Brenna's POV

Jasper leaned down and gripped my ass with rough hands. He lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist.

His breath was so hot against my skin. He pressed his lips against my neck, kissing me attentively. He carried me over to the bed and laid me down. He situated himself over me and kept kissing me, this time on my lips.

I ran my hands over his strong, muscular back. I let my fingers explore the surface of his skin, feeling every scar, birthmark, and flaw. He smelled so good too. His scent was earthy and had a faint hint of something I thought was mint. I felt that feeling again. The one I had felt when he laid me in his bed the night he rescued me.

I didn't quite understand, but I knew my body yearned for something. I couldn't explain what it was. Jasper moved away to kick off his pants before sitting back down. He gazed into my eyes lustfully before wrapping his arms behind me to undo my dress.

Before I knew it, he lifted my dress over my head. There we were, both completely bare, pressed against each other. He embraced me tighter. His hands ran across my body. My cheeks flushed, and my heart pounded.

"Brenna?" His voice said softly.

"Yes..." I whispered back.

"Are you okay?"

I began to come to, realizing I had dreamed all of it. I didn't open my eyes at first. I was so exhausted from everything that had happened. I honestly didn't even remember laying down to sleep. I must have nodded off when trying to calm down after this morning.

Suddenly, I felt the edge of the bed shift. My eye shot open to see Jasper sitting on the end of the bed. He had his hand on my lower leg. How long had he been in here? Was Jasper actually talking to me, or was that a part of my dream?

My heart was still pounding. My cheeks burned even more now at the thought that I may have done something strange in my sleep. Why had I dreamed of us naked together? I was still confused about how to react to seeing him with another woman.

"What are you doing here," I said with more attitude than I had meant.

He cleared his throat. "I heard you tossing and turning. I just wanted to check on you."

He looked at me, waiting for me to say something back, but I didn't know what to say.

"So... are you okay?"

"I'm fine...I was having a nightmare."

"Bad dreams, huh? What was it about?"

I couldn't hide the embarrassment on my face. I just looked at Jasper defensively. I wasn't savvy enough to come up with a lie, and I definitely wasn't about to tell him the truth either.

He raised his eyebrow. "Sorry, I won't ask then."

I brushed a lock of my long hair over my shoulder. "What time is it?"

"It's getting pretty late in the day. I figured you were tired, so I let you sleep."

The room got awkwardly silent. I prayed to the Gods he wouldn't bring up the big fat elephant in the room, him with another woman. Of course, my prayers were unanswered.

"So... about this morn..."

I cut him off, "I don't want to talk about it!"

"... You seemed pretty upset, Brenna."

"I don't care." I lied.

I didn't want to expose myself and him not to feel the same for me. I also wasn't ready to have a relationship with him if he did feel the same. I wanted the chance to get to know him better, but it wouldn't be fair to be jealous and not give him that type of intimacy.

I'm so inexperienced and barely knew anything. After this morning, I had a pretty good idea. Especially after seeing Jasper's thing, whatever it's called.

"Are you sure? It didn't seem that way to me. You know, with the whole poker-spearing action you did." He said, trying to joke.

All it did was make me more upset.

"Brenna... in Orc culture, it's normal for us to have mistresses... If this upsets you, you can tell me."

I looked at him, wondering what he was getting at.

He cleared his throat again. "If you feel for me... I won't bed other women, but you must tell me."

He gave me a chance to tell him I had feelings for him. A part of me felt happy because that meant he did too, but I was afraid too. If I told him I did have feelings for him, he might expect something more physical from me.

The thought terrified me. I'd always believed it was something sacred between a husband and wife. Many women have told me that intimacy was painful and unwanted but said they had to do it for their husbands.

I couldn't give that to him without marriage. With my luck, that wouldn't happen. I also didn't know how my people would react to a princess marrying an Orc Chief. I went against every part of my body that wanted to admit it to him.

I shook my head. I couldn't make the words come out of my mouth, so that's all I could muster. I looked at him to see his reaction. My response had visually hurt him. The disappointment was written all over his face.

"I'm sorry... I must have read too far into things. I guess you'll probably want to stay in your room then." he said stiffly."

I didn't know what to say back to him. I was hurting inside, but this was the best way.

"I'll let Helena know. She'll get you set up."

Jasper's POV

I left Brenna's room. I felt so stupid for mentioning the possibility of her having feelings for me. I knew she had to be lying. Too much had happened for her to not feel anything for me. On top of that, I can hear her heart race whenever I'm near, and it's not out of fear.

I didn't understand why she'd lie about it. Was she ashamed of her feelings or angry that I fucked another woman? I regretted that now, but I was under the impression that she wasn't coming back, and Paige offered to take that pain away, at least for the night.

Even though it was a lie, I was still hurt. I hadn't told Brenna, but I was going back to the battlefield tomorrow morning. Tensions were rising even more. They would be planning another battle, and I needed to be with my men.

Honestly, I was happy to be going. After all, that's happened, I needed to get away from this woman for a little while. I cared so much for her, but my emotions were getting whipped around. Orcs are very direct. I can't handle this not knowing.

I didn't know how long I'd be away this time. At least I'd be doing something that made sense to me, war.