The Company of Fiends (Tempting Monsters 2)

Hunter blinked at me and his hands loosened in surprise, but he didn't retreat. I had room now, so I stroked one hand down from his chest to his crotch, finding the very generous cock slightly hard already.

"Your cock was wonderful," I said, and Hunter's black tongue flicked over his bottom lip. "I loved how you fucked me."

"I should not have...have held your throat," he murmured, eyelids growing heavy as I stroked him through his pants. His breaths were ragged as I tightened my grip. "You are too fragile, too precious. I shamed myself."

"You made me come so hard," I teased, grinning, leaning in and kissing his chin. His eyes rolled back and he bucked into my hand, and I resisted the urge to laugh. "Hunter, look at my throat now."

His face was torn and folded, as if I was torturing him, and his eyes were on the ceiling when he opened them again. I stretched my neck, still stroking and squeezing him through his pants, and his gaze dropped to my throat, black tongue flicking again.

"I'm fine. You didn't hurt me," I said softly, and his breath shuddered out in a gust. "You took care of me when I was frightened, and you made me feel so good when I needed you."

I debated telling him that he could be rougher, but he was sagging into the door, hips rolling into my grip on his cock, stiff and jumping against my palm.

"Fuck me again, Hunter," I breathed against his lips.

I'd been almost reluctant to see him minutes ago, but the moment he was in front of me, smelling like summer and apologizing for such a perfect experience, disinterest crumbled. Myra was right—I could make something with this orc. He just needed encouragement.

"Please," I whispered, sliding my hand up to the fastening of his pants.

"I have to go," Hunter growled.

I flinched and drew back, but Hunter didn't release me. One hand on my ass slid up to my back, drawing me close, and his head turned, cheek nuzzling against my brow with a little scratch from one tusk.

"I've been called away, little one," he said.

Called away, or is he leaving so I don't trick him into bed with me again?

"I left in the night, embarrassed by my actions," he continued, kissing my forehead. "It was as ignoble as my roughness—"

"Hunter," I said, objecting and trying to escape his grasp.

"Or so I thought. I shouldn't have left. And I don't want to repeat the deed now." He kissed my forehead slowly and loosened his arms.

I debated between tearing away and remaining. "Where do you have to go?"

"North. I made a promise to a friend to lend my help and—"

I sighed and leaned back, staring up at him with a weary smile. "And you're too good not to keep your promise."

His answering smile was tight. "Believe me when I say that the temptation to rut you over the back of that chair, to hear your whimpers as I stuff you with my cock, to feast on your full cunt until you rinse my tongue with your release, is very challenging to refuse."

I arched an eyebrow at the orc in front of me. "Sir, that is a very wicked speech."

"Don't tease, little one," he rumbled.

"I liked it," I said, patting his chest. He sighed, and his head thumped softly against my door. "When do you return?" I asked.

"I refuse to miss one of your performances," he said, turning thoughtful. "I came to offer my apology—hush, listen—and to offer the use of one of my carriages for your safety."

One of my…He wasn't trying to impress me with the boast.

"That isn't necessary, I'll be fine," I said, sharing a genuine smile with him to soften the refusal.

It didn't work. He frowned back at me, head shaking. "You can't convince me your neighborhood is safe, Miss Nix."

"Hazel," I snapped, adding more gently, "Or little one. I like that too."

Hunter blushed, and I wondered if he was even aware of the pet name he'd granted me.

"I'll be escorted home by someone from the theater," I said. "Save your carriages for when you'll be in them with me."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and I wondered if he would object, prefer I use his carriage than have one of the stagehands take me home at night.

Instead the hand on my back lifted to cup my throat. "You meant it?" he asked softly. "You enjoyed last night?"

"I meant it."

"And you…will allow me to repeat the attentions?"

A bright giggle at the formality of the question burst from my lips, and Hunter's cheeks darkened further. "You make it sound like you've walked me around the park or brought me flowers like a lady's suitor," I teased. Hunter blinked and looked away, and I found I hated when his eyes weren't on me, so I pushed, "I'd let you fuck me right here, on the floor, right now, if you weren't so determined to leave."

Hunter's cock jerked against my hip, and his growl vibrated against my chest as I grinned at him.

"If I had time to savor you, I would show you exactly how eager I am to obey," Hunter snarled, dropping his forehead against mine. "But I need many hours, not a few brief minutes, little one."

Brief but delicious, I thought, but I decided not to torture my poor orc any further. I found his lips with mine, rewarded with the rumbling remnants of his growl and the gentle, thorough stroke of his tongue.

"Until curtain call, Miss Nix," he said as he pulled away, the glitter of his eyes giving away his intention to rile me.

"Don't wait for the curtain," I said, tipping my chin up. "I'll be waiting for you backstage."