Page 12 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

Because something about him called to her. Because she suspected he was lonely. Because there was a sadness in his eyes that made her heart ache.

“I’d like to get to know you,” she finally said.

“Why?” He repeated the word like a broken record, still eyeing her suspiciously.

“I told you. I won you.”

“I’ll give you your money back.” He started to reach into his pocket, but she put her hand over his. As soon as they touched an unexpected wave of heat swept over her.

“I don’t want the money. I want the date.”

His shoulders tensed, and she watched the muscle in his jaw work. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I’m asking for coffee. Not your hand in marriage.” The words came out teasing, but her stomach fluttered when his eyes locked onto hers.

The intensity of his gaze reminded her of a cornered animal - not dangerous, but scared. She recognized that look. She’d seen it in her own mirror after Larry announced he was divorcing her.

“The town…”

His voice trailed off. She still didn’t know why he’d apparently earned such a bad reputation, but he didn’t frighten her.

“I don’t care what anyone thinks. Do you always let other people make your choices for you?”

He scowled at her. “No.”

“Then stop using them as an excuse,” she said briskly. “If you really don’t want to have coffee with me, say so. But don’t hide behind what other people might think.”

Color darkened his cheeks, turning his moss-green skin a deeper shade as his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.

“I’m not hiding.”

“Aren’t you?” She gestured at the dense woods surrounding the cabin. “When was the last time you actually went into Fairhaven Falls? And last night doesn’t count.”

“I don’t need to go to town,” he said defensively.

She could see the conflict on his face and decided to try a different approach.

“How about this? We don’t have to jump straight to a date. Maybe we could just… talk? Get to know each other a little?”

His broad shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Talk?”

“Yep. No pressure. No expectations.”

She started to sit down on the top step of the porch, but he shook his head. Her heart sank but her disappointment was replaced by shock when he pulled off his flannel shirt and spread it out across the step. Oh my. That was an awful lot of bare green skin. He looked even bigger without the shirt, his chest broad and thick, his arms heavily muscled. She didn’t miss the way his gaze ran over her again, but this time his expression was more assessing than suspicious.

“I don’t want your pretty coat to get dirty. Now sit,” he commanded.

“Bossy, aren’t you?” she teased, but took the offered seat as she tried to pretend that she wasn’t affected by the sight of his naked chest. And that she wasn’t touched by his thoughtfulness.

He lowered himself down beside her, keeping a careful distance between them, and they sat in silence for a long moment. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across his features. Up close, she noticed the slight chip in one of his tusks, the way his thick dark hair curled over his shoulders. His big body radiated heat even with the careful space between them.

“What did you have in mind?” he asked at last, the low rumble of his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.

Her gaze caught on his mouth, on those fascinating tusks. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. Would those tusks scrape against her skin? Would his lips be as soft as they looked?

She dragged her thoughts back from that dangerous path.

“Just talking.”

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