Page 14 of The Passionate Orc
"Quick," I hissed, pulling her around the corner of the building. "Black Iron patrol."
We pressed ourselves against the wall, my large body shielding her smaller one as two massive orcs in black leather walked past the gallery's front door.
"We need to get in there without them noticing," Emryn whispered against my chest. "Got any ideas?"
That's when I had my first brilliant, or so I thought, idea of the day.
"This is ridiculous,"I muttered, trying to adjust the delivery uniform that was at least two sizes too small across my broad shoulders. "They're never going to fall for this."
"Stop fidgeting," Emryn whispered, barely containing her laughter as she adjusted the comically small cap on my head. "You look convincing."
"I look like an orc stuffed into a sausage casing," I grumbled, but couldn't help smiling at her amusement. The things I would do to hear that laugh.
"Just remember, you're delivering art supplies. Don't growl, don't threaten, and try to make your voice higher."
"Higher?" I croaked, attempting to raise my naturally deep voice.
Emryn burst into giggles. "Maybe just stick with as little talking as possible."
She ducked behind the large crate we'd filled with our actual supplies while I pushed it on a dolly toward the back entrance of the gallery. Two Black Iron orcs stood guard, looking bored.
"Delivery," I squeaked, then cleared my throat. "Art stuff. For the, uh, condemned building."
The guards exchanged glances.
"Place is condemned," the larger one grunted.
"Yeah, I know," I improvised. "Boss says, uh, gotta get the expensive stuff out before demolition. Insurance reasons."
They looked doubtful, but I noticed their eyes taking in my straining uniform rather than my face. Thank the ancient ancestors for their lack of attention to detail.
"Fine," the second guard said, moving aside. "Make it quick."
I wheeled the crate in, heart hammering. Once inside the storage room, I quickly opened it so Emryn could climb out, gasping for air.
"Next time," she panted, "we drill air holes."
I couldn't help myself, I pulled her against me, my large hands spanning her waist. "You were amazing."
She looked up, surprise and heat mingling in her gaze. "I just sat in a box."
"You trusted me," I said simply. "That's amazing."
Her fingers traced my jawline, brushing against my tusk in a way that sent shivers down my spine. "We make a good team."
I leaned down, unable to resist any longer, and claimed her mouth with mine. Her lips were soft, yielding, then demanding as her arms wrapped around my neck. I lifted her effortlessly, her small body fitting perfectly against mine as I pressed her against the wall.
"We should—" she gasped between kisses, "—fix the locks. Before they come back."
"Right," I agreed, reluctantly setting her down. "Locks first. Then..."
Her smile was both innocent and wicked. "Then we'll see."
We gotthe gallery space secured with new locks, but our troubles were just beginning. Someone replaced all our promotional flyers with crude drawings of me, the "orc who thinks he's human," the next morning.
"I don't even own a beret," I muttered as we tore down the offensive posters.
Emryn's face flushed with anger. "This is beyond childish. It's cruel."
