Page 42 of Horn in My Side
Oh, for goddesses’ sake, can we stop talking about the gargoyle bartender for one minute?
Leila introduced Mal and Tracy.“Mal doesn’t want a drink, but he can keep us company.”She dragged them over to the nearest empty cocktail table and set her drink down, then released his arm, much to Jasmine’s relief.“So, Mal, you’re an orc.”
“And you’re a pixie,” he replied.
Leila laughed aloud.“Yup, I am.I’ve never seen an orc before, much less in Dewberry Falls.My family’s been here for almost a century now.”
“Leila’s clan was one of the original Founding Families,” Tracy said.“As in, the Founding Day Families.”
Mal’s nose wrinkled.“Jasmine told me about the Founding Day, but not about Founding Families.”
“Let me give you a primer, then.”Leila took a swig of her martini.“Nearly one hundred years ago, ten families escaping persecution from the larger world came together and founded Dewberry Falls as a place where all races, species, and creatures could live in harmony.They wanted this town to be a sanctuary for those who may not be accepted by the humans—no offense, Tracy, Jasmine.”
“Oh, don’t worry.I know how cruel they can be—even to other humans,” Tracy replied.
“Anyway, that’s the short version of the Founding Day.Isn’t it cool?”She fluttered her eyelashes at Mal.“Orcs don’t really travel much or mingle with non-orcs, do they?”
“No, I’m afraid not.Listen, ladies, I should head home.I have an early day.”
Leila pouted.“So soon?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Seeing as you’re new in town, Mal, you’ll probably want someone to show you around.”She grinned up at him, then her gaze flicked toward Jasmine.“I mean, unless Jasmine has already been doing that?”
Jasmine swallowed the tightness in her throat.“N-no, not at all.”
“Oh, great.”She snapped her fingers and a card appeared in her hand.“Here’s my number.Call me anytime, okay, cutie?”
“Er, sure.”Mal’s eyes darted to Jasmine.“I forgot to tell you I finished the tank.You can look it over when you get in.Enjoy your drink.I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jasmine sipped her martini, watching his retreating back from over the rim of her glass.Why did he have to choose to eat here of all places?
“Your boss is gorgeous, Jasmine,” Leila said.“Even hotter than that bartender.I hope he calls me.”
“Why didn’t you ask for his number, then?”Tracy said.“Thisis the modern age, you know.Guys don’t always have to make the first move.You don’t have to sit around waiting for one to come courting.”
“Courting?”She laughed.“Oh, you sweet summer child, I’m not looking to get courted.”She licked her lips.“I want some of that legendary orc dick.”
Jasmine choked on her drink.“E-excuse me?”
Leila’s voice lowered.“Don’t you guys know?Orcs have, like, these huge dongs.”As if to emphasize her point, she held up both her hands and formed a circle with her fingers.“Actually ...”She pulled them apart, leaving a gap between them.“More like this.And they have ridges on them.”
“Ribbed, for her pleasure?”Tracy piped in.
“Yeah.I’ve never tried it myself.Seen the photos, though.”
Jasmine wiped her mouth with a napkin, hoping it would hide the blush on her face.It was probably too late, as now she couldn’t stop thinking about Mal naked and what his cock looked like.
Not that she would ever see it.
“You okay, Jasmine?”Tracy asked.
“Er, yeah.”She took a healthy swig of her drink, the warmth shooting straight to her belly, making her limbs all as loose as rubber bands.Or maybe it was the thought of Mal’s big—
“Oh, speaking of dicks, I dated his jaguarman once ...”
Tracy sent Jasmine an apologetic look as the pixie waxed poetic about the male anatomy of her former conquests.She returned it with a wry smile and a raise of her glass, then downed the rest of her drink, trying not to think about facing Mal tomorrow.
