Page 29 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Taking a mental step back to understand Tilly’s motivations for the changes to the cottage has really altered the way I view her. Whereas before I might have jumped to conclusions or felt offended that she didn’t appreciate me leaving dishes behind,now I know what the ones she brought here mean to her. Not only do they suit her “aesthetic” better—as Tilly likes to call it—but they hold an emotional significance.
Tilly is a lot more complex than I initially thought, and I am looking forward to really learning who she is at her core, as well as showing her who I am when I’m not needlessly rude to her.
“The cottage looks really nice with all the changes you’ve made,” I remark to Tilly as I unscrew the hinges from a cupboard door.
Tilly glances around the kitchen and into the living room and smiles with real appreciation. “Thanks. It was always beautiful, but it’s really starting to feel like home.”
I mentally fist pump the air that she’s considering it home, but keep my facial expressions neutral. I try to, anyway, but my lips curve upward regardless.
Attempting to stop hope from creeping into my tone, I ask, “Do you see yourself living here long term?”
Tilly stares out the kitchen window, toward the undulating hills, and sighs. “I hope so.” I can’t detect the exact emotion in the sigh, but I almost want to call it “dreamy.”
Creatures tend to fall in love with the island once they’re here, so it’s basically only a matter of time for Tilly to totally lose her heart to Starry Hill—and me.Fingers crossed.
Now I only have to figure out how to make it happen for Tilly sooner rather than later.
I lay down the unscrewed door on the floor and start removing the one right next to Tilly where she’s sitting on the counter, and I suddenly feel grateful for the small yet cozy kitchen. Being so close to her is giving me an opportunityto read all her minor cues and maybe even find excuses to touch her. So far she’s responded very well to my flirting and I’ve gotten close to kissing her more than once.
Kissing Tilly is all I’ve been thinking about since I held her in my arms for the first time. I destroyed my bed sheets last night with the thousand different images of our mouths finally meeting and devouring each other. Of my hands molding her body, of my lips tracing each curve, of my cock wrapped in her silky heat. My fist was a damn poor replacement for how exquisite I imagined her to be.
When I do finally kiss Tilly for real, I want to do it right. I want it to be memorable. I want it to be special. I want her to think about it for days to come because I know I will be. I’m only going to have one first kiss with Tilly. It has to be good.
I ignore my hardening cock and aim for more small talk, since it might be inappropriate this early in our relationship to ask her if she’d settle down with someone not human. “Do you miss fast internet and food delivery yet?”
Tilly’s shoulders roll forward and she crosses her arms over her chest.
No, no, no, Bodin. You’ve gone and fucked up again. Why did that sound like an accusation? You’re trying to woo her, not sound like you’re judging her.
Tilly studies her bandaged ankle. “Since you’ve been complimenting my home and being particularly nice today, I’m going to assume you don’t mean that question in a ‘get off my island and go somewhere with fast internet and food delivery’ way.”
I quickly tighten the hinge on the door again, needing to fix things with Tilly more than anything else. “That wasn’t my intention,” I say hastily. “I’m only trying to get to know you. I don’t know why it is, but my brain turns to fucking fuzz when I’m around you and I keep saying stupid stuff. I’m sorry.”
Tilly shrugs like it’s no big deal. “It’s okay.”
I put down my tools and move to stand between Tilly’s legs. Cradling her hands in mine, I bend down until she meets my eyes. “It’s not okay. I am so incredibly sorry. Hurting you is the last thing I want to do.”
“Yeah?” Tilly asks in a small voice. My heart nearly cracks in two at the vulnerability in her eyes.
Fix it, fix it, fix it, I scream at myself.
Needing to explain some of the bad wiring in my brain, I say, “Yeah. I can admit that I have some prejudice against city creatures and I may have been irrationally short with you in the beginning—I just always assume the worst, especially with creatures from Cape Easton. That is not ayouproblem, that is ameproblem. I’m actively working on showing you the real me because I was so wrong about you. You’re…”
Tilly raises her eyebrows expectantly. “I’m?”
“Smart. Funny. Caring. Kind. And also so fucking beautiful that I just want to stare at you all day.” Adding under my breath, “And all night.”
Tilly’s face transforms into a pleased expression. Letting go of my hands, she runs her palms up my shirt and rests them on my chest. “You’re not so bad yourself. When you’re not being mean to me,of course.”
“I never want to be mean to you again,” I confess, squeezing her thighs in emphasis. “Please call me out if I ever say anything that makes you feel less than the treasure you are.”
Tilly’s hands cup my jaw and she weaves her fingers into my trimmed beard. “You know what the funny thing is? I’m not particularly fond of Cape Easton either. I chose to live in the city because I thought that’s where I could be the most effective with my degree. The hospital was wild and it absolutely drained me, but I wanted to be somewhere where I could make a difference. When the position opened up in Starry Hill, I didn’t hesitate to take it, hoping to be equally as effective here but without that suffocating pressure.”
Rubbing my hands up and down Tilly’s thighs, I say, “I’ve never been so happy to be so wrong about anyone before. I truly am sorry.”
Tilly’s voice drops to a breathy whisper and she pulls me closer. “You’re very good at apologizing.”
Staring at her lips, I can’t help but lean forward and match her whisper. “If you keep looking at me like that then I’m going to have to kiss you.”
