Page 3 of One Stolen Night with Her Orc

What I need is to not get weak in the knees at the look of pure devotion Koru gives me. I don’t understand. No one has ever looked at me like this, like I am the sun. The intensity of his eyes on me takes my breath away, like he can see into the darkest places inside me.I have to get out of here now.

Taking two steps toward the door. Now that I know where the recipe is, I’ll come back later when it’s closed. He shakes his head at me, and I stop—an obedient puppy waiting for her treat. My cheeks flush with embarrassment. Koru walks over to me and gently unwinds the scarf from around my neck.

“You can’t leave. It isn’t safe. I don’t know what you’re running from, but I will protect you here.” Koru’s words strike a chord inside me. No one has ever offered to protect me, not since I was a little girl. I wish I could let him. Just curl into him and have him fight the demons for me. Unfortunately, I am the demon here. I’m the one stealing from him.

He tugs the hat off my head, smiling gently at my mussed hair. Instinctively, I reach up to smooth my brown tresses, but he grasps my hands and holds them in his. Though his hands are large and rough, they are gentle with me. Seeing my small hands in his giant ones fills me with a satisfaction and longing. In another life, I could see this working out very well for us both.

We’d walk hand-in-hand through town. Folks would wave at us, and we’d wave back, smile, be part of this community. My hands would scrape against his rock-solid chest when he holds me in his giant paws. His thick fingers would twist my nipples while I kiss him deeply. At night, he’d hold me close in bed and be mine, forever.

“Have you ever heard of fated mates?” Koru’s eyes pierce my soul with their earnestness.

I shake my head vigorously to shake my thoughts and his words away. “That’s a fairytale. A lie to keep young kids waiting for the impossible. Besides, you don’t want me.”

The lighting is low and soft, but his earrings and septum ring glint in the firelight. When I heave a sigh, unsure how I can possibly leave the safety I feel here with Koru, after just a couple of hours, when I know my staying puts everyone I love at risk. I can’t put Addy at risk. My sister is my everything, and my responsibility. If it were just me, I would disappear from Marcus. But it isn’t.

Koru’s eyes flash, a hint of something dangerous—but not for me. I feel nothing but secure with him. As I breathe, his eyes watch my chest rise and fall, and a shiver of delight runs down my spine. It’s hard to believe that this massive orc believes in something as outlandish as fated mates.

“Maybe you have never dealt with orcs before, but we can hold our own. We know what we want. And we protect what’s ours.” His voice is rich, deep, growly. The kind of voice that could read the alphabet aloud and make my toes curl with desire.

“‘Protect what’s ours?’” I swallow hard. Does he know why I’m here? My heart thumps hard, heat flashes up my torso. I need to get out of here. What have I done? With every other theft, I’ve kept my wits about me, stayed invisible or kept my distance. I can’t get caught, can’t let these wild thoughts and feelings compromise me. Coughing a bit, I bend over, letting the cough overtake me. I can’t let him see the panic and desperation in my eyes. Or the tears that prick my eyes.Damnit Poppy, get it together.

“Can I get you some water or tea?” His voice is concerned as his hand rests tentatively on my back. I nod, continuing to cough, refusing to stand tall and look at him.

“I’ll be right back.” His big, spiked boots walk away, making the floor wobble under every step. I stay hunched, coughing, until I hear the swish of the door to the kitchen. Now.

Continuing my fake hack, but quieter, I climb the chair nearest to the shelf and grab the recipe. For good measure, I take the stein, too. Oof, it’s heavier than I imagined. I hope this orc doesn’t kill me when he realizes what I’ve done. No one looks at me. No one cares about me.

In another life, I imagine coming back here, being a waitress and bartender here during the evenings. Loving Koru every night. My chest tightens at the thought of what could be. If I didn’t have an asshat for a stepdad. If I didn’t need to make sure my sister Addy gets an education so she can get far, far away from Marcus. My life for hers. Whatever it takes. Even if it means love with this kind, gigantic orc can never be mine.

I plunk my hat back on my head, re-wrap my scarf around my neck, tuck a piece of the hearty bread that came with the stew into my pocket for later, and walk through the door of the brewery. I can hear him whistling as pottery clinks together. Tea for two?

Damnit. In another life, Poppy.

I step out into the frosty evening air. The moon greets me with its cold light overhead, a promise that if I keep going, it won’t be okay, but my journey will be finished.

Chapter 3

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