35. Bianca
35
BIANCA
A s the days turn into weeks, I find myself falling deeper and deeper into the unexpected romance that’s blossomed between Rork and me. It’s a surprise, a revelation that catches me off guard in the best possible way.
Now that Rork has stopped bullying me and is treating me like an equal, a partner in every sense of the word, we actually work really well together.
It’s like a switch has been flipped, a hidden piece of the puzzle falling into place. Suddenly, all the things that used to drive me crazy about him—his stubborn determination, his fierce protectiveness, his relentless pursuit of what he wants—become the very things that I admire most.
He becomes the person I know I can always count on, no matter what. What you see is what you get with Rork. There’s no hidden agenda with him.
And I realize that I’ve stumbled across something rare and precious, something that I never dreamed possible, not in a million years.
The perfect man for me.
It’s the little things, the small gestures and quiet moments that speak volumes about the depth of his feelings for me. The way he always makes sure to have my favorite tea on hand, even though he prefers coffee. The way he listens to me and watches my trashy reality TV shows even though he claims they’re brain rot. The way he dutifully reads some of the young adult fiction novels I bring him and gets hooked on them.
He surprises me with picnics in the gardens and evenings spent in the library, reading or doing puzzles. He involves me in matters of the estate.
The way he looks at me, like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, even when I’m sweaty and disheveled from a long day of training. Rork usually trains me in combat, but when he can’t, his trainer, Mitch, does. As friendly as Mitch is, he shows no mercy and kicks my ass.
Every session leaves me exhausted and sore, and today is no different. By the time we finish, every muscle in my body is screaming in protest. I can barely stand as I make my way to the bathroom, desperate for the relief of a hot bath. The steaming water beckons, and I climb in, groaning as the delicious warmth seeps into my skin, soothing my aching muscles.
“Fucking asshole,” I mutter as I lean back against the rim of the tub.
“You rang?” Rork calls out. He leans against the doorframe with his arms crossed, watching me with a mix of amusement and approval. “You’ll thank him later,” he calls out, his voice carrying a hint of a smile.
I groan, sinking deeper into the water. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who just got their ass handed to them.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Pain now is better than having your ass handed to you in battle. Mitch is tough, but he’s making you stronger.”
He’s right, but it doesn’t make the pain any easier to bear. “I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.”
Rork steps into the bathroom, moving closer to the tub. He kneels beside me, his fingers trailing lightly over the surface of the water. “The pain means you’re getting better, Bianca. You’re becoming a warrior.”
His words, though intended to comfort, also ignite a spark of determination within me. I’ve come a long way since I first started training, and I'm not about to give up now. “I’ll keep at it.”
He smiles, a rare, genuine smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he murmurs. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I thank God every day that you’re mine.”
I blush, my heart swelling with a fierce, undeniable joy. “I think I’m the lucky one,” I whisper back, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw.
Rork just smiles, his green eyes soft and warm as he captures my wet hand in his and kisses my knuckles.
As he stands up, I feel a surge of gratitude and something deeper, something I’m not quite ready to name. He heads toward the door, pausing to look back at me one last time. “Rest up. You’ve earned it. And if you’re feeling up to it tomorrow, we can go horseback riding.”
I perk up. He knows how I am about horseback riding, about how free and unbound I feel when I’m on the backs of those magnificent beasts.
“You’re not going to make me muck out the stables again, are you?” I ask warily.
Rork tips his head back and laughs, his beautiful face alight with joy and amusement. “ God no,” he says as he leaves the bathroom. “You were fucking awful at it.”
* * *
The morning dawns bright and clear, the sun’s rays painting the sky in a brilliant array of pinks and oranges. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the soreness from yesterday’s training session has mostly faded, my muscles loose and limber.
Rork is already up and dressed, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he takes in my disheveled appearance. “Well, good morning to you too,” he teases, his hand reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Are you ready for that horseback ride I promised you?”
I grin, my heart leaping with excitement at the prospect. “Absolutely. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed.”
He nods. “Take your time. I’ll get the horses saddled up.”
As I pull on a pair of riding breeches and a soft, fitted blouse, I can’t help but marvel at how much my life has changed in such a short time. If someone had told me a few months ago that I’d be waking up in Rork’s bed, eagerly anticipating a day spent in his company, I would have laughed in their face. Or possibly punched them, depending on my mood.
But as I make my way down to the stables and see him waiting for me, his face alight with happiness and affection, I know that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
We mount up and set off at a brisk trot, the horses’ hooves drumming against the soft, springy turf of the estate grounds. The air is crisp and cool, the scents of damp earth and fresh greenery filling my lungs with every breath.
