Page 28 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
Charlotte scrambled back from the door, running a hand through her hair. “Oh yes, sorry. Um, come in. Do you want something to drink? I've got water. . .and water. And lots of positive thoughts for the future.” She managed a smile and got out of the way.
Brahnt stopped in the middle of the living room, not bothering to look around, and stared at her. “I don't want anything to drink. Why did you call me?” His nostrils flared, and he inhaled. “Charlotte.”
Charlotte took a step back, then halted and twisted her hands behind her back. “So. I said I needed some time to think about things.”
Brahnt stared at her, mouth thin.
Charlotte looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “The thing is, I know this is going to sound opportunistic. But I promise I didn't plan it, at all. I. . .I’m in shock. My sister had to talk me into calling you.”
“Your sister had to talk you into contacting me? You didn't want to talk?”
Oh crap, that was the wrong thing to say. Charlotte scrambled to get her foot out of her mouth.
“I—yes, I wanted to talk to you. So many times, I've wanted to reach out. I just. . .it's me, not you.”
“Really.”
She exhaled. “Look, I told you on our date that I have a bad track record with men. I don't trust my judgment anymore. I'm in therapy to deal with my issues, and I know I'm making strides, but I haven't dated in a long time, and I hadn't tested myself out, you know? So I wasn't sure if what I felt was real, or a product of my issues.”
She chanced a glance at Brahnt again. The Orc's head was tilted as he listened, expression neutral.
“So I guess, ironically enough, I am a bit of a commitment phobe.”
“And now?” Brahnt asked.
“I’m pregnant.”
She hadn't meant to blurt it out like that.
Charlotte cleared her throat. “Surprise pregnancy trope, hell yes! It's my sister’s favorite. She's made a shit ton of money off of it. I mean, you’re not a billionaire, but I guess I’m willing to lower my standards.”
She cringed. That’d sounded a lot funnier in her head. Which was why some things should stay in her head, and not actually trip and fall out of her mouth. Like she’d somehow tripped and fallen onto a condomless cock and gotten knocked up.
“Pregnant.”
Charlotte didn't know how to read the complete lack of emotion in the word, the utter absence of expression on Brahnt's face.
She was tempted to rush in and fill the silence, but she held herself back, giving the Orc time to process.
“Six weeks, obviously,” Brahnt said next. He pinned Charlotte with a look. “You're certain it's my baby?”
Charlotte didn’t bristle. She'd expected the question. It was a reasonable question. She nodded. “I'm certain. Though, of course I don't mind submitting to a paternity test.”
Brahnt waved a hand. “Well, this is unexpected.” Now he did move, crossing the few feet of distance between them. When he spoke, his voice was gentle. “You do know I'm not going to allow my Human and baby to live separately from me, right?”
Charlotte opened her mouth, closed it. “I mean, I don't think we have to make any hasty decisions. Pregnancy is nine months. That's a lot of time to spend getting to know each other better.”
“Charlotte.” The voice was still gentle, but steel crept into it. “You can keep this apartment if that makes you feel secure. But I'm not allowing my pregnant Human to live alone. When you accepted my seed into your body without a condom, you were accepting the possible consequences. A baby. Living with me.”
Charlotte's eyes widened. “Whoa. Having unprotected sex, or a baby, doesn't mean we're in a committed relationship, that I'm yours.” Shit, who was she kidding here? She was talking to an Orc.
To an Orc, that's exactly what it meant, if she wanted it to.
This time Brahnt lifted both eyebrows. It was so cliché, but so sexy. “Excuse me if I'm incorrect, but didn't we meet through the MillionOrc Matchmakers agency?”
Charlotte started to talk, but Brahnt placed a finger on her lips. “No, just nod yes or no.”
Glaring, Charlotte nodded.
