Page 8 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

“Good stuff?” Grondar growled. “You promised we were just here to support the shelter.”

“Of course, pookie. You know I only have eyes for you.” Elara fluttered her eyelashes at her mate, then winked at Posy. Grondar sighed and wrapped a massive green arm around her shoulders.

“I love your dress,” Robin said. “Vintage, I assume?”

She fingered the red silk nervously. “Yes. You don’t think it’s too dressy, do you?”

“Not at all. You look beautiful, and a lot of the females here are dressed to kill. You don’t need to be nervous.”

“Is that obvious?” she asked ruefully.

“Town events can be a little overwhelming.” Eric’s badge glinted under the lights as he turned towards her. “I was born here and I still managed to knock over the entire punch bowl at the Harvest Festival. Still haven’t lived that down.”

“I’m not sure that makes me feel any better.”

Robin laughed. “Just don’t knock over the punch bowl or people will start offering you sippy cups whenever you want a drink.”

She laughed as well, her shoulders relaxing. The punch warmed her hands as she settled into the comfortable chatter around her, happy to be included. These people didn’t care about her past failures. They just wanted to include her in their present.

The lights dimmed as Flora sauntered onto the stage. She’d changed into a white tracksuit decorated with tiny red hearts. The motto on the front said “I bet I can make Cupid blush,” and Posy heard Grondar groan.

“She’s going to be outrageous, isn’t she?”

“Is she ever anything else?” Elara asked, patting his leg.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” Flora beamed at the crowd. “I can’t wait to introduce you to tonight’s bachelors. I guarantee that each of them is tall, handsome, and equipped with a huge…” She paused for dramatic effect, eyes sparkling. “Heart.”

The audience laughed, and Grondar sighed with relief.

“What did you think I was going to say?” Flora asked the crowd, looking the picture of the innocent old lady she most certainly was not. “Now get those bidding paddles ready, ladies. Remember, all proceeds go to the animal shelter, so don’t be stingy with those wallets.”

The first bachelor was an attractive man with long green hair who strolled onto the stage grinning.

“First up is Brannigan. Half-fae, all charm. Ladies, his green thumb isn’t the only magical thing about him.” Flora winked at the audience. “His hobbies include hiking, camping, and music.”

“Any type of music?” someone called out.

“Any type except country,” Flora answered. “He also owns that gorgeous piece of real estate down by the river - perfect for a little late night skinny dipping. What do you think, ladies? Let’s start the bidding!”

Brannigan was quickly claimed by a slender dryad with a seductive smile, and Flora introduced the next bachelor. He was a big, dark-haired male who strode out onto the stage as if he owned the place.

“Moving on to Rex, our local veterinarian. He’s a werewolf who really knows his way around anatomy. He’s looking to sink his teeth into something - or someone - new.”

Flora waggled her eyebrows suggestively and the crowd erupted in cheers and laughter. The bidding was fierce, with a human female finally claiming him. She didn’t seem to mind the smug look on his face as he left the stage.

Four more males followed, all of them playing to the audience, even a human male who responded good-naturedly to Flora’s teasing. Posy wasn’t tempted to bid on anyone, but she laughed along with everyone else at Flora’s outrageous comments. The bachelor auction was turning out to be more entertainment than dating event, which suited her just fine. Then Flora summoned the next bachelor to the stage.

“And now, my personal favorite - more than seven feet of pure muscle, with a heart as big as his biceps. Here’s Varek!”

The crowd went silent as Grondar swore under his breath.

“What the hell is she playing at?”

Her breath caught as the largest orc she’d ever seen stomped onto the stage. All of the other males had dressed up, but Varek was in an old flannel shirt and worn jeans that clung to his massive body. Her eyes were drawn to his broad shoulders, then dropped to the impressive bulge outlined by the faded denim, then back up to his face. His features were more rugged than Grondar’s and his tusks thicker, gleaming under the stage lights, but there was something appealing about that hard face. Brilliant amber eyes flicked briefly over the audience before he fixed his gaze on the back of the room.

The silence broke into a wave of whispers.

“Can’t believe he showed up-”

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