Page 47 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
It seemed to amuse Michael, who stood and offered Brahnt a hand once the Orc let Charlotte go. “Congratulations. I'm Michael. Charlotte and I haven't dated for years now, we're just friends.”
Branch stiffened. “Dated?”
Charlotte widened her eyes. “You said I should text a friend who might be available.”
Brahnt, being well-bred if one ignored the whole only two generations of legal wealth thing, said nothing further. It was the kind of nothing that assured Charlotte—in case she was doubtful—there would be plenty to say later, in private.
Brahnt took a seat and engaged Michael in casual, deceptively friendly conversation which didn’t fool Charlotte for one second. The server brought Brahnt a drink and a salad without him having to order. Because of course. But he also brought Snowkiss a dish of water and another of what looked like a grilled patty and brown rice, all chopped up and mixed.
“Enjoy, Mr. Stonefist,” the Orc male murmured, straightening, his gaze caressing the side of Brahnt’s face a touch less casually than Charlotte liked.
Charlotte glared at the server, then gestured abruptly. “Can I have a refill, please?”
She didn't actually want a refill. The pregnancy hormones had her bladder doing weird things, which meant every sixteen ounces of water, she seemingly had to piss out sixty-four ounces. She was a little tired of the constant peeing. No, it was an excuse to gain the server's attention, and give him a look. Charlotte was Human, of course, but that didn't mean she would roll over and play dead while another man seduced her lover. Right in front of her face.
Snowkiss barked, a bit of bass in her voice. “Good girl,” Charlotte muttered.
But Michael's brows rose. “Mr. Stonefist? Not. . .?”
Brahnt gave Michael a pleasant smile. “Yes. This is my building. And, of course, lunch is on me.”
Michael began to protest.
Brahnt waved a hand. “It's nothing. Consider it my gratitude for entertaining my fiancé this afternoon. She has a great deal of energy, and I can't quite keep up.”
That was a lie if ever she heard one.
Michael slanted Charlotte a mischievous gaze. “No problem. Any time you need help keeping her entertained, I’m your man.”
Charlotte gave him a “really?” look. She'd texted Michael because they were both firmly in each other’s friend zones, but her ex wasn't above teasing. Brahnt had started it after all.
Lunch ended and Charlotte would have meandered away to find something else to do. . .she hadn’t managed to ask Michael about the whole finding a life outside of being a kept Human issue. . .but Brahnt snagged Charlotte by the upper arm—somehow making it look solicitous rather than possessive—and marched her into the building, up the elevator and into his high-rise office.
So fast Charlotte didn’t have time to gape at her surroundings, except to note that everyone was slickly dressed, and discreet. Gazes flickered towards Brahnt and Charlotte, but none lingered.
“When you said you were bored,” Brahnt said, closing the office door behind them, “and I suggested you invite a friend to lunch, I didn't think you would be so bold, Charlotte.”
Charlotte shook her arm away from Brahnt's hard grip, twisted her hands behind her back, and casually began to explore the office.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Oh, so we're going to play these games today? You weren't lying when you said you were high maintenance.”
Charlotte turned and faced him with a grin. “I told you so.” The grin turned wry. “But no, Michael is just a friend. There was never much chemistry between us.”
“And you found that out by fucking him.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Let's not pretend either of us are debutantes, Brahnt.”
“No? The difference is, I haven't flaunted my ex in your face.” A pause. “I can.”
Charlotte snorted. “If you had an ex you wanted to flaunt, you would already be married. And she would be working on your third kid.”
Brahnt curled his upper lip, tusks gleaming. “You think you know me.”
“I'm getting to know you.” She took a risk and wandered closer, propping her hip against the desk. “The jealousy is cute, but don't go overboard with it. Jealousy is boring. I’d never cheat on you.”
Brahnt took a deep breath, exhaled—then did it three more times. “Right. Since you're so bored, why don't I take you out tonight? We haven't had a proper date in awhile.”
