Page 18 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)

Chapter 18

Bodin

S tanding in The Dancing Daisy, I stare blankly at the half-full bookshelves I installed for Lucille. My brain is filled with images of Tilly laid out on the table two days ago, her dress bunched around her waist, and my cock nestled between her perfect tits. Then another image of her in her scrubs, but without pants. Of her cunt covered in our joint release.

I almost pulled her underwear back on for her right there, but she would’ve soaked through it. We did, however, both agree that neither of us should shower. She wiped my beard dry, and I wiped her pussy relatively dry, before we left for work. Being reminded of her scent all day, knowing she was carrying mine, too… It was thrilling.

Yesterday we had another breakfast date, but were able to remain clothed for the entirety, except for when I brought her to climax on my fingers while bent over the kitchen sink.

I’m still taking my time with her, getting to know her properly, her habits and hobbies, while also learning her body, and finding out what makes her tick. I want to be a good partner for Tilly, and that requires more than just sex.

Because of my time in Cape Easton, I carry some heavy baggage when it comes to city folk. My awful memories still manage to weigh me down at times, and have tainted my experiences with females ever since. Tilly deserves to know more about that portion of my past and why I’ve delayed our relationship from moving too fast sexually. But mostly, she deserves an apology from me for letting my prejudice and my past influence my initial behavior toward her, and almost allowing it to dictate our future.

I want to be done with carrying this load on my shoulders. I want a life without mistrust, where I don’t always question a creature’s intentions, especially those from Cape Easton. They’re not all the same.

Lucille shuffles toward me with a cup of water trembling in her unsteady hand. I quickly reach out and take it from her before it spills on the books I still need to shelve.

“Thank you, Lucille. Just what I needed,” I say and offer the older human woman an easy smile.

“It’s the least I can do, sweet boy,” Lucille says in her croaking voice. “My Lochan always said you were a good one. Before he passed he told me that I could count on you to help me here at The Dancing Daisy. You’ve proved him right ten times over, always going that extra mile.” The lines around her eyes deepen as she smiles warmly at me and pats my forearm affectionately.

I rub the back of my neck, touched by her words. “It’s really no problem. I’m glad I can help.”

Lochan and Lucille were a fixture in this community, practically inseparable from the moment they met until the cyclops passed a few years ago.

Some thought Lucille might leave Starry Hill to join a society with more humans once she was widowed, but she’s been continuing to run our book and stationery store alone ever since. She even added a small candy section with a variety of treats that appeal to all species. I deliver these shipments monthly, along with her books and pens and papers and whatever else the island requests for her to stock.

“The Dancing Daisy seems to be doing well lately” I say, recalling the large boxes I unloaded for her last week, and the week before.

“Oh, it’s steady as always. The candy section seems to be a real treat.” She shoots me a slow wink and I give her a thumbs up for the good pun. “And luckily, Starry Hill hasn’t been taken by all those computer things, so they still need me and my old shop.”

“I can’t imagine a time where we won’t need you.”

“That’s so nice of you to say, sweet boy, but I’m getting on in age. I’ve been talking to Calla and I think I’d like a Tilly of my own to help out. Or to take over.”

Ma and Lucille have been friends for ages and have a knitting group that consists of only the two of them, despite having invited almost every Starry Hill resident over the years. I think Peregrine was the only creature brave enough to join for a short while, before dreaming up enough excuses until they stopped asking when he’d return.

“Are you considering retiring?” I ask, unable to imagine what life would be like without Lucille here in the shop.

“Of course,” she answers, like that’s obvious. “However, I won’t leave my beloved Starry Hill without someone who can take care of The Dancing Daisy. Lochan and I never had children we could pass it onto, though that’s not a guarantee either. Children should be free to follow their own life goals.”

I nod my head in agreement. “That’s a great outlook to have. Have you started looking for someone who could take over?”

“The right person will come when the time is right,” Lucille states philosophically. I’m not sure I know what it means, but seeing how my ma felt about Tilly’s arrival, I’m starting to believe these wise older women are onto something.

I down the glass of water and hand it back to Lucille. “Please go have a seat. I’ll finish stacking these for you before I go.”

“Thank you, Bodin,” Lucille says. “You are the biggest treasure in this community. We all appreciate you.”

I nod and grunt awkwardly at the compliment, unsure where all this praise is coming from, before quickly turning back to the books.

I like my job and I like Starry Hill. Being appreciated is certainly nice, but it’s not the only reason I do a few things outside the realm of my job description. It’s how our community functions so well—we all do a little something extra to help each other, and we all reap the benefits .

Bending down for another book, a familiar smell hits my senses and my mood shifts to something positively jovial.

