After the shower, I rub my face with exfoliation pads apply my peptides and then facial sunscreen as usual. I blow dry my hair to a shiny sheen, then I get dressed, disappointed at the lack of choice. Today I’m wearing the clothes I wore when I arrived, because I’ve only got two sets of clothes. This is what I washed last night. I did bring a t shirt to sleep in, so at least I have that. Casual but presentable for a meeting the other Brides.
Deep breath. Time to face him.
I walk out of the bedroom. The house is nice and warm, despite the fact that it’s a chilly spring day outside. Keric is in the kitchen, shirtless as usual, making breakfast. This time it’s pancakes and sausage. How did I get this lucky, finding a manwho likes to cook for me? My whole life I’ve dreamt of finding a man who wanted to cook for me, but I didn’t think it was possible and here he is.
The smell of coffee and sausage fills the cabin. Dinah plays with her toy mouse on the floor, pouncing with exaggerated kitten fierceness.
Keric looks up when I enter. “Good morning. I was about to go and wake you up when I heard the shower start. Coffee?”
“Please.” My voice sounds normal. Good. Does he know I dreamt of him last night? Can he scent my arousal? God, I hope not.
I pick up the kitten and sit at the table, trying not to stare at his bare chest. Those tribal tattoos. The way his muscles move as he pours coffee. The memory of the dream flashes through my mind, the feel of his mouth, his tongue on my clit, his hands on my thighs.
Stop it. Focus.
“You okay?” He sets the coffee in front of me.
Did he just sniff me? “Fine. Totally fine.” That was too enthusiastic. I need to dial it back. I kiss the kitten and then put the squirming fluff ball back on the floor. “Just... thinking about meeting Drew and the others today.”
He nods and flips some pancakes. “They’ll like you. And you’ll like them.”
“What should I expect?”
“Honest answers. Whatever you want to know, they’ll tell you.” He starts plating pancakes and sausage for the both of us.
“That’s good. I need help with all the details, told from the point of view of other women, about how to settle in here as a human living mainly amongst orcs.”
“You’ll get it.”
I put butter and syrup on my pancakes and dig in. We eat breakfast. I focus on my food, on Dinah trying to steal bacon offmy plate, on anything except the way Keric’s hands look holding his fork. The memory of the dream keeps intruding. His face between my thighs. The orgasm that woke me up.
I need to get out of this cabin.
At nine forty-five,our meal is finished and the kitchen was left tidy. Dinah is left behind in the bathroom with her kitty litter, bowls of food and water and a small blanket for her bed.
We climb into the utility vehicle. Keric drives me to Dinah’s cabin. I’m very aware of him beside me in close quarters. His bare green chest. Those tattoos on his shoulders. The way his large hands grip the steering wheel.
Stop staring, Anna.
“Nervous?” he asks.
“A little. What if they don’t like me?”
“They will.” Simple certainty.
We drive through the wild area and return to the residential area, with more cabins tucked between trees. Smoke puffs from chimneys and gardens start to show spring growth. It’s peaceful here. Beautiful.
“We’re here.” Keric parks the vehicle in front Drew’s cabin, which I can tell is larger than Keric’s. It must clearly be built for a family.
Keric walks me to the door. “I’ll pick you up at noon.”
“Okay.”
Our eyes meet. His gaze drops to my mouth.
I lick my lips.
He takes a deep breath and a step backwards. Then he’s gone. Walking back to the vehicle and pulling away.
