Page 17 of My Orc Billionaire
“Good.” Aswan nodded firmly, but didn’t break the connection. “Hopefully in time for Halloween. Hannah assures me Eastshore’s celebrations are lots of fun, and we’d love to have you join us.”
“Halloween?” I could see the panic in the way Abydos’s jaw tightened. “I don’t think?—”
“The whole town comes out to see the decorations and trick or treat,” Aswan interrupted. “Isn’t that right, Joshy?”
The little boy bounced enough that Aswan had to drop his brother’s hand to grab the small body. “Twick or tweat! H’ween! Lotsa candy!”
Abydos’s gaze flicked up to the boy, and—miracle of miracles!—the right corner of his lips curled ever so slightly. “Sounds like something you’d like, Joshy. I’ll…think about it.”
“Good,” his brother said firmly as he stepped down off the porch. “I hope you’ll consider joining us. Safe travels, brother.”
I stood there like an idiot, holding the door open to the October morning—air conditioning the great outdoors, as my Mom would say—as Abydos watched his twin jog down the front walkway toward the parked SUV. When Aswan was finally far enough that I doubted he could hear, Abydos murmured, “Be well,T’mak.”
Then he shook his head, turned around, and stopped short when he saw me still standing there.
Embarrassed, I held the door open further, inviting him back in his own damn house. He seemed almost wary as he edged past me, which is hilarious considering he was twice my size. I expected him to retreat to his office once more, but when he was inside and I was closing the door behind him, I saw him straighten his shoulders.
“Bkarnis…I suppose it would be roasted venison. My brother owned a restaurant in Bramblewood Bluff, and he’s a very good cook. Hischallamaksauce for the venison is excellent.”
“Oh.”Say something else, you idiot! He’s opening up! He’s sharing information with you!“Um…maybe we could share recipes sometime. Me and Aswan, I mean.”Yes, of course you and Aswan! “I’m always on the lookout for good recipes.”
I sounded like a nincompoop, didn’t I?
But he wasn’t looking at me like I was one. In fact, he seemed…awkward. “Perhaps you could come taste it the next time he makes it. I wouldn’t want you to steal the recipe—it’s one thing we share of our home.”
And if I could make it, then there’d be no reason for him to spend time with his brother? I nodded, understanding. “Of course,” I said softly. “And thank you.”
“Right.” He nodded once, curtly, as he backed down the hall. “Right. I have to… Work to finish. Then I’ll pack.”
Because he was heading back to Colorado the day after tomorrow, and his friends and family on the island were surprised by how long he’d stayed already. Truthfully, from what Sylvik had told me, I’d expected him to have left well over a week ago. He was only supposed to be on Eastshore occasionally—that’s why I had to live in the house, after all. It was why I hadn’t been too surprised by thetrial basisprovision to my hiring—I hadn’t expected him to be here long enough to be bothered by the wholeme being humanthing.
But he hadn’t brought up myhumannessagain, and he hadn’t mentioned thetrial basisaspect when I’d moved my suitcase into my suite. I’d expected him to pop back to Colorado any moment.
But he’d been here for twelve days already.
I wondered why.
In fact, there were alotof things I wondered about my employer, and orcs in general. In a few days, I’d have nothing to do but plan menus, order ingredients, and rest. And I decided then and there, as I listened to the door to Abydos’s office close, to gather information.
Which is how I found myself hanging out at my cousin Sami’s house Friday evening. I’d woken yesterday to an empty house. Mansion? Whatever. It was strange to live there and not be aware of Abydos living there as well. Which was weird, because up until then, I wouldn’t have guessed that I couldfeelhim in the house.
I mean, don’t get me wrong: I was absolutely aware of him. How could Inotbe?
It wasn’t just that he was so big, it was that hetook up spacein my awareness, which makes no sense. But I just always seemed to be able to guess when he was ready to eat, or when he was hungry, or where he was in the house. I’m good at taking care of people, yeah, but I’ve never experienced this with a client before.
And I had a pretty good ideawhy.
That first day, during that interview, Abydos had scared me, yeah. But since then…I’d been able to see him for who he really was. At least, a bit.
His anger was just curtness, his rigidness was just expectation. He’d built an empire from nothing and was used to routine…routine I could help maintain. In the last week, he’d even unbent to compliment me and thank me…signs of basic decency, like that interaction in the kitchen or when he introduced me to his brother rather than dismissing me.
I expected him to be an asshole.
I didn’t expect tolikehim.
Don’t get me wrong, Abydos wasn’tlikable. But in some ways, I could understand him.
You’re letting your libido influence you.
