Page 46 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

He lifted his head, his chin slick with her wetness, and crawled back up her body. He kissed her deeply, letting her taste herself on his tongue. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her hips grinding against his aching cock.

“Please,” she whispered. “I want you.”

He paused, searching her face. “You’re sure? Once we do this, there’s no going back.”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” She cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing over his lower lip. “I want you, Varek. All of you.”

He reached between them, positioning his cock at her entrance. He pushed forward slowly, giving her time to adjust to his size. She was so tight, so wet. He had to fight to keep control. He didn’t want to hurt her, but gods, he wanted to be inside her.

She whimpered, her hips lifting to meet his. He slid deeper, inch by inch, until he was fully seated inside her. He paused, giving her time to adjust. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted. She looked up at him with a mix of awe and desire.

He pulled back, then thrust forward, setting a slow, deep rhythm. She matched him stroke for stroke, her hips rising to meet his. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. The small pricks of pain only heightened his pleasure, and he growled, his hips snapping forward harder.

He could feel her tightening around him, her body tensing as she neared her climax. He slid a hand between them, finding her clit and stroking it in time with his thrusts. Her cries grew louder, her body arching off the bed. He felt her clench around him, her body shaking as she came. He followed her over the edge, his hips pounding into her as he spilled inside her. His cock pulsed, filling her with his seed. Her legs tightened around him, holding him close as they rode out their pleasure.

As they came down from their high, he rolled to the side, pulling her with him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her head rested on his chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin. The simple intimacy of the gesture struck him - how natural it felt to be here with her, to let down his walls.

His chest tightened as the realization hit him. He was happy. Truly, deeply happy in a way he hadn’t been since… he couldn’t even remember when. The constant weight of isolation and judgment that had pressed down on him for so long had lifted.

All because of this amazing woman in his arms. He held her tighter, breathing in her scent, feeling the steady beat of her heart against his.

“I love you,” he said quietly, the words slipping out before he could stop them. But he found he didn’t want to take them back. He wanted her to know how he felt, how she’d changed his life.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise and happiness. “I love you, too,” she said, her voice soft. “So much.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. For the first time in years, the future looked bright. Not just bearable, but filled with hope and possibilities.

As long as he had her as his side, he could face anything.

EPILOGUE

Two months later…

Posy stirredawake to the sound of birds chirping outside the cabin window. Golden morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the rustic bedroom, and Varek’s body was warm and solid behind her. The bedroom smelled of his herbs, mixed with the fresh mountain air that drifted through the slightly open window. Solid pine furniture and the vintage accents she’d added gave the space a cozy feel.

The bed creaked as she shifted to face him. His eyes were already open, watching her with that tender expression that made her heart skip.

“Morning,” she traced a finger along one of his tusks. The cabin wasn’t as convenient as living above Second Chance, but waking up like this made the commute worthwhile. Besides, Nina had needed the apartment more than she did.

Her assistant had flourished over the past few months, both at work and in her new home. The shadows in her eyes had faded, replaced by genuine smiles as she greeted customers and arranged displays with an artistic eye that complemented her own.

“You’re thinking too hard for this early,” his gruff voice held a note of amusement.

“Just appreciating how things worked out.” She pressed a kiss to his chest. “Though I should probably get up soon. We have to set up the booth for the Spring Festival”

He tightened his arms around her. “Nina will take care of it. Stay with me.”

“I really shouldn’t.” She wiggled against him, the hard length of his erection lodging between her thighs. “As tempting as you make it.”

“Let’s see if I can make it a little more tempting.” He rolled her beneath him, his big body pinning her to the bed.

She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You know, I think I can spare a few minutes.”

She fell asleep again after he made slow, delicious love to her and woke to find herself alone. Strange - usually she had to drag Varek out of bed with promises of coffee and kisses. Maybe he’d already gone to his workshop. Time for her to get to town anyway.

She padded out to the kitchen. He was standing by the window, his broad shoulders tense as he gazed out at the misty forest, and her stomach clenched. She hadn’t seen that distant look in his eyes since those early days when he’d fought so hard against letting her in.

“Hey you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his back. His skin radiated warmth through the thin cotton of his shirt.

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