Page 35 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

But he’d pushed her away. Again. She’d told him to make up his mind if he wanted to be with her, and apparently he’d made his choice.

A tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. She’d fought hard to build a new life for herself in Fairhaven Falls and she wouldn’t let him take that from her. She tossed her phone onto the table.

A knock echoed through the apartment.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she told herself sternly that it was probably Nina returning for something she’d forgotten.

But when she opened the door, Varek was standing awkwardly outside.

“I-” He looked down at his hands. “Flora said I was being an idiot.”

“Was she right?”

“She usually is.”

“Then I suppose you’d better come in.” She reached for his hand, his skin warm despite the winter chill clinging to him. “Come inside.”

He hesitated, his fingers tightening around hers. “People will talk.”

“Let them.” She tugged him forward. “I don’t care what they say.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Varek’s heart hammered against his ribs as Posy’s smile lit up her face. Fuck, she was beautiful. Pink silk edged with lace clung delightfully to her curves. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair and tug her against his chest. To kiss every delicious inch of her soft skin. To never let her go.

Instead his fingers tightened around the cardboard box of candles, the scent of lavender and pine wafting up from inside, and he thrust the package towards her.

Her smile dimmed, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features, and the sight twisted something deep in his chest.

“I…” The words caught in his throat. He cleared it, shifted his weight. “That’s not why I came.”

Her eyebrows lifted, hope rekindling in those warm brown eyes.

The box trembled in his grip. “Flora said I was being an idiot.”

“Was she right?”

“She usually is. I-I wanted to see you.” The admission came out rough, scraping past years of carefully constructed barriers. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

She reached for the box, her small fingers brushing his as she took it. The contact sent sparks racing up his arm, and he had to clench his fists to keep from reaching for her.

“The candles are just an excuse?” A teasing note crept into her voice, but her eyes were soft and warm.

“Yes.” He dragged in a breath heavy with her honeysuckle scent. “I know I’ve been…” He gestured vaguely, unable to find the right words.

“Confusing? Distant? Running hot and cold?” She set the box on the table next to the door and took a step closer to him.

His mouth went dry. “All of that.”

“And now?” Another step brought her close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her body.

“Now I’m here.” He unclenched his fists, letting his guard drop just a fraction. “If you’ll still have me.”

The radiant smile returned, warming something deep in his chest. She stepped back from the doorway, gesturing for him to enter.

“Come in. Please.”

He hesitated, forcing himself to warn her one last time. “People will talk.”

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