The Orc's Rose: Chapter Three (deluxe preview)

Chapter Three:

My first night with Ozren was a rough one. I had gotten used to sleeping in many places during my journey here, and I figured I could sleep anywhere. But Ozren’s massive bed felt like an island, and all around me was danger.

I slept alone, and Ozren slept elsewhere. I tossed and turned all night, often glancing towards the locked door. Ozren didn’t seem like the type, but I had not not been in Obresh long, nor did I know much about the Reaping. I found some fitful sleep by dawn, but it didn’t last long.

I heard Ozren singing from beyond the door, and the scent of food lured me from bed. I’d been too nervous last night to eat anything, so my stomach was close to eating itself. Unlocking the door I peered outside, slowly inching my way out into the hallway. Ozren’s singing was pitchy, but his deep voice sounded nice. I peeked into the kitchen, seeing him at the stone with a cast iron pan in hand.

He caught me looking and he broke into a smile. “Good morning, my Rose! Did you sleep well?” He took the iron pan and spilled eggs out from inside onto plates.

I stepped out more, looking down at my feet but the smell of the food was so good. “Fine,” I lied.

“Good, I’m glad. I want you to be comfortable. This is your home.” He waved me in. “Come, sit, I’ve made you a hearty breakfast. We’ll go into town later to collect your things.”

I inched into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table where Ozren placed an overflowing plate of food in front of me. Eggs, toast, thick slabs of bacon, were in epic proportions on my plate, and not placed too prettily either.

“Thank you, you really didn’t need to go all out.” I said, despite knowing I could never finish off such a plate by myself.

“Thinking nothing of it, my Rose.” Ozren smiled brightly, sitting down beside me with his own copious plate.  “It’s going to be a good day today.”

I watched egg yellow ooze down onto the plate, soaking into the toast and coating the end of a piece of bacon. I took a bite, nibbling and not taking large bites like Ozren was.

“You eat so politely, my Rose.”

I didn’t realize he was watching me. My face must have turned red in an instant. “I don’t want to be rude.”

“Eating isn’t rude. It’s probably one of the most basic instincts we got. Hell, even raccoons eat and you’ve seen them.” He takes a piece of his toast, dunking it in egg like a raccoon would to water.

It made me giggle, and Ozren’s face lit up. I don’t know what it is about me that made him choose me. Maybe I was an easy target or he thinks I’m easy to handle. Whatever the reason, I don’t know how comfortable I will be until I know. I did like Ozren though, at the bar he was kind if not boisterous. He had nice hands, even with the rough pads of his fingers. If I could remind myself of that, perhaps I could at least sleep tonight.

Ozren leaned in. “Was the bed not comfortable? Were the blankets not warm enough?” He asked with an urgent tone that bordered on worry.

I hurriedly chewed through a bite so I could answer him. I cupped my hand over my mouth. “Everything was fine.”

“Just fine?”

I swallowed and nodded at him. “I had a hard time sleeping. But the bed was comfortable.”

Ozren’s expression shifted and his mouth opened slightly. “I could have slept outside if that was-”

I almost dropped my fork. “No, it wasn’t you! I was overwhelmed, so I just laid there. The bed was perfect, the blankets were nice, it’s just me.” I realized how fast and terrified my voice was and I sat there waiting for something to happen.

Ozren’s shoulders relaxed and he chuckled. A grin appeared and he reached out across the table, taking hold of my hand. “I was nervous too, if that helps.”

“Really?” My voice cracked.

Ozren nodded, a somber expression came to his deep, dark eyes. “I was scared I’d get up in the morning and you would be gone.”

My mouth opened in shock. “I wouldn’t do that. Not to you.”

His smile grew, and Ozren leaned in closer towards me. He held my hand tights and gave me a look where there was a moment of calm in my mind. I smiled back at him.

“We will have to take this day by day, my Rose. Together. Day by day,” he said with a gentle voice. “Now eat up. We’ll go into town and fetch all your things, and when we get back, we’ll start to work on how to make this your home.”

They were sweet words despite the uncertainty. But to me, they were better than no words at all, which I had grown accustomed to.

I ate all I could then Ozren finished the rest for me. We then headed back towards town so I could get my things at The Little Gem, as well as The Odd Strawberry. Not that I had much to fetch anyways. At least, that’s what I thought.

“You’ve got quite the wardrobe, don’t you Rose?” Ozren laughed as he helped me fold up my clothes.

“I forgot how much the girls at work had given me,” I murmured. “I’m sorry.”

“I can carry anything, a few dresses are nothing,” He said as he loaded them into a bag. “Anything else?”

“No. You can head on down, I’ll take care of the blankets.” I waited until he was out of the room and then I grabbed my bag from under the mattress. I counted everything before tucking it away in my skirt.

There was a knock on the doorframe and Mama let herself in. “I’ll miss you here, Rue. But you couldn’t have been picked by a better fellow.”

