Page 14 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
“I was born in the right species,” she muttered.
“I assume my wife will want to have some type of career or activity outside of the home. It's healthier in the long run, I suppose.”
“Well, yeah, so you don't go stir crazy.”
“Oh, I'd keep my Human plenty busy.” Brahnt’s smile this time was indulgent, but his eyes were sharp. “And you? What are your thoughts?”
She hesitated. “Before I joined MillionOrc I made the decision that if I met the right partner, I could go on hiatus to start a family. For a couple of years while the children were young.” Maybe that said something about her lack of true ambition, but as much as she loved dance, she’d always wanted a family too. Like a do over.
“With medical clearance, you could dance as far into your pregnancy as you wanted, and after the baby is born we can hire a helper for you.”
All of this casual talk based on the assumption that Charlotte was going to be Brahnt's wife rattled as much as it seduced her.
Boundaries,she reminded herself.Don't get swept away by the sweet talk. Especially not with the pheromones in the air.
After all, it took at least three months for a Class B personality disorder to unveil itself.
“Do you plan on being involved in the childcare?” Charlotte asked.
Brahnt dished up two plates, opened a bottle of wine and poured. “As much as I can. I'm aware I'll have to make some adjustments to my schedule, and that's fine. I'm at a point in my career where I feel I'm justified in taking a bit of paternity leave.”
They sampled the food. “This is good,” Charlotte said, wanting to pick up the plate and inhale it. “I'm tempted to sell myself to you just for your cooking.”
“I’m so glad we’re on the same page,” Brahnt crooned. “If you think my cooking is this good, imagine how good my. . .ah. Apologies, I should remember my manners.”
Thatvoice.Charlotte was going straight to violated good intentions hell. Straight there, in a handbasket. In her defense, it was the son of the devil sitting across from her, smugly eating homemade pad tai and trying—not really, though—to look harmless.
As if a six foot plus Orc with shoulders that put a Viking’s to shame—and don’t forget the tusks—could lookharmless. But somehow, he managed to pull it off.
They had sorbet on the balcony, the early evening lights and noise of New York beneath them. The entire scene took Charlotte's breath. She could imagine herself nesting in this kind of comfort, with a kind but no-nonsense Orc at her side who could wave a magic wand and take care of any need or problem.
It was a long way from her working-class upbringing, with parents who were constantly in conflict.
It was peaceful. Secure. This was what she wanted if she had children.
Maybe that made her a gold digger, but she had a lot to offer in return. Besides, wasn't it her duty to find the best father of her children that she could?
Charlotte stared into her wine glass. But wealth wasn't everything, and money wasn't the only form of security.
And even though the Orc sent out waves of seduction, there was a level of reserve there beyond the natural reticence of getting to know a stranger. Charlotte knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she couldn't marry and have a family with a man who wasn't emotionally available.
She'd spent the evening gently grilling Brahnt, sifting through the answers to decide how willing and open this man was to actual love, and emotional commitment. Brahnt had the responsibility part down pat, Charlotte had no doubts on that end.
The sex part? Also a triple check.
Charm? Yep.
Charlotte sighed. Maybe she was being, as usual, too hasty. Most people needed time to open up and reveal their deepest selves. Just because Charlotte was willing to splatter herself all over the sidewalk on a first date didn't mean everyone else would too. That was healthy, right?
“What's on your mind?” Brahnt asked.
It had been several minutes of companionable silence, and for once Charlotte hadn't felt the need to fill it. She'd felt like she was enough, like she didn't have to exert herself to please the person she was with. Another check mark in Brahnt's favor.
Maybe that was why Charlotte was hoping, already, that this would work.
Because instinctively, it seemed as if Brahnt accepted her as is.
But Charlotte wasn't sure.
