Page 51 of Enchanted with the Orc
I had to mentally slap myself from thinking of everything we’d done on her bed earlier. The image of her lying there under me would haunt me until I could do it again.
Tonight. She said we could try again tonight.
I had no idea what she would let me do to her, but the fantasies crossing my mind were filthier than usual. I had to admit that when it came to her, my mind could getcreative.And now that she’d agreed to more? It was an artist, putting her in poses and situations that would make even the most experienced being blush.
Reining myself in was difficult, but I stepped behind the sofa to hide the way that my cock was now tenting my pants. Embarrassment rushed through me, but I pretended that everything was normal when Darak looked between us, his gaze narrowed. He was standing with his arms folded near the door, not assisting our daughter in her bid to escape.
When she floundered for another long moment with the handle, she turned, her face scrunched with exertion as she pointed toward it. “Abu, open it.” The demand was clear in her sweet voice and I caught myself as I automatically moved toward her. I froze as Tasia glared at me, looking away in shame.
Damn it, I’m not good at this parenting thing.
“No, Gruk-ir,” I told her instead. “You can’t go today. We can visit him tomorrow.”
“Today,” she demanded, and I could see that she was working herself up to a full-out tantrum. I’d never seen one before, I’d only ever read about them. And Idefinitelyhadn’t expected one from my tiny Gruk-ir.
Just as she opened her little, pouted mouth to scream, Tasia said in a stern voice, “If you scream, you will go directly to time out and you willnotbe going to Jael’s birthday party this weekend.”
Gruk-ir’s lower lip immediately began trembling and my knees shook with the need to go to her. When tears overflowed her cheeks, I watched as Tasia moved toward her before looking back at me and tilting her head toward me.
I followed her lead, going to our daughter. She kneeled next to her and I did the same.
“I know you want to see him and be friends with him, my sweet girl,” Tasia whispered, wrapping our little one up in her arms. “But his family is busy right now. They’re moving back to his house. Wepromiseyou that you’ll be able to see him this weekend for his party, okay?”
Gruk-ir’s eyes came up to meet mine, as if seeking reassurance, and I nodded. “We promise,” I whispered, putting my big hand over her mother’s on her back.
She sniffled hard, wracking sobs leaving her chest and I gathered them both to me, wishing I could take her hurt away. “H-he’s my b-best friend,” she wailed. “It’s n-not fair! I already c-can’t see the c-coven.” She was barely coherent, but I was able to make out her high-pitched words.
“I know, Gabbi-girl,” Tasia whispered, pressing kisses to the top of her head. “It’s not fair. But I promise I’ll make it better as soon as possible. Then you’ll be able to see your friend any time you want. He lives in Grebath. Did you know that?”
Gabbi’s sobs slowed at her words, and she pulled away, swiping her forearm over her nose before calmly wiping it on my arm. I’d never been more honored in my life. “R-really?” she asked, her sweet little voice back to normal.
Tasia nodded, swiping her fingers under our daughter’s eyes with gentle wipes. “We’ll find out his address and once we’re back home, we’regoing to make weekly playdates, okay? This will only be for a little while longer.”
Gabbi searched her face, suspicion bright in her eyes, but what she saw there cleared it right up. With a cheer, she threw herself at her mother and then at me, squeezing us tight before running toward Darak and looking up at him.
She held her arms out to him, and he blinked at her for a long moment. Our Gruk-ir didn’t move, staying very still until he finally released a sigh of defeat and lowered himself to crouch next to her. She tackled him with a hug then, not pushing him back even an inch. His hard eyes softened for only a moment before he released her.
“Thank you for taking me to play,” she told him, before moving to the door, grabbing her two toys and heading toward her play corner. And just like that, her pique was over and done with.
Meanwhile, I was trying to deal with the whiplash. I turned to peer at Tasia who looked exhausted as well.
“Parenting is hard,” she said with a grin, running her hand up and down my arm. I wanted to melt there, but since Darak was looking between us, I didn’t.
“Thanks for taking care of her,” I told him and Tasia nodded with enthusiasm, agreeing wholeheartedly.
“She’s such a handful and I know you have so many other things to do—” she started, but he shook his head, cutting her off.
“It’s fine. She’s a good youngling. I’m more than willing to help,” he told us, looking between us. “You have your hands full here, so I’ll head out. Let me know if you need me.”
He said the last words to me and I nodded, knowing that he was giving me the courtesy of communicating with me instead of Tasia since she was still unclaimed, but he’d probably already noticed the many ways I’d surreptitiously marked her with my scent—by touching her as muchas I could get away with and running my tusk along her skin when we hugged.
“Thanks, Darak,” Tasia and I said at once and he raised his hand in acknowledgement before turning and exiting.
I turned to look at where Gruk-ir was playing on the floor and then I looked at Tasia, still befuddled. “Will she be okay?” I asked in a low voice so only she could hear.
“Oh yeah. She has meltdowns at least twice a day. She was distracted because we came to a new place, but I was just waiting for one to happen,” she explained, moving closer and biting her lip as she smiled up at me. “Welcome to parenthood.”
I huffed out a small laugh, taking my time and reaching out for her hand. She met me halfway, her fingers twining with mine—so much smaller than mine, but fitting so perfectly. “I think I’m going to love it,” I whispered. “I have a lot to learn, but you’ll be patient with me?”
