Page 13 of Swipe Right for Orcs
“I appreciate that,” Osric says, his tone polite yet commanding.
“And for you, miss?” She turns to me.
“I’ll try the chicken deluxe sandwich with cheesy hash browns,” I say, hoping I made a decent choice.
“I’ll get those orders in and food out to you as fast as I can,” she promises before strutting away.
As she leaves, I notice the way Osric’s eyes narrow at her before they flick back to me, filled with a hunger that has nothing to do with food.
“So, before we were interrupted,” he says, leaning forward slightly, his voice dropping an octave, “you were telling me about this rude teacher. Can you switch schools? Have you thought about Gateway Elementary? My sister works there as the head of the meal program. They might be interested in someone like you.”
“The monster-human blended schools weren’t on the list as an option yet,” I say, pressing my lips together, guilt tugging at me. It doesn’t feel right—they should have been integrated a long time ago. “I’m assuming it’s because integrating the kids is still new.”
“I could ask if you want?” he offers.
“Sure. I’d love to teach anywhere. It doesn't have to be just human kids.” I shrug, taking a sip of my drink.
We continue talking, the conversation flowing effortlessly between us. It’s easy, natural, and I find myself laughing more than I have in a long time. Before I know it, our food arrives and we dig in, the banter continuing as we eat. The night slips by faster than I expected, and soon I’m feeling that nice, warm buzz between tipsy and sober. Those Surfsides creep up on you. I only had three, but I’m feeling it.
Osric had taken a GhoulGo here, so he offers to drive me home to be safe. We’ve only just met, so it’s probably not thesafest idea to let him know where I live, but something about him just screams trustworthy. And let’s be honest—if he owns a cybersecurity company, he could find out all this information on his own, anyway.
I’ve dated plenty of guys before, but none of them have ever made me feel this way. They were all so... ordinary compared to him. Osric is like nothing I’ve ever experienced—intimidating yet comforting, a contradiction wrapped in green skin and muscle. And the fact that he’s an orc, something I never thought I’d be into, only adds to the strange and undeniable attraction pulling me toward him.
He insists on paying the bill, and as we step outside, the night air wraps around us, cool and crisp. I point toward my Dodge Caliber, and we stroll over together, his heavy footsteps echoing beside mine. Unlocking the door, I slide into the passenger seat while he hesitates for a moment, eyeing the cramped driver’s side like he’s mentally calculating the logistics of fitting inside. With a low chuckle, he ducks his head and maneuvers himself in, his broad shoulders nearly brushing both the door and the center console.
I bite my lip, trying—and failing—not to laugh. “I never planned on having an orc drive my car, that’s for sure.”
He chuckles and starts the car.
We drive with the radio on low, holding hands, the silence between us comfortable. Too soon, we pull up in front of my building, and I’m disappointed that the night is over.
He cuts the engine and meets my gaze. “Can I walk you to the door?”
“Of course,” I reply.
Before I can reach for the handle, he beats me to it, stepping out and rounding the car to open my door. The gesture is effortless, but it sends a little flutter through me. Taking hisoffered hand, I step out, and together, we walk hand in hand toward my apartment.
When we reach my door, I fumble for my key, unlocking it with a nervous smile. Facing him, I muster the courage to speak.
“This is me,” I say softly.
“Thank you for tonight, Osric. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever been with.”
His eyes meet mine, his gaze intense and searching. “Fairlie,” he murmurs, his voice low, almost hesitant. “Can I kiss you?”
My heart stutters, then picks up pace, pounding in my chest as warmth spreads through me, settling low in my stomach. A soft shiver runs down my spine, and my skin tingles where his gaze lingers. I nod, my breath catching in my throat as I step closer, every inch of me drawn to him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
OSRIC
Everything else fades into the background the moment I ask if I can kiss her. Fairlie nods, and I can feel the anticipation building between us, electrifying the air with every beat of my heart. Her pouty lips are so plump and enticing. I can only imagine the tender feel of them against my own.
When our lips touch, time seems to freeze. The kiss starts gently, cautiously exploring, but the desire between us builds quickly, an undeniable truth. Her mouth parts slightly, and I can taste the sweetness of tea and lemonade from her drinks earlier. Our kiss becomes more intense, our tongues intertwining. A soft sigh escapes her, and I know I’m not alone in the desire I feel.
Without thinking, I cup her face and angle her head to deepen it even more. The softness of her skin against my calloused fingers sends a jolt of heat straight to my cock. I’ve kissed women before, but this… this is different. I don’t want to stop. My lips fit perfectly with hers, and I could drown in her taste.
I press her gently against the door, my body craving to be closer to hers. I want more, need more, but don’t want to push. There is no hesitation on her side; she pulls me closer, her hands tightly gripping onto my shirt. Her passion matches mine stroke for stroke, kiss for kiss.
