Page 35 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

I never wanted to leave her side again.

But. . . did she feel the same?

“What are you thinking?” She took my hand in hers and ran her fingers over my knuckles. The action felt so familiar and comforting to me now. “You look very serious.”

The concern in her tone helped me find my voice. “Am I. . . still your protector?” I inhaled as much courage as I could muster. “Your protector . . . and nothing more?”

She blinked wide as her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink. “Are you asking me to play conquest for you? Because I will, Caivid, I just really need to wait until at least spring—”

“No.” I cut her off swiftly. “No, I don’t want your womb, or your wool, or your mutton. I. . .” Ah, Fades, blast it all. There was no use beating around it.

I looked into her sky-blue eyes and said, “I wantyou,Susara.”

Her breath hitched, but she didn’t look away. Didn’t even blink.

“Ijust wantyou.Only you.” My throat was dry, but I continued. “Basking in your rosemary scent, in your bright sunshine, that’s all I want.”

Her breath continued to hold at the back of her throat.

I swallowed so hard it was nearly painful. “I plan to give youmyselfas well. Not just my protection but every part of me. I’ll completely devote myself to you, if you let me.”

Her jaw slacked and her eyes widened, and her cheeks went the prettiest pink I’d ever seen. “Caivid, I. . . I don’t know what to say.”

Fuck, had I gone too fast for her? “You don’t have to say anything. This is my vow to you, Susara. This is simply my assurance that no matter what comes, even if everything is lost and you have no boons left to offer, I will still remain at your side. Being with you is the only reward I require.”

Her blue eyes were so wide I could see myself in them. I held my breath.

And finally,finally,she exhaled out her tension. Her body relaxed and her expression melted into happiness so bright it almost hurt to look at her. But I couldn’t look away.

“Well. . .” she murmured so warmly it felt likespring, “who could say no to that?”

I exhaled my own tension.

“I still intend to feed you though, Caivid. And clothe you. And share my fires with you. And teach you the ways of the sheep when you want it.” She stroked my hair out of my face and her touch was so gentle it made my muscles go limp. “You deserve that. Not just for protecting me.” She fingered a scar on my temple that was half hidden by my hair. “After all you’ve been through in your life, you deserve to have a little tenderness, and I plan to give it to you.”

My breath left me in a rush as my body warmed. My mind calmed and my muscles loosened, and I pulled her down into my arms, tucking her into my chest, desperate to taste her lips and seal her offer with a kiss.

She met me readily, deepening the kiss without hesitation. I felt like I was drowning in her. Losing myself in her bright, warm sky.

When we broke apart, she remained in my arms, cuddled against my chest, with her forehead tucked into my neck. Her scent was all around me and her warmth soaked into my marrow.

For the first time in my life, there were no storms.

Chapter Fifteen

Susara

Icould feel a change in Caivid as soon as I cuddled in closer to him. Hemeltedinto me, relaxed completely, pressed his nose to the top of my head, and sucked in such a deep breath it felt like he was trying to breathe in my soul.

What was even stranger was that Iwanted him to.And not just because of the mind-blowing, life-altering orgasm he’d just given me or for the protection he’d promised me.

I knew we shouldn’t linger here, knew I should get back to Oakwall. Back to my father. Back to worrying about my flock and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

But those troubles seemed far away as I lay here in Caivid’s arms. I was able to breathe. To think clearly. His strength and calm relaxed me.

I was asleep before I realized I was even falling.

It was the best sleep I could remember. Deeper than any other I’d had, and when I awoke, I felt so refreshed I could hardly believe my eyes when I looked around the shelter, dimly lit by the rising sun. The scent of frost was in the air, but my cloak was placed on my back and. . .

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