Page 24 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)

Chapter 24

Tilly

S omewhere before dawn, soft lips press to my bare shoulder and I curl further into Bodin’s arms. “Mmm, I can get used to waking up like this,” I mumble against his chest, burrowing my nose right between his big pectoral muscles.

“Good, because I don’t think I can stand the thought of ever waking up without you in my arms,” Bodin mumbles against my hair, a smile evident in his voice.

I throw one needy leg over his hips, his hard cock wedged between us.

If I can angle my hips just so, maybe I can slide it in?

A large hand squeezes my naked ass, halting my not-so-subtle intentions. “Aren’t you sore, my love?”

“Not a bad sore. Just a delicious, used sore,” I say, pressing wet, nibbling kisses to his chest.

Tilting my head up, I can clearly make out Bodin’s kind but hungry eyes in the moonlight streaming in through the window.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he says sweetly.

An easy smile spreads across my lips. “I thought I told you, I don’t break easily.”

Bodin rolls onto his back, taking me with him so I’m straddling his waist, his cock resting against my ass.

“Do you want my cock, Matilda?” he rasps, hands gripping my thighs.

“Yes,” I all but whimper.

“Sit on it. Show me how much you want it.”

Without any delay, I plant my feet on either side of Bodin’s waist, my hands on his chest, then slowly let my body sink down on his thick cock. The stretch is glorious, each piercing sliding in making my eyes flutter with pleasure.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous like this,” Bodin praises, his voice rough like sandpaper. “Seeing you stretched around my cock, owning it, making me yours.”

Gazing at my male through half-lidded eyes, I slide down a few more inches and pause. “That’s because this cock is mine. You’re mine. And now I’m going to fuck you so you can remember that all day.”

I sink down to the hilt before lifting myself up and slamming down again. Bodin’s hips lift up to meet mine, letting our bodies come together in the most primal declaration of our love.

With one of Bodin’s thumbs working my clit, it doesn’t take long for my first orgasm to crest. He catches me as my body goes limp, before he flips us over and drives into me with a relentless force to find his own release.

Breath still sawing in and out of my lungs, I say, “Morning sex is now a prerequisite. When can you move in?”

Bodin’s brows dance between happy and confused, “I don’t know if that’s an actual invitation or just postsex hormones making you say stuff.”

I brush the hair out of his eyes and cup his bearded jaw, realizing he needs actual confirmation that I mean my words. “I’m one hundred percent serious. Plus, this bed can handle us both, can’t let that go to waste.”

Bodin smiles and kisses my palm. “This used to be my bed when I lived here, so I’m glad it can handle us. I can start moving some stuff back in later tonight.”

Puzzle pieces slide into place at his admission. “So the plates I ‘donated’ were also yours?”

Bodin props his head up on an elbow. “Yup, but yours are much prettier. And have a story.”

“Well, whatever you want to move back in, we’ll make space for it,” I say, combing his hair out of his eyes, too blissed out to overthink things right now.

Bodin grins. “So much for taking things slow.”

Shrugging, I say, “If you know, you know. ”

“I sure do know.” He kisses me furiously, but pulls back before it turns into a second round. “Let me grab a shower. I need to head out to clean the clinic up before anyone arrives.”

I gasp, memories of last night crashing into me like a freight train. “Oh, fuck! I almost forgot about that. My shredded underwear and clothes are probably strewn everywhere. Oh, shit. What’s Doc Calla going to say? And the germs! I need to disinfect the desk. Oh, it’s going to be so embarrassing to face them.”

Ugh, reality sucks. Why can’t we stay in bed and fuck all day and pretend no one and nothing else exists for a while?

Bodin gently places a finger over my mouth, preventing any further spiraling thoughts from being voiced. “No freaking out on me right now,” he says gently, making a little bit of the stress melt off me. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to shower, then I’ll take care of the clinic before meeting Beck to get Ren’s generator. While I’m in the shower, you’re going to write a note for my ma to say you’re going directly to Ren’s cottage for his house call and will be at the clinic after. I’ll leave it on the desk and—”

“I can’t just— But your mom— How do I—”

Smiling, Bodin presses his lips to mine and cuts me off again. “I think it’s safe to say everyone knows about us. Starry Hill is small. Unless you don’t want them to know?” He asks the question slowly, a bit of uncertainty creeping into his voice.

Oh no, I don’t like that tone. I’m never letting my male doubt how much I want him, not even for a second.

