Page 32 of The Orc's Sweetheart
“Stuff?” I ask, unsure if we have similar definitions for the word.
“A table and two chairs,” Bodin says shyly, his cheeks turning a beautiful shade of umber. “I upcycle furniture as a hobby.”
My toes do that curling thing again at how cute he is, enjoying this new element he’s revealing to me. I reach up and cup his face. “That’s really generous of you, but I can’t just take your stuff. Let me pay you for it.”
“You can pay me in other ways.” Bodin’s voice is full of innuendo. He nips at the base of my palm and I gasp at the sensation.
“Mr. Terral,” I say breathily with fake outrage. “If you are propositioning me, then I can tell you it’s most definitely working.”
He chuckles and pulls back from me with a light smack to my ass. “Good to know. Now let’s get you to work before everyone wakes up and sees you on your chariot.”
I tuck some flyaways behind my ears and chew on my lip. “Perfect. I just need to, uhm, get something.”
Bodin grabs my hand with concern. “Are you okay?”
I squint my eyes closed, feeling my cheeks heat hotter than the sun. “Will you allow me my dignity or do you want me to explain?”
“I’m curious, but I won’t push,” Bodin says, taking a step back and giving me some space. Doc Calla has my eternal thanks for raising such a considerate male. I’ve swooned multiple times this morning and the sun has only just crested the horizon.
“Good. Two minutes.” I run into the house and quickly change my soaked underwear, then pack two extras to keep atthe clinic—just in case this scene replays itself in my mind at any point. It would be so embarrassing if I stank up the clinic with my horny pheromones.
Bodin leans against the cart at the fence leading into my garden, and stares out toward the ocean, deep in thought. I take a moment to look my fill and really appreciate him.
He’s so handsome. And sturdy. Those arms, thighs, wide chest… I could actually sit on him and not worry about my weight. And who would’ve guessed that he’s even kinder than he is nice? I wonder if I’ll be able to find out what he’s like in the bedroom before I spontaneously combust from all the sexual tension.
If it wasn’t for my bandage-wrapped ankle, I’d be skipping to him right now. But I take extra care of where I place my feet on the cobbled pathway and make it to him without tripping once. An achievement I’ll celebrate later, if the streak continues.
Bodin places his hands around my waist and boosts me onto the cart. He stands between my dangling feet and folds my fingers around the lip of the cart. “Hold on here. I’ll go slow, but it’s best to be careful.”
“I know I’m safe with you, but I’ll hold on tight anyway.” My comment has Bodin beaming brighter than a ray of sun, the words clearly meaning a lot to him.
“You’re always safe with me,” Bodin promises sincerely.
There I go again. Swoon.
I look down to hide my blush and my eyes catch on a part of the cart I don’t remember seeing last time. “Did you add something new here? It looks different.”
Bodin rubs the back of his neck. “I added these legs to the front of the cart so it can stay propped up. I got the idea after our incident and wanted to keep it from happening again.”
My throat is tight with an apology, and I place a hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry. It really wasn’t intentional.”
Bodin covers my hand with his and his brows draw down. “Oh, I know that now. My stubborn self is all too aware of how badly I overreacted then. I’m sorry too.” Sounding slightly bashful, he lifts one shoulder in a shrug and says, “At least I got to hold you in my arms on your first day on the island.”
My answering grin is delighted and toothy. “That was a very nice silver lining for me too.”
“Only silver linings from now on,” Bodin whispers with a sparkle in his eye.
I pull him down to me and kiss him with more emotion than I’m able to give voice to quite yet. But what I can admit to myself at this point is that Bodin is very quickly cementing himself into my heart.
Chapter 15
Bodin
The sensation of having Tilly’s eyes on my back—and ass—as I pull the cart toward town, is a heady feeling. I lengthen my strides to engage the maximum amount of muscles for her viewing pleasure, but keep my pace slow so it won’t be over too soon.
“How’s your week looking?” I ask over my shoulder, wanting to know everything there is about this female.My female. I hope. Soon.
Tilly gasps, but before I can assume the worst, she scolds me playfully, “You stole the words right out of my mouth.I was just about to ask you that. My mouth was already open to form the words.”
