Chapter Seven

EVIE

T he stable was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a lantern. My heart raced as I watched Breac spread our bedrolls side by side on a pile of fresh straw. His massive frame moved with a grace that belied his size, muscles rippling under his green skin. I was exhausted by the work we had done that day, helping the villagers and the grief from the day, but I was also feeling overly sensitive. There was a fluttery sensation in my stomach at the remembered kiss Breac and I shared earlier that day, at the way he betrayed how he felt about me when I impulsively raced to the Edmund's cries in the collapsing building. I wanted to talk about it, but he had been distant since the kiss, protective of me, yet careful not to touch me. Did he regret the kiss, regret what feelings he betrayed in the moment?

"I can sleep over there," he rumbled, gesturing to a far corner.

I shook my head, pulse quickening. "We told them we're mated, remember? We should stay close. In case anyone checks on us."

Breac's black eyes met mine, something unreadable in their depths. "You sure about this, little one?"

The endearment sent a shiver through me and I stepped closer, determined to see this through. "I'm sure." I laid a hand on his chest and he froze under my touch, his eyes watching me carefully, as if afraid I might leave, or worse, I might stay. "I want to be with you tonight, Breac."

He sucked in a breath, his eyes shuttered as he studied me. I settled onto the makeshift bed, acutely aware of Breac's presence as he loomed over me. I reached out a hand and tugged him down next to me. The heat from his body enveloped me, and I found myself inching closer.

"Evie," he warned, his voice a low growl that vibrated through me.

I laid a hand on his cheek, drinking in the sight of his strong features in the flickering light. "Breac," I whispered, tracing the curve of his jaw, determined to state what I want outright, since I sensed he would not make the first move. "I want you."

For a moment, he remained perfectly still, hope warring with something unreadable in his eyes. Then, with a groan that was almost a roar, he pulled me against him. His mouth claimed mine in a searing kiss that left me breathless. This was nothing like the kiss we shared earlier. That was a kiss of pure desperation, two people celebrating life. This one, however, was pure heat and passion, a wildfire consuming everything in its path.

I melted into him, my hands grasping at his broad shoulders, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt. His touch ignited a fire within me, a need that matched his own. As our kiss deepened, everything faded away, leaving only the two of us entwined in a passionate embrace.

But just as I began to lose myself in the heat of the moment, Breac shifted positions, rolling us so he was over me, his body pinning me to the furs and sweet hay. His black eyes bore into mine, dark with a mixture of desire and conflict. I could feel the tension in his body, the struggle between his dark urges and his need to protect me. But in that moment, all I wanted was him, all of him.

My fingers traced the rough lines of his jaw, urging him closer as I whispered, "Don't fight it, Breac. I want this as much as you do."

A growl rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating through me like a thunderstorm on the horizon. His touch ignited a hunger within me that I couldn't deny, a craving for the connection that pulsed between us like a living thing. With need driving us both, he lowered his head to capture my lips once more, his kiss demanding and possessive.

I arched into him, my body responding to his with an urgency that matched his own. The world outside faded into obscurity as we became lost in each other, each touch sparking. I ran my hands over his broad chest, marveling at the feel of him. He was all hard muscle and hot skin, so different from any man I'd known before. His tusks grazed my lower lip, sending jolts of electricity through my body.

"Are you certain?" Breac asked, pulling back to search my face. "I don't want to hurt you."

I nodded, already tugging at his clothing. "I'm certain. I need you, Breac."

Breac's green skin glowed with desire as he towered over me, his gaze smoldering with primal hunger. With a hungry snarl, he stripped away our clothes until we were both bared and exposed.

I gasped as his calloused hands explored every inch of my body, igniting a fiery trail wherever they touched. I reached for him, intending to explore the heated skin exposed, but he grabbed my hands, gently caging my wrists in one hand and holding them above my head. The act arched my back slightly, thrusting my breasts up and his eyes darkened. "You cannot touch me. Not yet. I haven't had my fill."

I shivered under his regard. His heated gaze slowly trailed over my body, then his free hand began to gently caress, stroking down the side of my throat and over the top of my breasts and over the side. He cupped one mound in his hand and squeezed, a thumb rubbing over the tip, once, twice as it hardened almost painful, begging for a harder touch.

"I like these, lass. Just enough for me. I wonder how they taste?"

He chuckled, then bent his head and sucked one tip into his mouth, curling his tongue around the tip and sucking hard. Electricity arced straight to my core, and I arched my hips against him, his erection so close to where I needed it, but he avoided me.

He laid his hips on mine, pinning me neatly. "You're a squirmy lass. I want more time to play."

"We can play another time. It's been so long since I've had a good orgasm." He'd already been better than any guy I'd been with. My body screamed for him to take me, but he wasn't moved by my pleas.

