The Orc's Rose: Chapter Five (special preview)

Chapter Five:

The sound of Ozren chopping wood stirred me from my slumber. As I started to push the blankets away I was aware of how chilly the air was. I went to crawl back under but I thought of how cold it must actually be to make the bedroom this way. And knowing Ozren, I knew what I would see when I looked out the window.

I got out of bed and pulled aside the curtains. Sure enough, he’s out there in nothing but his britches when there is a sheen of ice over everything. It’s a lovely sight to get the day started. Ozren was a handsome package, and I liked how his arms looked as he swung that axe. But I couldn’t stand there and stare. He’d be cold when he got inside, so I wanted to have him a hot drink ready as soon as he stepped inside.

The stove has already been filled with the last bit of wood, so I got the kettle prepared and set upon the stove. I went and fetched my robe. It had belonged to my mother and was the only thing of hers I could escape with. When I first found it as a child, I always imagined it was her hugging me when I wore it. It was quilted and soft, and over the years I had patched it myself. Every time I had to place a stitch or replace a patch, I pretended I was working on it with my mother.

As I stepped out of the bedroom Ozren came in and unloaded an armful of wood into the box. He dusted off his bare arms and shuddered. “Quite cold today, isn’t it?”

“What are you doing, going out there without a coat or even a shirt?” I scolded him.

“I was in a hurry. The bedroom was cold, and I wanted to make sure it didn’t stay that way.” His teeth chattered as he spoke.

I rubbed my hands up his arm. He was chilled to the bone! “Go sit by the stove, you silly man! I’ll give you something warm in a moment.”

He kissed the top of my head then placed his hands about my hips. “Did you sleep well, my Rose?”

“I did. But I am not your something warm. Take your hands off me so I can tend to the kettle.” I didn’t exactly put up a fight though. I wanted him to touch me, even if his hands were cold.

“I’d much rather you were.” He teased before he let go and took a seat down by the stove so he could take off his boots. “I’m glad you slept. You’ve not been sleeping well for a while now. I was getting worried.”

I had fetched a blanket to drape around him while he warmed up. “You knew I wasn’t sleeping?”

“Of course. You toss and turn when you can’t sleep.” He grinned as I placed the blanket around him. “Now where do you think you’re going? Aren’t you going to warm me up?” He pulled me into his lap, wrapping the blanket around the both of us. His hands went up my legs and under the robe.

I yelped and jumped. “Your hands are cold!”

He laughed into my shoulder. “You feel nice and warm, let me just hold you a second longer. Nothing better than thick thighs to warm a set of frozen fingers.”

Already my face was flushed and warm. “You seem to think that thick thighs are good for everything.”

“Aren’t they? They’re good for so many wonderful things. They’re warm and soft, they can be strong, aside from my axe, they’re my favorite tool to work with.”

I pouted a bit. “Just mine though, right?”

Ozren’s grin grew and he chuckled. “Yes of course. They’re the only ones I want.” He gave my thighs an extra squeeze.

Ozren’s barreled chest sank a little. “I must confess, I wanted to go out like that this morning because I was still quite heated by what you told me last night.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ozren looked disgusted and he shook his head, turning his eyes away from me. “Your family. It makes me angry even thinking about them and how they treated you. I needed to work that off this morning.”

I kissed his cheek. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’m here now.”

Ozren released a long, deep sigh that sunk his shoulder. “I know your family is behind you and you’re better off without them. But I cannot let this go so easily. Not when it’s about you.” he tilted up his chin and I took the signal to kiss him. I held his face between my palms while his hands continued up my thighs to grip onto my hips.

The kettle whistled and I got angry at it for interrupting such a perfect moment. I grumbled under my breath as Ozren released me, and I gave the kettle silent threats as I removed it from the stovetop.

“I’ll start breakfast in a moment,” I told him.

“No rush, my Rose.” Ozren watched me with a dream-like gaze. “I’m enjoying you.”