Page 6 of Marked By the Broken Orc
I look away, determined to make my exit. “Lock your door after I leave. Drink more water before bed,” I order.
“Yes,sir,” she says with an adorable smile.
This female is going to be trouble. The kind of trouble that could make me question everything I believe about human females. This is exactly why I am going to stay away and ignore her from now on. I willnottake a mate.
I walk to her door, hyperaware of her watching me. My hand on the doorknob, I turn back once. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you lost out on the position. You deserve better.”
Then I force myself to leave, walk the short distance to my own apartment and close the door firmly behind me.
Chapter 3
Mia
The next morning I’m slightly hungover but also stunned at the events of last night. All I can think about is that handsome orc I met.
I gulp down water and two pain killers.
Yes, I partied too hard, acting so very rude, leaving my music blaring at one o’clock in the morning. How terrible of me. My neighbors probably hate me right now. Our complex is filled with lots of other first responders so maybe I’m lucky and some of them were on night shifts and not around anyway to see one of the lowest moments of my entire life?
I can only hope.
When I opened the door to find the imposing Kavin Irontree standing on my doorstep, I was instantly enthralled with that dangerous orc. The black horns and white tusks did it for me. I wanted to lick him all over and pull him into my bed. And that was before he started talking with that deep, mesmerizing voice.
Never in my life had I ever met a man so damn sexy.
Hot, off the charts,sexy.
He wasn’t flirting with me, not even a little bit and instead seemed like he wanted to leave but I kept dragging him into more conversation, trying to get him to stay and talk to me. Hewas very patient with my drunken oversharing. I did catch his eyes lingering though, many times, a beat too long on my chest and my ass and even my lips, so I think there’s something there between us.
Mainly I’m embarrassed by how much I talked last night. I always overshare when I get drunk. And I complied so easily with his orders to stop the music. Not even a hint of debate or negotiation from me. Carmen looked truly stunned. I’m sure I’m going to be teased mercilessly later.
The most important part was that I learned he is actually qualified and in fact better qualified than me for the firefighter position and it made sense he got the job instead of me. This brings me a huge amount of relief this morning. Being passed over for someone with zero qualifications was both painful and nonsensical. Being passed over for that fabulous Kavin Irontree makes total sense. I would’ve hired him instead of me too.
I grab my phone off the nightstand to check the time and see three missed texts from my concerned friends.
Carmen:
Girl, you never back down from anyone. What was that about?
Jessica:
That orc was huge. You okay? Did he threaten you?
Riley:
Need us to come back? That guy looked intense.
I type back quickly:
No worries. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. After Kavin left I passed out and just now woke up. He stayed a bit to make sure I drank enough water. And I discovered he’s highly qualified for the job. This is good news.
Which reminds me, today is his first day as a firefighter.
I put down the phone and shuffle into the kitchen to start the Keurig and grab my first cup of coffee.
I cannot keep my mind off that hawt orc. Since when do I find orcs so attractive? I wish I had his number so I could call him and chat about last night. In fact…I wish I could ask that orc out on a date. I blow out a breath. How weird is that? I never ask guys out. No one has ever asked me out on a real date either. One-night stands are more my style. This is completely foreign to me. How does this work?
I twirl my hair, thinking about Kavin’s body language last night. He kept sending me hot glances and stayed to chat but then left as soon as possible. Shoot. Mixed messages. This means he might not make the first move and I’ll have to make the first move if I want to end up having that orc in my bed and…maybe as an actual boyfriend for the first time in my life. Would an orc think me making the first move is inappropriate? I have no idea. But I’d rather do that than wait around for him to ask me out, which could take an eternity.
