Page 24 of Pursued By the Orc
That was the first fact about her that I didn’t have to find from someone else. When she leaned forward, I started to lean forward as well, my lips parted with shock and hope.
She likes gelato and now we’re soulmates.
I only realized what a ridiculous statement that was after she snagged my glass of wine from next to my hand and took a long sip before closing her eyes and humming her enjoyment. I was bewitched by her again, unable to look away.
“I’ve been trying to get into his wine stash too,” she admitted, her eyes twinkling with an amused light that I wanted to keep there forever. “But he keeps the key to his office too high for me to reach.” She rolled her eyes then. “And he’s shorter than I am, so I don’t know how that works.”
“Extended arms,” I told her, leaning back in my chair so I could see more of her. “If he’s a kobold.”
Her eyes went huge in her face and she gasped, slapping her hand on the table. “Iknewit! I saw him snatch something from across the room one time and I thought I was crazy.”
“Magic,” I told her, the word sounding dazed while I studied every single feature on her face.
She rolled her eyes, taking another long sip of my wine. I couldn’t help but wonder if her lips were pressing against where mine had. It might be the closest to a kiss we’d ever get. Not that I wasn’thopingfor more, but just in case—
My thoughts cut off when I realized she’d put her glass and spoon down and leaned back in her seat, mirroring me. Startled, I sat up.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, needing to know so I could fix it.
Her eyes ducked and she bit her lower lip, shaking her head. “No, I just… It’s nice. Talking to you.”
Gods, I wanted to preen like a fucking peacock.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to talk to me,” I laughed, scrubbing at the back of my neck with my palm, self-conscious. “I wanted to make sure you were clear about me being…” I paused for a moment, not sure how to finish the sentence without saying, ‘obsessed with you and absolutely certain that you’re my mate. Now, can I pretty please mark you, so every other male knows that too?’“...single.”
Well, that’s one way to say it.
“Oh, yeah,” she laughed, taking another bite of gelato. The way she slipped the spoon into her mouth with slow precision should be outlawed. I ignored the throbbing of my cock and focused on what she was saying instead. “I spoke to Lin just to make sure.”
I nodded with enthusiasm. “Yes! Lin can corroborate!” I insisted.
Her surprised snort was the most adorable sound I’d ever heard in my life. I wanted her to do it again. I wanted to make this female smile, laugh and snort for the rest of her fucking life if I could.
“She did,” she told me, staying quiet for a long moment while searching my face before dropping her eyes to the bowl in front of me. “You don’t like gelato?” She asked, scooping anotherspoonful into her mouth and for the first time I remembered that there was a bowl in front of me too.
I looked down, snorting out a laugh at the pale green colour.
“Matcha to match-a your skin,” she told me with amusement and a fake Italian accent.
When I looked up, she was grinning at me, her pearly white teeth showing, a cute gap in the middle of the front two.
Gods damn it. I never stood a fucking chance against her.
CHAPTER 16
Emma
Iwas howling with laughter by the time we finished our desserts, holding on to the side of the table to stop myself from rolling on the floor.
“That’snot true,” I gasped, a stitch in my side acting up because of how much I’d belly-laughed over the past hour.
“It is,” he said with a firm, determined nod, even though his sharp, shiny fangs were bared in a feral grin. “And now she has us all scheduled for tea. We’re wrapped around her tiny finger.” He demonstrated with his pinky finger which—to be honest—was the smallest on his hand but still significantly larger than most other beings’.
“Well that’s what nieces are for,” I giggled, swiping at the tears under my eyes. “If she can’t torture you, then who can?”
“It’s not torture,” he said with an earnest expression. “She’s getting us ready for our own younglings.”
My laughter slowed to a stop and I frowned, tilting my head asI looked over at him. “You… you want babies?”
