Chapter 13
Addy
It’s hot in here. My cheeks flame.
I just said I was in love with Leif, in front of all these people, before even thinking through the repercussions—let alone saying it to him!
What was I thinking? This post-blizzard impromptu holiday party has turned into a sauna in the middle of a blazing desert.
I want to rip off my sweater and wool socks and run outside and roll in the snow.
I imagine steam billowing off of me, like some cartoon character who puts out their flames by dunking themselves in an icy river.
Gathering my breath, my courage, my loins, I carefully peek over at him.
Yep. His eyes literally smolder as he gazes at me, his nostrils flare the tiniest bit, then he licks his lips.
I wouldn’t think anyone else heard. But orcs, and I assume minotaurs and gargoyles, have excellent hearing.
Bjorn whoops. August smacks him in the stomach to shut him up.
Closing my eyes for a beat, I think through my options.
But anything other than the truth is painful even to consider.
I open my eyes, shifting to look straight at him.
“Yes. I know it sounds crazy. I went back to Koru and Poppy’s place and cleaned up.
Tried to shake the idea of you off of me.
It was as if I’d left a piece of me behind; I’d left you behind.
And it hurt. I don’t know what the future holds, but I want you to be a part of it.
Of course now, maybe it’s all a game. Maybe this silly ornament is playing with my heart like it’s a marionette.
” I refuse to cry, but the thought that these feelings aren’t real, aren’t true, is devastating.
That my sister played some sort of mean prank on me hurts so much.
My big sister, who has always looked out for me.
Who sacrificed her own morals and well-being to ensure I was safe.
Who worked hard to give me the opportunity to go to university.
Did this same big sister set me up? Are all these feelings for Leif fake?
My hands tremble. Rather, the one he isn’t holding tight to is trembling.
Leif doesn’t let go. Doesn’t look away. Reaching forward with his other hand, he cups my cheek, cutting off our audience.
It’s just him and me. His thick, callused hand is gentle, soothing.
“Addy, I’m yours, and you are mine. Magic, Solstice, ornaments, and meddling sisters and witches be damned. No offense, Poppy.”
“None taken,” Poppy whispers from a thousand miles away.
“You’re my mate. I will gladly be snowed in with you, trapped on the side of a mountain with you, stuck in a boat at sea with you. I need only you. I love you.”
My cheeks are wet. I can’t help but transform into a soggy puddle of joy as he kisses me tenderly. He wraps one arm around me, pulling me across the floor and into his lap. His other cups the back of my head as his tongue licks my lips, entering as I part my lips for him.
There’s cheering around us. The pitter-patter of a herd of hedgehogs on parade around us. Lucy giggles.
But barely any of it truly registers. Leif’s heat is all-consuming.
The knowledge that he loves me sets me aflame with desire and, yes, surprise.
This isn’t anything that I expected, or thought I wanted, before I arrived at Moonfang Haven this week.
This grumpy orc has matched my desire and need with his own.
We have collided, creating our own celestial binary system.
I push into him, maneuvering to straddle his lap, needing the heat of him deep inside me. Hands clutch at my sweater. Mine pulls on his Henley.
Coughing from somewhere in the solar system breaks through the heat dream state I’m in. Choosing to ignore it, I deepen my kiss, threading my hands through his hair.
Another sound, this time louder.
Leif pauses, pulls away just enough so we are nose to nose. He’s breathing just as hard as me, and there is something deeply satisfying in thinking I’ve made my orc out of breath.
That’s right. My orc.
“We’ll continue this later,” he whispers to me. I whimper shamelessly in return.
“Come on, Lucy! Let’s go slice the pie and make some whipped cream!” Tasha’s too loud, too cheery voice breaks through to my poor orc-addled brain.
Oh. People. Hedgehogs. Guests. Oops.
After some straightening of clothes, deep blushing, and pushing my hair out of my face, I attempt to make eye contact with people. Everyone smiles. Conversation picks back up. Poppy keeps giggling silently, and if she weren’t pregnant, I’d punch her in the arm.
Leif keeps me snuggled up against him as we continue to laugh and talk with our friends, our family. Lucy delivers slices of pumpkin pie and pecan pie with homemade whipped cream, and I think I’m in heaven now.
It doesn’t take long before the eating has wound down, August and Tasha wash and dry the dishes with speed, and everyone says their farewells.
Helping Poppy into her coat, boots, and hat, she says, “Addy, I’m happy for you.
And no, I wasn’t trying to trick you or set you up.
Did I hope for you to have a good time while visiting?
Yes. And did I hope you might change your mind about Moonfang Haven?
Absolutely. I’ve missed you so much, and I don’t want to spoil your time at university, but I dream of you moving here when you’re done with your education.
I’m so proud of you, Addy. I love you.” She wipes her tears away.
I don’t understand why we are both crying.
“Oh Poppy. I have changed my mind. About a lot of things. I’ve been afraid to tell you, but I am not made for university. I’ve been miserable there, and I need a fresh start, something different. But you worked so hard to help me get there, I don’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
Poppy places her gloved hand on my cheek, swiping away my tears.
“I could never be disappointed in you. We’re family.
A team. I wanted you to have what I didn’t.
If it isn’t a good fit for you, that’s okay!
” She pauses, a sly grin on her face. “It sounds like Leif might be the perfect fit.” The way she says ‘fit,’ is code, and I’m blushing again before I can control my reaction.
“Ugh, get your mind out of the gutter. Go home and make Koru give you a foot massage.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I will. And let me just say, my mind will never not be in the gutter. Pregnancy makes me super horny.”
“Goodnight, dear sister.”
“Goodnight, Addy. I’m proud of you. Come on, Koru! I have needs.” Koru, who has been rather quiet all evening, smiles his broken-tusk smile and follows Poppy out to their truck—the one that looks suspiciously like Leif’s.
And like that, it’s just the Quill family, Leif, and me in the quiet again. Our pretty tree candles go out. Someone lit more candles along the kitchen counter. The fire is cozy.
All I can think is, I, too, have needs to be met.