Page 58 of My Orc Billionaire
MyMate.
What did I need?
I took a deep breath. “I need you to work your magic. Find all of Riven’s debts, pay them off. I don’t even know which hospital did her surgery, or where she did the radiation…but you’ll find it.”
“Sure I will.” Sylvik stood, brushing off his trousers, although I knew my porch was clean. I was sitting here, wasn’t I? “Research is what I do best, boss. If you don’t mind, I’ll get a room in town and leave again tomorrow?—”
“Don’t be stupid,” I snapped, now standing myself. “This place has extra suites, and you can stay as long as you want. I’ll show you around Eastshore.”
My assistant’s brows had risen in surprise. “Really? You will?”
I shrugged and turned toward the front door. “It’s a pleasant place.”
“Pleasant? Gods below, Abydos, Mating has changed you.”
Except, I wasn’t Mated yet. I needed to convince my Mate to choose me.
Soon. Mate.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you to Riven and ask if she can add one more for lunch.”
Ask her. For the last ten years, I’d made demands. Not just of my men, but ofmyself. Before Riven came into my life, I wouldn’t have consideredaskingmy chef if I could invite someone else to lunch.
Of course, before Riven came into my life, I hadn’t considered sitting down with one of my employees and sharing a meal. Discussing not just business, but our feelings and opinions. I hadn’t considered opening my heart and mind the way I had with Riven.
Hadn’t considered touching skin-to-skin, kissing, sharing pleasure.
Hadn’t consideredloving.
Huh.
Lifting my chin, I entered my home. Yes, this was my home now, because Eastshore was where my Mate lived, and I would be with my Mate. It wouldn’t be a hardship to make a home in this town, where my people were welcomed and humans smiled at us.
I would be home with my Mate, assuming I could think of a way to convince her to have me.
Soon.
Chapter Thirteen
Riven
The day Sylvikcame to visit, Abydos got…weird. I didn’t think it was anythingIwas doing, but it was definitely noticeable. I would look up from my vegetable prep and would catch him watching me with that intense green stare. Or sometimes he’d get this dazed look in his eyes like he was thinking of something else.
He still brought me gifts, but they were more expensive now…and despite his teasing, none of them were skirts. I had to get those myself—luckily, Sami had plenty I could borrow. And when we were in bed together, Abydos seemed more intense, more focused on my pleasure than ever before.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t abadchange…it was just strange. Itdidmake me a little nervous though, because I couldn’t pinpoint the explanation. Like…things had been working fine before, and I guess I would just be edgy aboutanychange to our normal. Even if it meant I was now orgasming fifty percent more times.
I couldn’t figure out how Sylvik had caused it, or why, but I wasn’t complaining.
Sylvik himself was a nice male, very respectful and thoughtful. He beamed when he met me, as if I were someone special or important, and he seemed to enjoythe meals we shared. I was surprised when Abydos had invited him to stay in one of the other suites, but the other male seemed competent and quick-witted.
I guess he’d have to be, to take care of Abydos.
The two of us had similar roles at Vengeance, Inc. when it came to the CEO, and you’d think we would commiserate about taking care of Abydos and managing his life. But Sylvik seemed to avoid me, only sending me grins and polite nods. Abydos, for his part, didn’t seem to love the idea of us hanging out without him, which again—weird as hell.
What was going on with him?
I was going to find out, even if I had to pin him down and demand an answer.