“Ozren? He’s nice,” I murmured, smoothing down my skirts.

Mama smiled at me, giving me a once over before coming up and hugging me. “He’s more than nice, Rue. I bet you’ll be blissful by the end of the month.”

My cheeks flushed. “I barely know him.”

She shrugged. “Maybe not now, but you’ll learn. I see the way he looks at you. No doubt in my mind you’ll be looking at him the same way shortly.”

Nothing was going the way I planned so far, maybe this was all part of it. Ozren wasn’t so bad, I’m just a nervous wreck in general. “Maybe.”

Mama chuckled, leading me out of my old room. “Well you always have The Old Gem to come back to if you need it.”

“Thanks, Mama.” I went with her back to the front where Ozren was waiting. I caught a glimpse of myself in his eyes and I had to look away quickly.

“Ready?” He asked.

My face still felt warm, the blush wasn’t going away. “I suppose.”

“Do you need anything while we are here in town?” Ozren asked. “Anything at all, just name it.”

I stepped out onto the street and Ozren walked alongside me. “No, it’s fine.” I tried to walk faster so the conversation would end.

“Rose,” his voice turned suddenly stern.

I stopped and turned to him. “I really don’t need anything. I didn’t sleep much last night, so I was thinking of taking a nap when we got back.”

There was a strangely somber look upon his face I didn’t expect, it took me aback for a second. “This is new for both of us,” Ozren began. “I am trying to get to know you better, but I feel like you’re trying to escape me. Talk to me instead of running.”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t-” I stopped and made myself look away. “I’m sorry.”

Ozren sighed and approached me, placing a hand upon my shoulder. “Perhaps I’m too eager.”

I looked into his eyes again. “I’m too chicken.”

He chuckled. “I still like you.”

Warmth flooded to my cheeks. “I know,” I murmured. “You don’t have to keep saying it to me.”

“Oh but I do,” he chuckled. “You say you know it, but I want it to be an unquestioned fact in your mind. No doubt. No fear.”

“No fear,” I said the words over again as they sounded new and strange. “It would be nice.”

Ozren patted my shoulder. “It will be more than nice, my Rose. I promise you that.”

I just smiled, unable to articulate anything beyond that. He made his declarations so proudly, and even if he said them genuinely I could hear my father at the back of my mind. Ozren took my hand, walking beside me towards the Odd Strawberry.

I was nervous to walk in, but once I saw Meggie at the front, having a heated conversation with Mr. Bodkin. They both turned to look at us, and while relief painted Meggie’s face, raspberry red painted Mr. Bodkin’s.

“Good morning!” Ozren announced loudly, waving his hand above his head.

“Kogan,” Mr. Bodkin said with his teeth clenched and breath hissing throught he gaps. “What is this?” Meggie walked briskly towards me while the tension between the two men began to crackle and pop.

Ozren’s smile faded and he lowered his hand. “Came to pick up Rue’s things.”

“Come along, Rue.” Meggie took my hand and pulled me towards the side. “Let’s get your things from the back.”

I glanced at Mr. Bodkin briefly as Meggie hurried me along. He looked like an angry kettle, like steam could come out of his ears at any moment. In the back, meggie shut the door behind us and turned to me with her lips parted and eyes wide.

“Imagine my surprise to hear the word that Ozren plucked you up during the Reaping!” She slapped her hands to her hips and tilted her head. “When did this happen?”

I bunched up my skirts in my fist. “I don’t know! He just did it.”

Meggie looked me up and down. “He didn’t do anything to you did he?”

I shook my head. “No! We didn’t even share a bed last night.”

She looked to the door then back at me. “But you’re alright?” She came up and cupped her hands around my cheeks. “You can tell him no if you don’t want this. You don’t need to be afraid to hurt his feelings, yours are more important right now.”

I looked down and bit my lip. Meggie let out a soft gasp.

“Do you like him too?” She whispered. “I always had a feeling you looked at him differently.”

My insides jumped and squirmed around. “No I-” I stopped and fidgeted out of her grasp, heading towards the cubbies to fetch the very few things I had there. “I don’t know. I mean-” I clutched the extra apron to my chest and looked back at Meggie. “I think I want to stay.”

Meggie pressed her lips together, watching me for any signs I could be hiding something from her. “At the very least its Ozren. He’s a good man. I just-” She sighed and dropped her arms, a small smile crossing her lips. “I feel somewhat responsible for you. Like your my little sister or something.” She pointed with her thumb over her shoulder towards the door. “Want me to rough him up a bit?”

I shook my head. “Unless Mr. Bodkin is doing that now.”

“We were worried when I couldn’t find you on my way into work this morning,” she said. “You know how protective he is over his girls here.”

“I know.” I added a few things to my packed bag. I looked back at Meggie, who was peeking from a crack in the door. “Did Max come back?” I asked.

