Page 9 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

“Have you heard-”

“Flora’s lost her mind-”

“What’s going on?” she whispered to Robin, and Eric sighed.

“Varek has something of a reputation.”

“An undeserved one,” Grondar muttered.

“I’ve never had any trouble with him,” Eric agreed. “And everyone deserves an opportunity to leave the past behind them.”

“Ladies, ladies! Where are your manners?” Flora planted her hands on her hips, her eyes sparkling dangerously. “This fine specimen knows his way around the forest better than anyone. He also makes the most exquisite herbal oils and soaps. Just be careful where you rub them.” She winked at the crowd and turned to Varek. “Tell us, sweetie, what are you looking for in a female?”

He frowned down at Flora, his glower only highlighting the harsh planes of his face, and her heart gave a sudden thump. Despite the forbidding scowl, it was a lonely face.

“Someone who won’t be scared of me,” he finally said in a deep, low rumble. His eyes swept the audience again and their gazes locked for a second before he looked away. She felt a tug, low down in her belly, but she wasn’t sure why.

“Let’s start the bidding!” Flora said cheerfully.

A long, awkward silence followed as the single females in the audience gave each other uncertain looks. She couldn’t entirely blame them - he was huge and intimidating, especially with that scowl on his face. The fact that he loomed over Flora by a good two feet didn’t help. Despite that her heart ached for him. He reminded her of a wounded animal, braced for another blow.

Her throat tightened. She knew that feeling, remembered standing in the courthouse while her ex-husband’s new girlfriend flashed her engagement ring. Remembered the pitying looks, the judgment, the way people who’d called themselves friends suddenly had other places to be.

“What the fuck?” Grondar growled. “Elara-”

“I can’t,” her friend whispered. “It wouldn’t be fair. And I don’t even have a paddle.”

I have a paddle.

She bit her lip as the thought occurred to her, not sure she had the courage to bid. But then Varek’s fists clenched, his posture growing even more defensive, and she couldn’t stand it. Most of her money was in the business but she still had some left in her personal checking account.

“Two hundred and thirty-two dollars and eighty-eight cents.”

Her voice rang out with surprising strength, and Flora grinned at her as more whispers erupted from the crowd.

“Going, going, gone! Sold to the pretty newcomer who knows a treasure when she sees it.”

She managed a weak smile in return as she dropped back down in her seat, suddenly very conscious of all the stares and whispers.

Oh lord, what have I done?

CHAPTER FOUR

Varek stared in shock at the woman who’d bid on him. He’d noticed her the first time he scanned the crowd - a pretty little human with a heart-shaped face and curves that made his mouth go dry. But it was her eyes that had really caught his attention, warm and brown and sympathetic in a way that felt like understanding rather than pity.

She gave him a tentative smile, and something in his chest constricted. He managed a short nod in response, then stalked off the stage before Flora could make any more announcements. Unable to remain still, he paced the hallway behind the stage as Flora auctioned off the last three bachelors. He’d been dreading the auction ever since he made the agreement with Flora, and it had started off as badly as he’d anticipated. He’d done his best to remain stoic as the silence lengthened after Flora’s call for bids, counting the seconds until she gave up and he could escape.

And then the pretty little female had bid on him. What the hell had she been thinking? Was it some kind of joke? But despite her obvious nerves, her smile seemed genuine, her eyes kind. He ran a hand over his face, his palms rough against his skin.

As soon as the auction was over he’d have to face her. His stomach twisted at the thought.

Unable to resist, he edged closer to the stage, peering out at her from the wings. He couldn’t tell exactly how tall she was, but despite her lush curves she looked small. Fragile. So delicate he could probably span her waist with his hands. The thought of touching her sent an unexpected wave of heat rushing through him, but it was quickly followed by dread.

He scrubbed a hand over his face again. What was he doing? He couldn’t be attracted to her. Humans were fragile, breakable things. The last time he’d tried to help one…

The memory of accusations and angry faces flashed through his mind. His fingers dug into his palms until pain cleared his head.

She shifted in her seat, and the stage lights caught a splash of freckles across her nose. Something inside him ached at how soft she looked. How warm.

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