Page 19 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

“You’re not afraid?” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

“Of you?” She shook her head. “The only thing that scares me is how much I want to kiss you again.”

The simple honesty in her voice undid him. He took a step back, needing distance before he gave in to temptation. “You should go.”

“All right. But… would you like to come to dinner tomorrow?” Her words tumbled out in a rush. “At my place? After the shop closes?”

His first instinct was to refuse. Being alone with her in an enclosed space was dangerous - not because he’d hurt her, but because he wanted her too much. The kiss had proven that. But the hopeful look in those big brown eyes broke through his defenses.

“What time?” The words came out before he could stop them.

“Seven?” She brightened, practically glowing. “I live above the shop. There’s a side entrance with stairs leading up and blue fairy lights around the door.”

Every rational part of him screamed to take it back, to make an excuse. Instead, he nodded. “I’ll bring wine.”

“Perfect.” She bounced on her toes, and for a moment he thought she might kiss him again. His body tensed in anticipation, but she just gave him a warm smile. “See you tomorrow then.”

He watched her walk away, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. What was he thinking, agreeing to dinner? Being in her apartment, surrounded by her scent, sharing a meal…

But he couldn’t bring himself to regret saying yes. Not when her smile had lit up her whole face like that. The kiss replayed in his mind over and over - the soft press of her lips, how perfectly she fit against him, the little sound she made when his hand tightened on her luscious ass.

Maybe he was being a fool, but he couldn’t wait to see her again.

He returned to the cabin and sank onto the couch. The fire had gone out, but he didn’t bother to rekindle it. Instead he stared at the cold embers and tried to make sense of the day. Of all the things he expected when he woke up this morning, none of them had included Posy. Or the way she’d made him feel.

Alive.

As if the winter had ended and spring was on the horizon. As if he’d come back from the dead. He shook his head at the fanciful notion, but he couldn’t shake the feeling. The way she’d looked at his herbs, at the valley, at his greenhouse. No one had ever seemed so genuinely interested in what he did before. He’d shared more with her in a few hours than he had with anyone else in years. Maybe ever.

She’s different.

Not just because of her sunny smile, or the curves that made his body ache, but because she seemed to understand him in a way no one else had. He could almost see her in that wintergreen valley, the snow clinging to her dark hair, the pale sunlight highlighting the golden strands. She belonged there.

With me.

Fuck. What was he thinking? They were from different worlds. The townsfolk seemed to have accepted her easily enough, but she’d given them no reason to fear her. They’d always be wary of him, and he couldn’t blame them. And Posy… eventually she’d see it too. She’d realize what everyone else already knew - that he didn’t belong among them. The warmth in her eyes would turn cold, and that radiant smile would fade. Better to end it now before she rejected him.

But the thought of disappointing her, of being the one to dim that light in her eyes, caused an unfamiliar ache in his stomach.

Fuck. He was already in too deep and he knew it.

He swore again and decided to spend a few hours in his workshop. Maybe if he focused hard enough on his work, he could forget about soft lips and radiant smiles. He’d almost reached the greenhouse when a shadow passed overhead, followed by a rush of displaced air. Nakor dropped into a smooth landing, folding his golden wings behind him as he strolled casually towards the greenhouse, and Varek swore again.

He wouldn’t call Nakor a friend exactly - he didn’t have friends - but they got along well enough. The dragon owned most of the mountain bordering Varek’s property and he valued his privacy as much as Varek did. Nakor was also arrogant enough not to be afraid of him - with some justification. A dragon was a formidable opponent.

“Your path needs maintenance.” Nakor brushed an invisible speck from his expensively tailored sleeve. “I nearly scuffed my shoes.”

He crossed his arms and glared at the dragon. “If you’re that concerned about your footwear, don’t come and visit me.”

“Can’t a neighbor drop by?” Nakor strolled past him into the workshop. “Though I must admit, I’m intrigued by this latest development. Last I checked, you were determined to live like a hermit.”

“Still am.” Varek followed him in, watching as the dragon examined the neat rows of bottles on his workbench.

“Clearly. I suppose that’s why you agreed to participate in that ridiculous bachelor auction.”

Damn. He’d forgotten just how fast news traveled in Fairhaven Falls. He sighed.

“It was Flora’s idea.”

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