Page 26 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

His fingers twitched under hers, but he didn’t pull away, and the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

“Friends? Is that what we are?” His voice was deeper than usual, a husky rumble that sent heat curling through her veins.

Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips, and his gaze focused on the movement. “As long as we’re the kind of friends who can kiss.”

He stared at her, his eyes blazing with heat and hunger, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

The patio door creaked as it opened and they both jumped, startled by the sound. Rona gathered up their empty plates and promised to return. As the waitress left, an icy breeze swept across the patio, and Posy shivered despite her warm coat. She tried to hide it, not wanting to cut their evening short, but he’d caught the slight tremor.

He shifted in his seat, hesitating for a moment before coming to her side of the table, moving as carefully as if he were approaching a wild animal, then settled on the bench next to her. His arm hovered uncertainly behind her shoulders before slowly coming to rest around her. Heat radiated from his body, chasing away the cold. She smiled and leaned into his solid warmth, breathing in the lingering smell of his herbs mingled with his own spicy scent.

Rona reappeared with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and what looked like homemade marshmallows. She set them down without comment, but Posy caught the hint of approval in her expression before she disappeared back inside.

“This is perfect,” Posy murmured, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. She felt Varek relax slightly, his thumb tracing small circles on her shoulder.

The fire crackled, sending sparks dancing into the night sky. Across the river, lights twinkled in windows, and the moon cast silver ribbons on the water’s surface. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so content.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Posy’s sweet scent filled Varek’s head as she nestled against him. His heart thundered in his chest as he looked down at her contented face, but for once he didn’t feel the urge to run.

“The stars are beautiful tonight,” she sighed, pointing up at the clear winter sky.

His gaze followed her gesture, then dropped back to study her profile. The walls he’d built over the years felt paper-thin in her presence. “Not as beautiful as-”

He caught himself, ducking his head.

She turned to face him, brown eyes sparkling. “As what?”

The tips of his cheeks burned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this flustered - or this alive. Words failed him, but she didn’t seem to mind his silence. Instead, she reached up and traced one of his tusks with gentle fingers.

“I like how expressive these are. They give away what you’re feeling, even when you try to hide it.”

His breath caught. No one had ever touched him with such casual affection, such acceptance. The rest of the world fell away - the whispers, the judgment, the years of isolation. There was only Posy, her small form fitting perfectly against his side, her touch melting away decades of hurt.

“I never thought…” He cleared his throat. “This evening has been…”

“Nice?” She supplied with a soft laugh.

“More than nice.” The words came out rough with emotion. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to imagine a different future - one that wasn’t defined by solitude and regret. One that included the vibrant woman beside him, bringing color and warmth to his carefully ordered world.

The door to the cafe opened again and Rona emerged with a metal tray loaded with food. She carried it over to the railing, then gave them a cheerful wave as she hurried back inside. She didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see them snuggling by the fireplace but he had the uneasy feeling that his godmother would soon know all about it - if she didn’t already.

“Why did she-” Posy’s eyes widened to saucers as a long dark tentacle emerged from the river and plucked the tray neatly off the railing, and her grip tightened on his arm. “Was that…?”

“That was Sam.” His lips twitched at her reaction. “He’s a kraken.”

The tentacle emerged again, this time moving more slowly. It waved in their direction before retreating beneath the surface, creating gentle ripples in the moonlit water.

“He’s been here longer than I have,” he said quietly. “He keeps to himself mostly and people tend to forget he’s there until he reaches up to help.” He paused, recognizing a familiar pattern. “I think he gets lonely sometimes, living under the river. But it’s easier than dealing with folks who don’t understand you.”

The words hit too close to home. He hadn’t meant to draw the parallel between himself and the solitary male, but there it was.

Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding, and she squeezed his hand. “Does anyone ever visit him?”

“We talk sometimes. He likes sweets - and beer - both of which are in short supply in the river so I’ll occasionally bring some by.” He shrugged. “I suppose I’ve gotten to know him over the years. We both tend to be up late when the town’s quiet.”

“He can talk?”

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