He paused, taking in my quivering form before nipping the underside of my breast lightly, careful not to let his tusks harm me. I jerked under him, the sensations too overwhelming. My back arched, and the heat of his body pressed against me. I arched my hips up to meet him, but he didn't move.

He was relentless.

I was aching for him, desperate for him. I needed him inside me now. But instead, he started kissing a trail between my breasts, licking and sucking softly, teasing the soft flesh, and using his fingers to add to the torment. I moaned, twisting under him. My hips were bucking, desperate for his touch, and I knew I was going to orgasm soon. I was so close.

He seemed to know. He smiled, and I could see the hunger burning in his eyes. He kissed his way down my stomach, and then lower, until he reached the place I needed him most. He breathed in deeply, and then I felt the warmth of his breath, his tongue tasting me, licking me, driving me wild with lust.

I cried out as he delved into me, his tongue plunging deep inside, teasing and arousing me further. My hips bucked and writhed beneath him, and he released my wrists to hold me in place for his explorations. My hands clutched at the furs and hay beneath me as I fought for purchase against the sensation that was building within me.

Breac's name was a hoarse whisper on my lips as he continued to explore me, his fingers gently probing and stroking at the same time. I was so close, so close to that elusive climax that I could taste it, feel it building like a storm within my core.

And then, just when I thought I couldn't bear the anticipation any longer, he thrust two fingers inside me, and that was it. The storm broke, my body convulsing around his fingers as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. I cried out his name again and again as he continued to pleasure me, his tongue and fingers working in perfect harmony to drive me higher and higher until I exploded.

At last, my body finally stilled, and I lay there panting, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt his fingers slide out of me, and then he was moving up again, his lips capturing mine in a passionate kiss that left me breathless. I could taste myself on his tongue, a salty sweetness that only added to the intensity of the moment.

For a long moment, we simply lay there, our bodies entwined and our breaths mingling. But then Breac lowered himself onto me, his weight supported by his powerful arms. I eagerly wrapped my legs around him, welcoming him into the warmth and wetness between my thighs.

And then he was inside me, filling me in a way that left me breathless and stretched beyond anything I had ever imagined.

"Oh, god," I moaned, clinging to his massive shoulders.

Breac stilled, giving me time to adjust. "Evie, are you okay?" he asked, his voice strained with the effort of control.

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. "Perfect," I whispered, my eyes locked on his.

He slowly moved, his hips rolling against mine in a slow, deliberate rhythm. Each thrust sent a jolt of pleasure through my body, and I arched into him, my hands sliding up his back to grip his shoulders. Our bodies locked together, moving in perfect harmony.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his eyes locked on mine as he thrust into me. I could feel the taut muscles in his thighs as he held himself above me, his body a steady, powerful presence against mine. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer, wanting him deeper.

Each thrust sent another wave of pleasure through me, my body arching to meet his with each movement. The tension built in every muscle, the heat of our passion igniting between us. My nails dug into Breac's back as he moved in a slow and deliberate rhythm. The friction sent waves of pleasure coursing through me.

"More than okay," I panted. "Please, Breac. Move."

He did, setting a rhythm that had me seeing stars. I lost myself in the sensations, in the feeling of Breac's powerful body moving above me, within me. His tusks scraped gently along my neck, adding a delicious edge of danger to our lovemaking. Each thrust sent shockwaves of ecstasy through me, building and building, until I was on the brink of losing myself completely.

"Breac," I moaned, unable to form any coherent words as he found the perfect angle to hit all the right spots within me.

Driven by an insatiable desire that matched mine, Breac picked up the pace. His grip on my hips tightened as he plunged deeper and deeper, pushing us both closer to the edge.

"You feel so good," he growled, nipping at my neck and sending shivers down my spine.

As the pressure built, I cried out his name, not caring who might hear. He growled in response, the sound primal and possessive. It pushed me over the edge, and I shattered in his arms, wave after wave of ecstasy washing over me. Breac followed soon after with a primal roar, finding release within me.

We collapsed onto the bed, catching our breaths as we basked in the aftermath of our passion. Breac gently withdrew from me and pulled me close to him, our bodies still trembling with pleasure.

"That was incredible," I panted.

Breac chuckled and kissed my forehead, his voice filled with satisfaction. "I had a feeling you would enjoy it."

Breac followed soon after, his massive frame shuddering as he found his own release. We lay tangled together in the aftermath, both panting.

As the sweat cooled on my skin, doubts crept in. What had I done? I barely knew Breac, and yet I'd given myself to him completely. But as I looked up into his face, seeing the tenderness in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to regret it.

"You okay?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I nodded, snuggling closer to his warmth. "Better than okay," I murmured. "That was…"

"Yeah," Breac agreed, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "It was."

As sleep claimed me, I pushed away the nagging feeling that there was something Breac wasn't telling me. Whatever secrets he held, whatever dangers lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain—I was falling in love with this honorable, complicated orc. And I would follow him anywhere.