Page 56 of The Orc's Sweetheart
With one quick swat to my butt, Bodin gets up and I watch his gloriously naked body as he heads to the bathroom.
I’m a goner. Officially done. Off the market. I want to marry that orc and have his babies. But first, I need to deal with a bit of reality before I can realize all of those dreams.
While he showers, I put on a robe and get some of my pretty stationery to write a note to Doc Calla. After that, I make a quick breakfast for us, then kiss Bodin goodbye—which obviously turns me into a panting mess—before I get in the bath for a much-needed soak.
Finally squeaky-clean and not looking so freshly fucked—except for the lovely evidence of said fucking donning my neck, breasts, and thighs—I put on some lilac scrubs and stroll toward Ren’s cottage with a full-on giddy smile plastered to my face.
When the grove of tangerine trees comes into view, my eyes automatically scan the area for Bodin and his cart.
I wonder if we can drag that cart somewhere behind some trees and he can bend me over it… No, Tilly. You two promised to be professionals during work hours today. Keep your slutty thoughts for the cottage tonight.
Despite my best efforts, my mind fills with images and I search the area for a possible place we can go undetected. But just then, Bodin comes into view as he rounds a hill.
The feeling of seeing him is unlike anything I’ve felt before. It’s like sunshine being injected straight into my heart, fizzing through my body, and bubbling out my pores. My face breaks into a brilliant grin and I do my utter best to stop myself from running to him—if only for the sake of my recovering ankle.
When I manage to draw my eyes away from my male, I acknowledge Beck beside him with a small wave. “Hi, Beck! It’s so nice to see you again.”
Beck inclines his head, his light hair catching in the sun. “It’s good to see you, too. You smell like Bodin. Are you claimed?”
Well, okay. Direct and to the point. Act cool, Tilly.
“Not yet,” I answer, then smile sweetly at Bodin. His returning grin tells me just how much he likes that answer.
Bodin sets his cart with the large generator down and places a hand on the dragon’s shoulder as he says to me, “Beck came to help today. He knows more about power generation than I do, and will check that all the wires are properly connected. Maybe you can chat with Ren while we do the installation?”
I nod. “Sounds good. Whatever he’s comfortable with.”
Bodin walks ahead and knocks on the cottage’s turquoise front door. A couple of seconds later, an alarmingly attractive male with shapely horns pokes his head outside.
“Uhm… hi,” Ren says and pushes his glasses higher up his nose.
“Morning.” Bodin gestures with a thumb over his shoulder. “Beck and I brought your new generator. No more worries about overloading the circuit from now on. And I’d also like you to meet Tilly. She’s Starry Hill’s new nurse I told you about.”
Ren’s eyes round for a second and his rust-red skin darkens on his cheeks. He meets my eyes for half a second before they shift over my shoulder then to the ground, a clear indication of his shyness.
I smile warmly as I hold my hand out for him to shake. “Hi, Ren. I’m Tilly. This is awkward, isn’t it?”
Ren’s lips tug up in one corner as he places his hand in mine. “A little, yeah.”
I keep my tone light and friendly, and take a step back to give him some space. “Well, I don’t want to make this any weirder. I just wanted to pop by and introduce myself. I’ve been tryingto meet everyone on the island and I’ve not seen you around town.”
Ren’s narrowed gaze jumps between me, Bodin, and Beck, seemingly sussing me out. “That’s… nice of you.”
Bodin steps in, clearly reading his friend’s discomfort, and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I automatically curl my arm around Bodin’s waist and lean into him. Despite saying we’d want to remain professional today, Bodin’s move looks like it does the trick because Ren’s shoulders relax at the easy show of affection.
Tilting his head toward the tangerines behind the house, Bodin says, “Can you show Tilly which ones are ripe? She used to be a city girl and might not know which ones to pick. Beck and I will start on the generators.”
Ren scratches the back of his neck, then nods, silently leading me toward the trees in question.
Objectively, Ren is really striking to look at, but hides his features under a mop of unruly hair and oversized clothing. I’m curious if the clothing choice is a defense mechanism or purely based on comfort. If he were to walk down the street in Cape Easton, I’m sure the creatures would swarm him with attention and propositions.
Not me, though. There’s only one male I’d like to proposition, and I can already think of a few things I might suggest for tonight.
When we’re out of earshot, Ren asks, “Did they send you here so youcan try to fix me?”
My feet automatically halt. “How…?” I don’t finish the sentence, because I don’t want to lie to Ren, nor do I want to throw Bodin under the bus for trying to help his friend.
Ren gives me a sad smile before looking up at the tangerines above us. “I’m sure you’ve heard whispers about my color being off, especially compared to Calixta’s crimson.”
