just take your stuff. Let me pay you for it.”
“You can pay me in other ways.” Bodin’s voice is full of innuendo. He nips at the base of my palm and I gasp at the sensation.
“Mr. Terral,” I say breathily with fake outrage. “If you are propositioning me, then I can tell you it’s most definitely working.”
He chuckles and pulls back from me with a light smack to my ass. “Good to know. Now let’s get you to work before everyone wakes up and sees you on your chariot.”
I tuck some flyaways behind my ears and chew on my lip. “Perfect. I just need to, uhm, get something.”
Bodin grabs my hand with concern. “Are you okay?”
I squint my eyes closed, feeling my cheeks heat hotter than the sun. “Will you allow me my dignity or do you want me to explain?”
“I’m curious, but I won’t push,” Bodin says, taking a step back and giving me some space. Doc Calla has my eternal thanks for raising such a considerate male. I’ve swooned multiple times this morning and the sun has only just crested the horizon.
“Good. Two minutes.” I run into the house and quickly change my soaked underwear, then pack two extras to keep at the clinic—just in case this scene replays itself in my mind at any point. It would be so embarrassing if I stank up the clinic with my horny pheromones.
Bodin leans against the cart at the fence leading into my garden, and stares out toward the ocean, deep in thought. I take a moment to look my fill and really appreciate him.
He’s so handsome. And sturdy. Those arms, thighs, wide chest… I could actually sit on him and not worry about my weight. And who would’ve guessed that he’s even kinder than he is nice? I wonder if I’ll be able to find out what he’s like in the bedroom before I spontaneously combust from all the sexual tension.
If it wasn’t for my bandage-wrapped ankle, I’d be skipping to him right now. But I take extra care of where I place my feet on the cobbled pathway and make it to him without tripping once. An achievement I’ll celebrate later, if the streak continues.
Bodin places his hands around my waist and boosts me onto the cart. He stands between my dangling feet and folds my fingers around the lip of the cart. “Hold on here. I’ll go slow, but it’s best to be careful.”
“I know I’m safe with you, but I’ll hold on tight anyway.” My comment has Bodin beaming brighter than a ray of sun, the words clearly meaning a lot to him.
“You’re always safe with me,” Bodin promises sincerely.
There I go again. Swoon.
I look down to hide my blush and my eyes catch on a part of the cart I don’t remember seeing last time. “Did you add something new here? It looks different. ”
Bodin rubs the back of his neck. “I added these legs to the front of the cart so it can stay propped up. I got the idea after our incident and wanted to keep it from happening again.”
My throat is tight with an apology, and I place a hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry. It really wasn’t intentional.”
Bodin covers my hand with his and his brows draw down. “Oh, I know that now. My stubborn self is all too aware of how badly I overreacted then. I’m sorry too.” Sounding slightly bashful, he lifts one shoulder in a shrug and says, “At least I got to hold you in my arms on your first day on the island.”
My answering grin is delighted and toothy. “That was a very nice silver lining for me too.”
“Only silver linings from now on,” Bodin whispers with a sparkle in his eye.
I pull him down to me and kiss him with more emotion than I’m able to give voice to quite yet. But what I can admit to myself at this point is that Bodin is very quickly cementing himself into my heart.