Page 10 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas
Grady nodded. “You spread joy and cheer just like she did.”
Cas bit his lip as he watched Grady turn and return to helping Jack pack for the Christmas markets.
Lacy, now finished serving, sidled up next to Cas. “Do you have a little crush on the big grumpy orc?” she asked in a sing-song voice.
“What? No!” Cas hadn’t even considered it.
“If I were into men and if I weren’t seeing someone, I’d be into him. He’s so big!” Lacy lifted her hands wide.
Cas chuckled. “You definitely have a type.” Every past girlfriend of Lacy’s tended to be almost twice her size.
“I just like to feel tiny and protected.” She grinned. “My girlfriend, Orim, she is a troll. You should see her swing her club. And she can lift me like I weigh nothing!” She made an appreciative hum. She glanced at Cas’s wings. “Although, I suppose with wings you don’t really need to be carried.”
“I don’t think anyoneneedsto be carried.” Cas laughed. “I think it’s a preference.”
Lacy smiled. “I suppose that’s true.”
But Cas could see the appeal. He could imagine Graal with his massive hands on Cas’s waist, lifting him into the air.
“Huh.” Cas frowned. “You know, I don’t think I’ve really looked at anyone in a while. After all, I was with Xavi for three years.”
“You never looked in all that time?” she asked in disbelief.
“I appreciated, of course. I noticed.” Cas pursed his lips. “But I didn’t really look. Not really.”
“Well, you’re single now, and I think the orc is very attractive! Those big hands. Big forearms.” Her eyes sparkled. “Do you think he is big all over? You like that sort of thing, right?” She nudged him.
“Lacy!” Cas protested but then burst out laughing.
She giggled. “I’m just saying! Don’t you want to see his club?” She waggled her eyebrows. “Maybe you could have some fun with him. It could help you move on from Xavier.”
Still laughing, Cas shook his head. But he couldn’t get her words out of his head. Now that he thought about it, he did find Graal rather attractive, in a big, tough, gruff kind of way.
He looked strong. No doubt he could lift Cas very easily. Just the thought sent a wave of heat to his groin. And that smile! That one brief shy smile had made his wings flutter.
Cas glanced at the front door to the bakery. Maybe he should consider seeking out distractions other than the joy of Christmas.
CHAPTER 6
Snow fell in a never-ending blur as Graal followed the cobblestone lane around the back of the apartment building where he lived. Glowing lights filled the windows he passed, and he paused, glancing in.
He spotted his landlord sitting at a table, wearing fine clothes and surrounded by his tenants. Well, some of his tenants.
From here he spotted a faun, a human sorcerer, a djinn, and a pixie eating at the dining table. Red candles lined the patterned white-and-gold tablecloth. Garlands of greenery hung from the ceiling. A large Christmas tree stood against the wall. Glass baubles and shining tinsel decorated the branches. Bulbous earthenware dishes sat on the table.
All the tenants in this building paid the same rent. But the attractive beings got more for what they paid. The attractive beings got the above ground rooms. They got food provided as part of their rent. They got to eat at the vampire’s dining table and use the drawing room with the harp and piano. They got their own entrance at the front of the building.
If Cas rented a room, he’d be an upstairs tenant.
Graal turned away and continued to the back door. Many in the city didn’t like orcs and what were often considered the violent and monstrous races. That also included ogres, trolls, minotaurs, and goblins. That was why those races tended to live outside the cities. They worked on farms, mines, quarries, and the like. Or so Graal had heard.
Graal had considered leaving. He could even potentially work for the same company he currently did. He worked for a quarry, hauling stones from carts to building sites when the carts couldn’t get directly to those sites. But he could work at the actual quarry outside the city.
But he’d only ever known the city and its dirty streets, dark alleys, and crowded lanes. It would be a move into the unknown.
He doubted the work would be easier. But maybe he wouldn’t be looked down upon. Maybe he wouldn’t feel like such an outsider. Then again, he’d hoped to find community here in this apartment building, living with orcs. That hope had come to nothing.
Graal walked down the corridor. He passed no one tonight.
