Page 6 of Charming the Orc's Mate

“Of course, of course.” Tate’s smile widened. “I’ll have my assistant send over some preliminary numbers. Just to get the conversation started.”

He’d barely slithered out the door before I rounded on Carissa. “Tell me you’re not actually considering selling to that snake.”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” She straightened a chair with sharp movements.

“He’s been trying to buy up half of downtown.” I shoved aside the final box blocking the bar and stalked after her. “The coffee shop across the street? They refused to sell last month. Suddenly their pipes keep bursting. Health department shows up weekly.”

“I’m quite capable of handling my own business dealings.” Her tone could have frozen hell. “I don’t need protection from basic inquiries.”

“This isn’t Seattle.” The words came out harsher than intended, tinged with desperation. The mate bond screamed to make her understand. “Tate doesn’t play by corporate rules. He’ll promise whatever it takes to get what he wants, then?—”

“By the gods’ hairy balls, there you are!” Zral’s voice boomed through the store. “I’ve been waiting a half hour with deliveries. Did you forget how to tell time again?”

Shit. The furniture orders. I’d completely forgotten about helping with deliveries today.

“Sorry, I got...” My eyes darted to Carissa, who watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. “...distracted.”

“You’re always distracted.” Zral rolled his eyes. “Just get your ass moving. We’re already behind schedule.”

The dismissal in Carissa’s expression hurt worse than Zral’s words. That careful mask of professional distance had gained an edge of... disappointment?

“I can come back later,” I offered quickly. “Help with the event setup or?—”

“We’ll see.” Her tone suggested exactly how much weight my word carried now. She turned away, that loose strand of hair a final taunt. “Molly, start moving those chairs. We have work to do.”

The mate bond twisted as I followed Zral out. She thought I was unreliable. Flaky. Just like everyone else did. And maybe they were right.

After all, Osen would never have forgotten a commitment. Osen had his shit together.

I cast one last look through the window. Carissa had already turned away, another strand of hair falling free from that precise bun, with no use for someone who couldn’t even keep track of time.

Mate bonds, it turned out, didn’t come with instruction manuals.

CHAPTER THREE

TORAIN

“Imet my mate!”

The words exploded from my chest the second I burst through Osen’s door. A groan and rustle of clothing followed as my brother and his mate sprang apart on their couch.

“Unholy hell, Torain.” Miranda yanked her shirt back into place. “Haven’t you heard of knocking?”

“Knocking is for people who haven’t just had their entire world turned upside down.” I collapsed into the armchair, ignoring their disheveled state. “She’s perfect. And terrifying. And she probably hates me already.”

Osen chuckled, the sound rough with interrupted desire. “Who’s perfect and terrifying?”

“Carissa Morton. Mags’s niece? She used to spend summers at the bookstore.”

“Little Carrie?” Osen’s eyebrows shot up with recognition. “Gods, that was what, twenty years ago?”

“It’s Carissa now.” The correction came automatically. “And she’s not little anymore.”

Gus abandoned his perch on the windowsill to demand attention with imperious head-butts against my leg. The graycreature was no ordinary cat, and after witnessing him feast on the soul of a dark witch attempting to kill Miranda, I wouldn’t dare say no to her familiar.

“She’s all...” I waved my free hand, searching for words. “Corporate. Her bun was so tight it made my head hurt just looking at it. But then pieces kept falling out and curling against her neck...”

Miranda snorted. “I’m sure her hair was the first thing you noticed.”

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