Page 11 of One Night with Her Untamed Orc
That stops him. He looks at me, and there’s pleading in his eyes. “Stay there,” I command.
A few steps closer and I can see it. A crab. Smaller than my fist. “It’s small; a young Stone Moon Crab. It isn’t trying to hurt you.” I can feel the smile on my face; I can’t help it. This tiny little crab is probably just as freaked out (is ‘freaked out’ something crabs feel? Idon’t know) by being on Tarik’s foot instead of a rock as Tarik is of it. I reach the mud and slog through. Disgusting, but worth it.
Tarik’s foot is still hovering off the ground, trembling. Speaking to the crab, I pick it up and hold it in my palm. “Hi there, little guy. You made a wrong landing. Let’s get you back to the sea, okay?” Standing, I hold it up for Tarik, who leans back from me like I’ve offered to feed it to him. “It’s okay. He’s little.”
“This is why I don’t like the sea. Too much…stuff. Too alive.”
“Your garden soil isn’t alive? There aren’t all sorts of creepy crawlies in your garden?” I ask, still smiling, eyebrow raised. I’m enjoying this too much. Enjoying his vulnerability, and the opportunity to admire his glistening chest muscles...thanks, sea.
“That’s different. I know them all.”
“It’s the same here. Knowing them all. I’m going to put this guy back in the water.” And with that, I slowly poke my way through the heavy mud and the stones back to the water. The crab scuttles away as soon as it’s in the water. I take a moment to wash the mud off my legs and out from between my toes. I left my rain gear on a branch to minimize my muddiness by putting it back on.
Tarik is right behind me at the water’s edge. I hear him grumble as the water hits his toes. “Look,” I say, pointing to the sky. There’s a small break in the clouds, and a piece of rainbow shines out at us. Itfeels like the sky is smiling down at us, on this moment. Turning to look at Tarik, I’m not surprised he’s still frowning as he studies the rainbow.
“It’s just light refracted through water in the air,” he says, slightly dismissively.
“Science is beautiful, Tiger,” is my only response. Sighing, I turn back, wading out of the water to grab my gear.
“I am not a tiger,” he says in that low, grumbly voice.
“It was just an expression. Like a nickname.” He makes a humph sound. We stand there, me admiring the rainbow. Him…I don’t know, but I like his sturdy presence.
“Climb on my back,” he says, surprising me yet again as I struggle to get my wet legs into the wet rain pants.
“What?”
“I’ll carry you up to the cabin. It will be faster. You will be cleaner.”
“No, I’ll walk myself. Thanks.” I straighten my spine, determined not to let this hulk of an orc spoil me or hurt himself trying.
“Emma. You’ve proven that you are strong and independent. But you’re freezing in your underwear. Let me help. I promise to leave you alone in the bath.”
“Promise me you won’t, and I’ll climb your back, Tiger.” I wink.
His dark eyes flicker with desire. My stomach flip-flops at my overtness. “Promise,” he says with a growl, sealing my fate.
I hand him my rain gear. Tarik squats down. I take a second to admire the wide expanse of his back and ass, nothing but solid muscle. I wrap my arms over his shoulders and around his neck (loosely), then hitch one leg up at his waist. His hand catches my calf and holds me steady. I hitch the other leg up. Again, he grabs me. “I think the nickname is growing on me,” he admits. I rub my hand along his shoulder, just enjoying the feel of him as he adjusts me.
Then, as if he were carrying a backpack full of goose down, he stands and strides effortlessly up the hill through the wet forest to his cabin. I’m in awe of his strength. Even as my legs stretch wide across this back.
The man is enormous, bigger than I realized.
I wiggle my toes, trying to distract myself from my thoughts of him and how big his cock is. Will he fit inside me? Is this how I want my work research trip to be remembered?
Success in my eel research, success in the sheets with this orc; yes, I think this is the perfect way to remember my work research trip.
As for the first question, I don’t know the answer, but I want to find out. After all, a good scientist has to collect her data, right? Andwilling to do the experiments necessary to find the answers…in the name of science.
Inside his cabin, which is dry and warm, my skin instantly relaxes, all the goosebumps I thought were permanent fade away. Sliding down his still wet back shouldn’t be more of a turn-on, but it totally is, and before he turns to look at me, I can feel the heat in my cheeks. Shower. No time for a bath, my body screams at me. I agree.
But then, Tarik unceremoniously drops my sopping wet gear on the floor and turns to face me. His expression is unreadable. Stoic, serious, and wanting. Something about his gaze makes me swallow. Hard.
“I can smell you.”
Oh. Damnit. “Sorry, I’ll go shower real quick.” His hand is on my wrist before I can even step around him. His calloused hand is rough against my slick skin, but it feels good, satisfying.
“That’s not what I meant.” Now it’s my turn to frown and furrow my brow at him. “I can smell your arousal.”
