Page 90 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

His eyes lit and darted to the small table on the opposite side of the room. “It would likely snap.”

“Ooh,” she hummed as heat spiked her through. “Honey, that sounds like a challenge.”

But her teasing fell a little flat as he quirked a brow. “Honey?”

“You really want me sticking with tough guy, huh?” She ruffled his hair.

He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. “Call me what you will, Miranda, but honey suits you far better than me. It is what you smell of.”

“I smell like honey?”

His eyes opened and heated her. He bridged the gap between them, pulling her away from the stove and slanting his mouth over hers.

Pounding sounded at the door.

Miranda jumped and her cheek collided with Govek’s nose. He grunted and jerked back.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” she said reaching up to rub at the bridge of his nose. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you too bad, did I?”

Amusement flooded Govek’s features, and her worry drained away. “No, Miranda. You did not hurt me. It is doubtful that you could cause me any damage even if you headbutted me with your full force.”

“Hey, I’m not that weak.” This earned a dubious expression from him that made her huff. “I can take you down just fine without bruising your bits, and you know it.”

He leaned in close, lips against her ear, hot breath stirring her hair, and growled, “That, I believe.”

A delicious shudder rocked down her spine.

The pounding thundered again.

“Who the heck is that?”

“I’ll get rid of them.” Govek set her down and stalked to the door. It snapped off entirely in his hand.

Miranda covered her mouth to hide her laugh as Govek grumbled. They’d both forgotten it was broken. All humor died a second later.

Rogeth stood there all blustery and puffed up. He tried to fill out the doorway, but he was too slender for that, and his two male counterparts could easily be seen in the background.

All three looked ready for a fight, but Miranda doubted even their combined muscle could match Govek’s.

Rogeth shot Govek a look of pure scorn. “Where is she?”

Govek growled and Miranda rolled her eyes. “Are you talking about me?”

“What are you doing to her? Are you forcing her to cook?” Rogeth snapped, stepping into the house and Govek instantly extended his claws, opened his jaw, and took a hard step toward the male.

“Hey, hey,” Miranda said, taking her onions off the heat and rushing over to Govek. “I thought I told you no brawling until after you get naked and get me to a safe place to watch.”

Her words snapped them all right out of their near rampage and Govek snarled down at her. “What?”

She grinned, winked, and took his hand in hers. His low growl of pleasure had her sighing with relief.

“Govek, let Miranda go.”

It was Maythra. Of course it was.

Miranda hadn’t noticed her behind the burly orcs. Maythra pushed past her three comrades crowding the stoop and stomped into the house like she owned the place. Her sharp gray eyes flashed with disdain. “Oh dear, this is where you have been keeping her? Miranda, please, allow us to find you better accommodations.”

“Thanks, but I’m good here.” Miranda gripped Govek’s hand. He was shaking with his attempts to control himself.

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