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CHAPTER 11

TANNER

A s far as first meetings with the family went, this couldn’t have gone better. Despite Mahk’s idiosyncrasies, the kids all loved him. Even Jake stopped shooting him dirty looks and giving him veiled threats as the night wore on. Mahk had chosen to introduce himself as his more fake human name, Mark. I wished he didn’t have to, but Mahk would be considered odd here. So it was easier not to bring attention to him.

Apparently, there was a sport similar to baseball on Mahk’s home world, so he picked up on the rules of the game easily, only having to ask a few strange questions, mostly about what we called things. If the girls noticed, they didn’t say anything.

Jake’s team won. They had another playoff game next week, and then, if they won, it would be the semifinals. If they won that, they would then play the finals at the college field. The one I’d gone to. It would be my first time back there if he got that far, which I truly believed they would. The whole team was stacked, but Jake . . . he was fucking magical. It hurt that I hadn’t been to as many games as I should have, but I vowed I’d be at every playoff game this season, and if I could casually get him to give the scouts the time of day, well then that would be a plus.

After it was over, Mahk offered to get us all tacos at our favorite spot. I tried to tell him it was unnecessary, but he brushed me off. Though that reminded me. I had no idea how he was getting money. He told me they used gold coins in his world. I couldn’t imagine they were much use here, unless he somehow sold the gold for U.S. dollars? I’d have to remember to ask him later.

Either way, the kids were psyched, and I didn’t have the heart to tell any of them no. Mahk was even considerate enough to pick up some dinner to bring home for Mom. It made me want to cry. No one had ever taken care of us like that. And he did it so casually, too, like it was the easiest thing in the world for him.

After dinner, we all went back to the house. Mom was up and in good spirits and very excited to meet Mahk, the first guy I’d ever introduced her to. I knew she had so many questions, but luckily she focused on Jake and the millions of videos and pictures we had of the game.

It was late now. The girls were all asleep, as was Mom. Jake, Mahk, and I were sitting in the living room while Jake taught Mahk how to play Call of Duty . It was fucking hysterical.

“Seriously, dude?” Jake asked him incredulously. “You’ve never played a video game, like at all?” This was after I’d had to show him how to hold the controller.

“No. My family was . . . traditional. We didn’t have anything like this.”

I held in a snort. Traditional? Was that code for orc royalty, and had none of our modern technology?

Jake made an offended sound in the back of his throat. “That sounds fucking awful. No offense.”

Mahk shrugged. “No offense taken. I’m quite enjoying discovering hu—modern technology.” Yeah, whoever told that man about Google should be arrested.

“Don’t worry, bro. Once you get a handle on the controls, this game is pretty easy. Let me show you how to pick a character.”

I tucked my knees under me on the couch, not playing, just enjoying the two of them bonding. Mahk was fitting in seamlessly, and it made my heart ache in the most confusing fucking way. I wanted him. There was no denying that—there never really was. It was more than that too. As much as I wanted to have sex with Mahk, I didn’t even mind that we hadn’t yet because just being with him made me the happiest I had ever been in my life.

It was effortless. We seriously fit. Even with the communication issues and cultural differences, it never seemed like a hardship to teach Mahk and exist with him, and I had no doubts that if I was ever lucky enough to see his world, he would be the same with me. Which, what the fuck? Did I honestly want to travel through some magical barrier to a fantastical land with orcs and ogres and horses with six legs? The easy answer was yes. Of fucking course. That was my fantasy-loving ass’s wet dream. But the truth was, it wasn’t that simple. While Jake explained what a zombie was and why they needed to kill them, I glanced at the closed bedroom door just off the living room. I couldn’t fuck off and leave my family. Even a quick trip would be a challenge. There was no real way to communicate between the two worlds, so what would happen if I were there and there was an emergency? What if one of the kids got hurt or sick at school and needed to be picked up? What if Mom . . . ?

