Page 5
When he’s gone, I stand there with my thighs pressed together and the pull under my ribs points in his direction. I know he turned right when he left the library.
This is messed up.
Oscar Reyes comes into the library at noon. He’s lived in Venn’s Crossing his entire life, but he’s the person the IMA hired to monitor the orc and human interactions.
“Paige.”
“Oscar.”
“They told me the chances of this happening again were slim to none.”
“Someone should have told the orcs that.”
“If it happens, they’re supposed to report it within an hour. Yorrel called it in as soon as he left the library.” He cleans his glasses on his shirt. “He followed protocol, which is a first for an orc in this town. Brannok and Korrag sure didn’t. I have to ask you some—”
“I know.” I cut him off, annoyed. This is exactly why I didn’t have time for this. Now it’s going to be paperwork and dealing with government officials. And there’s the matter of my soaked panties. When am I going to have time to write my petition?
After Elsie found her orc, she told me a little about what happened. I know someone named Carol came up from Portland to question Elsie. We need to fast-track this.
“Bring Carol.”
“You know about Carol.”
“Yes, just call it in, or do whatever you need to do. I’ll answer anything.”
“I’ll get her here tomorrow,” Oscar says. “Are you all right?”
“I’m furious. I’m fine.”
“Okay. You know he can’t live anywhere else on Earth. They will send him home if you want.” Oscar gives me a long look before he leaves.
What? Why did he have to tell me something like that? I’m still feeling annoyed when Yorrel comes back, but one look at that stupid, tight jacket over those firm muscles makes my body perk up, and I relax. I guess if the universe is going to give me an orc mate, having one this hot isn’t so horrible.
All afternoon, he follows me and asks me to read him what the spines of books say. I can’t think of a single reason not to, plus his ears tip forward adorably whenever I agree to something. How can I say no to that? Thankfully, it’s a slow day at the library, and only a few people come in and don’t stay long.
At six, I turn the lamps off one table at a time, and he waits by the door. I lock the door behind us, and he looks up at the stone over it.
“There are words there.”
“Free to all.” I read it to him. “The man who paid for this building put it over the door. It means knowledge is free to all.”
He looks hard at the letters. “Then I will come back.”
“You’ve been here most of the day.”
“I need knowledge. I will be back tomorrow, and the day after that.”
He walks to my car with me. Cedar Street is empty already. I unlock it while he stands with his hands behind his back like he’s waiting for something.
“‘All afternoon, the keeper read him the spines,’” he says, in his telling voice, “‘and she did not once say no.’”
“We were both there. You don’t need to tell it to me.”
“I am practicing.” His ears go soft and down. “I am going to tell it tonight at dinner to the other orcs at the Whitaker House.”
I have the urge to kiss him, but instead I say, “Well, okay then. Goodnight.”
I get in the car and shut the door, confused at how I’m feeling. I want to be angry about all of this, but I also want to fuck him and see where this is going because he’s pretty appealing.