I shake my head. “It’s not that. I can shout it from the rooftops right now. In fact, I think I shouted it from The Bandaged Heart yesterday. I was just wondering if we should maybe tell your mom first, officially, or something?”

Bodin trails a hand through my hair, softly twisting a few strands around his fingers, and I revel in the comfortable familiarity of his touch. “I think she already knows, or is at least highly suspicious. But she won’t say anything to you until either of us tell her directly. And I can guarantee she’ll be absolutely ecstatic. She’ll probably throw in a ‘told you so’ just like Beryl and Calixta did. They all knew I’d fall for you.”

“Really?” I ask, my voice floating somewhere around cloud nine.

“Really,” he says tenderly before changing to a matter-of-fact tone. “Now, after I leave, you’re going to take a long soak in the tub. I want my pussy rested for the plans I have for her tonight. I’ll meet you at Ren’s place around ten.”

“Tell me more about these plans,” I purr, any worries I might have had already forgotten.

Bodin catches my fingers against his stomach where they’re quickly making their way south. “Nope. If I don’t get out of bed right now, we’ll end up not leaving for three days.”

“Three? Oh.” My cheeks heat as the realization hits.

Bodin’s smirk is full of satisfaction and promise. “I’m glad you know so much about orc customs. Let’s save that topic for a time where we can have a more in-depth discussion about it.”

With one quick swat to my butt, Bodin gets up and I watch his gloriously naked body as he heads to the bathroom.

I’m a goner. Officially done. Off the market. I want to marry that orc and have his babies. But first, I need to deal with a bit of reality before I can realize all of those dreams .

While he showers, I put on a robe and get some of my pretty stationery to write a note to Doc Calla. After that, I make a quick breakfast for us, then kiss Bodin goodbye—which obviously turns me into a panting mess—before I get in the bath for a much-needed soak.

Finally squeaky-clean and not looking so freshly fucked—except for the lovely evidence of said fucking donning my neck, breasts, and thighs—I put on some lilac scrubs and stroll toward Ren’s cottage with a full-on giddy smile plastered to my face.

When the grove of tangerine trees comes into view, my eyes automatically scan the area for Bodin and his cart.

I wonder if we can drag that cart somewhere behind some trees and he can bend me over it… No, Tilly. You two promised to be professionals during work hours today. Keep your slutty thoughts for the cottage tonight.

Despite my best efforts, my mind fills with images and I search the area for a possible place we can go undetected. But just then, Bodin comes into view as he rounds a hill.

The feeling of seeing him is unlike anything I’ve felt before. It’s like sunshine being injected straight into my heart, fizzing through my body, and bubbling out my pores. My face breaks into a brilliant grin and I do my utter best to stop myself from running to him—if only for the sake of my recovering ankle.

When I manage to draw my eyes away from my male, I acknowledge Beck beside him with a small wave. “Hi, Beck! It’s so nice to see you again.”

Beck inclines his head, his light hair catching in the sun. “It’s good to see you, too. You smell like Bodin. Are you claimed? ”

Well, okay. Direct and to the point. Act cool, Tilly.

“Not yet,” I answer, then smile sweetly at Bodin. His returning grin tells me just how much he likes that answer.

Bodin sets his cart with the large generator down and places a hand on the dragon’s shoulder as he says to me, “Beck came to help today. He knows more about power generation than I do, and will check that all the wires are properly connected. Maybe you can chat with Ren while we do the installation?”

I nod. “Sounds good. Whatever he’s comfortable with.”

Bodin walks ahead and knocks on the cottage’s turquoise front door. A couple of seconds later, an alarmingly attractive male with shapely horns pokes his head outside.

“Uhm… hi,” Ren says and pushes his glasses higher up his nose.

“Morning.” Bodin gestures with a thumb over his shoulder. “Beck and I brought your new generator. No more worries about overloading the circuit from now on. And I’d also like you to meet Tilly. She’s Starry Hill’s new nurse I told you about.”

Ren’s eyes round for a second and his rust-red skin darkens on his cheeks. He meets my eyes for half a second before they shift over my shoulder then to the ground, a clear indication of his shyness.

I smile warmly as I hold my hand out for him to shake. “Hi, Ren. I’m Tilly. This is awkward, isn’t it?”

Ren’s lips tug up in one corner as he places his hand in mine. “A little, yeah.”

I keep my tone light and friendly, and take a step back to give him some space. “Well, I don’t want to make this any weirder. I just wanted to pop by and introduce myself. I’ve been trying to meet everyone on the island and I’ve not seen you around town.”

