Page 93 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“No.”

His clipped tone had her glancing at his tense expression.

“Well... I guess that’s good? I’m glad you don’t get accosted in your house all the time.” She put the broom back in the corner and went to the stove. Everything was done. She might as well serve.

She wondered if Govek even had an appetite still. Maythra’s words banged around in her head, bruising and goading her into anger all over again. “Where do they all get off trying to drag us around like that? Demanding I go with her to her house. She likes to make it sound like it’s in my best interest, but it’s really just what she wants.”

She piled her makeshift french fries, which had been cooked far too long, onto Govek’s plate before starting to slice a roll in half. “I made my choice. I’ve been very clear on my choice, haven’t I?”

Miranda caught Govek’s eye again. He was tense, fists bunched.

“I chose you,” she said sternly, forcing Govek to blink as if even he were shocked. “Dang, you don’t even want to believe it. Everyone’s so determined to give me a choice as long as I don’t pick you. That’s not a choice at all. That’s manipulation.”

She spread her makeshift ketchup and mustard on the bun before plopping on veggies. The onions were done enough. Everything else was raw. The meat patty was huge. Beef burgers always shrunk down a bunch when you cooked them, but whatever this meat Govek had gotten them from the butchery certainly hadn’t.

God, she hoped it tasted good. The look Govek had given her when she’d asked him to turn the meat into pulp so she could make the patties had her tension easing into amusement. He was so funny when he was shocked.

“Sit down, tough guy,” she said, and he did so slowly, still tense, still watching her close. Miranda sighed. “I swear half of our relationship is you supporting me through my absolute worst moments and the other half is me convincing you I would never willingly give up that support.”

His throat worked in a gulp.

“I chose you, Govek,” she repeated. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“You... aren’t?” he asked, not even glancing at the monstrosity of meat and bread she set down before him.

“Just pause for a minute and do a mental inventory of everything you’ve done for me, Govek. Saved my life multiple times. Carried me through the woods. You gave me all your food. You haven’t gotten any solid sleep because you keep waking up to comfort me when I have nightmares. And through all that, you’ve never complained even once.”

She moved her hands up to his face, massaging the corners of his jaw until it fell back into place.

“And aside from that,” she said, still caressing gently. “You’re funny and supportive and fun to talk to. We haven’t known each other for very long, but what I’ve seen so far, I like, Govek. Which is saying something, ’cause I never found anyone I liked on Earth.”

“I’m not leaving, Miranda.”

His vow eased the last few drops of irritation right out of her, and she plucked a kiss to his forehead. “Go ahead and eat before someone else shows up to ruin our day. Next time they try, why don’t you live up to your tough guy standards and give them what for? You keep saying you’re out of control, but I haven’t seen you lose control even once since I met you.”

He looked stricken. “I... don’t want to frighten you, Miranda.”

“So, you’re making the active choice not to attack because you don’t want to scare me?” He nodded slowly, and she rolled her eyes, exasperation lacing her tone. “Govek, that’s what control is.”

His eyes widened, and he blinked. His fingers raked across his scalp.

A lifetime of conditioning wasn’t going to change overnight. Miranda knew that and she had no qualms with chipping away at his insecurities one compliment at a time.

Govek turned his attention to the food and his brows screwed up adorably in confusion.

“It’s called a hamburger on Earth. This is a very loose interpretation of one, but should still be good.”

“It smells incredible. Where is yours?”

“I’ll get it in a minute.” She was fairly full since she’d been tasting things as she cooked.

She held her breath as he lifted the burger, took a bite, and began to chew.

His eyes closed and the groan that left his lips shivered right through her. Every trial she went through to make this for him was suddenly worth it a thousand times over.

“I’m totally going to be doing all the cooking from now on,” she said as Govek devoured the burger in minutes. She got up to fix him another.

“Is... there more?” he asked, and she shot him a grin, delighted beyond words.

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