“But the protection?—”
“Would continue.” He leans forward. “If you decided we weren’t a good pairing and wanted to return to the human world, I would most likely follow from a distance. Only to keep you safe. Not to stalk you the way humans do. I’d remain in the commune so you could continue your life as you please. But I’d make sure you were protected from Senator Vance and her people.”
I stare at him, processing this. He’s giving me an out. Not trapping me here with promises of safety only if I become his.
“It’s important to me that you make decisions freely,” he says. “No pressure. No coercion. No bargaining your safety for your body or your commitment. Those things should be separate.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For understanding that. For giving me choice.”
“Always.” His thumb strokes over my knuckles. “But I’m hoping that if you do decide to choose me—to become my Bride and the mother of my future offspring—then you know that’s a lifetime decision. Something to take seriously. Not something done lightly or out of fear or gratitude.”
The weight of what he’s saying settles over me. He wants me desperately, but he wants me to want him too and not just because he’s protecting me or because I want a hot fling. This makes total sense and in fact causes me to respect him more. “I understand,” I say quietly. “And I promise I’ll take it seriously. I won’t make that decision until I’m sure.”
He nods, relief crossing his features. “That’s all I ask.”
“This is still going to be hard,” I admit. “Living together, feeling this attraction and not being able to act on it.”
A small, strained smile crosses his face. “Yes. Very hard.”
The double meaning isn’t lost on me. Despite the tension, I laugh. He does too. The moment of levity breaks some of the heaviness.
I take a breath, steadying myself. “About sleeping arrangements...”
Keric tenses slightly, and I can already see where his mind is going.
“That couch is way too small for you. I saw how uncomfortable you looked.”
“I’m fine?—”
“No, you’re not. And I feel terrible taking your bed.” I meet his eyes. “The bed is huge. King-sized, right?”
He nods slowly, but his expression is troubled.
“We could share it. Just sleeping. Nothing else.”
He’s already shaking his head before I finish. “No.”
“But—”
“Anna, I can’t.” His voice is strained. “Having you that close, in my bed, scenting your arousal, and not being able to touch you? I wouldn’t be able to control myself. And if I claimed you in a rough manner while you’re still unsure, while you haven’t made your decision freely...” He runs a hand over his horns in frustration. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”
“We could set boundaries?—”
“It wouldn’t matter.” He’s firm on this. “My instincts could override my control. Luckily this is happening in the spring and not in the dark of winter, when orcs really do lose control. I would have to be chained, the same as Garlen. Even though this is spring, I am still on edge especially if I had you so close, scenting your arousal.”
I bite my lip. He has a point. And honestly? Part of me knows that if we shared a bed, I wouldn’t want boundaries. I’d want his hands on me. His mouth on mine. His body covering mine.
And that’s exactly the problem.
“Okay,” I concede. “You’re right. The couch it is.”
“For now,” he adds. “Until you decide. One way or the other.”
“One way or the other,” I repeat.
Chapter Eight
Keric
