Page 48 of Enchanted with the Orc
“But the next day when he let me have her,” she whispered, swiping her fingers under her eyes, “I pretended like I was grateful to him and only took care of her long enough to make sure she was safe, clean and fed before I…” She went still, her breathing shallow and harried. “Distracted him.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing what she was saying. She’d done things that she wished she hadn’t to keep him focused on her and not her baby. She was the best female I knew. The most amazing mother. I couldn’t imagine the sacrifices she’d made for Gabbi.
And it had all worked out. That little female was the happiest youngling I knew. Not that I knew that many younglings, but she was well-adjusted, loved and brave. Everything that Tasia had fought for.
“When he was sleeping, I packed a bag for us and ran. I stole money from his wallet and took a bus out of there,” she murmured, her lips moving against my skin again, and I begged my cock not to react the way it had before.
She needs you to be a friend for her right now. Focus.
“I knew the address for my coven,” she whispered, nuzzling my skin for comfort and I gritted my fangs. “So that’s where I went. They were so happy to see me, even after I’d abandoned them for him.” Her tiny sniffle told me everything I needed to know about her reunion.
They’d been there for her and wouldn’t have asked too many questions. They’d have taken her back into the fold and welcomed their newest, youngest member as well. I knew them well enough to know that much.
They’d done the same with Krusk, Savla and I. They didn’t need to know our history. Just that we’d treat them and others well. The judgement had been low and we’d been allowed to hold onto whatever secrets we had.
“Our High Priestess at the time—Zara’s mom—helped cast a protection spell on us. So he couldn’t find us even if he used magick to try.” She was smiling now, her voice thick with tears and I continued stroking my fingers down her soft back.
When she pulled away, she smiled as tears continued to leak down her face. “I never got a chance to tell her how much I appreciated that. Appreciated her. She hid how sick she was from us. And near the end, wewere too busy trying to find a way to save her…” she trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut as tears poured again.
“I probably look like a lunatic,” she wailed, throwing herself into my arms, and I savored the feel of her against me again. “I just keep crying and telling you sad things.”
“You’re telling me your story,” I murmured against her hair, keeping my eyes closed so I could cherish her scent. “And I’m so grateful you trust me with it.”
She peeked up at me with red eyes and a moist face. “Really?” she whispered, her gorgeous, splotchy face so filled with hope that I just nodded, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
She pulled away, her eyes widening with shock and I froze, unable to believe that I’d just done that. My mate had cut herself open, baring herself to me. Her most vulnerable parts, and instead of making her feel safe, I’d mauled her the first opportunity I got.
“I’m sorry—” I started, but she cut me off by pressing her lips to mine. I went still, not sure what to do, but she didn’t need to be told. She deepened the kiss and I could feel my eyes rolling back in my head.
This is the best moment of my entire life.
I returned the kiss, cupping her soft, wet cheek, scraping my blunted claw against her jaw.
I’m going to savor this moment for the rest of my days.
My female was kissing me. She’d made herself vulnerable to me, seeking comfort in my arms, and then kissed me. This was everything that I could ever hope for. I wasn’t going to wish for more. This might just be a moment of temporary insanity after all, but I was taking what I could get.
The low beep at the door followed by the scrape of the handle being turned was the only warning we had. We pulled away from each other, blinking blearily into each other’s shocked faces, whenGabbi ran inside with Darak behind her, holding a large bag in his hands.
He eyed us with a raised eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Gabbi on the other hand, ran straight for us and launched herself into Tasia’s lap. I was holding both my females in my arms and it was everything perfect in this world. Even if I’d been interrupted during the best kiss of my life.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Tasia
Ikissed him.
Internally, I was screaming and all the alarms were going off inside my brain. Externally, I smiled at my daughter and then Darak who followed behind her with a bag that was laden with what had to be goodiesand toys.
At the same time, my ovaries were screaming at me that I needed to put Gabbi down for a nap and tackle the male that I was sitting on. The male who made my body burn like it never had before. The male who soothed me, comforted me and protected me.
Swallowing hard, I struggled to keep my focus on Gabbi’s words as she told me about her playdate. But it was so much harder than it usually was.
“And Jael gave me gifts,” she added, making me narrow my gaze. “Because it’s his birthday this week but he won’t be here.”
The last was said with a little pout. And I quirked an eyebrow.
“He gaveyougifts forhisbirthday?”
