Page 41 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

Wait.

My bed was a cot, canvas stretched over wood. And there were no shutters near it.

My eyes flew open, and I realized where I was a moment later. I gasped and sat up, yanking the quilt to my chest in a too-late attempt at modesty.

I was in Vartok’s cottage—Vartok’sbed, and that shaft of sunlight told me I’d slept most of the day away.

Avaleen needed me, and I’d been sleeping! Aye, ‘twas agoodsleep, one I hadn’t experienced in…well, years. But I should have been with my sister. Instead, Vartok?—

As if my thoughts had conjured him, the door opened, letting in fresh midwinter air, and Vartok backed in. When he turned, I saw his arms were full of bundles, and he grinned at me.

“Awake already? I figured ye might sleep for hours still.”

I was already trying to kick my way out of the covers.

“I have slept too long! I need to get to Avie?—”

Vartok stopped me as he sat beside me atop the mattress, a plate of sweet-smelling sausage rolls in his hand.

“Hush, love. Yer sister is fine, the bairn is thriving with all the attention she’s receiving. The females in this village love Avaleen, remember, and have been pleased to help care for her.”

My shoulders slowly eased as I eyed him—and the sausage rolls—with suspicion.

“I suppose ‘twas arrogant to assume I needed to be there. Are those Nan’s sausage rolls?”

“Aye.” His boyish grin was adorable. “She is the best at making them.”

He set them on my lap then bounced up to snag another plate.

“And cheese from Amma, and Mkaalad sent a flask ofuisce beatha.” His eyes were twinkling—not just the hint of green, but with mischief as well—as he turned back to me. “I told him ye didnae need any excuses to get drunk again.”

“I am not going to get drunk,” I protested, just as my stomach rumbled loudly. I sighed. “Although I suppose I ought to get dressed and enjoy some of this bounty your clan members sent you.”

“Sentye, Myra. They’re all grateful ye’re here with us.” He bent to untie his boots. “And nae need to get dressed just to eat.”

I eyed him. “What are you doing?”

He was grinning proudly as he kicked off the second boot and padded barefoot across the cottage to sit beside me again on the bed.

“I’m joining ye. Breakfast in bed, as ‘twere.”

Scooting up so I could brace my shoulders against the headboard, same as he was doing, I tugged the blankets more securely around myself, feeling…well, not exactlyfoolishat being in his bed, but mayhap…presumptuous?

“Vartok, you do not need?—”

With a snort, he popped a piece of cheese into my mouth and winked as I chewed.

“Love, I promised to teach ye about pleasure, aye?”

Chewing, I nodded mutely.

“Pleasureisnae just about sexual release. Last night, in the pools, ‘twas pleasurable, aye?” He didn’t give me a chance to agree, before handing me a still-warm sausage roll. “And there is little more pleasurable than waking up leisurely after the sun is already in the sky and having a Ma—have someone take care of ye.”

What had he been about to say?

I bit into the roll a little too enthusiastically, and my eyes fluttered shut on a moan of enjoyment.

“See?” he chuckled. “All sorts of pleasure. Eat up, lass. I promised Nan I’d keep ye here until sunset. That’s when she agreed to go rest in her own cottage and allow ye to take over sitting with Avaleen and the bairn. They’ve named her Ella, by the way.”

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