Page 6 of My Orc Pen Pal

Well, who could blame me? I might not have ever thought of orcs ashot, but I’d never met Akhmim before either.

“Rosemary?” he croaked hopefully, his voice raspier than I expected.

Nodding, I lifted my hand in a completely awkward little wave. “Hi, Akhmim.”

Hoooooboy.He wasgorgeous; as tall as every other orc on Eastshore, yeah, with tusks and green skin and everything I’d come to expect. But his hair was longer than any orc I’d seen, in a thick braid over one shoulder…and he had a really sweet smile.

Or maybe I only thought it was sweet because I knew him?

He’d crossed the yard, somehow missing the ornamental bird feeder and the baby palmetto, without taking his eyes off me. Now he cleared his throat, so his voice sounded more normal when he said, “Nice to finallymeet you,” and thrust out his hand.

Without hesitation, I took his hand, thinking he just wanted to shake it, but he enveloped my hand with both of his and just stood there, staring at me.

It should have been weird.

Okay, from the outside, itwasweird.

But honestly? I was busy staring at him too.

And trying to tamp down on the shivers currently running up and down my spine at whatever had sparked between us as soon as he’d touched me.

“I’m so glad you agreed to meet me,” he murmured. Then that grin of his turned crooked. “And when I saidnice to meet you, I don’t think that fully conveyed how momentous this occasion actually is.”

My smile bloomed becausetherewas the Akhmim I knew.

It was crazy, that I felt as if I knew this male so well, having never met him, or spoken to him in person. But in the last months, we’d sharedeverythingfrom behind the safety of our computer screens.

“I’m really glad to meet you too,” I managed, knowing my cheeks were flushed.

Finally, he released my gaze to glance over my outfit. “You look…amazing.”

I was known on the island for making some of my outfits, and the off-the-shoulder pale pink dress I’d chosen for tonight was no exception. As I was getting dressed, I was a little afraid it was too short for theoccasion, but right now, with him looking at me so approvingly?

I felt just right.

“Thanks.” I tried to squeeze his hand, although since he was so much bigger, I wasn’t sure it had any effect. “You’re pretty hot yourself.”

Instead of smirking, Akhmim’s gaze slammed back into mine, his eyes wide. “Really? You…you’re not just saying that?”

Huh. It was thevulnerabilityI saw in his expression that tugged me closer. I slid my arm through his and tipped my head back to softly smile up at him. “I’m not, Akhmim. I’mreallyglad to meet you, and I know I was surprised as hell when you suggested we have dinner tonight, but you know what?”

“What?” he breathed, staring down at me with what looked like awe.

My smile grew. “I can’t wait. Let’s go have some flounder sandwiches.”

For a moment, his expression clouded. “That’s…not a euphemism I’m aware of?—”

Laughing, I tugged him toward his Jeep. “It’s The Waterfront’s specialty, and what I’m in the mood for! Let’s go eat, Akhmim!”

“Lead the way,” he murmured. “I’ll follow you anywhere.”

And although I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to have heard it, the words made me warm inside.

Yep, I wasdefinitelylooking forward to tonight.

Chapter 3

Akhmim

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