Page 65 of The Orc's Innocent Plaything

“And ye were icy to me. ‘Twas clear ye wanted naught to do with me.”

Oh God, this was because of the tight control I’d kept on my feelings? The way I hadn’t allowed anything to show since I was so new to the village?

“I…I treated everyone that way.”

Vartok’s hand rose to my temple, where he brushed a curl away from my skin. “I ken that now.”

“All I knew was that you didnotflirt with me the way you did other women. You did not try to charm me.”

One corner of his lips curled ruefully around his tusks.

“I was trying to do what I thought ye wanted. Leave ye alone. No’ try to flatter ye. Once I got to ken ye better, I realized ‘twas just yer nature to hide yer true feelings. Ye’re no’ icy, Myra.Just reserved.”

“But once I came to your home…”

His hand snaked around the back of my neck, cupping me there, holding me in place.

“I thought the gods had granted me my dream.”

“I thought…I was just another female to ye.”

His fingers tightened. “Never.”

I stared up at him, wide-eyed, unable to fully comprehend what he was saying.

“You kissed me,” I whispered.

“I couldnae help myself,” he whispered back. “Ye are my Mate.”

“Mate,” I repeated, as if saying it again would make it easier to believe. “I am your Mate.”

“I ken I’m no’ who ye would choose, Myra?—”

Unable to wait any longer, I surged up on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his lips to mine.

Mate.

When I finally pulled away—more because of gravity than anything else, let’s be honest—his glowing eyes stared down at me, apprehension in them.

I had to set his mind at ease.

“I love you, Vartok.”

To my surprise, his expression shuttered.

“Ye dinnae have to lie?—”

“I have loved you since before wee Ella’s birth, I think. I had not intended to fall in love with my teacher, but I was heart-broken when I realized you were treating me the way you had treated your other lovers?—”

“Nay.”

His voice cracked and he bent down to press his forehead against mine.

“Nay, Myra. Ye are…ye have always been special. I feel ye…” Without lifting his head, he blew out and breath and slid his hand up my arm to wrap his fingers around my wrist and lift my hand. He pressed my palm to his chest so I could feel his heartbeat.

“Here.”

And I realized ‘twas the truth.

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