Page 42 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

Before he could form a response, a paper bag filled with warm muffins landed against his chest.

“Take those.”

The kitchen door swung open and Elara breezed in, balancing a tray with three steaming cups, and grinned at him.

“Perfect timing. One black coffee and a plain cappuccino for the new girl. Plus one vanilla caramel latte with extra whip - Posy’s favorite.”

The tips of his ears burned again. He hadn’t even known what to order for her.

“Don’t look so worried.” Elara winked as she transferred the drinks to a carrier. “She’ll love it.”

He curled his fingers around the bag and the carrier, the scent of coffee and blueberry muffins filling his nose. The thoughtfulness of their gesture left him wrong-footed, unused to such casual kindness.

“Thanks,” he muttered, ducking his head as he backed toward the door.

“Any time. You’re always welcome,” Elara said gently, and Grondar nodded.

As he left the coffee shop, the weight of the coffee carrier and bag of muffins felt like more than just breakfast - it was an offering of friendship he hadn’t realized was there all along.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Posy was arranging a display of vintage earrings when the bell chimed. Her heart skipped a beat as Varek ducked through the doorway, carrying coffee and a paper bag that smelled of fresh-baked muffins.

His expression was distant, almost puzzled, as he set everything on the counter.

“Maybe I was wrong about some things.”

“Oh?” She picked up her coffee, inhaling the rich aroma. “What kind of things?”

“The town. How they see me.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking oddly abashed. “Grondar and Elara were…nice.”

“Why wouldn’t they be? Didn’t I say people care about you?”

His deep laugh rumbled through the shop as he caught her around the waist. “Yes, you did. You’re annoyingly perceptive.”

“Annoyingly?” She pressed closer, tilting her face up.

“Mmm.” He bent down and captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss that made her toes curl. His tusks grazed her cheek as he pulled back slightly. “In the best possible way.”

She wound her arms around his neck, ready to kiss him again, but his body suddenly tensed. His head snapped toward the back of the shop.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard something.” His eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. “A cry. From behind the building.”

She hurried after him as he strode through the back door of her shop. The morning air bit at her exposed skin, but the chill wasn’t what made her freeze.

Sebastian had Nina pinned against the brick wall. The girl’s face was white with terror, her thin coat hanging off one shoulder.

A deep growl rumbled from Varek’s chest. “Let. Her. Go.”

Sebastian’s lips curved into that same cruel smirk he’d worn the other night.

“Well, if it isn’t the town monster.” He tightened his grip on Nina’s arm. “What are you going to do about it?”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. The memory of Varek’s pain when he’d told her about his past clashed with the rage she could see building in him. She wanted to step between them, to stop this before it escalated, but her feet wouldn’t move.

Sebastian pulled Nina against him and she whimpered, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife.

---