Page 14 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Despite my brain telling me to ignore her and to head straight to my workshop, I find my traitorous feet leading me intoher garden to hide behind the hydrangeas like some fucking perv—again—as I wait for her to leave for the day.
Staring through the leaves at my old cottage, I wonder if Tilly is worried about her safety on the island without a means to lock her door. City creatures always need locks with the crime rate being so high there, and it could be an adjustment for her to not have one. Maybe I can craft a latch or something so she can have some peace of mind.
I strain my ears for any sounds coming from the house, but it’s dead quiet.
Should I look through the window to see if she’s still alive or would that take the creepy factor too high a level?
The urge to start pacing gnaws at me, but I ignore it, rooting my feet to the ground and closing my eyes to get my thoughts back to real issues. Like, today’s schedule.
First, I should apply the final layer of varnish on the kitchen table I refurbished for Beryl and Calixta as their claiming ceremony gift. In the afternoon I have to stop by Beck’s so we can check the shipment schedule and—
“Hey. Can I help you with something?”
Tilly’s voice breaks me from my thoughts and I resist the urge to duck in embarrassment. Instead, I roll my shoulders back and turn to face her, assuming a blank expression.
I fail.
My lips part of their own accord as my eyes drag over every curve of her body on clear display in her skintight sportswear. Her breathing is a little fast, and her face is red. I can hear the quick patter of her heart rate, still high from what I assume was her morning run. My gaze trails from her glorious tits restrainedby a black sports bra, to the curve of her stomach, down to where her thighs press together.
The visceral reaction to imagining parting those thighs and wrapping them around me, of my rough hands digging into her soft flesh, has my blood heating and moving straight to my cock.
“I didn’t know you run.”I could literally direct this conversation in any way I want, yet my brain went with that? Clearly, all the blood has left my brain.
Tilly’s head rears back. “Buddy, we’ve only had like one conversation and it was awkward at best. Excuse me for not disclosing all my hobbies to you.”
“No, I mean…”
“What? Because I’m fat you think I don’t run?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Curvy then? Is that the better word?”
Don’t say beautiful. Don’t say beautiful. Don’t say beautiful.
I open my mouth to say something—anything—but I’m left gaping at her like a fish out of water.
Tilly sighs. “Look, I’m sorry for yesterday. I don’t like that you got hurt because of me. And I don’t care about my plates more than my patients, despite what you may think. You may not like me, and that’s fine, but there’s no need to be mean.”
Think brain. Say something.
I shake my head in exasperation as I come up with nothing. “I can’t win with you.”
Tilly’s brows shoot up her forehead and she places her hands on her hips. I am not thinking about what my hands would look like in thatexact same place.
“Is that what you’re trying to do?” she asks incredulously. “Because insulting me is not quite the way to win me over.”
I shove my hands in my pockets before I grab her to shake some sense into her. “I didn’t say I want to win you over. And I’m not insulting you. I’m trying to avoid complimenting you.”
“Sure, buddy. Because everyone hates a compliment. Thanks for holding back.” Tilly scoffs and turns to walk toward the cottage.
Shaking my head, I look off into the distance so I don’t embarrass myself further by staring at her ass jiggling in those leggings.
Yesterday, while I was dropping Tilly’s luggage off, I couldn’t help but listen in on her conversation with Annamae. Tilly was so different then—warm, kind, and dare I say, sweet? Just like she was with Beryl.
Why would Tilly be awkward and rude around me alone? Does she have something against males in general? Or did my attitude affect her that much?
Before Tilly closes the door, I call out, “Do you even know where The Bandaged Heart is?”
