6. Carissa
CHAPTER SIX
CARISSA
I stared up at Torain, his words making my head spin. Mate? As in… fated mates? My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it over the ambient music of the store.
“That’s... that’s not possible.” The words came out as barely a whisper. “I’m human. You’re...”
“An orc?” Torain’s lips curved into a wicked grin around his tusks. “And you’re still my mate.”
Torain pressed closer, the heat of his massive frame searing me through my clothes. My wrist burned where he pinned it above my head, his grip firm but not painful. The scent of sawdust enveloped me, making my head spin. Or maybe that was just the lack of oxygen as my lungs refused to work properly
“I don’t believe in fate,” I managed, hating how breathless I sounded. “That’s for fairy tales and marketing gimmicks.”
His laugh rumbled through me. “Says the woman who owns a bookstore.”
“Inherited,” I corrected automatically. “And that’s not the point. You can’t just decide?—”
His mouth crashed down on mine, swallowing the rest of my protest. This wasn’t the soft kisses after Paint & Sip. No, this kiss left no room for questions, only obedience. It dared me to deny the attraction smoldering between us, to resist the temptation he offered. To say no to the ache building between my thighs.
I should have pushed him away. Told him he was crazy. Gone back to my neat, organized life in Seattle where things made sense.
Instead, I arched into his touch.
“Feel that?” He nipped at my lower lip. “The way your body calls to mine? That’s the mate bond.”
“It’s just lust,” I argued weakly.
But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they were a lie. This pull went deeper than mere physical attraction. From the moment I laid eyes on him—first crushes and reunions, both—I’d been drawn to him. Some part of me must have known, even if my rational mind couldn’t accept it.
His hand left my face, trailing fire down my neck, across my collarbone. “Lust is part of it.” His fingers teased the top button of my blouse. “But it’s more. So much more.”
My tongue darted out to wet my suddenly dry lips, and I watched his eyes darken at the motion. The knowledge that I could affect this big, powerful creature with such a small gesture sent a thrill through me.
“It’s knowing you’re mine. Feeling your happiness. Your pain.” His knuckles grazed the swell of my breast, and I bit back a moan. “Wanting to give you everything.”
I felt unmoored, adrift in unfamiliar waters with no land in sight. But it was the certainty in his voice and eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. No one had ever looked at me like that—like they could see past every wall I’d built, every spreadsheet I’d hidden behind.
No one had ever claimed to give me everything.
“Torain...” It came out as a breathy plea. For what, I wasn’t sure. To stop? To never stop?
“You feel it, too.” It wasn’t a question. He nuzzled into my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he inhaled deeply. His lips ghosted over my pulse point, making me shiver. “Your body knows who you belong to, even if your mind’s catching up.”
His teeth grazed my sensitive flesh, sending sparks shooting along my nerves. It wasn’t fair how easily he could turn my legs to jelly, make my resolve crumble with a simple touch. I pressed into him, seeking more contact, more heat. More of this intoxicating feeling only he seemed able to awaken.
He rolled his hips against me, letting me feel exactly how much he wanted this. Wanted me. “Say it, Carissa. Say you’re mine.”
Torain’s hand ghosted up my thigh, bunching my skirt higher. Higher. Until his fingers brushed the edge of my panties. He traced the thin fabric, applying just enough pressure to drive me mad but not nearly enough to satisfy.
“Fuck, sugar. You’re drenched.” With agonizing slowness, he pushed my underwear aside. A single finger traced my slit, gathering the embarrassing amount of wetness there. “All this for me?”
A whimper escaped my lips as he dragged his finger upward, circling my clit with aching precision. Every nerve ending seemed centered on that one, perfect point.
“Shh,” Torain admonished, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Unless you want the whole store to hear how desperate you are for my cock.”
My eyes widened as reality hit. We were still in the shop, surrounded by dusty stacks of books and random odds and ends. Anyone could wander upstairs and catch us. The idea of being discovered shouldn’t have made arousal surge through my body. Shouldn’t have made my pussy clench around nothing.
“We can’t,” I protested weakly, even as my hips rocked against his questing fingers. “Someone might?—”
“Then you’d better stay quiet, sugar.” His grin turned positively victorious. “Wouldn’t want anyone to see you like this. Wet. Needy.” He nipped my earlobe at the end of a low, dirty chuckle. “At my mercy.”
