Page 8 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Why is she having such an effect on me? Like somehow my own happiness depends on her happiness. That’s not right. I’m an independent male, in charge of my own damn feelings. And noneof these feelings need to be concerned with some city slicker who’ll probably hate life on the quiet island.
Still…
Beck says, “It was nice to meet you, Tilly. Bodin will show you the way to your cottage. I live in the old mill over there. You can come for tea sometime if you like.”
“I’d really like that. Thank you, Beck. For the ride and the invitation.”
Tilly and I watch Beck walk off for a while, the silence stretching to a near uncomfortable point before we both speak at the same time.
“Should we get—” Tilly starts.
“Do you want—” My voice overlaps with Tilly’s and we both pause. She chuckles awkwardly and indicates for me to speak.
I hope she was not trying to dictate what I should do.I call on every ounce of kindness and patience remaining in my body, and channel them into the question. “Do you want to walk through town or go the short way behind the hill?”
“Whatever’s most comfortable for you. I don’t want to put you out.”
I clear my throat and try again. “I know both ways like the back of my hand. You’re the newcomer. Your choice.”
“Oh, uhm…” Tilly searches my face and tucks her bottom lip between her teeth as she seemingly wars with herself. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to get a peek at the town before unpacking at the cottage.”
“Done.”
I hitch the cart up and Tilly looks down the narrow dock then back at me. She walks ahead of me beforechanging her mind and slowing down to walk alongside the cart, but the dock isn’t wide enough for both of us to walk side by side. Apparently, she comes to the same conclusion and her cheeks turn ruddy as she moves to walk in front of the cart again. She hurries off the dock, and stumbles on the small step onto the cobbled path.
Her arms flail in front of her before she rights herself and looks at me with wide eyes and a blush creeping down her neck to the top of her tits. I flick my gaze back up to her worried eyes and hurry toward her.
“Are you okay?” Despite my misgivings about Tilly, I won’t enjoy seeing her hurt.
“Can we pretend you didn’t see that?”
“See what?” I deadpan.
“How I—? Oh. Good.”
“When you’re ready to walk again, take the road leading west,” I instruct.
“West?” Judging by her furrowed brows, Tilly doesn’t know how to tell direction.
I sigh out, “The one going to the right.”
I follow behind her and we walk in stilted silence for way too long. Ma’s voice rings through my head and I summon a thread of kindness once more.
“You could walk next to the cart now, if you want to?” I offer. “The path is wide enough here for both of us.” This way, I won’t get annoyed at having to explain directions again at the next fork in the road.And if you walk next to me, I don’t have to stare at your ass bouncing as you walk, or get any improper thoughts of grabbing ahandful.
Tilly smiles back at me with gratitude and slows down. The floral smell is stronger now, and I realize it must’ve been her I’ve been scenting on the wind. I ignore the strangeness of someone from the city smelling so… fragrant, and attempt to start up a conversation instead.
“So, you’re a nurse. Is that something you’ve always wanted to be?”Why did I have to ask such a personal question? I wouldn’t want her to ask me if I’ve always wanted to be a cottage caretaker.
“You could say that. How about you? Always wanted to live on the island and take care of the cottages?”
Fuck. I did this to myself.“You could say that.”
Silence blankets us again and a couple of times Tilly turns in my direction with her mouth open, looking like she’s about to ask me something before she purses her lips and faces forward again.
I don’t have it in me to try any harder though. The chances that Tilly and I have anything in common are pretty slim, and I’ve already attempted to be nice. The painfully awkward atmosphere sticks with us until the main part of town comes into view.
Tilly speeds up and walks in front of the cart as she takes in the collection of old limestone buildings nestled against the hill.