I trailed off, not wanting to think about it, even if it was a very valid concern, and where I always got hung up when I thought about being mated to Mahk. Mahk hadn’t brought it up since the day he’d admitted the truth to me. He was honoring my wishes and giving me time to think. Problem was, the more I thought about it, the fewer answers I had.

I really, really liked Mahk. Like, a whole fucking lot. I could easily see this falling into love. I liked how curious he was about everything. I liked how unapologetic he was about him watching me and his stabby tendencies. When he’d pulled one of his blades when Mrs. Robinson had been rude to me even had me swooning. Then, the subsequent conversation where I’d explained what a Karen was had me wanting to wrap Mahk in my arms and kiss him senseless with how fucking adorable he was.

I liked that he was thoughtful. That he liked to take care of me. That he always made sure I ate full meals and would spit random facts about all the ways humans could die or get sick. I liked his obsession with Cheetos, while he also constantly wanted to feed me vegetables. I liked the way he yielded so prettily to me while we kissed.

Even the things that should be major red flags, I found endearing. It was easy to imagine us spending our lives together. Except that one little thing: he had a home and life in a whole other realm. How could we possibly make it work? Mahk seemed to think we’d figure it out, but I couldn’t understand how. I’d never ask him to give up his life there, but I couldn't go with him, even temporarily.

Could we do long distance? Except instead of being in different states, we’d be in two different worlds. Even the thought of it made me sick. I couldn’t bear being that far away from Mahk and not even having a way to talk to him. He was an assassin for fuck’s sake. He could be in danger or hurt, and how would I even fucking know? I hated it. I hated everything about all this. Why did I have to finally find someone who was perfect for me, who wasn’t scared off by my family, who wanted me for me, and the circumstances had to be impossible?

Mahk turned toward me, concern etched across his features. I tried to smile and wave away his worries, but he wasn’t buying it. He put down his controller and whispered something I couldn’t hear to Jake. My brother turned toward me, and, fucking great, now both of them were worried about me.

Thankfully, Jake didn’t say anything to me, just turned to Mahk and said, “Next time, we’ll play Elden Ring .” There was an evil glint in his eyes, and I almost laughed. That was a big jump up skill level wise.

But my sweet little stalker, of course, had no idea and nodded happily, reminding me a lot more of a golden retriever than the big deadly orc he was.

“I look forward to it, Jake.”

Then he climbed to his feet and took my hand.

“Let’s go.”

I frowned. “Where?” It was late and everyone was asleep and . . .

“Damn, bro, you really are oblivious. Go with your man. We’re fine here.”

“What? I don’t want to leave?—”

“Fuck, Tan. I’m trying damn hard not to cockblock you. Go. I promise if something happens, I’ll text you. But for real, go be with your boyfriend.”

Jake stopped playing to look me directly in the eye, and his expression was so sincere, any doubts I had evaporated. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to go be with Mahk. Alone.

“Okay, but text or call me if you need me. Don’t try to handle shit on your own, Jake. I’m fucking serious.”

Jake rolled his eyes but nodded solemnly. “I will. I promise. Now, please go.”

I scruffed up his hair because it drove him crazy. “Thanks.”

Jake shrugged, and Mahk, apparently, was done with the whole exchange because he took my hand and all but dragged me out of the house.

He didn’t stop there, either. I barely had time to close the door behind me before I was basically running after my man, down our path and onto the street. He kept going until he was almost halfway down the block and in front of one of the patches of woods that surrounded all the homes in the neighborhood. I was breathless by the time we stopped. Partially from laughter at Mahk’s eagerness and partially because I was out of fucking shape and Mahk was fast when he wasn’t purposely slowing his steps to look human.

He glanced around, probably checking for nosy neighbors, before finally turning his attention to me. Mahk’s human hands reached up to cup my face. I suddenly wished to see his real form. I had barely had a chance this past week since most of the time we spent together was while I’d been working. He couldn’t change here, though, so I twisted my head to kiss his hand, which made him smile.