Meggie perked up and her rbows turned down. Her eyes cast aside and her mouth went into a firm line. “No,” she scoffed. “That fool is still out doing his duty and what not. Can’t even come back for the Reaping.” She crossed her arms and pouted. “I hate that I adore that about him.”

“Maybe next year.”

“Maybe I’ll do it myself when he gets back,” Meggie scoffed. “Bash him over the head and drag him home with me,” she grumbled under her breath. She pushed open the door, leading me out into the front of the pub again.

Mr. Bodkin and Ozren were at a table, clutching their fists together, sweating, and struggling to beat one another in an arm wrestling match.

Meggie sighed and waved her hand out. “Whats this?”

“Quiet Meggie! You’ll rin my concentration!” Mr. Bodkin slipped and regained his posture. New veins appeared on his forehead.

“Come and give me a kiss for luck, my Rose,” Ozren chuckled. “That’s all I need to win this.”

I wasn’t sure what they were doing. I knew Ozren won every arm wrestling match he took in the pub, but this was different. “Win what?”

“Meggie, is she alright?” Mr. Bodkin grunted.

Meggie sighed. “Yeah, she’s fine. She’s going to stay.”

Mr. Bodkin and Ozren met eyes, their straining stopped and slowly by slowly they released each other’s fingers. Meggie ran up and slapped Ozren’s hand down onto the table.

“Meggie wins!” She crowed triumphantly.

Both men started laughing, they shook hands and stood up from the table. Mr. Bodkin yanked ozren’s hand, dragging him down towards his level.

“Rue is a good one, if I hear one bad word-”

“I know,” Ozren interjected. “But I told you, she’s my dream come true.”

Inside my chest my heart was leaping about, hitting the walls and trying to come out my throat. I ducked my head down, smiling to myself at Ozren’s words.

“I’m going to take care of her as long as she lets me. If I do hurt her, I expect nothing less than to be strung up by my toes, Bodkin.”

Mr. Bodkin smirked. “That’s exactly what I want to hear.”

Over the next few days we developed a routine. We would get up in the mornings and Ozren would make breakfast before going off to work. I was then home alone most of the day, so I did small chores around the house, prepared for dinner, and got used to my new surroundings.

Outside the house was a creek where I could wash clothes, or play in if I wanted. I started collecting pretty stones I found in the water and I lined them on the shelf above the bed. It became a little obsession of mine to find at least one a day.

One day as I was coming out of the creek I saw Meggie running up the path. Her wild, curly hair flew behind her as we ran to meet one another in a hug.

“You lucky thing!” Meggie cheered. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” I answered. Meggie smelled like fresh bread, and that was comforting. “Still getting used to everything, but I like it here.”

Meggie stepped back and smiled. “That’s great.” She then narrowed her eyes. “He hasn’t done anything has he?”

I shook my head and looked away shyly. “No, but—”

“But?” Meggie’s brow popped up.

“Let's put on some tea! And there’s stew I made for supper simmering.” My face was red hot as I took her inside. I rushed to the bedroom to put my little stone away then walked out where Meggie was sniffing the stew.

I approached her and casually stirred the stew. “I’m trying to figure out what he likes. So far I know he likes pork, dumplings, and rosemary.”

“He must really like rosemary,” Meggie murmured. She then gave me the eye. “Have you cooked a lot?”

“I did sit in the kitchen a lot,” I confessed. “But, I’m afraid I don’t have much practice actually cooking. I just know a few things. I feel it’s all underwhelming.”

Thankfully Meggie decided to change the subject. “Get a kettle started while you tell me what that ‘but’ meant.”She giggled, wiggling her eyebrow at me.

I gulped as I reached for the kettle. “Well, you see, every night when he gets home he’s been bringing me gifts. Like flowers, maybe a bolt of fabric, the other day it was seeds I had mentioned for the garden. Then last night he brought me something surprising.”

Meggie looked up from sampling from the ladle. “Oh?”

“It’s kind of embarrassing really. But I was touched by it.” I filled the kettle from the water bucket and set it upon the stove. “I didn’t think he was even paying attention when I mentioned it a while back.”

“Well?” Meggie urged, her hands waving impatiently. “What was it?”

My body grew as warm as my face at the memory. Ozren had been so proud as he offered me the wrapped package, and he never stopped smiling all night.

“It was a doll,” I murmured. “I know it’s childish, but I never had one when I was little. I wasn’t given much as a child, just hand-me-downs from my older brothers. I can’t remember when but I mentioned it one evening to Ozren. I never thought he paid it much attention, but the doll was everything I had ever wanted. I was so excited that I kissed him.”

Meggie grinned. “That’s a good first step! How was it?” She leaned forward, her eyes glinting mischievously.