Ren’s narrowed gaze jumps between me, Bodin, and Beck, seemingly sussing me out. “That’s… nice of you.”

Bodin steps in, clearly reading his friend’s discomfort, and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I automatically curl my arm around Bodin’s waist and lean into him. Despite saying we’d want to remain professional today, Bodin’s move looks like it does the trick because Ren’s shoulders relax at the easy show of affection.

Tilting his head toward the tangerines behind the house, Bodin says, “Can you show Tilly which ones are ripe? She used to be a city girl and might not know which ones to pick. Beck and I will start on the generators.”

Ren scratches the back of his neck, then nods, silently leading me toward the trees in question.

Objectively, Ren is really striking to look at, but hides his features under a mop of unruly hair and oversized clothing. I’m curious if the clothing choice is a defense mechanism or purely based on comfort. If he were to walk down the street in Cape Easton, I’m sure the creatures would swarm him with attention and propositions.

Not me, though. There’s only one male I’d like to proposition, and I can already think of a few things I might suggest for tonight.

When we’re out of earshot, Ren asks, “Did they send you here so you can try to fix me?”

My feet automatically halt. “How…?” I don’t finish the sentence, because I don’t want to lie to Ren, nor do I want to throw Bodin under the bus for trying to help his friend.

Ren gives me a sad smile before looking up at the tangerines above us. “I’m sure you’ve heard whispers about my color being off, especially compared to Calixta’s crimson.”

I take a deep breath as I try to arrange my thoughts, then decide to come out with the truth, not wanting to bullshit a grown male who clearly knows why I’m there. “Look, I didn’t want to ambush you today. I really am going around to meet everyone. But Bodin suggested you specifically to me. If you’re uncomfortable with chatting with me, I can turn around right now.”

Ren toes the ground as he says softly, “Bodin’s a good guy.”

“The best,” I agree, drawing my first real smile from Ren. That smile would be lethal if turned on the right person.

Tugging on the zipper of his hoodie, Ren looks almost defeated as he says in a voice barely above a whisper, “The truth is, I’ve kind of given up on figuring out why I am this way, and just accepted this is what I look like.”

“Do you want to be helped?” I ask bluntly.

Ren frowns. “Yes. No. I don’t know. Maybe?”

Seeing the opportunity, I push a little. “Has this always been your color? Since birth, I mean?”

Ren shrugs and digs his hands deep into his hoodie’s pockets. Looking out at the sparkling ocean visible between hills, he says, “I was in the normal range for an incubus or succubus when I was small. But, in my teenage years, when the color of my friends started to brighten, mine started fading to dullness. It’s been this rusty-red shade pretty much since then.”

Considering everything I read about Ren, this information lines up perfectly with my theory.

I turn to him and offer him a comforting smile. “So, I read your file at the clinic, and I think I may have an idea on how to brighten your color, if you’d want that, of course.”

Ren’s head snaps up, and his eyes fill with hope. “Yeah?”

Nodding, I explain, “Basically, an incubus is a sexual species. You can sense sexual energy, right?” At Ren’s quick glance at my marked-up neck then at Bodin in the distance, I mentally confirm that his senses are very much intact. I continue, “But your vitality is based on the sexual energy given to you.”

Ren quirks his head to the side. Brows furrowing, he asks “What does that mean?”

“Putting it simply, your sex battery might be running low. The more sexual you are—with a partner—the healthier you would feel, and your skin would theoretically brighten too.”

Ren rubs a hand through his messy black hair, pulling on the ends. “So, uhm, if I, uhm, want to be healthy… I, uhm, uhm, need to have… sex… with someone?”

Nodding my head slowly, the final piece of my theory clicks into place. “Ren, have you ever… been with someone? Sexually?”

Cheeks darkening and eyes widening, I have Ren’s answer. Before he feels the need to try to come up with an excuse, I quickly offer, “If you would like to explore this theory, and there’s no one in town who interests you, I can help you call a service and arrange something? But it’s totally up to you. ”

Ren pulls on the front of his shirt, clearly uncomfortable, and doesn’t meet my eyes. “Thank you,” he chokes out. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course. If you ever want to discuss it again, I’ll be here. Now, how about you show me which tangerines are good.”

With a single bob of his head, he teaches me how to tell which tangerines are ripe for picking, and soon we’re heading back to the cottage, arms laden with fruit.