Page 19 of Charming the Orc's Mate

Torain pressed closer, the heat of his massive frame searing me through my clothes. My wrist burned where he pinned it above my head, his grip firm but not painful. The scent of sawdust enveloped me, making my head spin. Or maybe that was just the lack of oxygen as my lungs refused to work properly

“I don’t believe in fate,” I managed, hating how breathless I sounded. “That’s for fairy tales and marketing gimmicks.”

His laugh rumbled through me. “Says the woman who owns a bookstore.”

“Inherited,” I corrected automatically. “And that’s not the point. You can’t just decide?—”

His mouth crashed down on mine, swallowing the rest of my protest. This wasn’t the soft kisses after Paint & Sip. No, this kissleft no room for questions, only obedience. It dared me to deny the attraction smoldering between us, to resist the temptation he offered. To say no to the ache building between my thighs.

I should have pushed him away. Told him he was crazy. Gone back to my neat, organized life in Seattle where things made sense.

Instead, I arched into his touch.

“Feel that?” He nipped at my lower lip. “The way your body calls to mine? That’s the mate bond.”

“It’s just lust,” I argued weakly.

But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they were a lie. This pull went deeper than mere physical attraction. From the moment I laid eyes on him—first crushes and reunions, both—I’d been drawn to him. Some part of me must have known, even if my rational mind couldn’t accept it.

His hand left my face, trailing fire down my neck, across my collarbone. “Lust is part of it.” His fingers teased the top button of my blouse. “But it’s more. So much more.”

My tongue darted out to wet my suddenly dry lips, and I watched his eyes darken at the motion. The knowledge that I could affect this big, powerful creature with such a small gesture sent a thrill through me.

“It’s knowing you’re mine. Feeling your happiness. Your pain.” His knuckles grazed the swell of my breast, and I bit back a moan. “Wanting to give you everything.”

I felt unmoored, adrift in unfamiliar waters with no land in sight. But it was the certainty in his voice and eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. No one had ever looked at me like that—like they could see past every wall I’d built, every spreadsheet I’d hidden behind.

No one had ever claimed to give me everything.

“Torain...” It came out as a breathy plea. For what, I wasn’t sure. To stop? To never stop?

“You feel it, too.” It wasn’t a question. He nuzzled into my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he inhaled deeply. His lips ghosted over my pulse point, making me shiver. “Your body knows who you belong to, even if your mind’s catching up.”

His teeth grazed my sensitive flesh, sending sparks shooting along my nerves. It wasn’t fair how easily he could turn my legs to jelly, make my resolve crumble with a simple touch. I pressed into him, seeking more contact, more heat. More of this intoxicating feeling only he seemed able to awaken.

He rolled his hips against me, letting me feel exactly how much he wanted this. Wanted me. “Say it, Carissa. Say you’re mine.”

Torain’s hand ghosted up my thigh, bunching my skirt higher. Higher. Until his fingers brushed the edge of my panties. He traced the thin fabric, applying just enough pressure to drive me mad but not nearly enough to satisfy.

“Fuck, sugar. You’re drenched.” With agonizing slowness, he pushed my underwear aside. A single finger traced my slit, gathering the embarrassing amount of wetness there. “All this for me?”

A whimper escaped my lips as he dragged his finger upward, circling my clit with aching precision. Every nerve ending seemed centered on that one, perfect point.

“Shh,” Torain admonished, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Unless you want the whole store to hear how desperate you are for my cock.”

My eyes widened as reality hit. We were still in the shop, surrounded by dusty stacks of books and random odds and ends. Anyone could wander upstairs and catch us. The idea of being discovered shouldn’t have made arousal surge through my body. Shouldn’t have made my pussy clench around nothing.

“We can’t,” I protested weakly, even as my hips rocked against his questing fingers. “Someone might?—”

“Then you’d better stay quiet, sugar.” His grin turned positively victorious. “Wouldn’t want anyone to see you like this. Wet. Needy.” He nipped my earlobe at the end of a low, dirty chuckle. “At my mercy.”

Then he slipped a finger inside me.

I bit my lip to hold back a moan as he filled me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been with someone. Longer than I cared to admit, surely. Not that it mattered. No man had ever touched me like this, with such single-minded purpose. Like my pleasure was the most important thing in the world.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” Torain’s words were barely audible above my pounding heartbeat. “I want to see you come apart. Feel your cunt squeeze my fingers like they’re my cock.”

Another finger joined the first, stretching me deliciously as he curled them forward. I buried my face in Torain’s chest, breathing in his woodsy scent as I tried desperately to remain silent. My hips moved of their own accord, seeking more, harder, faster. Anything to ease the growing tension coiled within me.

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