I could still remember the way Ozren’s hand moved over my body. I had parted from the kiss only because I grew nervous and shocked by my own reaction. But there was a moment when I thought, perhaps, I could have let Ozren go further.

“It was nice,” I replied. “Ozren didn’t seem put off at least.” Blush tingled my cheeks as I relived the feel of his lips on mine just for a couple seconds longer.

Meggie scoffed. “Why would he be?”

I smiled to myself. “I’ve been too nervous to try again. But I’d like to.'' I risked glancing at my friend in some hope of a suggestion.

“All you have to do is do it. If you feel comfortable enough with Ozren, it shouldn’t be too hard.” Meggie grinned as she set the ladle back into the stew.

It couldn’t be that simple right? Just do it! Easy enough for Meggie, but that was rolling a boulder up a mountain for me. “Easy for you to say. You’re bold, Meggie. That’s why I like you so much.” Meggie could do anything in my mind. She could conquer worlds, face any peril. But I had no real skills like she did. I had no way of conquering this world. Just do it!

Meggie petted my cheek. “All you gotta do is give Ozren those big, pretty eyes and he’ll be putty in your hands. You don’t need to be bold for that.” Meggie winked.

I huffed. “Okay. Maybe I’ll try that.” If Meggie said that was all it took, maybe she was right. It would be nice to kiss again and have that affection. Those big hands of his weren’t as half as rough as they looked. I felt comfortable with him, even if I was nervous.

Later that day, after Meggie had left, I was doing some final touches for dinner before Ozren returned home. I wasn’t confident in my cooking, but Meggie did help. Everything in the stew looked good, nothing was clumping, and the aroma was making me hungry. Just as I was placing the lid back over the stew, the door opened and Ozren came in. He shivered as he shut it.

“That does feel good! There’s an unseasonable chill today.” He set his things down, basking in the warmth before coming up close behind me. He kissed the top of my head. “How’s my Rose doing today?” he leaned over my shoulder, sniffing towards the pot of stew.

“Would you like to try?” I asked. I took off the lid and swirled the ladle inside the stew, offering him a taste.

Ozren chuckled. “Don’t mind if I do!” he knelt down, blowing on the ladle and guiding my hand to tilt it. He took a sip, smacked his lips, then finished off the entire offering. “That’s good! Very good! You’re a natural chef, my Rose.”

My cheeks burned from his compliment as well as his touch. I shyly turned back towards the stove. “Meggie came by today.”

Ozren licked his lips then up the side of his tusk. “That’s good, how is she?”

I pulled down plates from the cabinet. “She’s good. She was really here for-” I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the bloodied, crusty bandage on Ozren’s forearm. “What happened?” I yelped as I set the plates down in a hurry and rushed to his side.

“Are you okay?” I took hold of his large arm and smoothed my palm along the bloodied bandage. His skin felt tight and hot, and there was discoloration peeking out from under the bandage.

A smile appeared on his face. “Nothing to worry about, my Rose! ‘Tis simply an axe wound.”

“What?!” I was livid. I dropped everything and wiped my hands as I took hold of his giant arm in my tiny hands. “There’s nothing simple about this, Ozren! And this bandage was applied improperly! You own a lumber mill, you should know better!”

His smile vanished and he looked like a guilty little boy. “It’s how I’ve always done things.”

“Always done things,” I grumbled under my breath. I dragged him over to the kitchen table and made him sit down. I took the bandage off there and luckily, it was not as horrible as I thought it was going to be. It was mainly still just a messy cut, with dried blood crusted to the hair on his arm, making the wound look much worse than it actually was. Thank goodness.

“You’re lucky this didn’t do any real damage! What would you have done had you had to come home with one less arm?” I stormed into the kitchen to get warm water and a cloth to clean him with.

“It was just a graze! Nothing to get so worried over.” Ozren was holding his arm and looking at the wound. “It’s healing already.”

I couldn’t believe him! How could he be so glib? I stomped back over to him and pressed the warm, wet cloth over the cut to loosen the crusted blood that had clung to the hair of his arm so I would not have to scrub the skin and risk ripping it back open. “That’s not my point.” I wiped away the dried blood from his skin and hair and applied a balm to the wound before I wrapped it in clean bandages.

“There, much better.” I sighed as I massaged his palm after I made sure he didn’t get blood on anything else

Ozren had a twinkle to his eye as he looked down at me. “You know, there is something you could do to make me feel better much faster.”

The tone of his voice made my heart’s pitter patter rumble. “Is there?” His eyes were focused on me, but the dreamy quality was hard to ignore.

Ozren brushed his fingers along my cheek. “A kiss. Just a small one.”

I glanced away quickly but looked back a second later. Oh how lucky. Was this it? Was it really that easy? I look at him trying not to smile too much. “Okay.”