Then he slipped a finger inside me.
I bit my lip to hold back a moan as he filled me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been with someone. Longer than I cared to admit, surely. Not that it mattered. No man had ever touched me like this, with such single-minded purpose. Like my pleasure was the most important thing in the world.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” Torain’s words were barely audible above my pounding heartbeat. “I want to see you come apart. Feel your cunt squeeze my fingers like they’re my cock.”
Another finger joined the first, stretching me deliciously as he curled them forward. I buried my face in Torain’s chest, breathing in his woodsy scent as I tried desperately to remain silent. My hips moved of their own accord, seeking more, harder, faster. Anything to ease the growing tension coiled within me.
His thumb found my clit, adding just enough pressure to send lightning bolts of pleasure crackling through my veins. Everything narrowed on him, on Torain—his fingers working their magic, his breath hot against my ear, his body surrounding me.
“Let go, sugar.” His voice rasped in my ear. “Show me how much you enjoy your mate’s touch.”
And I shattered.
He crushed his mouth to mine, swallowing my cry. The kiss was messy and desperate, all clashing teeth and battling tongues. I poured every ounce of need and confusion and longing into it, and he matched me stroke for stroke.
In a dizzying move, he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, gasping as he pressed me against the shelves. Books dug into my back, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Not when the hot length of him was nestled against my center, separated only by the thin fabric of my panties and his jeans. Even through layers of clothing, the size of him was intimidating.
And arousing as hell.
I fumbled with his belt, desperate to get my hands on him. I’d never wanted anyone like this, never needed to feel someone inside me with such urgency.
Torain shifted me in his arms, one massive hand sliding down to help free his cock. The thick length sprang free, impossibly huge and gorgeously hard against my inner thigh. A whimper escaped my throat at the size of him.
His fingers teased along the edge of my panties. “Will you keep quiet, sugar?”
I glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the empty aisle. A handful of customers chatted downstairs. Molly rang up a purchase at the register. Anyone could wander upstairs. Find us. See me spread open and desperate for him.
The thought only made me wetter.
I nodded. “I’ll be good.”
“Oh, you’re definitely not.” He smirked as he worked the scrap of silk and lace to the side. The blunt head of his cock slid along my soaked entrance. “My filthy mate can’t even wait for a bed to have me fill her.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but then he kissed me again, stealing every coherent thought. His thick cock stretched me as he pressed inside, the delicious burn making my breath catch. Pleasure sparked through me as he filled me inch by agonizing inch. My hands fisted in his shirt, clinging for balance as he lifted me higher against the shelves.
“Carissa,” Torain growled low in his throat. “You feel so fucking perfect.”
Something melted inside me at the way he said my name—not ‘sugar’ or ‘little Carrie’. Just Carissa, spoken like a prayer. Even now, buried deep inside me, he remembered what mattered. Showed up for me in the smallest ways that meant everything.
A shudder wracked my body. I’d never realized how lonely I was until that moment, holding onto Torain for dear life, his cock stretching me to my limits. There’d been dates. Hookups. Nothing serious.
I’d never belonged to anyone like this. Never felt truly seen or known. Certainly never had someone look at me like Torain did—with possessiveness and pride. And something deeper, almost tender, shining in his eyes.
He made me want to believe in fate.
He started to move, drawing himself out slowly before surging back into me. My head fell back, hitting the shelf as pleasure coursed through my body. I struggled to stay silent, biting my lip to stifle any cries as he fucked me.
“That’s right, sugar.” Torain’s voice was ragged. “Take it. Take all of me.”
“Someone could hear,” I whispered, even as my hips rolled to meet his thrusts.
“You like that, don’t you?” He nuzzled my neck, his tusks grazing sensitive skin. “The risk of getting caught. Makes your pussy squeeze me so tight.”
I whimpered, unable to deny it. The shelves creaked with each thrust, books threatening to tumble down around us.
“Unbutton your blouse.” He nipped my earlobe. “Take out those tits for me to taste.”
Heat crawled across my cheeks. But instead of arguing, my fingers obeyed, undoing each pearl button with shaking hands. Torain’s fingered tightened on my hips, watching hungrily as my breasts spilled free from the cups of my bra.
