Page 43 of When the Merchant Met the Orc

“I want to see that change in you,” she says shyly.

“You don’t.”

“I do.”

I shake my head and slide two fingers into her. She gasps and digs her fingers into my shoulders. Increasing the pace, I work her until she’s mewing and rolling her hips to meet my hand.

“Stop changing the subject,” she pants out.

I grin and kiss her thoroughly, taking time to draw a tusk over her jawline and down her throat. She groans and grabs for my cock.

“Please? Can we just perform a small chase that you can end and stay in control?”

I can do that. I’ve experienced a chase a few times and cut it off, shaken myself, and simply enjoyed a good roll with a female in the woods. But this would be harder, in all senses of the word.

“I can try. Yes.” I can’t believe I agreed. “But you might not like the feral side of me. I’m not peaceful in that state. I am fully a monster and ready to take and give pleasure.”

I expect her to look wary, but she only tilts her head like she’s studying me. It’s as if I’m one of the many books in her magical library at home.

“What do I do?” she asks.

“Stand, lock eyes with me, then turn and run to the back of the cave.” I glance that way to see a pool illuminated by an opening high above. The storm had relented and was now simply a pattering rainstorm. “If you feel uncomfortable at any point, simply sayStopand I will return to a more peaceful state.” The truth of my words sings in my blood. I know the wilder side of me will obey this female’s every command. I know it like I know the back of my hand.

Rychell does exactly as I suggested. When her gaze leaves my face and her body twists to run, heat spears my chest, and my groin aches painfully. I feel my eyes change. The dark of the cave is like daylight now. The female I love dodges a stalagmite. My blood rushes through my veins. I can’t wait to pin her to theground and work her until she’s gasping and calling memate. She will cry with pleasure.

I am on her in moments. Gently but firmly, I grip her arms. She eyes me over her shoulder, her gaze trained on me and as full of want as mine surely are.

“I’ll bend you over the stone there,” I say, my voice lower, rougher. My mind is foggy, but I remember that she’s new to this. I shake my head to clear it a fraction. “No, I’ll be easy on you.”

I spin her around and ease her against the cave wall, even though my cock is straining for release and has no patience for this. The wall is sloped and supports my female as she wraps her legs around me. My body pulses with need. Her flesh is hot and wet against mine. I snarl and push my way slowly inside her. She groans and grips me.

“Yes, Halvard…”

I shudder and nearly come right away. I let out a growl and force myself to move slowly and carefully.

“More,” she pants into my ear. “I take the herbs. We don’t need to worry about young.” She gasps into my hair and tangles her fingers into the hair at the crown of my head.

Her sounds are tugging at every inch of me, encouraging me to ram into her and show her how Imusthave her as my own. I’m shaking and holding her against the wall and pushing myself farther inside her tight heat. Stones, this feels better than anything I’ve ever had. I shudder, nearly there and barely managing to hold back. She was made for me, and I was made for her. I watch her face for any signs of wanting to stop and then I thrust one time to fully enter her. Her inner walls clench in time with her thighs, and she is moaning and coming on my cock already. She moves up and down, only able to shift a bit because of how I’m holding her, but if I let her move more than that, it will be over.

Ah, fuck it.

I pull my hips back until I’m almost unsheathed, then push into her while she rides out her climax. Once more, and I’m coming with her, driving my cock into her and letting my feral side roar loud enough to shake the stones in the cave. I pour myself into her perfect body.

When our pleasure eases into a calmer state, my head clears. I come back to myself and urge her to set her cheek on my chest. I gather her up and lay her on a somewhat flat stone beside the pool of water.

“Is Tamar all right? Can you see her up there?”

I crane my neck to eye the horse. She’s far enough from us that she doesn’t seem bothered. “She’s fine.”

Using the cool water, I clean us up. Cradling Rychell, I take a deep breath of her cinnamon scent and savor the feel of her soft, strong body molding to mine. If this is all I get, I will live on this memory forever.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” I ask, worry clawing at my mind and my heart.

“A little, but I liked it.”

I grimace, hoping she’s not trying to be tough when she can be honest.

“Good. I can go longer next time. If you give me a next time, that is. I was overwhelmed by you.” I lift her hand and kiss each one of her knuckles. “Every part of you is a treasure.”