I closed my eyes as he came close. His lips pressed to mine, his tusks hit against my soft cheeks. My heart was hammering hard but I pressed closer to Ozren. I stood on tip toe to reach him better.I placed my hands upon his chest and grabbed hold of his shirt. Ozren let out a soft moan and his big hands wrapped around to my back.

I had to pull away, regretting it, but I wanted to check on him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’ve had worse,” he chuckled. “You should see the scar on my thigh.”

I giggled as that warmth flowed through my body again. The mental image was a bit too tantalizing. “A rather suggestive spot, don’t you think?”

“Aye,” he winked. “That axe tried to get right fresh with me.” His fingers knead at the small of my back. “Jealous?”

I laughed and cupped my hand around his warm cheek. “More concerned than anything.” I looked into his eyes, closing them again as he came close. The kiss was soft and sweet, but an ache inside me wanted more than that.

“Dinner smells good.” He kissed my cheek and ear. “What did you make?”

“I used last night's leftovers for stew.” I shivered at his touch. “But I thought, maybe you’d like to rest before dinner. Maybe lie down in bed for a bit.”

Ozren growled against my neck. “In bed, you say?”

There was a new warmth flowing through me and it excited me. My heart raced and my hands grew greedy to touch him. Although I had no idea how to handle either. It was new, and along with the excitement came nerves that made my hands shiver. I’d never felt this way before, it was so strange, so out of place. And yet I wanted it more than anything, which was equally as surprising. I placed my hands upon him gently, as if to straighten out his clothes.

I swallowed and tried to sort through the thoughts in my head. “The big one. I mean…it is your bed. You deserve to use it, I can’t hog it. If you want to, that is.”

Ozren kissed my temple and forehead. “It is our bed now, my Rose. But I would very much enjoy sharing it with you.”

I took his hand and led him to the bedroom. I fluffed up his pillow, which I had brought from where he’d been sleeping in the reading room. Ozren was looking at the shelf above the bed, his eyes gliding over the rocks. He then sank down onto the bed, and stretched out with a grunt and a few pops of his joints.

I crawled up beside him, laying my head on the pillow. “It was a little chilly today.”

“It was,” Ozren rolled onto his side and lifted up his arm. “I’m pretty warm, though, if you’re cold.”

I inched towards him, placing myself in his arms. I snuggled against his chest, his soft belly, and his arm rested protectively around me and I had never felt so safe before. Despite all this newness I couldn’t deny I felt comfortable with Ozren.

Ozren relaxed and his arm was a pleasant weight upon me. “Isn’t this nice?”

“It is.” I brushed my fingers down his chest, touching the thicket of dark curls. His scent was very masculine, and it did things to my mind. I pressed a kiss to his bare skin and Ozren let out a low groan. I kissed him again to hear the pleased sound, and this time it was followed by a laugh.

I looked up at him. “Is it okay?”

Ozren grunted. “More than okay, my Rose. But if you keep going, I’ll be in all sorts of deep trouble.”

I could be bold like Meggie, I told myself. It was just Ozren, and I liked him. In fact, I wanted to be around him, which was rare for me. I could do it, I wanted to do it!

I peeked up at him, hoping not to give anything away. “What kind of trouble?”

Ozren growled and his hand smoothed down from my back to my rear. “Big, hard, kind of trouble. I wouldn’t want to scare you with it.”

His hand was warm against me, and I didn’t mind the placement. “I see. Do you get into that sort of trouble often?”

Ozren kissed my temple and cheek then pinched the tip of my nose. “Not like I used to. But with you, I could. So you best keep those lips to yourself for now, my Rose.”

I pressed a kiss to his jaw and his breath quivered again. “Is it…is it trouble if I ask for it?” I gazed back up at him, my heart leaping into my throat like a wild hare. “Or would it be okay?”

Ozren’s hand became firm on my backside. “As long as you are asking then it’s ok. Are you asking?”

Could I be that bold? With ozren I wanted to. As long as it was him, it would be fine, I would be safe.

My lip parted and I let out a trembling breath. “I am.”

I was bold!

“Then, no trouble at all, my Rose. I’ll show you how deep my feelings for you really go.” His strong fingers kneaded into my legs, slowly hiking up my skirt. He found purchase against bare skin and I whimpered into his chest.

Ozren groaned into my ear, making my skin tingle. “Mmm, very soft. I like my meals to be tender.” He pushed my skirt all the way up and grabbed my bare rear.

I gasped against his chest, holding my breath as his fingers traveled. His rough hands were not unpleasant upon my skin. His thick fingers sunk into my flesh and I could only imagine what else he could do with them.

Ozren rolled me over and placed one of my thighs over his leg while my back pressed into his chest. He growled into my ear then bit the very tip of it.

“Oh!” I yelped. I cupped my hand over my mouth and Ozren chuckled.

“You just tell me to stop at any time. Actually, you can command me to do anything, my Rose.” His fingers undid the laces on my tunic as he whispered to me. “I’m yours to command tonight. You can make me go harder, softer, or stop altogether. You have that power.”

