Summoning the Orc (The Kingverse Orcs #2)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Becca

I hurried home after my shift at the library, clutching the books that I needed close, and hurrying up to the apartment I was sharing with Rok. I’d already confirmed that Pen was there. I unlocked it, breathing a sigh of relief that the building was so secure.

I would thank Dristan and Rudgar about that later, but for now, I was just grateful that we were here instead of my old, rickety home where I came from. Stepping inside, I saw Rok already standing to greet me, a wide grin crossing his face.

“My Becca,” he sighed, joy filling his voice and I crushed myself against him, holding him close. I breathed his scent, thanking every God that was listening that this male was safe.

“Hi,” I squeaked, still breathless from my run from the elevator. I peeked around him at Pen and she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

I snorted out a laugh before pulling away from Rok to put the books I was holding onto the coffee table. “Okay, so did Pen tell you about the witches?” I asked him and he nodded, wariness filling his gaze.

“They’re hunting me and they know where I am,” he told me, and I hugged him close. He wrapped his arms around me, running his big palm down my back.

“They’re not going to get you,” I told him with more confidence than I felt. “And we just need to throw them off your trail. They know you’re here, but they can’t get in. So you won’t be leaving the building.”

“I won’t,” he assured me, smoothing the palm up and down my back. That was when I realized that I was shivering against him, the adrenalin in my body not abating.

“We’ll protect you,” Pen assured us both, moving over to where we were. “Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with Dristan and Rudgar. They both know and we’re going to do whatever we can to make sure that you’re both safe.”

My throat was too clogged with emotion to thank her, but I could see from her expression that she knew what I wanted to say. I released Rok long enough to hug her and she whispered, “I’ve got you,” against my temple.

Just like she always had when we were growing up. Gratitude filled me for the sister that I’d found along my journey.

“I love you,” I told her, and she squeezed me tighter.

“I love you too,” she assured me, giving me one last breath-stealing hug before releasing me. She gave a startled Rok a hug too before pulling away, her expression determined. “And we’re going to make sure you’re safe,” she told him. “For now, Becca has the right idea,” she continued, gesturing toward the pile of books that I collected. “Get him used to our world and make sure that he’s comfortable here. Because that’s where he’s going to be staying.” The steely glint of resolve in her eyes made me feel better already.

“Thank you,” I told her, and she rolled her eyes.

“You never have to thank me. Now I’ll head over to meet Rudgar. We’re going to work on some additional features for the security systems here. The building’s mostly empty except for us, but we need to do some background checks on everyone who lives and works here.” She nibbled on her lower lip, her arms folded across her chest. “Dristan wants to evict the three other tenants, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” She rolled her eyes.

“They work for Rudgar and they’re orcs, so they understand what’s happening. They’ll help with protection, I think, but as long as they’re male and near me, Dristan…” She sighed, but she didn’t need to explain further.

Even Rok gave an understanding nod. Dristan was as grumpy and possessive as they came. He was known to glare at every single unmated male who got within a mile of Pen.

“He doesn’t need to evict anyone for us,” I told her with a small grin. “Even though I’m almost certain he’s using this as an excuse to execute a plan that he’s had months in the making.”

“Don’t I know it,” she groaned, but waved as she left.

I looked up at Rok, who was staring down at me with open affection, moving to tuck me against him once more. “Hi,” he whispered, the new, blooming intimacy between us filling my stomach with butterflies.

“Hi,” I responded, releasing a quick squeak as he ducked his head and kissed me. I fit so well between his tusks, tiptoeing to keep in contact with him when he tried to pull away.

He gave me more of what I wanted, lapping his way into my mouth with his broad tongue.

For someone who didn’t even know what kissing was a couple days ago, he sure caught on fast.

I sighed with satisfaction, curling myself against him. He gripped my hips in his big hands, his fingers giving my ass an intimate squeeze that had me arching against his chest.

“Oh,” I gasped, and he scooped me up into his arms. “Wait,” I gasped, and he stilled right away, frozen where he was. I smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. “Are you okay?”

His brow furrowed and he tucked me closer so I could feel the hard press of his cock. Heat swept into my cheeks, but I giggled.

“Not that way ,” I explained. “Are you okay with everything that’s happening? Do you need to talk about it?”

“Talk?” he asked, shrugging. “We have enemies that are trying to take me from you. I refuse to go. What’s there to talk about?”

I grinned up at this strong male, caressing his cheek with my palm and watching as his dark, chocolate eyes closed with pleasure at the touch. “Do you want to talk about how it makes you feel?”

Awe filled his expression and he sat in an armchair with me still in his arms. “Is this what mates do?” he asked, his voice filled with reverence. “Ask about emotions?”

I shrugged, tucking a lock of his long, thick hair behind his ear. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a mate before. But I want to know how you’re feeling. Are you scared?”

His brow furrowed, and he kissed me again—a long possessive kiss that had me squirming in his arms. “The only thing that scares me is the thought of losing you,” he admitted in a whisper, burying his face against my throat. I held him close, cradling the back of his head in my hand, and biting on my lower lip to stop the tears that were trying to make their way into my eyes.

“You’re never going to lose me,” I told him, striving to hide the sniffle that I could feel building.

His sigh of relief was so big that I moved a few inches in his arms when he released it. I nuzzled against him, turning until I straddled his lap, my arms curled around him. My thighs were still sore from when he’d fucked me last night, but my pussy was telling me that she was up for another round of having this sexy male inside of me—even though I knew it would put me out of commission for a bit.

“Can I touch you?” I asked him, and his smile was slow and filled with affection.

“You never have to ask me, my Becca. Every touch from you is treasured,” he whispered and his words were another blow to my heart, cracking at the armor that I’d surrounded it with when I thought I’d never meet anyone who I could fall in love with.

This male was well on his way to making me fall for him. And if I was being honest with myself, I was more than halfway there. Biting my lip, I slid my hands down his chest, my fingers sliding along the ridges of his muscles, his skin a decadent, velvety caress against mine and the hard bulges underneath a virile display of strength.

Even though he was so much bigger than me, I never felt threatened by Rok. Every instinct inside me told me that this male would protect me and keep me safe.