Page 11 of My Orc Contract Husband
“Look, Tark,” he growled, not looking up from his screen. “I paid for the food, didn’t I?”
The male had more money than anyone I knew, so fuck yes I let him buy the groceries when he was in town. I held up my messy hands for emphasis, beef juice dripping toward my wrists. “That doesn’t help?—”
He cut me off. “I don’t cook.”
When he glanced at me, then away, I caught the flash of something almost like amusement in his eyes before he buried it under his usual scowl.
Well, I couldn’t argue there. Abydos’s twin was Aswan, the best chef any of us knew. When we’d fled that government facility, the one where the humans had experimented on us, the one where they’d fucked up Abydos’s face and psyche so much, the two brothers had lived together in Bramblewood Bluff. Aswan had helped Abydos heal, and in return, Abydos had made us all rich.
Well, most of us, at least.
And despite his bad humor, I was glad to have him here on Eastshore, at least for a bit. The familiar weight of his presence in our shared space felt like coming home, even when he was being a complete ass.
Finishing shaping the burgers we would share, I laid them on a platter. “I’m going to pan-fry these because the balcony of this place is too small for a grill, okay?”
A grunt was my only answer. He’d gone back to typing, his dark head bent over the screen in concentration.
“What are you working on?” I called, trying to involve him in conversation. I moved to the sink, scrubbing my hands under the hot water while stealing glances at his rigid posture.
“Shut up for a minute, would you?”
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile as I washed my hands, my gaze landing on the baby aloe plants on the windowsill. What had Sami called them? Aloepups. They were small and floppy and delicate, just like I’d once been.
When we lived in Bramblewood, Abydos had been our leader. It had been his idea to hide out in the small, hidden town deep in the mountains, the one few humans knew about. We were all more comfortable around other non-humans, and it was the only way Abydos would consider living in this world.
But as we grew more comfortable with our surroundings, we’d each found our own paths. Aswan had opened a successful restaurant, Akhmim had become a whiz at computers, teaching Abydos how to beat the humans at their own game, and me? I’d gained a reputation for pleasure.
Abydos might want nothing to do with humans, but each female I met became a challenge, a delight. I loved learning all I could about her, and bringing her joy,before she moved on. Sometimes I found myself wishing they would stay, settle down, but…
Who was I? Just a simple male who liked to work with his hands and make others smile. It was enough to know that I’d brought them pleasure when we were together. The last time I’d tried to have something more, my own petty desires had gotten in the way…
Unable to help myself, my gaze strayed to Abydos, remembering those dark times.
He was completely absorbed in his work, overseeing his empire with financial wizardry, his scarred fingers stabbing at the keys angrily. The late afternoon light caught the worst of the damage on the left side of his face, and I had to look away.
He suddenly straightened and slammed the laptop shut, and I startled, guilt at being caught making me flush.
“Done. What?” he growled.
“Nothing,” I was quick to assure him, focusing on separating the buns to toast. “You want a beer?”
“Fuck yes I want a beer.” Abydos stomped toward the kitchen.
Despite his attitude, I was glad to have him here, where I could keep an eye on him. We were all glad for it.
“Oh, Mr. Abydos,” I sang teasingly. “If it’s not too much trouble, and if it’s not too much likehelping, could you please, oh please, fetchmea beer as well?”
Heaving a put-upon sigh, he pulled another bottle from the fridge and kicked the door closed. “Here. You’re welcome.” He thrust the bottle at me with more forcethan necessary, and I had to grab it quickly to keep from dropping it.
I had to chuckle as I took it from him and opened it. “You’re all heart. How was Aswan?” The bottle was ice-cold against my palm, and I took a long swallow before setting it on the counter.
His scowl told me he hadn’t appreciated me slipping that question in so nonchalantly, and I suppose I should have known better than to think he would trip up and let something slip. He turned away from me, but not before I caught the way his jaw tightened.
“He’s fine.” Abydos hesitated, staring down at his beer. “Doing…well.”
Well, at least that response didn’t involve any cursing. Trying for more nonchalance, I ask as I flipped the fries, “He’s really settling in. I’m glad he’s found so much happiness with Hannah and the kids.”
Abydos’s only response was a grunt, and when I snuck a peek, he was frowning at his bottle.