I had to take a moment to catch my breath, to reel in the wave of emotions his words brought to me. I was still shaking, but I was more determined than ever to see this through. I sat up more, pressing myself closer to him. Power was not something I’d ever had before, I never would have known it if it was right in front of me. For the first time I felt it.

“Keep touching me, please, Orzen, please,” I begged.

Ozren’s eyes lidded and his hand slid underneath the fabric, holding my breast in his palm. I held my breath, his palm was even warmer than before, and my nipple tingled at his touch.

“As you command, my Rose.” Ozren nuzzled into my neck. One hand cupped my breast while the other continued up my inner thigh. I felt his knuckle caress against my loins and my body trembled.

“You’ve already got wet thighs, my Rose. I’m flattered.” Ozren bit my neck, gently dragging his teeth along my skin.

I gasped loudly in response. His right hand tweaked my breast while his left pressed against my mound. I curled up fetal against him, tightening my legs around his wrist.

“Should I stop?” He asked.

I didn’t want him to, I simply had no idea how to respond to this sort of feeling. I grabbed his hand between my legs, pressing it so the whole palm rubbed against me. “Please, don’t stop Orzen.”

Ozren’s teeth tugged down my tunic, he kissed my bare back and licked my skin. He moaned against me as his he pressed himself closer into me. But it was more than that for me. My breathing deepened as my pulse pounded through my body. Ozren’s touch, his voice, the scent of his skin all worked together to make me feel this strange yet wonderful feeling.

“Are you alright, my Rose?” Ozren’s breath was cool against my skin. I hadn’t realized how aroused I’d become.

I also had no idea how to respond. My body was possessed by heat and his touch, I could barely hold onto him, let alone my own voice.

“Come now,” Ozren turned my head back so I could see the erotic smile upon his face. “Give me a sound. Any little sound to let me know you’re still there.”

My lips parted and I took a breath. “More.” I don’t know where that came from.

Ozren grinned, kissing me as his fingers explored further. My plump mound opened for him, and the wetness made it easy for his fingers to enter me.

“You feel like heaven,” Ozren moaned into my ear. “You’re a peach, aren’t you?”

I squirmed and writhed as his fingers curled inside. I’d never felt anything like it, both obtrusive yet relieving. The tender ache that had built up inside me all this time was melting away at the touch of those fingers.

“Fuck-” Ozren buried his face against my hair. “I don’t deserve ya, Rose. This is almost too good for me.”

It wasn’t, I thought. I couldn’t speak so everything remained in my head where even that was growing fuzzy. My body was responding to his touch on its own, rolling my hips, grabbing hold of his wrist. My body knew what it wanted before I even understood it. His thick fingers felt deep inside me, and yet I wanted more.

Ozren kissed and nibbled my shoulder. “You’ve been starved of affection haven’t you? I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you everything, my Rose.”

I was too shy to speak, merely moaning and whimpering at his touch. It baffled me how easily he could speak in such a situation!

His fingers crooked just right to hit something inside that turns my legs into pudding. I cried out, the first non pitiful noise I’d made that whole time. Ozren’s grip grew stronger, his fingers moved harder, and his breath grew labored.

Then comes a sensation that overtakes me and hits me so hard I nearly kick Ozren. But he doesn’t stop. If anything his efforts only increase. His other hand moves down, stroking the sensitive bud at the top of my loins, his deep growls vibrating against my skin.

There was nothing left of me for a moment. White, steaming haze becomes the only force within my body. Everything evaporated and I was left floating up, up, and away into another realm. My body still writhed, jerking and twisting as Ozren’s touch softened, but it didn’t leave with the essence of me.

Ozren’s gentle laugh reached me. Then his kisses upon my cheek. I still had not quite returned, but I knew he was there. His fingers linger inside, pulling out slowly until I hear a slick pop. He placed those fingers upon his tongue, sucking them clean and grinning.

“You’re so sweet, my Rose.” He kissed me again and with a shaky hand I touched his face.

“What’d you do to me?” My voice sounded lush and breathless. I felt drunk on Ozren’s fingers and voice, and I never wanted to sober.

Ozren’s proud smile only grew, but there was a glowing romance about his eyes. The way he held me in his gaze, I’d never seen such a look before. He held me tight, marveling at his own work.

“I made you cum, my Rose. And hard from the looks of you.” He laid me flat upon my back and began laying kisses all over me. He peeled away my clothes as he went, touching more of my bare skin than anyone had before. I’m still half there, my limbs trembled as he kissed more of me. Each touch caused my body to crackle like embers. The fire inside me was smoldering and he was stoking it back to life. He nuzzled my thick thighs and I opened them for him.

Ozren chuckled. “I’ll make you cum whenever you want me to, Rose. Whether you need it or just desire it. Seeing you writhe like that makes me a very happy man.”

