He stood, taking me with him, and turned until my back landed on the conference table edge. The adoption files scattered. His pen rolled off onto the floor.
Neither of us cared.
After locking the door, he returned to lean me back. Lean over me. And kissed down my jaw, finding the spot where my neck met my shoulder, grazing his tusks along it. I gripped his shoulders, then his hair, then gave up and held on while he kissed every sensitive place I’d forgotten I had.
“Tell me to stop,” he said against my collarbone. “Tell me this isn’t appropriate for the workplace, and I’ll stop.”
“Don’t.”
His laugh came out low and rough. “That’s not telling me to stop.”
“I’m aware of that.”
He stepped between my legs, and his expression made my breath catch.
“When orcs court someone,” he said, his hands firm on my hips, “they’re very clear about their intentions.”
“What are your intentions?”
“To keep you.” That was simple. And devastating. “If you’ll have me.”
I pulled him down into another kiss rather than answering with words, and his response told me he understood perfectly.
His mouth moved from mine, trailing along my jaw to that spot behind my ear that made my toes curl. I arched into him and his rumble of approval vibrated through his chest.
“I’ve wanted to do this since you walked into the medical bay to examine Cooper,” he said against my skin. His hands slid up my sides, his fingers brushing the underside of my breasts through my shirt. “You were testing his wing, and I couldn’t focus on a single word you said.”
“I noticed.”
“Did you?” He lifted his head, his eyes dark. “What else did you see?”
That he’d looked at me like I was the only person in the room. That his hands shook when he passed me supplies. That he’s been careful not to stand too close until today.
“Everything,” I said.
He kissed me again, slower this time, thorough. When his tongue traced my lower lip, I opened for him, tasting tea and need.
He slid the hem of my shirt up and slipped his hand underneath, his palm hot against my ribs.
“May I?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He tugged the shirt up and I helped, raising my arms. Cool air hit my skin before his mouth followed, kissing down my chest. His tusks grazed my collarbone and I gasped.
He froze. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. Do it again.”
He did, deliberately this time, letting his tusks drag across sensitive skin while his hands worked at my bra clasp. He got it open on the second try and pulled back to look at me.
“You’re staring,” I said.
“Yes.” His voice had gone rough. “I’m memorizing.”
Then his mouth was on my breast and I could only think of him. His tongue circled my nipple while one hand palmed the other breast. I made sounds I’d be embarrassed about later.
Or not, because I was enjoying this, and I wanted him to know.
