Page 34 of My Orc Billionaire
As the last of the tremors subsided, I collapsed against him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. His arms held me close, held me safe. I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my cheek, the warmth of his body surrounding me.
And I wanted to stay there forever. OhGoddid I want that.
But a particularly loud clap of thunder startled me, causing me to lurch, and his arms to tighten…as if the universe was reminding me that this wasn’t how things were supposed to be.
I’d practically attacked Abydos, dragging him into this kiss, and then I’d used him for my own pleasure. With a groan, I shifted so my forehead dropped against his chest.
“Riven,” he murmured, and it was soft, so gentle, I felt tears in my eyes.
I shouldn’t have done this. Don’t get me wrong—it had beenincredible…but had it been whathewanted?
Wincing, I lifted my head to see him staring down at me, his expression alarmingly neutral. His eyes, which were normally dark pools, now each had a tiny green speck in the center, something I’d never seen before, even when he was livid. What did that mean?
How could I get out of here without this being more awkward than it already was?
You can’t, that’s the answer. I couldn’t.
So I lifted my palm to Abydos’s jaw, my fingertips brushing against his lips near his broken tusk. I remembered his wince, the way he seemed to torture himself—or use his pain for some other reason—and I hated it.
But I was his employee. It wasn’t my place to try to fix him. The best I could do was care for him.
Is it your place to hump his thick cock on the counter? This is a food preparation area!
I managed not to groan, but I suspected the smile I forced was a bit sickly.
“Thank you,” I croaked, and he inclined his head just slightly, regally…as if he knew what I was thanking him for. Maybe he did.
When I pushed against him, he stepped back, and I managed not to close my eyes in embarrassment as I slid from the counter and slipped past him. Although my cheeks were likely tomato-paste-red.
I’d reached the door of the kitchen when I heard his quiet, “Good night, Riven,” and that’s when I stopped trying to fight the embarrassed tears.
Good night, Abydos.
I ran to my room and locked myself in, telling myself this couldn’t happen again.
He was myboss…and I’d used him.
Remember, this job is technically still a probationary thing.
I couldn’t afford to lose it. I needed to be professional.
No, this couldn’t happen again.
Right?
Chapter Eight
Abydos
My hands didnotshakeas I put the SUV in park in front of my twin brother’s house, and if theyhad, it wouldn’t be because of something stupid like nervousness. But I did roll my shoulders and tip my head from side to side, hoping to loosen the tight muscles across my shoulders and back.
“Boss? Abydos, are you still there?”
I grunted, hoping Sylvik hadn’t asked anything important. “Sorry. Thinking about tonight.”
“Tonight?” The other male sounded surprised. “You’re doing something for Halloween? I mean, Bramblewood is going all out as usual, but does Eastshore have festivities?”
The question distracted me. Sylvik sounded genuinely curious. Come to think of it, Garrak had been the same way. Was it possible there were other orcs out in Colorado who were interested in Eastshore?