I reached down, and touched his hair and ran my fingers along his scalp. All the while I wondered to myself how I was so deserving of this? How did I get so lucky to find someone like Ozren? He moaned at the touch, his back arching as I pet him. He rose back up and moved over top of me as he kissed me and held me.

I was coming back and seeing him in a new light. His tousled hair, his thick brows, his serene gaze all looked more romantic to me than any picture book prince ever had.

I tucked his hair behind his ear and smiled. “What about you?”

Ozren sighed. “I’ll be fine. I’ll jump in the river if need be.”

I wanted to be bold again so I stroked my palm down his chest and poked my fingers under the top of his pants.

He took on an almost scolding look, but he moved closer to me and my palm. “Now, now, you ain’t gotta do a thing to me just because I did that.” His lashes fluttered and he took a deep breath. “You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do.”

“Can I see it?” I felt so silly asking, but I was morbidly curious. The least I could do was show him some proper gratitude for the wonderful gift he gave me.

Ozren nodded and rose up. “He’s mighty eager to meet you, I’ll say that much.”

I giggled and sat on my knees, watching Ozren disrobe. His body was bulky and hairy, littered all over with scars. I tried to keep my gaze respectful, but I was still lingering in that otherworldly feeling from before. He was so masculine, so big, so very much unlike the lithe men I was used to seeing back in Sothen. They were almost pristine in their appearances, almost more styled and pressed than I ever was. Ozren would be called a beast back in my old home but only because he looked that way, not because he was that way. I think I wanted a beast though, at least, the kind of “beast” Ozren was.

Ozren watched me as he stripped away his clothes. He tossed his clothes with mine, which seemed like another strange form of intimacy. When he removed his pants it was there, and it was impressive.

“Oh. Wow. That’s uhm-” I leaned onto my palms as I looked closely at it.

Ozren cleared his throat and rubbed at his neck. “You can be honest.”

The ‘it’ in question wasn't the first I had ever spied. I had once seen my brother and his friends playing in the pond and they all ran onto land when they saw a snake. The snake was more impressive than anything they could ever boast of. Ozren’s member moved with a pulse, standing up against his groin. It was far more impressive than the snake.

I licked my lips as I looked up at him. “Can I touch it?”

His laugh sounded anxious. “I’m half tempted to beg. But if you want-”

I wrapped my hand around him, gliding my fingers up and down for a moment. He was so thick and hard, but the skin was surprisingly soft. I stroked him again and noticed the tip began to leak.

“I’m not sure what I‘m doing. So just tell me if I’m bad or-” I dipped down and licked the droplet from his tip, pressing my tongue against him a little.

Ozren moaned. “Easy now, my Rose. Don’t tease me too much.”

I swallowed and flicked my eyes up to him. “Do you want to…I mean…should we…” I wasn’t sure how to put the words together. My hands weren’t shaking anymore, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I wanted to please him, I wanted to make him feel as good as I did. “I want you to feel how I feel.”

Ozren breathed. “Then, there is something we can do about that.”

I looked up at him, perhaps giving him those big doe eyes Meggie talked about.

“Do you want me to fuck you, Rose?” His deep voice raked through my body.

I nodded eagerly, wishing I could yell ‘yes, please, yes’ over and over in reply.

Ozren pushed his voluminous hair away from his face. “Are you sure?” His voice was heavy with concern, as were his sweet eyes.

I nodded again and somehow, by some grace, I could speak. “Please, Ozren?” I reached out to him. I wanted him. I needed him.

Ozren’s beastly body pressed down upon mine, sinking me down into the bed. It was such a satisfying feeling, I’d always worried I would feel crushed, and with that crushing weight, would inevitably come pain. But I was far from feeling crushed. Perhaps, secure or grounded were much better terms to use to describe the feeling of his weight on me. But I liked this, I liked Ozren. And I really liked Ozren being this close to me.

He kissed me and hiked up my legs so they wrapped around his waist.  He gazed into my eyes and I met his in return. We both watched each other and Ozren broke into a smile, letting go of a held-in laugh.

“What?” My voice trembled.

Ozren took a breath. “I’m a bit nervous. I didn’t think I would be. But now that I’m here I feel new again.”

I reached up and cupped the sides of his face. “If it helps, I’m new too.”

“That is why I am nervous, my Rose. I am your first, and first impressions are often hard to shake. I want to be tender with you. But I also want to ravage you until you scream.” he kissed me then pulled back to gaze deeply into my eyes. “I promise, this may be your first, but it won’t be the last. I’m yours, that means my cock belongs to you too.”

I sputtered and giggled, turning my head so he couldn’t see my expression. “You’re being silly.”

He arched his brow, taking on a serious glint. “I mean it, Rose. When I gave myself to you, I gave you everything.” He looked down, adjusting my hips and raising them slightly. “Even this.”

