Page 39 of My Summer Girl

He doesn’t focus on my near nakedness, but instead only looks into my eyes. As if noting my discomfort, he pulls a satchel from his side, tugging some sort of dress shirt out. Almost like the one Vex gave me this morning before I left to quit my job.

“Here, it’s the least I can do,” he practically implores. His eyes shine with a keen sense of worry and I wonder if he’s a people pleaser. It doesn’t fit his current attire in style, but bringing it to my nose has me sighing and pretending it’s normal for someone to offer me clothes.

It smells divine.

Like summer, warmth, and raindrops. Wild and welcoming, and I want to soak it into my veins. I smile before throwing it on. It’s hulking, going all the way to my knees like a dress.

“Thank you,” I respond. “Where am I?”

His expression lights up, a true happiness in his charmingly toothy smile. “Solera, little one.”

“Solera?” I remember hearing about it on more than one occasion. The Summer Realm. It’s funny because neither me nor my hair were built for the heat brought by summer. I prefer the cool fall season or even the spring. Summer seemed to always be a bit too hot in Amantes.

“Yes, the most beautiful realm,” he tells me, rubbing his jaw. He seems so content with that and his place here.

How am I supposed to fulfill my summer “fuck it” list now? I grumble in my head, wanting nothing more than to magically appear back to Vex. They actually agreed to my items. A performance in the Viewing Room. Now this portal ruined that entire plan.

Rudely, might I add.

Is Vex freaking out about my recent disappearance?

“What is this ‘fuck it’ list you speak of?” he interrupts my rampant thoughts, and I realize that I apparently spoke out loud.

“How much of that did you hear?”

His eyes fill with mirth, a darkening of his cheeks also present. Something about seeing him blush makes me want to kiss his face. This orc is adorable.

When he doesn’t respond to my question, I cover my eyes. Something about secondhand embarrassment has me cringing.

“So, this ‘fuck it’ list?” he prods with a smirk, ignoring my prior question as his eyebrows lower.

I let out a groan, one that hits deep as I shuffle through how much to explain and how much is too much. One of my items is a threesome and seeing as Vex isn’t here, it seems impossible. Maybe Raevar will want to join me and Vex? I want it to feel right and already, this orc has hit every mark. Ideas fill me and the salaciousness of them has me clenching my thighs.

Raevar’s eyes dilate and his nostrils flare, similar to Vex before showing up here. Can he scent me?!

“This is so embarrassing!” I nearly shout, heat tickling my skin. “It’s a list of things I want to do before summer ends.”

“Summer never ends here,” he teases, folding his arms across his chest. The muscles there bulge and keeping my gaze away seems impossible.

“It does in my realm. Ninety days, give or take.”

He nods and holds out a hand to me. For what, I’m unsure, but when I take it, his expression lights up. “Tell me more, little sweet.”

“What is it with monsters calling me little and sweet?” I pout, stomping my shoeless foot. Oh Hades. Am I really this unfortunate?

“You’re tiny. Basically palm-size.”

“That’s easy for you to say, orc. You’re massive. All tall and muscular,” I argue, squeezing his massive palm.

A gruff laugh meets my ears as he smiles down at me. “Orukna,” he clarifies, rolling his eyes. “orcs are from fake myths.”

“No, orcs are real,” I petulantly argue, pressing a finger to his burly chest. “I’ve met several.”

His eyes widen while his eyebrows go up. “I stand corrected.” The lack of argument from him has heat crawling up my neck. So many people in my life will debate everything I say and do, but this monster I’ve only just met respects my point of view without question.

Wow.

“I’m Orukna,” he continues when my jaw seems unhinged still. “We’re similar to fairytale ones, or in your case, real ones. We’re just a different culture.”

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