Page 44 of My Orc (Secret) Boss

It wasridiculous. I mean, theballson this guy, am I right?

I should be disgusted, but with Memnon’s rumble at my back, I was more…I dunno,amused? Like, look at poor little Geoffrey, trying to compete with the beautiful, thoughtful hunk of orc I had already.

So my tone likely betrayed my laughter as I pulled my hand from his. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Geoffrey.”

“Why not?” He winked. “I’m single.”

Why not? How aboutbecause my Mate is ready to tear your arms off?

Instead, I smiled sweetly and backed up to press against Memnon. “I’m not.”

Geoffrey, who was apparently as thick as a pile of bricks, waved dismissively. “Your boyfriend won’t mind if I borrow you?—”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I interrupted, trying to dampen the anger I could feelrollingoff Memnon. “He’s my?—”

“Mate,” Memnon finished in a snarl. “Her possessive, strong, and above all,pissed offMate.”

To give him credit, Geoffreyfinallyseemed to catch on to the dynamic here. Or maybe he was remembering the way he already got one ass-kicking from an orc? Eyes wide, he backed up a step, then another.

I exhaled in relief and began to turn, hoping to share some calm with Memnon—and wondering if we could get back to that kiss Geoffrey had interrupted.

However, the universe had other plans.

“Memnon! Yoohoo, Memnon!”

Who the hells saidyoohoo? I saw my Mate freeze, then roll his eyes in exasperation, before I peeked around him to see Kelly Willis—the gym teacher who had been harassing him about working out with her for a week—hurrying toward us, waving enthusiastically.

Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a perky ponytail, she was wearing tight blue leggings that did wonders for her butt, and a t-shirt that hugged her curves and showed the lines of her bra.

She was likely any male’s sexy dream, and she was bouncing bouncily—did I mention her boobs were bigger than mine? Much bigger—towardmymale.

I raised a brow and shifted to stand at Memnon’s side, one brow raised.

Kelly, of course, ignored me.

“Memnon, I’msosorry I’m late,” she huffed, placing her hand on his forearm. “I told you I’d be right over, but Rissa at the front desk had some sort of news about more orcs or something, and I swear, it took mefor-everto get away and then I thought it would be a nice little jog here to the park, but did you know they’re doing road work on Blue Crab Way?” She sucked in a big breath. “Anyhow, here I am, and I’m glad I caught you.” Playfully, she smacked his arm. “Silly boy, you haven’t been responding to any of my texts.”

Memnon, who very carefully wasn’t looking at Kelly, deadpanned, “I wonder why.”

“Well, as you know, I’m yours for the foreseeable future,” the fitness coach blithely informed him. “Your brother thought itvery importantI workallof your muscles.” She squeezed his forearm. “And I know I’m just the woman to help you.”

Memnon turned to me and lifted a brow. On him, it was an expressionscreamingincredulity, but I doubted Kelly picked up on it.

Taking pity on him, I sighed and pressed closer. “Look, Kelly, we were in the middle of something?—”

“Something I thought important at the time,” purred Geoffrey, moving up beside us as he eyed Kelly speculatively, “but which is becoming increasingly less important.”

Unfortunately, Kelly remained focused on Memnon, draping herself against his side. “So what do you say, honey? Should we start our workouts right here and now? I’m pretty sure I could make you sweat…”

When she broke off with a giggle, Memnon rolled his eyes again. Before I could decide how to peel this bitch off my Mate, he took matters into his own hands.

Literally.

Memnon clamped his hands around Kelly’s waist and lifted. “Have you met Geoffrey Harrison?” he asked, thrusting her into Geoffrey’s arms. “He’s rich, and single, and apparently in desperate need of some fitness training.”

Kelly, who’d opened her mouth to protest the manhandling, I was sure, now snapped it closed and hummed thoughtfully, her hands pressed to Geoffrey’s chest. His arms had immediately circled her, the expression on his face revealing he thought he’d won the lottery.

“Hello.” He winked at her. “You’re Kelly, the sexy coach?”

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