We crest a hill and break into a gallop, and I can’t help but let out a whoop of pure, unadulterated joy. The wind whips through my hair, tugging at my clothes and making my eyes water, but I don’t care.
Because in this moment, with Rork by my side and the whole world stretched out before us, I feel free, alive in a way I never have before, like I could take on anything and come out the other side stronger, better, more whole.
We race across the open fields, the horses’ strides matching the pounding of my heart in my chest. And as I hear Rork’s laughter ringing out beside me, a sound of unbridled happiness, I realize that I’m truly, deeply happy in this life we’ve built together.
That somehow, against all odds and expectations, a revenge pilot has transformed into a marriage I never dreamed possible.
We ride for hours, until the sun is high in the sky and our muscles ache with the exertion. Finally, we come to a stop beside a bubbling brook, the horses gratefully lowering their heads to drink from the cool, clear water.
Rork dismounts first and heads over to me, his arms open to help me down.
“You know I can dismount myself,” I call out.
He dips his head in acknowledgment. “Yes,” he admits. “But maybe I would like to feel my wife against me.” His strong hands lift me down from the saddle and hold me close in the circle of his arms as he presses a kiss to my temple. “Ever think of that?” he whispers into my ear.
It hits me in that moment that I love him. That I’m in love with him.
Holy shit .
It’s a realization that steals the breath from my lungs. But even as the words rise to my lips, something holds me back. A flicker of doubt, of fear, that I can’t quite shake.
Because what if he doesn’t feel the same? What if this is all just a game to him, a way to pass the time until he grows bored and moves on?
But then Rork is spreading out a blanket on the soft, mossy ground, his hand reaching out to pull me down beside him. “Get down here,” he says playfully, his eyes twinkling with that mischievous glint I’ve come to adore.
I laugh, settling in between his legs as he wraps his arms around me. Our bodies fit perfectly against each other like two halves of a whole. The cool breeze rustles the leaves above us, but all I can focus on is the warmth of Rork’s embrace and the steady thrum of his heartbeat against my back.
As we sit there on the blanket, the world around us fades into a gentle hum. Rork’s hands begin to wander, tracing light patterns on my skin. His touch ignites a familiar heat, a spark that quickly grows into a roaring fire. Since that first night with him, it seems we haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other.
And I love it.
I tilt my head back, looking up at him. His eyes are dark with desire, his lips curving into a knowing smile. “You’re insatiable,” he murmurs, his voice a low, seductive rumble.
“Only for you,” I whisper back, turning in his arms to face him. Our lips meet in a slow, passionate kiss, the kind that sends shivers down my spine and makes my toes curl.
His hands slide under my shirt, caressing the bare skin of my back. I arch into his touch, my own hands exploring the hard planes of his chest. The world around us disappears entirely, leaving only the two of us lost in the haze of desire.
Rork rolls me onto my back, hovering over me with a look that’s both tender and hungry. “Are you sure?” he asks, his voice husky with restraint.
“Yes,” I breathe, pulling him down for another kiss. “Always.”
Our movements become more urgent, our breaths mingling as our bodies press together. The blanket beneath us is soft, the mossy ground cushioning us, but all I can focus on is Rork. His touch, his taste, his scent—it’s overwhelming in the best possible way.
As things heat up, my hands fumble with his clothes, eager to feel his skin against mine. He responds in kind, his fingers deftly removing the barriers between us. Our clothes discarded, we come together in a perfect, passionate union.
I lose myself in the sensations, in the way he makes me feel. Every touch, every kiss, every movement is electric, sending waves of pleasure through me. We move together, a rhythm that feels as natural as breathing.
The intensity builds, the pleasure becoming almost too much to bear. Rork’s name escapes my lips in a breathless moan, and he responds with a groan of his own, his grip on me tightening.
The world narrows down to this moment, to the connection between us. It’s raw, it’s powerful, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. As we reach the peak together, the world explodes in a burst of sensation, leaving us both trembling and breathless.
As we lie there in the aftermath, our bodies tangled together, our breaths slowly returning to normal, Rork holds me close, his lips brushing against my forehead in a gentle kiss. He looks down at me, his eyes soft and filled with an emotion I’ve longed to see.
“I love you,” he whispers, his voice filled with a tenderness that makes my heart swell.
For a moment, I’m stunned. I really thought he didn’t love me, that it would be a one-sided feeling. But I was wrong. Tears prick the corner of my eyes, a mixture of relief and overwhelming joy washing over me. “I love you too,” I murmur, my voice trembling with emotion.
And I mean it with every fiber of my being.
His smile broadens, and he kisses me again, this time with a sweetness that makes my heart flutter. As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle above us, I know that this is where I belong.
With Rork, in his arms. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.