Page 20 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
“Do you usually sleep in late on Sunday instead of working?” Charlotte asked, teasing. “I thought you millionaires were all high achiever types.”
“10 AM isn’t too indulgent,” Brahnt said, sliding scrambled eggs and sliced avocado onto plates. “Perks of being the boss. No male will chastise me for taking a day off. Do you have rehearsals?”
“Sunday is my rest day, so my schedule is a little more flexible. This is good.”
“Yes, I’d noticed you have a healthy appetite.”
Charlotte didn’t choke. She was almost kinda used to Brahnt by now, which was saying something—she wasn’t sure about which of them, though—considering they’d only known each other for less than twenty-four hours.
So. . .score for instalust?
“I don't want to intrude on your day,” Charlotte said, pushing aside her plate when she was finished. “Thank you for breakfast. And for dinner. I don't think I've eaten that well in forever.”
Brahnt, who hadn't eaten much but mostly watched Charlotte mow through her plate, set aside his coffee. “Don't eat and run. Spend the day with me.”
It was barely a request. Charlotte tensed, though she kept the smile on her face. It wasn't like Brahnt didn't deserve the smile, but spending two days in a row together was the kind of thing sheusedto do. The new, balanced with boundaries, but completely not sabotaging herself Charlotte understood that to be safe she needed to take relationships slower.
“I would love to, but I have commitments today I can't cancel,” Charlotte said with a tinge of regret. “If I’d known how the date would go, I would have cleared my entire week.”
There. A touch of blatant neediness to scare the rich boy off.
Neediness, meet unblinking Orc. “How much time do you need? I'll pick you up after. I'm willing to clear my schedule if you're willing to clear yours.”
Charlotte hesitated, then slid off her stool. “I started rehearsals for a new ballet. I'm sorry, but. . .”
Brahnt nodded, walking around the island and pausing in front of Charlotte. “I understand. It's selfish of me to want you all to myself at the drop of a hat, though I'm not certain I care. When can I see you next?”
“I'm not sure.” Charlotte slipped around Brahnt, and she kept the movement loose, playful. She was a professional dancer, after all. She knew how to lie with her body. “How about I call you?”
Fingers gripped her wrist, halting her. Slowly, Charlotte turned around and met Brahnt’s steady gaze.
“How about you tell me how you really feel?” the Orc said. “You're giving me a skilled brush off.”
The tone of voice wasn't accusatory. It was more implacable than anything else. As if Brahnt expected this kind of behavior and was prepared to overlook it.
“All right,” Charlotte said. “You're right. I owe it to you to be honest. And, honestly, I'm a little overwhelmed right now.”
Brahnt's fingers on her wrist tightened, then slowly relaxed. “I'm sorry I've made you uneasy. We have a strong, natural connection. I don't see any reason not to pursue it. What are your concerns? Clearly, you have some.”
Had Charlotte thought she wanted direct, open and transparent communication? Now that she was getting it, she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself.
“It's not you, Brahnt, it's me.”
Brahnt's eyes darkened a touch. He stepped forward. “It definitely is you.”
The Orc was playing with words again.
“How can you know that after one day and night?” Charlotte asked, not bothering to misunderstand. She was kinda too old for that now.
Brahnt tilted his head. “How can you not? But I don't think the problem is that you don't know. The problem is that you do, and now you're running scared.” Brahnt leaned down a little and inhaled. “I can smell it.”
Now that was ridiculous. “We aren't werewolves. You can't smell my fear.”
“Can too. Smells like burnt cinnamon.”
Charlotte laughed. “You're being ridiculous.”
Brahnt stepped into her in one smooth move, sliding his arm around Charlotte and pulling her against his chest. “Am I? You laughed. You're smiling again. Tell me how slow you want me to go. But tell me that you're mine.”
