Page 30 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

I didn’t allow myKteer’showl of victory escape, but ‘twas a close thing. Instead, I gathered her to me and lifted, snuggling her in my arms where she belonged.

Tonight, I would prove it.

CHAPTER SIX

Vartok

“Areyou going to tell me where you are taking me?”

I was a little surprised she hadn’t figured it out, but when I glanced down at the female in my arms—gods below, but she felt perfect there!—I saw her eyes were closed and her cheek tipped against my shoulder.

So I felt safe grinning.

“I’m going to need some privacy for our next lesson. Someplace where I can take all yer clothes off and finally taste yer skin.”

She wriggled in my hold, and I caught a whiff of her arousal.

“So…the hot springs?”

“Hot springs,” I agreedwith a chuckle.

Our clan’s springs were nestled against a cliff between the loch and the village, and in my father’s day, someone had built a simple structure over the largest of the pools. But that wasn’t where I was taking Myra, nay. I had something special in mind.

“This is my favorite spot,” I murmured, setting her down near one of the smaller pools. “The water isnae as hot as the main pool, but?—”

“’Tis not covered, either.” She glanced around with a frown. “Anyone can see you.”

“Aye.” My grin grew slowly. “’Tis the point.”

Even in the darkness, I could feel her glare.

“I am not the exhibitionist you are, Vartok.”

I pulled her closer and leaned down to nuzzle at her neck, scraping my tusk along her jaw as I whispered in her ear.

“Ye are if I say so, pet.”

Myra shuddered, sucking in a breath, and didn’t object.

“Do ye still trust me?”

I could hear her breathing, too fast in the darkness.

“Aye,” she whispered.

“Good lass. Take off yer clothing.”

Under the gurgling of the hot springs, I could hear the rustle of wool as she slowly undressed, and I joined her. I finished before her and padded nude to the open air structure where I knew Isadora had left some of the sweet-smelling soap she made for the clan. Aye, there ‘twas.

By the time I came back to the smaller pool—the water from the hottest, largest pool flowed into this one, then down into the loch—I could smell Myra’s skin. She was naked, and I wanted to pull her against myself.

Soon.

“Climb in, lass. I have the soap, and ye can wash my back.”

“A bath?” she mused, and sucked in a breath as she eased her way into the warm water.

“Eventually.” When I joined her, I finally gave into temptation, reaching for her. “Can ye swim? This one is deep.”

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