Page 46 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Beryl shakes her head like I really did disappoint her. “You mean you haven’t told her why you were a dick to her in the beginning? And now you’re already talking about claiming her? I’m glad we ran into you before you did something stupid.”
Calixta says, “Got to say, Bodin, jumping in head first is new for you. But I guess love makes you do weird things. Let’s go inside and chat. I just finished polishing Samara’s scales—she was my last client for the day.”
As we walk toward the end of Second Street, Beryl places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s still a way off, obviously,” she addsthe last word pointedly, “but we would like to volunteer as your support team for the rut. Whenever that happens.”
“I was going to ask you about that, too,” I say, touched that she offered so easily.
“You don’t even need to ask,” my sister says with a comforting squeeze to my shoulder. “Even if you weren’t the support person for our rut, we’d still love to be there for you. And it’s better us than Ma—don’t know how comfortable Tilly would be with having her boss bringing you care packages while her son ruts her employee. That’s weird, no matter what species you are.”
Just hearing her say that makes an icy shudder roll down my back.
Beryl copies the motion with a wince before continuing, “We’ll make sure you two are stocked up on food and water for the three days. And depending on what Tilly is comfortable with, we can schedule visits to check on you both, make sure she’s getting some rest and staying hydrated.”
Calixta nods. “We’d love to be there for both of you, without encroaching on your love bubble of course. I won’t appreciate you ripping my head off for coming too close to your female while you’re in rut mode.”
I sigh contentedly, a big chunk of worry now off my plate to have these two on my side. “Thank you, for your support and acting as a joint voice of reason. I’m going to lay everything on the table with Tilly tomorrow morning.”
“Then hopefully lay her on the bed,” Calixta jokes with a waggle of her brows.
I breathe in deeply through my nose, the corners of my mouth tipping up into a slow smile. “That’s the dream,” I say on the exhale and Calixta leans forward with a fist bump of approval.
Chapter 21
Tilly
The Bandaged Heart’s door clicks shut behind me and I quickly scan the empty clinic to make sure no one is around before I allow my mortified self to lean against a wall and bury my face in my hands.
If any of my friends were caught by the guy they were seeing’s family the way Bodin and I were, I would laugh with them. It would be cute.
But not with me. My luck doesn’t quite reach that far.
I just had to go and say the most explicit thing I’ve ever thought, then be so turned on that a succubus could sense the sexual energy from down the street.
I can never show my face in public again.
Why did I have to be so detailed? Each ridge? Each piercing? Dripping pussy? That’s what I actually said, isn’t it? It doesn’t make it any less true, though. But did I have to say it there? Couldn’t I have waited until Bodin and I were alone together?
Calixta is going to tease me mercilessly and I totally deserve it.
I have to call Audrey. She’ll help me figure out how to recover from this.
Walking into the office I share with Doc Calla, I round the desk and sink into the larger chair. Ren’s file is still in the same place I left it on the desk, but on top of it is a note—actually more of a letter—written in elaborate cursive. This can only be from Katie.
Nurse Tilly,
Doc Calla popped out for an emergency house call, or should I say boat call? Two creatures are stuck in a boat just past Kraken Cove. They thought they were using lube but it must’ve been some kind of glue. The poor female had been knotted for hours before Viggo found them and came to get Doc.
Beck took Doc out on his boat to help separate them. If they need hospital treatment, Doc and Beck will take them directly to Cape Easton University Hospital.
Doc told me to tell you notto work too late and please prepare Arran’s blood bags for him. I would’ve done it, but I had an idea I want to share with you.
Earlier today, I dropped by The Sparkling Cauldron and Samara gave me the vampire sunscreen you ordered for Arran. Ithought you can maybe put the sunscreen with the blood bags and write him a little note when he collects them later? That seems the easiest and quickest way to get it to him since he likes to keep to himself.
I couldn’t stay here to wait for you and explain it all because Caoimhín (that’s my husband in case you forgot) has an event at the school tonight that I need to attend with him (did I mention he’s the sports teacher there?)
Anyways, I left Ren’s file on your desk and added some sticky notes about things you should know but aren’t officially in there.
See you tomorrow,
