Page 74 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
Brahnt took a deep breath, let it out, and fixed a smile on his face. “Whatever you want. I have some more of that electrolyte lemonade you like.”
He disappeared inside and returned moments later, Charlotte's water bottle refilled, with the appropriate amount of ice.
She could get used to this.
Brahnt pulled up a cushioned deck chair and a small side table, lugging his laptop with the air of a man who planned on settling in for quite some time. Charlotte eyed him.
“Lunch is heating up in the oven,” Brahnt said without looking at her.
Charlotte grinned. “That's great, but not what I was going to say.”
Brahnt glanced at her, eyebrow lifted. “Oh?”
“I got you a push present.”
Brahnt stared. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you the one doing the pushing?”
“Gentle expelling, or whatever they call it. And yes. But are you going to say no to a present? I think you'll like it.”
Brahnt pursed his lips. “What I think is that you're up to something.”
“Come on, don't be a chicken. You'll like it, I promise. Open up your smartphone.”
“Oh, hell no. Now I know I won't like it.”
Charlotte scoffed. “You're so negative.”
“I'm realistic. And I know you.” But the Orc, with an air of resignation, picked up his smartphone. “What am I looking for?”
“Go to my Instagram page.”
“By the Allmother, Charlotte. . .”
Brahnt was silent for a moment, eyes narrowing, all expression fading from his face.
Charlotte waited.
3, 2, 1—
“I think I want to strangle you.” Brahnt set the smartphone down and turned to Charlotte. “This is so you.” The Orc began to laugh.
Charlotte shushed. “Not so loud. You'll wake her up.”
Brahnt muted his laughter immediately, then leaned forward and claimed Charlotte's mouth in a kiss, sliding a hand around the back of her neck.
It was too early for any of those kinds of shenanigans, but Charlotte couldn't help but feel the spark of desire anyway.Soon,she told herself.Let's get everything back into fighting shape.Though she suspected Brahnt had no intentions of waiting that long.
Finally, the Orc pulled away just enough to lean his forehead against Charlotte's. “I love you, you know that?” he murmured.
Charlotte smirked. “I know. And it is so me, isn't it? I just couldn’t do the whole knife to the throat thing. But a public announcement without asking you first is still pretty ruthless.”
She'd posted a branded square quote graphic moments before, announcing the upcoming wedding of Charlotte Trainor and Brahnt Stonefist. May 5th.
Brahnt took a deep breath, exhaled. “Why almost a year from now?”
“I need time to get back into shape.”
“Charlotte,” he said with a growl.
