Kind eyes. That was my first coherent thought. Dark, intelligent eyes set in a face that was undeniably orcish, with his prominent bone structure, tusks jutting up from his lower jawline, and skin the color of sage. He came across as gentle in a way that made my chest tighten. There was something careful in the way he moved, as if he was constantly aware of his own strength and the damage it could do.
He caught sight of me through the glass and stilled, his gaze locking on mine in a way that should’ve terrified me. Instead, for the first time in too long, I felt my throat loosen.
I could finally breathe.
I’d spent years jumping at shadows, flinching from every unexpected sound, and looking for threats in every stranger’s face. But this mountain of an orc who couldprobably crush me with one hand made me feel safer than I had in years with just one glance.
Which was insane. I didn’t even know his name.
But as he moved toward the door, I found myself walking forward instead of running away.
The door opened before I could knock, and I had to crane my neck back to meet his eyes. Up close, he was even more imposing, all seven feet of solid muscle and careful control, his dark hair neatly trimmed, his sheriff’s uniform stretching across a body that belonged in ancient myths about warriors and heroes.
“You must be Deputy Smith,” he said, his voice a low rumble vibrating through my bones. “I’m Sheriff Dungar Bronish. Dungar if you please. Welcome to Lonesome Creek.”
He held out his hand, and I stared at it for a moment before remembering how to function. His palm completely engulfed mine, warm and calloused and gentle. Strength radiated from his grip, maybe even enough to bend steel, but he held my fingers like I was made of glass.
“Riley,” I said, surprised my voice came out steady. “Riley Smith. Thank you for the opportunity, Sheriff Bronish.”
A tingle shot up my arm, and he frowned down at our clasped hands before his groan ripped out.
Before I could leap away or think of how to respond, he tugged me inside, slammed the door shut, and plunged to his knees, which was comical in a way because that only put him at my eye-level. But I wasshort, only a scratch above five feet, and he was…well, an orc.
“Riley… Riley…” he gulped out.
“Yes, I, um… Why are you on your knees? Are you alright?”
“I’m…fine. You… You’re…” He blinked a moment, studying my face before he flipped my hand over and lowered his head. When his tongue met my palm, it tickled. Then overheated as if he’d placed a poker in my hand, scorching hot from the fire.
He proceeded to lick my right palm all the way to my wrist, then reverently took my left hand and repeated the action.
Flames licked at my wrist, but I was too fascinated by this orcish gesture that must be part of their formal greeting process to look at my arm.
“Riley,” he croaked. “Riley.”
“Yes, um, that’s my name. Riley.” I pushed for a smile. “Don’t wear it out.”
He lumbered to his feet and gazed down at me with an almost silly, happy expression on his face.
“You don’t know what this means, do you?” he asked.
“What in particular?” Should I mention the palm-licking thing? It might break tradition to do so, so I’d take my cue from him.
“Let’s…” He frowned as he gazed at my wrists, and I’d swear he looked disappointed. His swallow took a long time to go down. “It’s nothing.Nothing. I’m Dungar.”
“Yes, Sheriff Bronish. Dungar. My new boss.”
“Boss. Yes, your boss.”
He was a little odd, but cute in his own way. I could live with it.
His dark gaze swept over me, perhaps noting my defensive posture, the way I’d positioned myself for a quick escape out the front or rear door, and the neutral expression I’d perfected over months of hiding. “You look tired. It’s a long drive from Denver.”
Denver. Right. That was where Riley Smith was supposed to have come from, according to my carefully constructed backstory. Not Chicago. Not the safe houses I’d lived in for the past two years.
“It was,” I said. “I’m grateful for the fresh start.”
His expression softened further, and I had the unsettling feeling he could see straight through my practiced lies to the terrified woman beneath. But instead of quizzing me, he simply stepped back and gestured to the room in general.
