Gladly.
Setting my mug beside hers on the table, I break us apart, shifting, letting her turn, exposing her back to me. I rub my hands together to make sure they’re warm, then run my hands along the length of her spine, applying the right pressure along her muscles until I’ve traveled down and back up to her shoulders.
“You’re very tense,” I say as I find another knot. She snorts a little.
“Yes, it’s been a weird year. Being here this week was supposed to be my opportunity to fully relax. But so far that hasn’t happened.”
“Why can’t you relax?” I ask. I know I shouldn’t, but Addy shouldn’t be stressed or in pain, and judging by the tenseness of her shoulders and back, something isn’t right.
“Well, Poppy saved us from our awful stepdad, and fell in love here. Which is great. And she arranged for me to go to university, which she didn’t get to do. So, it’s my first time on my own. I’m older than all the other freshmen by at least seven years. And I don’t actually love university, but I don’t want to disappoint Poppy. She worked so hard to get us to where we are. It feels like a slap in the face to say, ‘No, thanks.’ And it’s the Solstice, but also Christmas, and she decorated her tree without me. And she’s so fucking happy, and it feels wrong to be so jealous of her. I mean, I’m happy for her, truly. But also, I want to feel that way for myself.”
With a giant huff out, she comes to a stop, her head hunched forward. I rub her back gently, no longer trying to undo every knot in her body. She sniffles a little; she’s crying again.
If there’s one thing in this world I hate, it’s Addy crying.
I pull her into me, resting her back against my chest, and hold her in my arms. Her hair smells like gingerbread. “You’re allowed to feel the way you feel. And many times that’s multiple things.” I inhale her scent again, committing it to memory. This is my new favorite scent. “You clearly love your sister, and she loves you. I’m sure she’ll understand. She wants you to be happy.” I kiss the top of her hair. Her breath catches, almost a hiccup.
We sit like that in front of the fire for a long time. Despite the darkness outside, I can see the snow is still coming down. The candles on the kitchen counter go out, one by one; they were just little tealights. It’s as if we are the only two people in this snowy world right now. And in a way, we are. Addy and Leif. I like the sound of that.
Eventually, her breathing evens out, slow and steady, until I’m certain she’s fallen asleep in my arms. That’s a good sign, right? That she feels safe enough to fall asleep in the Grinch’s arms. The fire needs another log before I go to sleep.
Shifting my weight, ignoring that my leg is half-asleep, I adjust my arms around her to scoop her up. Trying not to trip over the sack of dildos, I carry her to my bed; I’ll sleep on the sofa. Her head rolls against my chest, imprinting herself onto my heart even further as her long lashes kiss her cheeks.
It’s cool in my room, making me question leaving her here alone. I set her down and cover her with my comforter and quilt, taking a moment to pause and admire how small she looks in my bed—and how perfect she is here. Then go to the closet to get another quilt; humans are so much more prone to cold than orcs. When I tuck it in around her, she sighs a tiny contented sigh that makes my cock twitch. I want to hear her make that sound every day—because of me.
She reaches out, stretching her arms over her head, breaking out of the cocoon I created. Her gingerbread scent wafts up to me as her arms stir the air. Leaning down, just a little, I indulge myself with a long, deep breath, letting the scent of her mark me.
“Oh, there you are,” she whispers as she reaches for me. Her fingertips graze my shoulders. I lean in a bit more. Fingertips reverse their track; when they reach the top of my shoulders, they dig in and pull me toward her. I catch myself before I fall on top of her. One hand on either side of her soft body. “That’s better,” she says, her hands releasing my shoulders and traveling up to the side of my head. She tugs, just a little, and I give, bending my elbows, letting my knees rest on the bed.
And that is when she kisses me.
Gentle at first, a little tentative. Plump lips kissing each of my lips, then parting for me. I want to devour and ravish her, but she has to lead.
Lucky for me, she leads with gusto.
When I’m too slow with my kiss in return, she nibbles my bottom lip, tugging it, tugging me. The groan that escapes me is embarrassing. It would be so easy to get lost in her, in this moment. Slowly, I let my hand touch the edge of her hair, follow it up to her ear. Soft, sweet, mine.
Mine?
Before I can contemplate that too much, there’s a thud outside. Pausing to listen, Addy mewls in protest. Another thud. A scurrying. “Someone’s at the door.”
Addy props up on her elbows. “We can’t leave them outside in the blizzard!”
“Stay here,” I say, giving her a sweet kiss. I don’t know what I’m going to do with someone standing at my door at night during a blizzard, but I fully intend to continue what Addy and I have started.
Chapter 6
Addy
No longer tired, I’m wet, needy, aching for Leif’s lips. I have never felt this way before about anyone. Eagerly awaiting his return, my hand reaches into my panties. I wish I had one of those dildos while I wait.
A loud thud reverberates through the house. My hand flies out of my panties, and I leap out of bed at the sounds at the front door. They aren’t normal sounds. There’s a bang, a squeak, the patter of…raindrops on the floor? Many sprite feet? It’s hard to say. Something metallic crashes to the floor. I can hear an “ooof” from Leif.
Is someone attacking? He doesn’t yell. The other sounds don’t sound aggressive or violent. So either he’s been knocked out, or…I don’t even know. This damned town is so unsettling sometimes. Who invades during a blizzard when there’s no way to escape?
Before I reach the bedroom doorway—because going toward the sound is always the smart move for a long life—the patter of rain gets louder, closer.
“Aaack!” I yell as tiny creatures come barreling through the door into the bedroom. Tiny feet run over my bare ones, the itty-bitty claws poking the tops of my feet.