His mouth latched onto my nipple, sucking and teasing until I was near-delirious with need. I clutched at his head, tangling my fingers in his long hair, keeping him pressed against me. His tusks framed my breast perfectly, adding just the slightest bite of danger to the pleasure.
“Fuck, sugar. You’re even sweeter than I imagined.” He lifted his head, eyes dark with hunger. “I’m going to have you everywhere in this store. Bend you over every surface. Make you come so many times you forget about Seattle.”
My heart clenched. There was nothing for me in Silvermist Falls beyond bankruptcy and threats. Seattle was safe. Seattle was home.
“Stay, Carissa.” My full name again. Another prayer whispered in my ears. “Stay, and I’ll lay you out on that fancy wine bar. Taste every inch of you before sliding inside.”
My breath hitched. “Torain...”
“Or maybe I’ll fuck you in the office.” He punctuated the words with a particularly deep thrust. “Bend you over that desk while you try to balance the books. Make you forget all about those vendor calls.”
“Please,” I whispered, not sure what I was begging for.
“Stay, Carissa.” He dragged his tusks along my throat before planting a bruising kiss at the crook of my neck. “Give us a chance. And when you’re ready—when I have you spread out in our bed and begging—I’ll claim you as mine.”
Our bed. Ours. Something warm bloomed in my chest, chasing away the loneliness, filling the empty space with hope. I’d spent so long building order into my world, relying only on myself to get by.
Maybe it was time for chaos. Time to live a little, see where the cards fell.
Maybe it was time to choose hope over safety.
“Yes.” The word slipped out before I could second guess it.
His eyes lit up. “Yes what, sugar?”
“Yes, I’ll stay.” I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. “Yes, I want to try.”
A rumble of pure pleasure vibrated against my chest as he captured my lips in a searing kiss. Then his pace quickened, the slick sounds of sex echoing in my ears as he slammed into me. Each thrust brought me closer to the edge, my pussy squeezing him like a vise.
“Come for me, sugar.” He breathed the words against my lips. “Claim your mate.”
And I shattered, stars bursting behind my eyes as the pleasure overwhelmed me. I buried my face in his neck to muffle my cries. His arms tightened around me as he fucked me through my release.
“Fuck, Carissa,” he groaned, his thrusts growing erratic. “I’m close. Where do you want me to?—”
I squirmed out of his arms, sinking to my knees before he could finish the thought. I wrapped my hand around the base of his glistening shaft, marveling at how my fingers barely met.
Without breaking eye contact, I took him in my mouth. The taste of myself on his cock made me moan, the vibrations drawing a strangled curse from above.
“Fucking gods,” he hissed. His hand dropped to my head, guiding my movements. “Like that, sugar. Just like that.”
I hollowed my cheeks, savoring his broken groans as I sucked him deeper. My head spun, drunk on power and desire. In only a few strokes, he stiffened, spilling down my throat with a guttural moan. I swallowed every drop, relishing the way he trembled above me.
We stayed frozen for a moment, both breathing hard. His hands were surprisingly gentle as he helped me to my feet, tucking my breasts back into my bra and carefully rebuttoning my blouse.
Our eyes met and held. Electricity zinged along my nerves, lighting up every spot where we touched. His thumb stroked the curve of my hip, sending fresh shivers of desire racing through me.
I had so many questions. So many uncertainties swirling in my head. Did I really want to stay in Silvermist Falls? Could I afford to keep the store open? What would everyone say about me giving the orc a chance?
But for once, the logical spreadsheets in my brain were blissfully silent. I sagged against Torain’s broad chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. Breathing him in. Relaxing into the feeling of his arms banded around me.
“Carissa!” Molly’s voice shattered our bubble. “Call on line two!”
With a sigh, I stepped out of Torain’s arms. I smoothed my skirt and checked my bun as reality drew me from our secluded corner. At the end of the aisle, feeling my… mate’s eyes on me, I glanced back over my shoulder. I smirked, then wiped the corner of my mouth with exaggerated slowness and licked my thumb clean.
Torain’s eyes blazed with renewed hunger. “Tease.”
The growl that followed me as I sashayed away sent a delicious shiver down my spine.