Page 128 of That’s My Orc, Tusk Off

He pulled me into his chest, his arms wrapping around me.

I pressed my face into his shirt and let myself fall apart in the safety of our kitchen.

When I finally pulled back, Traig’s shirt was damp and his eyes were bright.

“Sorry,” I said.

“Don’t be.”

He kissed my forehead. The corner of my mouth.

“I need to check the fence before it gets too dark,” he said. “Come with me?”

I nodded.

We walked the fence line together, Traig looking for damage while I strode beside him, watching the way the setting sun caught the silver of his mating mark.

Sunsets looked different when you knew you might not see many more of them.

We finished and headed back to the cottage, Fred bobbing along with us, Amanda half-asleep on his back.

The sun had fully set by the time we stepped inside.

Traig locked the door behind us.

Fred took Amanda to their bed and settled, his eyes sliding shut.

I turned to ask Traig if he wanted tea, but he was already tugging me close, his hands settling on my waist. His eyes were full of want I recognized because it matched mine.

For three weeks we’d been careful. Gentle. Like we were both afraid of wanting too much, of holding too tight in case we had to let go. We hadn’t been intimate, wanting to give us a chance to get to know each other first without adding that complication. Not that I didn’t feel fully committed to him. I did. But when relationships turned physical, it could change.

I was done being careful. Done with holding myself back.

He kissed me.

His hands tightened on my waist. I grabbed his shirt, holding on while he walked me backward until my shoulders hit the wall.

This kiss was different from the ones we’d shared over the past few weeks. Those had been gentle, tentative, both of us afraid of breaking something fragile.

This one was anything but gentle.

I pulled back enough to speak against his mouth. “I want you.”

His breath caught.

“All of you,” I said. “I need you. I want to make memories in case…”

“I understand.” He studied my face. “I’m yours. You know that, right?”

I nodded, my eyes stinging.

“I want you too,” he said, his voice rough. “I’ve wanted you since the moment we met. I always will.”

I pulled him down by his shirt. “Stop talking and take me to bed.”

His laugh was half-groan. “Yes.”

He lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him, and he carried me down the hall toward the bedroom.