"A foolish little human, with no sense of self-preservation. Who likes her orc's cum running down her thighs, and who wants to be chased through the woods and caught roughly and fucked till she can't stand up straight. And who beats an orc at his own games when she's only just learned the rules," I said, thinking of Rum'kurr, and also thinking of the way Sunny had trapped me in her snare that first day as she'd let me put her in chains on her knees before me.

Sunny wasn't breathing. Her mouth hung open but no words came out, so I bent and kissed her briefly.

"I should've said so before we ended our time together, but I thought it might overwhelm you," I admitted. "I don't know if I was cowardly or noble, but I'm sorry, petal. Don't run from me."

"Your mate?" Sunny repeated in a whisper.

I purred and pressed my chest to hers so she could feel the sound and the pounding of my heart. "My mate—the only woman I will ever chase or fuck or spank or kiss ever again. I've missed you. I was at the end of my patience when Astraeya called. Now tell me what you have to say."

"Say?" Sunny blinked and shook her head slowly, face blank.

I chuckled and reached up, wrapping a hand around the front of her throat, pressing my claws into her pulse. "Yes. What does my petal have to say about taking her orc's cock now?"

"Here?" Sunny was breathy, wiggling against me again, and she had an almost drugged expression on her face. The shock of the news was strong, but it seemed to be relaxing her at last.

"Here," I rumbled, tightening my grip just a touch, forcing her head back so I could tower over her. "What does my mate say?"

Mate. Sunny mouthed the word, gazing with wild wonder up at me for another moment before licking her lips. "I missed you too. So much. It was like I was living in a glass jar. I couldn't touch the world around me."

I nodded, and Sunny softened in my arms, her pulse beating wildly against my claws. Still, she hadn't really answered me yet.

And then she did.

"Kiss me again."

My mouth was on hers before she'd finished the words, our tongues tangling. I slid the hand on her throat to the back of her neck, claws scratching up into her hair. Her legs wrapped around my hips, and her hands slid down, pushing at the waistband of the sweatpants I was wearing.

Thank fuck.

It didn't take much adjustment. I shoved her skirt up again, caught the edge of her damp panties with my thumb claw, and tore them apart, earning a gasping laugh from Sunny. A few wiggles from her, and my pants were down far enough to free my cock, the fabric briefly scratching at the dripping head.