Page 4 of One Night with Her Mountain Orc

Squinting into the dark left and right, there’s no sign of her. She can’t have got far with a bum ankle. No footprints are visible in the slippery layer of ice on the sidewalk. The wind rips through my flannel shirt to my skin. Her delicious scent is gone. Growling, I pick a direction and start walking.

When I get to Stone Barrel Brewery, my older brother Koru’s place, I pause and sigh. Through the big window I can see it’s lively inside. I hate how successful Koru is. Stupid domestic god in orc form. I hope she’s inside—the roaring fire in the stone hearth calls to everyone.

“Little brother! Here to drown your woes?” Koru’s snide remark isn’t lost on me, but I’m turning over a new leaf. I unclench my fists and paste a toothy grin on my face.

“I’ll be here to celebrate my first day's success soon. But first, have you seen a woman—” Before I can finish my question, Koru snorts at me and gestures with his meaty hands in a ‘look around’ gesture. I do not flip him the bird, but instead continue, “—wearing a big, white, puffy coat, and limping? Her name is August. She would have come in only a few minutes ago.”

Koru sets a metal pint in front of me with what I’m sure is his latest delicious brew, and shakes his head no. I don’t take the pint. I need to find her before she freezes in this storm.

“You know, little brother, when you said you were moving back to town to join Search and Rescue, I had my doubts. I still do, but I’m impressed you survived the first day.”

Koru’s brewery is the only bar in town I’m allowed in, due to the indiscretions of my youth. I’d hate to get kicked out of here, as well. Instead of throwing the beer at him, I turn away from his ugly green face and broken tusk to look at the crowd of humans and monsters eating and laughing together.

There, out the window, across the street framed by what is now a blizzard, I see a white puffy coat pause. She limps past. Staring at her, I will her to feel my gaze, stop and look. It’s probably for the best, but I can’t let her wander outside in the middle of a blizzard.

Cursing under my breath, I stomp out after her. “August! Wait!” She jumps a little at the sound of my voice over the howling wind, then turns slowly to me. Her cheeks are bright red from the cold and tears stream down her cheeks. I suck in a frozen breath at the sight of her looking so miserable.

Before I can say anything or move, she launches herself at me, arms wrapping tight around me as her body heaves with frantic tears. She looks up at me and steals my breath with her vulnerability and beauty. Slowly, I wrap my arms around her—she’s so cold, despite her snow pants and coat.

I run my hand down the side of her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m here now. I’ll take care of you.” She nods into my chest.

“Get a room, you two,” a familiar voice bellows at us from across the street. Koru. I flip him the bird behind my back. He snorts in response. As much as it pains me to admit, he’s right. We can’t just stand here kissing as the wind whips around us and sleet falls from the heavens.

Besides, this is just rescuer syndrome, right? Or the after-effects of her being scared and almost hypothermic? This isn’t real. No one like her would possibly want me; I’m too tarnished for her.

“Let’s get you something warm,” I whisper. August nods and shivers. Wrapping her arm over my shoulder, my arm holding her close to me, I help her to the next shop, Moonlit Grounds Café and Bakery.

Chapter 3

Bjorn

It takes two mugs ofRavena’s special hot cocoa, and her famous chicken pot pie for August to finally start talking. Each time she brings her mug or spoon to her lips, I feel a pang of jealousy for the damn cutlery and crockery. Her full red lips are their own siren’s call, and I sit here at their mercy.

“I don’t have anywhere to go.” She fiddles with her spoon rather than look at me, which is for the better that she didn’t notice me staring longingly at her lips. Trying to be thegood guyis harder than it sounds. Six months ago, I’d already have her in my bed. Instead, I’m buying another round of hot cocoa and trying to solve her problems. And the annoying thing is, I’m not sad. There’s something about the brightness of her eyes that makes me want her to always look at me like that, not just for one night.

“Your friend? May?” I scratch my head. “Why are you both named after months?” She snorts at my question but shakes her head.

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