With a sharp groan and a tightening of his body, he came as well—solely from giving me pleasure.
We shuddered together, overcome by the wonder of this moment.
Finally we both stilled, him splayed on top of me, me a limp thing beneath him.
“That was…” He kissed my neck before rolling to lay beside me, tugging me into his arm. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I’ve never…” Would it be bad to tell him that no one else had ever done that for me without first seeking his own pleasure?
Unsure, I just snuggled against him, boneless and thoroughly satisfied in a way I’d never been before. My body still hummed with aftershocks.
“Good?” he asked, and I could hear a smile in his voice that reassured me.
“Beyond good.” I kissed his chest, tasting salt and something uniquely him.
We lay there in the afterglow, my head on his chest, his arms wrapped around me while the morning light grew stronger.
That’s when a round, circular imprint on my left inner wrist caught my eye. At first, I thought it came from me grabbing at the sheets, Becken’s hair or shoulders. I held my arm up, frowning, squinting at the pattern in the low light.
I rubbed it, but it didn’t go away. It also didn’t feel like a crease in my skin. Circular, it looked like a pretty, golden tattoo the size of a quarter with a swirling design in the center.
“What…?” I shook my head and squinted harder. “What is this?”
When he followed my gaze, he stilled. With a gulp, he lifted his arm, twisting it in the light coming in through the window.
He had a matching golden circle, and I’d swear it wasn’t there yesterday. I would’ve seen it when we were playing cards.
“No,” he breathed, sitting up so abruptly I slid onto the bed. “This can’t be happening.”
“What can’t be happening?” I scrambled to sit up, clutching a blanket to my chest.
“Mating marks.” His voice sounded strangled, panicked. “We’re… You’re…” He ran a hand through his hair, looking more rattled than I’d ever seen him. “Fated mates. The marks appear for destined partners.”
I stared at him, then at the glowing circle on my wrist. “We can’t be fated mates. I’m human.”
“So are Rosey, Gracie, Jessi, among others. Tell that to Beth who’s about to deliver Ruugar’s youngling.”
“They have these marks too?”
Growling, he nodded. “It’s a permanent bond. Orcs mate for life, Carla. For life.” His breathing came rapid, shallow. “This means… It means we’re connected now. Forever.”
I’d never planned on finding forever with anyone, especially not a grumpy orc I’d known for barely a week.
“One good orgasm means we’re married?” I shrieked. “No way. Not in this lifetime, buddy.”
He shook his head. “I understand. I feel the same way.”
Well…that sucked, but I’d just rejected him. Could I expect anything but rejection in return?
I thrust all that emotional stuff aside.
“But I’m leaving Lonesome Creek,” I said, instead of all the words scrambling through my mind about how I didn’t do permanence, that wecouldn’tbe fated mates. That this must be a mistake. “My contract ends after Christmas.”
“I know.” His voice came out flat, emotionless. “I’m well aware that you’re leaving.”
The golden marks remained, both beautiful and terrifying for a variety of reasons. The weight of their implications settled over me like a wet blanket. I wasn’t ready for this. Wasn’t ready for forever, for the kind of commitment that apparently came with mystical golden circles and orc mating bonds.
“I need to get dressed.” I was suddenly aware of my nakedness in a way I hadn’t been moments before.
