Page 33 of Pursued By the Orc
Wide glass doors opened beneath a sweeping portico, framed by columns and lush hanging ferns. A circular driveway curved around a tiered fountain, where luxury sedans idled as families came and went. Every window gleamed, and the air smelled faintly of lavender and freshly cut grass.
I always felt like an intruder when I came here. I usually took the bus to the nearby stop and walked in. I was certain most of the family members thought I was staff.
I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for my grandma. She was the only person that mattered.
When Krusk pulled up to the front doors in his sleek SUV, though, I had to admit that for the first time it might seem like I was here for a visit. I snickered to myself, shaking my head at Krusk when he gave me a curious look.
A young gajasimha opened the door with his trunk, bowing as he let me out of the SUV. “Are you coming as well, sir?” he askedKrusk. “If you give me the keys…” he trailed off as Krusk didn’t respond, looking at me instead.
“Oh,” I murmured, not sure what to do. Was I ready for him to meet the only person in my life who I loved?
No! She’ll see him and wedding bells will start chiming in her head!
Even as I had the thought, I felt myself nod. “Yeah, he’s coming with me.”
The joy that sparked into his eyes from a simple invitation melted my heart. I waited as he exited the vehicle, moving over to stand next to me, his chest puffed with pride at being chosen to join me.
Damn it, how am I going to keep my distance with him when I just want to hold his hand?
Even as I thought that, he linked our fingers together, giving me a soft, gentle smile as he twined them. He beamed at our hands before running his thumb over the skin at the back of my hand. “Ready?” he asked, his voice a low rumble of sound.
I nodded, not paying attention to where I was going and finding myself being led inside by him. When we veer off into a section I’d never been before, I try to tug him away, but he shakes his head.
“I can’t meet her without a gift, Zemar. There’s a sign for information over here,” he told me and I struggled to stop myself from melting even more.
“I’ll let her know it was impromptu,” I told him, tugging harder on my hand until he was forced to stop or he’d hurt me. “There aren’t any presents for sale here. I’ll…” I cleared my throat, trying to force the sudden tears back.
He wants to bring her a gift. He wants to make a good impression. Gods, my heart is toast.
“I’ll let you know the next time I’m coming, okay? Let’s just see how today goes,” I explained. “And remember, we’re justfriends.”
He nodded at me, but I could see the ideas swirling in his head. The ideas aboutmore.
If only.
“Now hurry or she’ll yell at us,” I insisted, moving forward and leading him by our hands that were clasped together.
“Right,” he yelped, hurrying forward, scooping me up into his arms and rushing through the corridors. “Tell me where to go.”
I laughed, awed by his obvious strength along with the gentleness he showed me when he touched me. “Turn left,” I chuckled, staring up at the profile of his face, admiring his proud nose, his prominent tusks that had ridged carvings that I hadn’t noticed before.
I ran my fingers over one and he glanced down at me with a curious expression before I pointed at the elevators. “Over there. It’s the third floor.”
He nodded, heading in that direction and ignoring the way I’d been staring at him. “You can put me down now,” I squealed as he turned us into the elevator with an older male in the corner, eyeing us with amusement.
“Oh,” he faltered, hesitating for a long moment before he lowered me to the floor, his brow furrowed in a way that told me he hadn’t wanted to let me go.
It’s okay, big guy. I didn’t want to let you go either.
I pressed the button for my grandma’s floor and pretended that being carried into the elevator wascompletely normaleven as the male rushed out of the doors as soon as we hit his floor. He peeked back at us as if speculating on our presence.
“Oh, we’redefinitelygoing onto some kind of watch list,” I chortled, leaning back against the elevator as it moved up at a slow pace to the top floor.
Krusk sent me a questioning look, but I waved him off as the doors parted onto my grandma’s resident wing. Just likethe exterior and ground floor, I was always blown away by the splendor of where she now lived.
It exuded a bespoke opulence, like a boutique hotel that had outgrown its need to impress. The hallway floors were polished hardwood in a deep mahogany tone, softened by gorgeous runners that muffled the footsteps of nurses as they made their rounds.
Along the walls, sconces cast a gentle, amber glow, highlighting framed watercolors—soft landscapes of countrysides and lakes. Each was carefully selected depending on where the residents were from.
