Fighting hearts

Fifteen

Technically, Carlisle wasn't forcing her, but her boss constantly reminded her that she had yet to respond to his request. There was a soft hand touching her neck, the look of hunger in his eyes as he observed her, or his words whispering in her ear: "I am interested in another woman. Guess who?"

Evie had made a mistake. She should have never told Carlisle that she would think about his offer. Now, she felt trapped, like there was no way out without consequences.

But to answer Roth's question, Carlisle hadn't forced her to do anything—not yet, at least...

If he had? She wanted to be honest with her boyfriend, but she knew the orc would go wild and perhaps do something stupid—something that would ruin himself, her, and their families.

"No, Carlisle isn't forcing me," Evie answered, letting her hands run through Roth's hair. His neck felt warm and a little clammy. "But I should say no to his offer—the sooner, the better."

She should do it tomorrow, the first chance she got. She should go to Carlisle's office and tell him there was no deal—not now, not soon, not ever.

"I agree with that," Roth answered. "Carlisle's a gross man, but I can't imagine him forcing people to have sex with him. Or to have sex in general."

"I hope you're right about that."

"He can't force me, Evie." Roth's hands on her waist tightened as he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. "I have you—the woman I've been thinking about for so long—and I don't want anybody else."

"Yes, you have me. And I have you."

"I feel like the luckiest man," he growled before planting his lips against her neck.

"Roth!" Her breath audibly caught in her throat.

"Hm...Evie..." he mumbled, hot breath against her skin.

Evie whimpered as he kissed her ear, her jaw, her lips, then her neck again, while his hands traveled down, grabbing her behind.

"I can't believe it was only this morning that we kissed and talked outside."

"I know," Roth mumbled between the kisses, his tusks grazing her. "This feels so familiar." His hands grabbed her tighter, massaging both cheeks.

"A-and it feels good, too," Evie breathed out, her body melting in his arms while his body hardened under hers.

She pulled at the pin that held her hair up high, and as soon as her hair fell down, Roth ran his hands vigorously through the strawberry-blonde strands. He gripped it tight but immediately let go.

"I need to stop," he panted, gently putting her back on the couch. "I'm already fighting the urge to rip this dress off y-your"—he swallowed hard—"your body. Fuck."

"You don't have to stop," she replied breathlessly.

"I do. I'm s-sorry." Roth grabbed his tea and gulped it up.

Evie sincerely hoped the drink had cooled off so Roth wouldn't burn his throat. "Why sorry?"

"I don't know, but it's... been a while."

"Uh..." Evie sucked in a breath. "It's been a while for me too."

They had talked about sex before, and now that they were together as a couple, the subject was less taboo, but it still made her a bit nervous. Nervous in a good way.

"How long has it been for you?" Roth asked, putting the empty cup back on the table. "I mean, if you want to answer. You don't have to."

"No, no, I want to be open with you." She cleared her throat. Maybe that wasn't the smoothest comment she'd ever made. With blushing cheeks, she continued, "It's been a few years now, and it only happened twice—with the same man. Because of his work, I knew he would soon disappear from my life."