Page 23 of My Orc (Secret) Boss

Maya

I woremy cute little sundress the next day to the Festival, for a few reasons:

I liked the way Memnon looked at me when I was wearing it.

It made me feel pretty, and with a cute little sweater over the top as a nod to the spring weather, I felt like I was giving a different vibe than the normally “utilitarian” reputation I’d gotten around town. Especially with the whole “digging in the mud” thing.

And finally, most importantly…I spent the night at Memnon’s house.

I didn’t mean to do it. It’s just that I feltsorelaxed after that shower and that incredible orgasm that when he suggested we watch a movie with the delicious pizza he’d made, I immediately agreed.

I’d curled up next to him, feeling safe and protected at his side, and fallen asleep.

This morning, I woke up plastered on top of him. He was stretched out on the couch, one arm behind his head, watching me sleep, when I lifted my head and tried to surreptitiously tell if I’d drooled all over him.

“Good morning, Blossom,” he rumbled, and I’d melted. He’d held me all night?

I think it’s possible I was falling in love with my employee.

I tried to play it cool, though, as we walked hand-in-hand toward the park. I knew the stage was all set up because I could hear the bands from Main Street. Memnon’s limp didn’t seem as pronounced today, and I considered asking him if he was sure he wanted to go—I’d already entered the auction, so Ihadto be there, but he didn’t—but chickened out. What would I do if he said no?

Be lonely, that’s what. You’ve survived without him before, and you’ll keep surviving.

Except…I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to go to the Festival without him. I didn’t want to doanythingwithout him.

Yep, I had it bad for Memnon.

We bought some fried food on a stick because it’s obligatory at any festival. I got fried cheese, and he got a corndog that he ate in two bites. When he started eyeing mine, I chuckled and handed it over.

“Memnon!” called out a deep voice. “What a joy to see you here,T’mak.”

As we turned, I saw Memnon’s face slide into a scowl, but the older orc moving toward us wore a smile of genuine pleasure. Giza—big, bearded, tattooed, and the most polite male I’d ever met—had turned the shop across the street from mine into a tattoo parlor. People came from all over the world for his particular brand of orcish tattooing-and-therapy.

He moved slowly because his very pregnant Mate was clinging to his arm. “Maya.” He greeted me with a little bow when I finally took pity on them and pulled Memnon closer. “Thank you for dragging our friend here into the sunshine.”

Memnon responded by chomping down on the fried cheese and chewing mulishly.

I grinned and slid my arm through his. “He says he wants to meet his brother’s Mate. Rissa is supposed to be here today.”

Nodding, Giza turned to his Mate, Harper. “I’m looking forward to meeting her too, but this could have waited.”

“Untilwhen?” Harper snapped. She was a beautiful woman, normally perfectly put together and calm, but today her face was red, and she was frowning. “I’m going to pop any day now, and then I’ll be stuck inside with a baby all summer.”

“Kitlings don’t melt in the sun,dkaar. And the midwife said you had at least two weeks left.”

“Oh joy,” she groaned with a roll of her eyes. “You can carry the next one. Or at least time it so I’m ridiculously pregnant in the winter, okay?”

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