Page 29 of Orin

Yet I couldn’t seem to keep my mouth shut.

Naturally, I kept going. “You know what I'm talking about. I saw you with her at the marketplace. She kissed you for goodness’ sake.”

His eyebrows raised; a clear sign he remembered the exact moment I was referring to.

With a brief snort, he remarked, “She only kissed my cheek.” Orin took a step closer to the bed, wearing a cheeky grin.

Unbelievable!I fumed. He needed to explain why he was waiting by my bed when he already had a mate.

My jealous reaction was cringeworthy and uncalled for, but I continued. “Do you mind telling me who she is?”

I grimaced when I saw the look on his face, then spoke before he had a chance to say a word. “Never mind. She is a lot prettier than me...And she is Alaran, so I get it.” He couldn’t help who he wanted any more than I could.

Even though it hurt to know he didn’t wantme.

Orin purposefully looked me up and down, his gaze sweeping across my entire body. He leaned closer to my face, never breaking eye contact. His warm breath stroked my cheek as he spoke.

“You are the most beautiful female I’ve ever encountered.”

My breath quickened as I blushed at his words.

Although there was no physical contact, my body reacted as if he’d touched me. “There’s no need to lie.” I grumbled, and reached up to scratch my cheek, clearing my throat.

“Who is she?” My insistence was foolish, yet uncontrollable. I knew I was behaving like an idiot but couldn’t stop myself.

A wave of goosebumps washed over my skin when his fingers grazed my arm. Suddenly, I felt a jolt of electricity course through my body. It flowed through my veins, igniting a cascade of tiny sparks that seemed to dance beneath my skin.

A warmth spread through my core making it pulse. I found myself cursing my traitorous body when I momentarily ceased to breathe.

With utmost sincerity, he declared, “She is my sister.”

I froze.His sister?

I couldn't control the twitching of my lower lip as I blinked at him. From my neck to my hairline, my face blazed with embarrassment.

“I... I had no idea you had a sister,” I stammered.

My mind raced over everything that had happened. “I don’t understand. Why do you always run away instead of talking to me?”

He withdrew his hand from my arm and stepped back before scanning the room. His hand went to scratch the back of his neck.

No one was looking at us, but I was pretty sure they knew what was going on.

His jaw flexed, and he cleared his throat. “I would prefer to discuss this in a more private environment.”

I couldn't help but notice a flicker of embarrassment on his face.

To be fair, I didn't like the idea of discussing personal matters in front of the entire infirmary either.

My body felt lighter, and I sighed.

Reasonable me appeared to be back. “Okay.” I smiled politely, as if I hadn’t just acted like a crazy woman. “If I ask you to come to my apartment later to talk, will you?”

His eyes met mine. They seemed to sparkle with the same hope I was now feeling. “Yes. I will.”

Grace approached the opposite side of my bed. “Sorry to interrupt.”

With a mischievous grin, her gaze snapped to Orin who shifted his feet but didn’t speak. “How are you feeling?” she asked me.

---