Page 12 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

She went up on her back legs and pushed her nose into the front pocket. She yanked out the sack of dried vegetables and herbs and trotted off faster than I could blink.

“Midnight!” Susara was so aghast that I had to hold back from laughing. “You naughty thing.Give that back!”

“It’s fine,” I assured, clearing my throat to hide my mirth. “I can get more. Rove Wood Clan has opened their storeroom to us.”

“I suppose you wouldn’t want it with sheep slobber all over it anyway.” She sighed and we began to walk again. “I’d offer to get you a new one but produce is orc territory in winter. I have some dried apples at home though, if you’d like.”

I shook my head. “No. I’m fine.”

“Oh right, you don’t like sweets.” She tapped her chin in thought. “Maybe some bread, then? I get on well with Trinia, the town baker, and I bet I could get you some.”

“The stew is enough.” I was feeling like I was taking advantage of her kindness.

An odd look crossed her features. One that I, surprisingly, read as easily as I could read animal tracks in mud. “Don’t you be plotting anything, woman.”

Her brows rose and her voice was a little too high when she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It was a bag of dried carrots,” I insisted. “I wasn’t going to eat them anyway.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to offer? What if it’s something you need?”

“I have all my needs met by Rove Wood Clan.” And yet I couldn’t help but mumble, “Though, I supposed hearing your offer wouldn’t hurt anything.”

She grinned in a way that made my heart stutter in my chest. Like she’d cracked through a thick stone to reveal something warm and soft that had been hidden away inside me. I couldn’t look away from her.

“Do you still want a hug?”

My heart felt like it was about to stop in my chest.

Her smile widened. “I’m going to take that look to mean yes. You’ll have to lean down a bit though, or I’ll be hugging your stomach.”

Ah, fuck, she was serious. My throat felt tight as I leaned down.

She didn’t hesitate for even a moment and stepped forward into my arms. Her head tucked right next to mine and her arms came around my neck. She smelled like bliss.Betterthan bliss. Like perfect warmth and comfort made real. My body relaxed, every muscle going limp. It was a wonder I stayed standing.

In response, she tightened her hold. Her breasts pressed into my chest, warm and soft. All thoughts of comfort were drowned out in an instant asmy blood heated. I sucked in a breath to stop the basal urges suddenly swarming me with need.

The embrace came to an end far too quickly. As she stepped back, it felt like the first winter’s frost had settled in my bones.

“W-well.” Her voice sounded jittery, and her cheeks had gone back to that delightful bright color. “I, er, I suppose we should part ways here.”

I blinked in shock and looked around, only to realize we were very close to her village. I could see the wall of oak trees through the foliage.

“But I’ll see you at the next trade,” she said with a nod. “I’ll bring the stew.”

“Yes.” My voice sounded thick and my whole body quailed against the idea of her leaving. She couldn’t leave.

And yet she did. She gave a light wave and clicked her tongue. Her sheep bleated and followed as she made her way toward the village gates. They were closed, but a quick call from her had them opening up a crack.

I moved closer, watching until she and her flock had disappeared safely behind the walls—into a place where I could not go.

The painful truth of it crashed down around me. I’d have to wait fifteen days before I could see her again.

Every moment would be agony.

Chapter Five

Susara

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