Page 18 of Marked By the Broken Orc
“Yes,” he says, his voice rough. “Friends.” But the way he says it, the way he’s looking at me, tells me he’s thinking the same thing I am. We’re so much more than friends already, we’re just both too scared to admit it.
Carmen catches the look between us and grins. “Right. Friends. Got it.” She shares a knowing glance with Jessica and Riley. “Well, I for one think you’re both amazing.” She wags a finger at me. “Don’t mess this up, Mia. He’s good for you.”
I squeeze Kavin’s hand under the table, and his thumb strokes across my knuckles in response. Around us, my friendschatter about weekend plans and work drama, but all I can focus on is the warmth of his hand in mine and the way he’s looking at me like I’m something precious.
Something worth fighting for.
Something worth taking a leap of faith for too?
And I’m seriously hoping he’s going to realize this sooner than later.
Chapter 6
Kavin
The next work week goes by quickly. But meanwhile, I can’t keep my mind off what happened at Grinder’s Coffee.
Each night I close my eyes and replay that scene at the coffee shop. The way Mia stood up for me without hesitation. The fierce protectiveness in her voice when that human refused to serve me. The way she stepped back and let me handle the situation, showing a respect for my authority that most humans—hell, most orcs—don’t ever display.
And then there’s that moment when I took her hand under the table. What the hell was I thinking? My fingers moved without conscious thought, intertwining with hers as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The contact sent heat up my arm, causing my tusks to throb with want again.
Her friends’ words echo in my head on repeat:
“You two are perfect together.”
“Don’t mess this up, Mia. He’s good for you.”
The way they all looked at us, like we were already a mated couple.
But the worst part is how my body reacts to these memories. I’m constantly enflamed, ready to mate, my skin running hotter than usual. My cock remains semi-hard throughout most of theday, and I find myself taking cold showers twice daily just to function. The only time I can keep my mind off Mia is when I’m actively working, responding to calls, training, maintaining equipment. The moment my mind is idle, it goes straight back to her.
The scent of her arousal that day still lingers in my memory. She wants me as much as I want her, and that knowledge is driving me to the edge of sanity.
By Thursday, I realize I need to do something. My apartment feels wrong now. It’s too small and temporary. I look around at the space and see it through different eyes. The furniture is basic and lacks personal touches, more like a hotel room than a home.
It suddenly seems very important to purchase a human-style house in Spokane, the town where I plan to remain for many years to come.
I call a real estate agent and set up appointments for the weekend. I’m not entirely sure why this feels so urgent, but the need is undeniable. This apartment isn’t enough anymore. I need more space, something permanent, something that feels like it could be a real home.
And Mia needs to be there with me when I go house hunting.
The thought seems slightly wrong, but once it’s there, it hardens like cement. Yes, Mia Martin should see the houses I am considering to purchase. She should give me her honest opinion. This makes perfect sense considering she’s lived in Spokane her whole life, knows the neighborhoods and will always tell me the absolute truth in all instances, no matter how harsh, which I think is her best quality.
But am I right? Is it wrong to invite Mia on my house hunt? I pace my apartment like a caged animal, my body thrumming with restless energy. I need to talk this through with someone who will understand.
Therefore, I call Talon.
“I’m at Heat & Ink, but lucky for you I’m between appointments,” he says by way of greeting.
“I need to buy a house,” I respond.
“Since when?”
“Since this week. I’ve hired a real estate agent. I’m looking at houses today.”
There’s a pause. “And you’re calling me because…?”
“Because I want Mia to come with me and I don’t understand why.”
