Page 10 of Orc Charming

Something banged in the kitchen, telling me Wilfred had returned. The last thing I wanted was for him to find me making out on the back deck with my new server. There was nothing wrong with me dating Deegar, assuming one kiss and a shared meal—plus him sleeping on my sofa—could be considered dating. But was I ready to announce to the world that I liked him?

I’d think about it during the next shift.

“Back to work,” I said in a voice much too breathless. You’d think I’d run around the block or something.

“Yes, work.” We rose, and he frowned down at me with an intensity that made my body grow hotter.

“What?” I asked, fanning my face.

“I . . .” He shook his head and gave me a smile. “Nothing.”

Chapter 4

Deegar

Cat was my true mate, and I wasn’t sure what to do about it.

If I was back in the orc kingdom, she would’ve known this when we kissed like I did.

Then I’d fling her over my shoulder and bolt into the woods. She’dencourageme to do this. Orc males had nesting spots prepared for just such a moment. I’d take her there, and we’d complete the mate bond in bed, not emerging until our heat had waned.

How could I tell Cat I would soon be nearly ravenous to possess her body?

I’d have to mention something soon. Walking around with an erection wouldn’t do.

We worked until the last customer left, then cleaned everything, getting it ready for the next shift, though we had two days off before that. Once everything was settled, we locked the front door and strolled in the opposite direction of where Cat lived.

“I thought we could pick up some chicken to bake for dinner. I can make broccoli and cauliflower with a cheese sauce, and if you’re really sweet to me,” she shot me a grin, “I’ll make my secret roasted potato recipe.”

“You’re my true mate,” I blurted out. Heat kept roaring through my veins, each time finding its way to my cock.

She stopped on the corner and despite the boxed walking figure on the pole indicating we could cross, she remained in place, frowning at me. “Excuse me?”

“I’m going into heat, and unless we have sex a billion times between now and when it wanes, I’ll need to find a cave and suffer until it ends.”

“I . . .” Her head tilted. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“No joke. Have you read about orc mating customs?”

She shrugged. “Only a little.”

“When an orc finds their true mate, which for me is you, they go into heat.”

“Like a hot flash?”

I didn’t know what that was. “True mates are rare, but when an orc finds theirs, they take them to a secluded spot where they have lots of sex.”

A woman pushing a carriage with a tiny infant inside stopped beside us. With a smirk, she waved to the child. “Thisis what can happen when you have lots of sex.”

“Your infant is gorgeous,” I said. Someday, I’d love to have an orcling or two. It was very easy to see Cat holding our first.

“Thanks. She’s a sweetie.” After giving us a look I couldn’t define, the other woman hurried across the street.

Cat’s frown deepened. “Are you feeling okay?”

“When we kissed, I knew you were the one.”

“We said it was anicekiss. Not groundbreaking or . . . heat-inducing.”

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