Page 9 of Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy

“You said something about a new business you’re starting with your brothers?” I asked to get away from all this possessive talk.

“Yes.” His tusky smile flashed. Funny how I hadn’t felt his tusks when he kissed me. “My brothers and I are opening a new tourist business. You’ve heard of ranch destinations? We’re combining orc heritage with a version of your Wild West. We’ve created a town complete with a saloon, a jail, plus an authentic sorhox ranch where our guests can stay. They’ll participate in trail rides, bull riding in a tamer rodeo experience, plus everything a fake western town might offer.” He listed them off. “Stagecoach hold-ups, pretend shoot-outs, and story time around a blazing fire each night.”

“This sounds like a lot of fun.” My heart crunched because there was almost no chance I’d ever see such a thing. It must be pricey. I got by with the income from my radiology assistant job, but there wasn’t much left after paying my bills and putting a little away in my savings. I could swing take-out pizza or a day at Quirky Kingdom—a kiddie amusement park a woman and her orc husband ran a few towns away from mine—but nothing like a ranch tourist destination.

“When do you hope to open your business?” I asked.

“Within a few months if things go well. I was in your city to negotiate contracts for supplies. Our initial phase includes getting the town open to tourists and making sure that partruns smoothly. The next phases include putting in vast gardens where we’ll grow all our produce, plus expanding the small town we’ve constructed. I . . .” He looked down at his hands resting on his thighs. “My original intent was to help with the contract negotiations then return to the orc kingdom.”

He meant leave the surface. “Forever?”

“That’s changed.”

Why did those few words make sunlight burst inside me? “What’s changed in particular?”

His gaze locked on mine, and he started to speak, but he was cut off when they announced it was time for Group 1 to board. His head swiveled to the airline counter. “This is us, correct?”

“Yup. We can continue the conversation on the plane.”

“I’ve never ridden in an aero-plane before,” he gulped out. “I admit, I’m nervous. Will you heat me up so I don’t leap?”

Chapter 4

Rosey

Heat him up . . .

My gaze shot to his groin. When he’d settled me on the edge of the airline counter and spread my legs to step between them, he’d rubbed against me. There had been no missing the fact that this guy was big all over. Something had hummed down there, but he hadn’t pressed hard enough for me to figure out what it might be.

I had to be mistaken. No guy packed vibrating devices in his briefs.

I stood and grabbed my bag. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

He rose as well, towering over everyone. A few people watched him with curiosity, but most ignored him. He wasn’t the only orc in the place.

A frown bloomed on his cheeks. “Heat me . . . Leap. I’m saying this phrase wrong. Could you help me heat up so I’m not . . . No, not heat. I worry I’ll be afraid, and I need something to distract me.”

“If it will help, I’ll talk your ear off.”

His frown deepening, he rubbed his pointed right ear and cupped it a moment before lowering his arm to his side.

“That’s a saying,” I said. “Like a joke. I won’t really remove your ear. It just means I’ll chatter a lot.”

“Good, good.” He sent me a nervous smile. “I appreciate it.”

The poor guy. He really was worried. I would do all I could to help him relax.

I took his hand, and we went up to the desk, scanning our boarding passes before walking down the passage and getting on the plane. I showed him how to tuck his comically small-for-his-size backpack under the seat ahead of ours.

“Window seat or aisle?” I asked.

He glanced at the two places and shrugged.

“Why don’t you take the window? You might enjoy looking at the ground as the plane soars over it.”

I wasn’t sure a green-skinned guy could get any greener, but my fake orc boyfriend did.

“Take the aisle instead,” I said. “Then you can run to the bathroom if you need to.” I’d make sure he knew where to find the paper bag as well. Hopefully he’d see this wasn’t a scary experience and enjoy the flight. At least we didn’t have any stops along the way.

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