Page 21 of Charming the Orc's Mate

My breath hitched. “Torain...”

“Or maybe I’ll fuck you in the office.” He punctuated the words with a particularly deep thrust. “Bend you over that desk while you try to balance the books. Make you forget all about those vendor calls.”

“Please,” I whispered, not sure what I was begging for.

“Stay, Carissa.” He dragged his tusks along my throat before planting a bruising kiss at the crook of my neck. “Give us a chance. And when you’re ready—when I have you spread out in our bed and begging—I’ll claim you as mine.”

Our bed. Ours. Something warm bloomed in my chest, chasing away the loneliness, filling the empty space with hope. I’d spent so long building order into my world, relying only on myself to get by.

Maybe it was time for chaos. Time to live a little, see where the cards fell.

Maybe it was time to choose hope over safety.

“Yes.” The word slipped out before I could second guess it.

His eyes lit up. “Yes what, sugar?”

“Yes, I’ll stay.” I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. “Yes, I want to try.”

A rumble of pure pleasure vibrated against my chest as he captured my lips in a searing kiss. Then his pace quickened, the slick sounds of sex echoing in my ears as he slammed into me. Each thrust brought me closer to the edge, my pussy squeezing him like a vise.

“Come for me, sugar.” He breathed the words against my lips. “Claim your mate.”

And I shattered, stars bursting behind my eyes as the pleasure overwhelmed me. I buried my face in his neck to muffle my cries. His arms tightened around me as he fucked me through my release.

“Fuck, Carissa,” he groaned, his thrusts growing erratic. “I’m close. Where do you want me to?—”

I squirmed out of his arms, sinking to my knees before he could finish the thought. I wrapped my hand around the base of his glistening shaft, marveling at how my fingers barely met.

Without breaking eye contact, I took him in my mouth. The taste of myself on his cock made me moan, the vibrations drawing a strangled curse from above.

“Fucking gods,” he hissed. His hand dropped to my head, guiding my movements. “Like that, sugar. Just like that.”

I hollowed my cheeks, savoring his broken groans as I sucked him deeper. My head spun, drunk on power and desire. In only a few strokes, he stiffened, spilling down my throat with a guttural moan. I swallowed every drop, relishing the way he trembled above me.

We stayed frozen for a moment, both breathing hard. His hands were surprisingly gentle as he helped me to my feet, tucking my breasts back into my bra and carefully rebuttoning my blouse.

Our eyes met and held. Electricity zinged along my nerves, lighting up every spot where we touched. His thumb stroked the curve of my hip, sending fresh shivers of desire racing through me.

I had so many questions. So many uncertainties swirling in my head. Did I really want to stay in Silvermist Falls? Could I afford to keep the store open? What would everyone say about me giving the orc a chance?

But for once, the logical spreadsheets in my brain were blissfully silent. I sagged against Torain’s broad chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. Breathing him in. Relaxing into the feeling of his arms banded around me.

“Carissa!” Molly’s voice shattered our bubble. “Call on line two!”

With a sigh, I stepped out of Torain’s arms. I smoothed my skirt and checked my bun as reality drew me from our secluded corner. At the end of the aisle, feeling my… mate’s eyes on me, I glanced back over my shoulder. I smirked, then wiped the corner of my mouth with exaggerated slowness and licked my thumb clean.

Torain’s eyes blazed with renewed hunger. “Tease.”

The growl that followed me as I sashayed away sent a delicious shiver down my spine.

CHAPTER SEVEN

TORAIN

“Thanks again, Torain!” Poppy said as I hefted the new sidewalk sign into place. “This’ll catch so many more eyes than that ratty old chalkboard.”

I grinned, admiring my handiwork. The wooden A-frame gleamed with fresh varnish, ‘The Cooling Rack Bakery’ carved in flowing script along the top. “Anything for Silvermist’s best baker. Though don’t tell Carissa I said that—she’s been stress-baking enough to give you a run for your money.”

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