Page 38 of My Orc Nanny

She wasn’t mine, not yet…but she was.

Her tongue darted out across her lower lip, and I remembered the way she’d licked me last night, and only just managed to contain my groan.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she whispered.

Deep in my chest, myKteerurged me to scoop her up, to claim her. “Like what?” I growled.

“Like you want to taste me again.”

Oh, gods below. “I do,” I murmured, lowering my mouth.

If the doorbell hadn’t rung then, I would have forgotten my promise that things would go back to normal between us.

She was the one to dart away, stumbling toward the front door, and I curled my hands into fists, forcing my breathing to steady.Focus, you idiot. I could do this. Ihadto do this. Hannah had just made it clear this is what she wanted.

Her parents were at the front door, loaded down with presents and supplies, the kids tumbling over themselves as they rushed inside.

“’Swan! Pick me up!” yelled Joshua, dragging Mr. BunBun as he threw himself at me. I forced myKteerto forget about Hannah—if only that were possible—and scooped the kitling up to my shoulder.

“Hey, buddy, did you have a good time?” I asked him, just as Ben dropped his backpack in the middle of the foyerand gave me a wave. As Joshua bounced happily, telling me about the movie he watched that morning, I held his brother’s gaze and jerked my head toward the bag. “How about you take that upstairs? Your mom worked hard to get this place spotless for the party.”

Ben huffed slightly but bent to scoop up the bag and pound up the stairs after his sister, while I went to help his grandparents.

“Let me help,” I announced, lifting the bags from the older woman’s arms. “These are refrigerated?”

“Oh—oh, yes, thank you!” The woman looked flustered. “Are you sure you can carry all that?”

I straightened, one brow twitching, even as the man at her side began to chuckle. “He’s carrying all thatandJoshy. I’m calling him the next time I need furniture moved.”

Smiling, I inclined my head. “I’d be happy to help any time you need it. I’m Aswan.”

“Charlie Woods,” he announced. “I’d shake your hand, but yours are full. You’re the reason Benny isn’t pretending to be a grouchy teen any longer.”

“Oh, no, Hannah is a wonderful mother—” I began but was interrupted.

“Put me down!” yelled Joshua as he threw himself forward. “I hug Papa!”

Luckily, the older man caught him with a laugh, and I had a free hand to gather up more of the party supplies. My ears ringing with their praise, I retreated to the kitchen, unable to help my smile.

The party was a success, and I discovered I enjoyed standing behind the grill, my eyes tracking Hannah. She was in her element, laughing and greeting people, making them at ease. Tova and Ben had invited their friends and their friends’ families, and the backyard was filled with dozens of people, the kids all playing together.

Every few minutes, Hannah’s eyes would meet mine, and her smile would grow just slightly before she was distracted by someone else…and that was enough.

Ithadto be enough.

As the party continued, I found myself standing with Sakkara and Tarkhan, who had decided to come after all. The three of us were doing a good job of not talking much about anything, until the moment that Hannah, thinking no one was paying attention to her, sent a wink in my direction.

Sakkara snorted at the same time Tarkhan murmured, “Oh for fuck’s sake, Aswan, youhaveto figure shit out between you.”

“What?” I frowned at him. “Things are fine.”

“The hells they are,” he muttered into his beer. “She’s looking sated and happy and has your scent all over her…and you’re so on edge you need mountain climbing gear.”

“He’s right,” Sakkara agreed. “If you don’t claim her soon, you’re not going to be able to live with her.”

“I’ve—” I began, but then snapped my mouth shut with a growl, not wanting to share anything more about what should be private between me and Hannah.

And thank the gods I did, because at that moment, her mother came bustling over, holding her plate in both hands. “Aswan! Hannah tells meyou’rethe one who made the potato salad? It’s delicious!”

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