Page 17 of Caged By the Orc

I nod, shaking off Grul's last hit on my body. But as we line up for another play, I can't shrug away the realization that's hit me. My power over Josie is slipping away, replaced by something far more complicated - and potentially far more dangerous.

When the day's done and I finally arrive home, I drag myself through the front door, my muscles aching from the brutal zyrphix training session.

As I step into the living room, my eyes land on Josie perched precariously atop a ladder, reaching up to clean the massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

I step into the room, my eyes immediately drawn to the precarious scene before me. Greta stands nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, watching Josie with an intensity that speaks volumes. "Be careful up there," she warns, her voice tinged with genuine concern. I can hear the worry in her tone, and it mirrors my own sudden unease.

I'm about to announce my presence, to let them know I'm here, when suddenly everything changes. Josie's foot slips, and it's like time decides to slow down just to torture me. I watch in horror as she loses her balance, her body twisting in the air like a leaf caught in a gust of wind. Without a second thought, my body moves on its own. I lunge forward, my arms outstretched, every muscle in my battered body screaming in protest.

By some miracle, I catch her. She lands with a startled yelp in my arms, the impact sending a jolt through my already aching muscles. Immediately, she clings onto me as if her life depends on it, her fingers digging into my shoulders. And then, as if the universe wants to play one last trick on me, I find myself staring into her face. Her pretty, flushed face, now mere inches from my own. I'm struck dumb, caught off guard by the proximity, by the warmth of her body against mine, by the rapid beating of her heart that I can feel through our pressed bodies.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, both of us too stunned to move. Her brown eyes are wide with surprise, her breath coming in short gasps. I'm suddenly aware of every point where our bodies touch, the warmth of her skin seeping through my clothes.

"You okay?" I manage to croak out, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears. My heart is still racing from the sudden contact, and I'm acutely aware of every place her body touched mine.

Josie nods, a flush creeping up her neck, spreading across her cheeks like wildfire. "Yeah, I... thanks," she stammers, her eyes darting away from mine. I can feel the heat radiating off her skin, and it's doing strange things to my insides.

She scrambles out of my arms and lands back onto the floor with a soft thud, and I immediately miss her warmth. The sudden absence leaves me feeling oddly bereft. What the fuck is wrong with me? I shouldn't be affected like this by a simple tavern girl. A thief.

But she's more than that. So much more.

"That was quite a catch, sir," Greta says, her voice cutting through my confused thoughts. She's helping Josie dust off her uniform, her efficient movements a stark contrast to my frozen state. "Are you alright?"

I grunt, rubbing at my sore muscles from training. The ache grounds me, reminding me of who I am and what I should be focusing on. "I'm fine," I mutter, then add, "Just... be more careful next time, alright?" The words come out harsher than I intended, my frustration with my own reaction bleeding into my tone. I see Josie flinch, her brown eyes widening slightly, and I feel an unexpected pang of regret.

"I will," she mumbles, not meeting my eyes. "Thank you."

I want to say something else, something to ease the tension that's suddenly thick in the air. But the words stick in my throat, choking me with their intensity. My chest feels tight, constricted, as if I can't draw in enough air. Instead, I nod curtly and head for the stairs, my movements stiff and jerky. I'm desperate to escape the stunning realization that is materializing before my very eyes, threatening to shatter the carefully constructed walls I've built around myself.

I like her. I fucking like that girl.

As I climb, I can't shake the memory of Josie in my arms, the way her body fit against mine. It felt... right, in a way I'm not ready to examine too closely. I've gotten used to her presence in the house, her quick wit and stubborn defiance. Shit, I even look forward to our arguments sometimes. The way her eyes flash when she's angry, the slight flush that creeps up her neck - it's intoxicating.

But this? This is precarious territory. I'm treading a dangerous line, and I know it.

I pause at the top of the stairs, my hand gripping the banister tightly. My gaze is drawn back down to the living room, where Josie's back on the ladder. Her movements are slower now, more hesitant. It's like she's hyper-aware of my presence, just as I am of hers. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, a jolt of electricity passing between us before she quickly looks away, busying herself with the decorations.

Fuck. I'm in trouble. Deep, serious trouble. The kind that could upend everything I thought I knew about myself. I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the feeling, but it clings to me like a second skin. This isn't just attraction and I don't even think it's lust—it's something more, something that I've never experienced before.

14

JOSIE

Ican't sleep. My mind won't shut off, replaying the moment I fell into Sarod's arms over and over again. The warmth of his body, the strength in his grip, the intensity in his amber eyes - it's all burned into my memory. Every detail is etched into my brain, from the roughness of his calloused hands to his faint familiar scent I've grown to love.

I toss and turn, kicking off the covers in frustration. This isn't right. I shouldn't be feeling this way about him. He's an orc, for crying out loud. The enemy. My captor. Everything I've been taught tells me to fear and hate him, to see him as nothing more than a brutish monster.

But he's also saved me. Protected me. And sometimes, when he thinks I'm not looking, I catch him watching me with an expression that makes my heart race. It's a look of curiosity, maybe even tenderness, that contradicts everything I thought I knew about orcs. I find myself wondering what he's thinking in those moments, what secrets lie behind those intense amber eyes.

I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts a jumbled mess. How can I reconcile these conflicting emotions?The fear, the attraction, the confusion - it's all tangled up inside me, leaving me restless and uncertain. Sleep feels like a distant dream as I grapple with feelings I never expected to have.

I sit up, running my hands through my tangled hair. This is insane. I'm losing my mind, cooped up in this mansion, constantly in his presence. I need to get out, to clear my head.

The window catches my eye, moonlight spilling through the glass, casting eerie shadows across the room. It's crazy, utterly insane, but suddenly I know with crystal clarity what I have to do.

I slip out of bed, my bare feet silent on the cool floor. My heart races as I tiptoe across the room, every creak making me flinch. My hands shake as I reach for the latch, fumbling with it before finally pushing the window open. The night air rushes in, carrying the scent of freedom and possibility. I inhale deeply, savoring the crisp breeze on my skin.

This is reckless. Dangerous beyond belief. If I'm caught, the consequences will be severe - I don't even want to imagine what Sarod might do. But I can't stay here another minute, suffocating under the weight of these confusing emotions. The mansion feels like a gilded cage, and I'm a bird desperate to spread my wings.