Page 9 of Vexing the Grumpy Orc

“Of course, of course.” The server appeared with our wine, and Harrison nodded approvingly as she poured. “But as medical professionals, we have a duty to consider liability issues. Especially with patients whose baseline health parameters fall outside established norms.”

I studied the delicate stem of my wine glass, counting breaths like I used to do during difficult trauma cases. No wonder the other nurses had bailed so fast.

“But you have to admit, treating non-human patients presents unique challenges.” Harrison leanedforward like we were sharing secrets and darted a glance across the street. My skin crawled. “Take orcs, for instance. Their accelerated healing makes dosing difficult. One wrong calculation could have serious consequences.”

I followed his gaze. Two orcs wrestled what looked like a massive wooden desk through the doorway of Sombra Mountain Artisans.

My heart stopped.

The server saved me from responding, but Harrison’s shit opinions had killed any trace of appetite. I mumbled the first menu item I saw, my attention fixed on the storefront across the street.

Even from here, I recognized the broad shoulders and powerful build of the orc who’d ruined my ritual. He’d ditched the shirt this time, muscles rippling as he maneuvered the furniture. Tattoos wrapped his arms, the same ones I’d traced with my fingers that night.

His head snapped up like he sensed my attention. Dark eyes met mine across the street, and heat bloomed in my core. Recognition flared, followed by that same crackling hostility that had drawn us together in the woods. For a heartbeat, I was back there—magic surging between us as he filled me completely.

I jerked my gaze away, cheeks burning. Dammit. I didn’t need this complication. Not when I was trying to figure out if I could stomach working for someonewho clearly saw supernatural patients as a nuisance at best.

“Hannah?” Harrison’s voice drew me back. “You seem distracted.”

Because I could still feel those eyes burning into me. Still taste mountain air and fury on my tongue. Still hear his growled commands echoing in my head.

“Sorry, I—” I broke off as his phone rang.

“Excuse me.” He checked the display. “I need to take this.”

The moment Harrison stepped away, heavy footsteps approached our table. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. The scent of mountain rain and moss wrapped around me, stirring memories I’d tried very hard to forget.

“Making a habit of trespassing where you’re not wanted?”

I forced myself to look up slowly, deliberately, matching his sneer with one of my own.

“Public street. Public restaurant.” I gestured around us with my free hand, grinning viciously when he flinched from my fingers. “Your territory doesn’t extend this far.”

“No.” His eyes flicked to Harrison’s abandoned seat. “But I’d think even a witch would have better taste than associating with trash like him.”

I offered him a bland smile and trailed my finger along the rim of my wine glass. “Bold words from someone who fucked said witch in the dirt.”

His growl sent an unwanted shiver down my spine. I hated how my magic responded to the sound, reaching for him like it had that night. “A mistake. One that won’t happen again.”

“Agreed.” I tipped my glass in mock cheers. “Though you seemed to enjoy my filthy magic well enough at the time.”

His nostrils flared. Before he could respond, the other orc approached. Leaner but still impressive, with smaller tusks that gave him a perpetual hint of a smile.

“Galan?” The newcomer’s voice held equal parts concern and amusement. “Everything okay here?”

I smiled sweetly. “Oh, is that your name? Galan?” I drew out the syllables, watching his jaw clench. Score one for the filthy witch. “Suits you. All hard edges and?—”

“Everything all right, Hannah?”

Harrison’s return wiped the satisfaction from my face.

“Hannah.” The orc’s savage grin turned triumphant. “Good to finally know your name.”

Goddess damn him. My name rolled off his tongue like smoke and sin. Heat crawled up my spine. I hated how much I liked hearing him say it. How much I wanted him to growl it against my skin again. Rougher. Darker. The way he had in the woods.

“Galan.” The other orc’s voice held an edge of warning. “The delivery.”

He hesitated just long enough to make it clear hewas leaving by choice, not command. I kept my eyes on my glass until his heavy footsteps faded.

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