Page 20 of My Orc in Uniform

The blonde woman’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Myself.”

I heard Rissa suck in a gasp as Maggie, behind us, snorted. I glanced down at Rissa, whose smile and shrug looked a little sickly as she explained, “Eastshore celebrates the end of the oyster season with a big outdoor festival. The auction is usually donations, which the Town Council uses to improve Eastshore. I think this year’s is going toward the park equipment fund.”

“Yes.” Kelly hummed and swayed forward, as if she was trying to touch me. “Only this year, I’m putting myself up there on the auction block. You can bid on me.” Her wink was lewd. “Ipromiseyou’d win me.”

I had to fight my smile.

This was getting ridiculous.

As I cleared my throat, Joleen snorted, “You can’t sell yourself, Kelly. Eastshore Town Council doesn’t go in for pimping.”

I hid my laugh, and Kelly blinked too innocently, even as she laid her hand on my forearm. “Pimping? Oh my gosh, Simbel!” Her laugh was tinkling, as if I’d said something funny. “No, I’m offering myservices. As a workout partner.” She winked saucily. “I’m only mentioning it because I ampassionateabout fitness, and I can tell you are as well.”

Her hand stroked along my forearm, and now I had to tighten my jaw to clench down on the impulse to shudder and jerk away. MyKteerwanted nothing to do with this woman, not when Rissa was at my side.

Behind us, Maggie muttered. “I’m passionate about fitness. Fittin’-this oyster in my mouth.”

“Yeah, Kelly,” Joleen agreed. “We’re trying to enjoy the roast. Did you bring your knife?”

“No, I didn’t,” she pouted up at me. “Maybe Simbel could lend me his?”

Rissa’s father had made the one she’d let me use; I would never presume to share it. I glanced down at Rissa, and only then saw the embarrassment, the misery on her face.Fuck. I needed to do something about it.

But before I could open my mouth, Rissa offered, “His is pretty big, but if you want to use mine—”

“That’s okay,” Kelly purred, squeezing my arm. “I can handle big.”

Aaaaandthat’s enough of that.

“Sorry, Kelly.” I slid my arm around Rissa’s shoulders and tugged her up against me, trying to keep my expression polite even as my tone hardened. “I’m going to the Oyster Festival with Rissa.”

I could feel Rissa shrinking beside me, and I hated that. I hated the way Kelly was dismissing her, the way she’d sneered at Rissa’s long skirt and fluffy boots and sweater. I hated that I couldn’t sweep Rissa away from all this and assure her she was the only female I was interested in—wouldeverbe interested in.

Well, why couldn’t I?

Kelly huffed, “Don’t you want to be with someone who knows how to havefun?”

In that moment, I knew. I understood.

I glanced down at Rissa and allowed my smile to soften. “I’m with the female I’ve always wanted to be with.”

Dimly, I heard Joleen gasp happily and wondered if I’d revealed too much. But at this moment, I felt as if I couldn’t claim her fast enough. “Would you like to go on a walk, love?”

Her blue eyes were round, but she nodded jerkily. I turned us both from Kelly—Sorry, Joleen and Maggie, you’re going to have to put up with her—toward the hand-washing station out in front of the porta-potties.

After washing up, I twined my fingers through hers again, but I could feel her stiffness, her uncertainty. This stroll felt like we were running away, so I turned us toward the bleachers. We walked along them, well away from the crowd.

When we reached the end of the row of bleachers, I glanced down at Rissa and was alarmed to see the way she was frowning down at her feet. I glanced behind us, but we still weren’t far enough away, so I turned us and began to walk along the backside of the bleachers. Under their towering protection, we were well-hidden from the crowd at the oyster roast.

“So…” I tried to break the awkward silence. “That was weird, huh? I guess I should avoid Kelly at the next staff meeting.”

I tried to make it a joke, but Rissa didn’t respond. I squeezed her hand. “Hey.”

Finally she looked up, her cheeks pale, her blue eyes swimming with what looked like sorrow. “You didn’t really mean it, did you?” she whispered.

Oh, gods below.

My heart clenched, and I tugged her to a stop, turning us so my back was to one of the supports. Using it to hold myself up, I scooted my legs apart and pulled her toward me, settling her between my thighs.

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