Page 12 of One Night with Her Grumpy Orc

Seated at the kitchen table, Grev’s chair creaks under his weight, but it holds. The blue mug looks petite in his massive green hands, as if I served him tea in an espresso cup. “Thank you. Do your parents visit often?” He is surprisingly polite considering their actions of earlier.

“Not if I can help it. It’s normally up to me to go to them. But Jake was an idiot and called them to tell them about the library and me. So now they’re here.”

“It’s good of them to check on you.” It’s a simple statement, but it means a lot to me. That he cares that I’m taken care of, loved.

“I guess you’re right. We just don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. I like being on an island with the sea between us,” I say as I blow gently on my tea. When I gaze up at him, he’s staring intently at my lips. My cheeks flush against my will. Tea drinking has never been this sensual before.

“Are you and Jake in a relationship?” His words are even and slow, but they bowl me over like a tornado whipping through the room.

“Jake? Gods, no. We were neighbors and friends growing up. He’s the one who told me about Moonfang Haven. But no, I could never be anything with him. My interests lie elsewhere.” I keep him pinned with my eyes, chin pointed up, making sure he gets what I’m saying. His curt nod tells me he understands.

“Well, I mostly wanted to check on you and settle on tomorrow’s plan. I didn’t mean to scare your mom. Well, not entirely.” Grev doesn’t smile, but he winks. His dark eyelashes brush against his cheek as he does so, and I’m struck by his beauty and regalness. It’s not a word I typically think of when I think of the residents of Moonfang Haven, whom I love dearly, but it matches Grev’s stature and demeanor perfectly. I’m glad I’m sitting down as I clench my thighs.

I reach my hand across the table toward Grev, hoping he’ll take it. Hoping that this thing between us is as real for him as it is for me. His eyes never leave mine as he reaches out and grasps my hand in his. Calloused and thick, his hands feel like home.

We sit like that, sipping mint tea and holding hands, and it’s the best thing ever. Or, the second best thing, after the night at the library.

There’s a loud thump behind me. Twisting to look, both my parents are in the doorway. Dad with his arms crossed across his chest. Mom clutches at his shoulders, like she’s holding him back. The ugly scowl on Dad’s face chills me. All the hatred in his eyes is directed at Grev.

“Dad,” I say, standing, trying to block Grev from my parents so he can’t see the hate in my father’s eyes. Of course, Grev stands up, towering behind me. So much for me thinking I could protect him. “You need to calm down—”

“I will not. I refuse to stand by while monsters invade my daughter’s home.”

“He was invited inside. ByMom.” It’s hard to keep my voice level. “I’m a grown woman. This is my choice to make.”

“It may be. But it doesn’t mean it’s smart. Or that I can support it. Or you.”

“The last ferry has run for the night. But the first one leaves at seven a.m. I suggest you and mom are on it.” The tremor in my voice embarrasses me, but not as much as my Dad’s hatred of anyone who doesn’t look like him or like the same things as him.

Dad opens his mouth, finger pointing at me, but nothing comes out of his mouth because Grev makes a noise behind me. I think it’s an actual growl. Menacing enough that Dad just nods and turns to go down the hall to the guest room they are staying in, hollering for Mom to come along.

It takes a minute, or ten, for my breath to return to normal enough for me to turn around and face Grev. The apology is on the tip of my tongue, but the words don’t come out before his. “Betty, I don’t want to come between you and your parents. I’ll leave now. I’ll be working at the library tomorrow.”

He takes one step around me, but I leap at him, wrapping my arms around his middle. My hands can’t reach each other, so they grip his shirt hard, not caring if I rip his shirt. “Grev, I’m so sorry. I will absolutely see you tomorrow.”

Carefully but firmly, he unwraps my clinging arms from himself. Looking deep into my eyes, there’s a resignation in his that puts a pit in my stomach. With a grunted goodbye, he leaves.

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