Chapter 22: Round Two
"I want more."
Samson's confession hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited for an answer. He was ready. Ready to be pounced on. Ready for his orc captor to release his pent-up lust.
Dalthu gently cupped Samson's face in his hands and leaned in, pressing their foreheads together.
Here we go.
Samson braced himself against the bathtub's edge, feeling the warmth of his orc captor's breath against his skin as he prepared himself for what was to come.
The orc suddenly pulled away. "We should head back," he said, pushing a strand of wet hair out of his face.
. . . excuse me?
Samson stared at him in disbelief. "Did--did you hear what I just said?"
Dalthu's piercing gold eyes met Samson's gaze. "Yes, I heard you," he said calmly, his voice deep and resonant.
"So . . . why?!" Samson clenched his fists and rose from his seat, barely registering the ringing in his ears as he prepared for the confrontation. His vision blurred and he swayed on the spot, feeling a wave of nausea crash over him.
Dalthu was by his side in an instant. He pressed the back of his hand against Samson's cheek. "I knew it. The heat is affecting you."
Before Samson could say another word, Dalthu scooped him up in his strong arms and stepped out of the bath. Dalthu's green pebbled skin glistened with droplets of water and steam rose around them.
Samson frantically wrapped his arms around Dalthu's neck. "I've got you," he heard the orc say. A cool breeze brushed against them both, yet Samson felt warmer than before.
"But . . . but . . . what about our clothes?"
"They're wet." Dalthu bowed his head under the doorway and stepped out into the woods.
The cool night air prickled against Samson's warm skin and sent an unexpected tingle through his body. He looked up at the orc warrior's face and noticed a single drop of water glide down a black strand of Dalthu's hair. An overwhelming feeling coursed through Samson's veins, overriding any traces of doubt or fear. He nuzzled deeper into the orc warrior's embrace, no longer caring where they were going or what they might find when they got there.
Let's go home.
***
The orc hut was dark when they arrived, but Dalthu's long strides were slow and careful as he carried Samson in his arms, never once pulling away from the tight embrace. They reached the bedroom and the orc gently laid Samson on the cot, which was cold against his bare skin. He shivered.
"Are you cold?" Dalthu whispered into Samson's ear. His hot breath fell against Samson's cheek and sent another kind of shiver through his body.
"Maybe a little," Samson replied.
Dalthu wrapped his arms around Samson and pressed his face into his neck. His tusks tickled against Samson's nape.
"Better?"
Samson bit the inside of his cheek and nodded.
"Good," Dalthu whispered. "Now, where were we?"