Page 12 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
Brahnt withheld his snort. His Human was cute. Father would adore her. Mother would probably eat her.
5
During the courseof the four-hour walk—and it wasn't a straight four hours, but a combination of meandering around the city, taking long sit breaks on benches with scenic views, stopping at another cafe for bubble tea and then swinging by Charlotte's place to drop Snowkiss off with a sitter—they talked.
“I feel naked,” Charlotte muttered, rubbing her chest as she emerged from her building and approached Brahnt where the Orc was waiting on the sidewalk.
“You can bring Snowkiss if you feel more comfortable,” Brahnt said.
So maybe she needed an emotional support puppy, but she didn't have to wear the emotional support puppy on her sleeve during the entire first date. Technically, on her chest, but details.
Charlotte shook her head. “No one has to tell me that’s a bad first date idea.” She returned Brahnt’s smile with a rueful one of her own. “I’ll survive.”
Besides, having the puppy was kind of like having a toddler around. Snowkiss needed to be walked and cleaned up after, fed and watered, played with and cuddled. . .and even that might not be enough to keep the puppy from barking and yipping and getting antsy if she wanted attention.
So Charlotte had left her with a neighbor she exchanged pet-sitting duties with. Of course, her neighbor’s cat didn't require sitting as much as it required utter abasement and a full bowl of premium wet food.
Brahnt, the low-key millionaire, appeared content with their simple outing, mild-mannered and undemanding for someone Charlotte was certain was used to always getting his way.
Low-key because nothing about him screamed wealthy. His clothing was well-made, but there were no labels. He wore a gold watch, but it had the patina of age, so a family heirloom maybe. He casually dropped one or two “neighborhood” restaurants that Charlotte knew for a fact were Michelin starred and had three-month waiting lists.
Because those, too, were on Charlotte's aspirational “for when you have money list.”
And then they went to Brahnt's place.
“Oh, wow,” Charlotte said when Brahnt ushered her into the apartment. Apartment was a dingy, plebeian word. But penthouse was so Forbes 100. “This view is fabulous.” She headed straight to one wall that was nothing but windows. “Have you ever turned off all the lights and danced in front of the window naked?”
A chuckle behind her, and soft footsteps.
“No,” Brahnt said, so close at her back that Charlotte felt his breath on her neck. “I'm afraid I'm not a dancer, except at weddings. But make yourself at home. I insist.”
Charlotte turned. “I bet you do. But it's just dinner tonight, remember?”
The Orc held her gaze. He did that a lot; long, thoughtful stares with a faint challenge behind the introspection. “I remember. You have the right to change your mind.” He lifted a hand, trailing the tip of one taloned finger down Charlotte's cheek.
He turned away and headed towards the all-white kitchen. “What do you have a taste for?”
“I have a taste for food,” Charlotte said and wandered after him, shoving her hands in her pockets of her circle skirt. “This kitchen is like HGTV on Real Housewives steroids.”
Pulling ingredients out of the fridge, Brahnt glanced at her and chuckled. “I like it. I'm glad you do too. If you don't have a preference, I was thinking pad tai with shirataki noodles, and a sorbet for dessert.”
“You had shirataki noodles already in your fridge?” Color her skeptical.
“Please. Of course not. I had them delivered during our walk.”
“The delivery people walk right into your home and put the groceries in the fridge?”
“Of course not. My housekeeper accepted the delivery. I gave her the evening off.”
“Oh, of course. Your housekeeper. What was I thinking.”
She hadn't thought Brahnt was the trusting type. There’d been a prank video floating on social media a few years back. Humans thought the Orc male’s reaction was hilarious. Charlotte, not so much. When the third prank video surface, only the prankee was an Orcess. . .
Funny how they stopped after that. Probably because the influencer went missing, but no one could prove anything.
Wait, why had she been thinking about. . .oh. Right. Trust.
The Orc glanced at her, the expression a little quizzical. “Charlotte?”
