Page 31 of My Orc (Secret) Boss

But as the days passed, it was easier for me to take the coward’s way out and avoid telling her the truth to avoid her anger. And because I wasn’t honest with her, I couldn’t give into my urges to claim her, to make her mine.

I couldn’t do that to her.

But each afternoon, after working at the park until my muscles ached, I climbed into the hot shower with her and showed her how good I could make her feel, even without getting my cock involved.

Oh, she tried a few times, stroking me, but I did my best to fight it. She was mine, and I was hers…but she didn’t realize that.

So fucking tell her already!

I was going to have to because my surreptitious jerking off wasn’t satisfying myKteeranymore than it was satisfying my cock. I was itchy and irritable and ready to snap.

Which is why, on Sunday morning, when Maya set the mug of coffee she’d made for me at my elbow—and I got a whiff of her sweet arousal, left over from when I licked her to orgasm only an hour ago—I growled.

I heard her suck in a quick breath and jerk her hand away, and I cursed myself for scaring her.

Reaching out, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her toward me. She didn’t resist and ended up in my lap.

“Memnon?” she whispered, her dark brows lowered in concern. One hand rose as if she was going to cup my cheek, but she hesitated.

“I’m sorry, Blossom,” I groaned, burying my face in the little crook between her neck and shoulder, where I could smell her perfection and kiss her tattoo had she not been wearing one of my t-shirts, which was far too big for her. “I’m just…not myself.”

To my surprise, Maya hummed and reached up to squeeze the back of my neck. Her hands were small compared to me, but still strong enough to make me groan and drop my head forward.

“No wonder,” she murmured. “You’ve been working nonstop for two weeks. I mean, I know you’ve spent months hiding—I mean, stuck inside. So all this work, and peopling, must be a lot.”

Hiding.

That’s what I was doing, yeah. And now?

“I’m glad I get to work with you,” I muttered. “Not sorry about that.”

“Good, because I’ve really been enjoying my time with you.”

Her thumb hit something tight in my neck, and I groaned in pleasure. She must’ve misunderstood, though, because her scent changed to embarrassment.

“I mean, I’ve enjoyedthattoo, but you—we’ve been working—I think we…”

My hold on her tightened, and I did my best to put her at ease. “I think we work well together too, Maya.” Of course we did; we were Mates. “I like how your mind works, and your vision, and how you put so fucking much of yourself into the world around you.”

“Oh,” she breathed, her hand going still. “Well… I like you too.” Her fingers inched upward, running through the hair at the base of my neck, tugging slightly and causing shivers to run down my spine. “A lot.”

I grunted, lowering my nose to her shoulder once more.

“But…” she continued cautiously, “I’ve been enjoying all theotherstuff, as well.”

My lips curled reluctantly. “Me too.”

She dragged her fingers through my hair gently so they didn’t catch. “Are you sure, Memnon?”

The hesitation in her question made me lift my head and frown down at her. “What?”

“Are you…” Maya took a deep breath, her gaze locked on my chin. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve really,reallybeen enjoying myself. But you’re so focused onme,and I worry…”

“Don’t worry about me,dkaar,” I managed, my voice thick.

Her dark eyes rose to meet mine. “I just don’t want this to be weird, Memnon. With you working for me, I don’t want you to feel like this is an obligation fuck or some?—”

Her words broke off with a squeal when I stood abruptly and took her with me. She dangled from my hold, but her expression told me she was serious. She was genuinely concerned about my consent?

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