My mouth opened as the impressive cock pressed against me, warm and very hard. I gulped and looked back into his eyes for reassurance. “Does it hurt?”

“Not if I do this right. I’ll go slowly,” he breathed. “Gentle.” He began moving, placing his tip at the entrance. His cock slid against me, growing wet and slippery.

I wrapped myself around him, closing my eyes. Ozren was all around me, strong, safe, and warm. I met his kisses, shivering as he bit my neck and shoulder. I tangled my fingers into his thick, wild hair and I realized something. I wasn’t afraid.

Ozren is a bit shaky at first, moving his hips and bucking them, rubbing himself into my thigh more than anything else. He reached down, holding himself in place until I felt the pressure of him pushing inside. Like his fingers before, the intrusion was strange but not unlikeable. The more I took of him, the more I grew to like it.

My lips parted and from between a sound I’d never made escaped. Ozren and I were becoming one, and maybe I liked it a bit too much.

Ozren sat up so he could see. He looked down at me then further down between us. He sucked in his belly to watch as he disappeared inside me. Inside, his girth opened me, stretching me more than his fingers.

“Are you alright?” Ozren asked.

I opened my eyes again to see him watching my expression with concern. I licked my lips and gathered my breath in order to speak.

“Is it…are you in?”

Ozren looked concerned for another reason. “Can you not feel me, Rose?”

I nodded. “Is it all of you? It’s so much.” I squeezed around him, feeling his hard shaft inside me. He was deeper than his fingers, but I couldn’t be sure. There was a pressure, a fullness, it was strange but it wasn’t awful like I’d thought. In fact, I liked it.

Ozren broke into a grin and laughed. “Not quite. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t hurting you.” He smoothed his palm around my face and brushed aside my hair.

“Not quite?” I balked. I was so stuffed already.

Oh, that smile on his face. He was so smug about it! I didn’t realize it then, after all, it was my first time. But he was so proud of what he was doing, of how his wonderful body was formed. That big cock of his I’m sure had stirred a few pots in its day, but this was by far his favorite.

“How does it feel?” He asked.

I wasn’t sure how to put it into words. “It’s good.”

Ozren gazed into my eyes as he pulled back. He laid back over top of me as he pressed inside. The sensation was new to me, odd, but it was so fulfilling, so wonderful. The weight of him pressed on top of me, his hands, his kisses, even the touch of his hair was all new. His fingers digging into my hips made me feel small and delicate, something I never thought I could be.

“Fucking hells,” Ozren moaned into my ear. “You feel like heaven.”

I wasn’t sure how he could talk, I could barely let out a peep. He moaned and grunted, breathing deep and even slurping when he licked or kissed me. Bit by bit I let out my voice, wanting to let him know I wasn’t miserable. The longer Ozren was inside me it was like he was knocking away bricks, tapping them from the wall, opening me up, letting loose a flood.

That white, steaming sensation was growing in the back of my mind. I locked my legs around his waist and held tight onto his body. I knew he wasn’t going anywhere, but I was going to make doubly sure. Until this sensation was over, I wasn’t letting go.

Ozren kissed hungrily, thrusting himself inside me so passionately it felt like the world was moving. His moans became lower, and his hips jerked forcefully.

The trembling returned; I dragged my nails down his back as mine arched from the bed. I whimpered, he roared. Deep inside, a heat overtook me. It’s more of a fire now than a steam. I lost my breath and melted away into nothing. I found myself floating away again, fading into that other realm where all I could feel was Ozren’s body.

I was dazed for a long spell, only returning when Ozren kissed me. I moaned against his lips then breathed deeply as he pulled away.

“Talk to me, Rose. Let me know you’re still with me.” His voice came from everywhere and nowhere.

“I’m not sure.” I laid my forearm over my eyes. “I don’t know which sense to focus on right now.”

Ozren’s laugh was soft. “My Rose, you’re a blessing.”

I moved my arm and turned to look at him. He was propped on his side, naked, and glorious. His hair was disheveled and he’d never looked so handsome. My heart fluttered as I realized he had put me in this delirium. My heart almost burst as it dawned on me that this, all of it, was now mine.

I gave him an awkward smile. “My head is still swimming. What on earth did you do to me?”

He grinned with that glowing look of pride and awe again. “Something good. Something I’ll do as often as I possibly can for you. Though you nearly stole my soul just then.” He laid back onto the bed and sighed deeply.

I reached down between my legs, I felt tender and very wet. Something warm leaked from inside me, something Ozren had left behind. I curled up against him and laid my head on his chest. I could hear his heart pounding away, much like mine had.

I smiled shyly, realizing what that meant. “Did you like it too?”

Ozren exhaled in relief. “More than a warm bed on a cold rainy day. More than cold ale on a hot night.” He rubbed my back as I snuggled against him. “You and I are a perfect match, my Rose.”