Page 23 of Secret Twins for the Orc

But I can’t get over how sincere he seems right now. As if thisis him, thisis the real Rhokar, with all his frustrating outer layers stripped away. Feeding me, because he’s worried that I’m hungry.

I once more hesitate, but for a different reason this time.

He really is stupidly handsome, isn’t he? My eyes trace over his sharp cheekbones and strong jawline accentuated by the gentle sweep of his tusks. His green skin looks appealing in the dim, warm lights of the restaurant, and even his hair, pulled back in a topknot like always, looks masculine and thick and nice. I never thought I liked longer hair on a man, not until I met Rhokar, anyway.

“What?” he huffs, frowning even more heavily.

I look down at his own still empty plate. He fed me without even thinking of himself. He remembered my drink order after a single night two freaking years ago. Why is he suddenly being so sweet?

Before I can overthink it, filled with a desire to make sure he’s looked out for too, I lift the salad bowl and serve him back. Then I pause, suddenly a little uncertain.

“Oh, uh, orcs do eat salad, right?”

He lets out a breath as he stares at me, as if he’s surprised at what I just did. Then he glares suddenly and grabs his fork, spearing three huge red chunks of marinated beetroot and shoving them jerkily into his mouth. “Eat.”

Okay, I can’t help it. A reluctant smile pulls at the edges of my lips despite my attempts to stop it, because he looks a bit embarrassed, of all things. I feel a little more of my aggravation crumble away, and I stare at him consideringly.

“What?” he snaps, his mouth still full, and I swear I can see the tiniest hint of color flush his cheeks beneath his angry gaze.

“Nothing, jeez,” I mutter back. But my smile doesn’t recede.

Why did I find that so cute?

He glares harder and looks away, taking a huge swig of beer, and when he slams the mug down and I lift my own fork, I find my eyes drawn to his lips, and I remember how soft they felt.

Chapter 9

Rhokar

She keeps smiling at me.

I haven’t seen her smile since… well, since our night together. I don’t know how I’m supposed to react to this development.

I shift in my seat, no longer sure what to do with myself, and spear the last hunk of lamb from the sharing platter before us, just to give myself something to do.

I pause before bringing it to my plate, though. “You sure you don’t want more?”

“Oh, god, no thank you. I’m stuffed.” She leans back in her seat, pushing her plate away as if it might leap up and try to force itself down her throat. “That platter was big enough to feed an entire household!”

“Sure, if you and I were a household,” I say, before immediately internally cringing and glaring down. Gods and above, Rhokar, really? You might as well beg her to marry you, next. I resist the urge to wipe my hand over my face in despair. “Because it’s finished, I mean. The food. We finished it.” I stab angrily at my plate, shoving half the hunk of meat into my mouth in one go to stop myself from speaking.

This is her fault. Why in all hells wasn’t she going to feed herself? Why couldn’t she have gone home to eat a regular dinner like a regular adult person should?

When my eyes dart up to her of their own accord, she’s grinning and watching me. “No-one’s going to take your food away, Rhokar. You can relax.”

I glare and keep chewing.

“I don’t even know how you’re still eating, there must have been ten pounds of meat on that platter you ordered us.”

I cut into another large piece as I swallow. “This is perfectly good lamb.”

She lifts both her hands as if in surrender, before reaching for her wine. She’s nearly finished her second glass, and she looks relaxed in her seat. Her body languid and comfortable as she leans back and sips. Her dark curls shine in the warm light, and her lips are practically set in an upturned position.

“Quit smiling,” I grouch after a few moments, and I go for the last piece on my plate. “It’s irritating.”

“Ah, there’s the Rhokar I know and love.” My left eye twitches, and I swallow hard. “Sour as a lemon.”

“Lemons are good for you,” I say as I let my cutlery clutter onto my plate, and grab for the last of my beer. “Full of vitamin C.”

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