Tilly is close by.

I make quick work of the rest of the books, not rushing, but certainly not paying as much attention to their titles and genres as I stack them onto the shelf, then quickly greet Lucille.

“Call me if you need anything else, if not, I’ll see you when the next shipment arrives.”

“That’s perfect, sweet boy. Your lady friend’s supplies will arrive with them, so I’m sure I’ll be seeing you both around soon.”

“My lady friend?” I stutter. “How did you know?” And more importantly, what did Tilly order? Should I know these things?

Lucille gives me an all-knowing smile. “I think the whole town knows, but we can pretend we don’t, if you’d prefer?”

“Uhm…” I run a hand along my beard, thinking it through. “Let’s pretend you don’t know for now. I’d like to tell my ma first. Officially.”

“Don’t know what?” Lucille asks and winks at me, then waves her hand in a shooing motion. I clutch my chest, showing her I appreciate her understanding, then spin on my heel and follow my Tilly’s floral scent.

I don’t have to go far, though, remaining on Third Street as Tilly’s voice resonates from The Lonely Rake next door.

Aurelius’s store.

Maneuvering quietly around the plants lined up in the sun outside his building, I step through the hardware store’s open doors. I pause behind the shelf of gardening supplies close to the exit, listening to Tilly and Aurelius as they talk in the area where he keeps smaller tools.

What could she possibly need there? She has me now, and I’ll do anything she wants me to do.

“It’s great that you are better, Aurelius,” Tilly says, and I note her professional tone. She never uses that voice with me, and I’m glad not to be on the receiving end of it.

“All thanks to you,” Aurelius replies, making my skin crawl at the flirtatious lilt in his voice. I ball my fists and clench my jaw shut so I don’t interrupt them.

Tilly can take care of herself, of this I am sure. But if she needs me, I’ll barrel through every shelf plus Aurelius’s face to get to her.

“Well, I’ll just pay for this and be on my way,” Tilly says politely, seemingly cutting the conversation off there.

Feet shuffle, and I imagine Aurelius moving in front of her, stopping her from proceeding.

I will not interfere. I will not interfere , I repeat to myself, hoping the mantra will keep me from wringing Aurelius’s neck.

“Would you like to see the improvements to my… condition?” the mothman practically purrs.

“Aurelius Glydenbollocks,” Tilly says sternly, and I cup my balls instinctively. That tone means business. “Please tell me you are not planning on removing your pants right now. If you have any further concerns regarding the chafing on your penis, then call Katie to book an appointment with Doc Calla and me during office hours. ”

“But—but—” Aurelius splutters, and I peer around the shelf to see his reddened face. “You’re here right now. Isn’t it more convenient this way?”

“Aurelius!” Tilly scolds. My chest puffs up with pride at my female for handling him so easily. I turn back to hide behind the shelf, because if I catch sight of them I might start to giggle at Aurelius’s expense.

“You didn’t have a condition,” she continues. “You masturbated so much that you thought you had a sexual disease when it was only chafing. Our medical advice was to keep your hands off your penis for a week so your skin can rest.”

“Well, yes…” Aurelius starts again, but Tilly interrupts him before he can continue with some far-fetched excuse.

“Don’t make me repeat myself for a third time. If you have any medical concerns, come see us at The Bandaged Heart. But if you ever, and I mean ever, accost me in public again, I will lodge a formal complaint against you and refuse any further treatment if you require it. You’d have to go to Cape Easton if you need help. Do I make myself clear?”

“I’m sorry,” Aurelius says, only slightly chastised. “Creatures have always been impressed by my… unique penis, in the past I mean. I thought if you perhaps saw it without the chafing, you’d be too.”

Tilly scoffs. “Is this a backward way of coming on to me?” My foot moves forward an inch, but I force myself to stay put. Tilly’s got this.

“Yes,” Aurelius says, hope creeping into his voice that Tilly is finally catching on. “Isn’t it obvious? ”

“Oh, Aurelius.” Good, Tilly’s giving him her pity voice. “I’m not interested. I’m kind of seeing someone else.” My ears perk up and I hold my breath, waiting for her to elaborate.

“It’s Bodin, isn’t it?” Aurelius asks on a sigh, now totally deflated. I can just picture his wings sagging with the realization.

Tilly doesn’t say anything, but I want to imagine she’s nodding.

“Let me ring you up, then. You’re probably wanting to go home soon,” Aurelius says, dragging his feet toward the back of the store.

“Thank you.” Tilly’s tone is polite, but her walls remain in place as she follows him to the register.

Good girl. I’m going to have to reward her for this.

I slip outside on silent feet and wait for Tilly to exit.