It didn’t last long, his expression turning serious again.

“You’re sad,” he stated matter-of-factly.

I frowned. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you were. Back at the house, when I was playing the video games with Jake. Talk to me, lulekai . Let me carry some of your burdens, at least for a little while.”

While I tried impossibly hard not to swoon in the middle of the fucking street, one of the words Mahk had said stuck out to me. He had said it before— lulekai —but I wasn’t sure what it meant. I had always been internally freaking out too much to ask, but now I was too curious to let it go again.

“You keep calling me that, lulekai .” I stumbled awkwardly over the word, not sounding anything like Mahk did when he said it. “What does it mean?”

Mahk’s lips twitched at my pronunciation. “ Lu-le-kai ,” he said again slowly, so I could understand it.

When I repeated it, I sounded a little better. At least it was likely understandable if I was talking to an orc. Maybe.

But Mahk beamed like I’d done the best thing in the world. “Perfect!” It so wasn’t, but okay. “ Lulekai means protector in my native language. You are always caring for and protecting everyone else, and you forget to protect yourself.”

Well, damn, I never expected to get a fucking boner from learning a new language, but that had to be one of the sweetest and most meaningful things anyone had ever said to me. And here I was, calling him little stalker. I needed to step up my game.

I was so overcome by emotion, I couldn’t wait another second. My mouth was on him, aggressively devouring everything it could possibly taste. As always, Mahk submitted to me, opening up to all I wanted to give to him.

“Fuck,” I muttered into his mouth, absolutely fucking breathless as my fingers curled into his hair, holding him exactly where I wanted him.

I pressed my body against his, and Mahk stumbled back a step before bracing himself. I could feel his hard chest through his ridiculously baggy clothes, which only got me harder. I slid my free hand under the fabric, caressing up his hard flat stomach and over his pecs. Mahk moaned as my fingers grazed his nipples.

I never stopped kissing him. Even as I slotted my leg between his spread ones. He was so fucking hard, and I put a little pressure against his cock with my thigh. Mahk’s hips rocked forward of their own accord, and he let out a sweet little whine.

“Fuck, darling, you make such pretty noises.” He let out another little sound that went straight to my cock.

I was suddenly well aware that we were outside, and while we were away from the direct view of my neighbors, I wouldn’t put it past those nosy fuckers to have their ways to still be spying. “I want you alone,” I whispered to him, “but it doesn’t feel right to do it at the Cunninghams’.” I might have reasoned away the wrongness of Mahk “borrowing” their home, but fucking in there crossed a line I wasn’t willing to.

Mahk hummed and nipped at my lip. I wasn’t sure if he understood my hang ups about where he was staying, but he respected them. “We can go to the cave.”

While that sounded hot, and I added that to my mental bucket list of places I wanted to have Mahk, it was too far away right now. I didn’t have the patience to get there.

“Too far.” I nuzzled his cheek and then licked the edge of his ear. Even though he’d literally spent the day sweating outside in the beating sun of the high school baseball field, he still tasted and smelled so sweet. Did orcs not sweat, because what the fuck?

“The store?”

My immediate reaction was to shut him down. That was my place of work. I couldn’t fuck my man there. I’d get fired! But then Mahk rocked his hips again, letting me feel the thickness of his bulge. I pinched his nipple in warning, but it didn’t stop him, even a little, as he started to hump my leg. The little shit knew exactly what he was doing.

I was past rational thought. It was either the store or by the sink pit, and as horny as I was, I didn’t think I could do that knowing Koth’s body was currently sinking to the bottom. But the store . . . The cameras didn’t work there. I knew that for a fact, and even if the owner somehow found out I had come in after hours, I could easily say I had forgotten something. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Mahk’s hands trailed down my back and to my ass. He squeezed, holding me tightly as he continued to fuck my leg. His eyes were rolling to the back of his head, and I was worried he might come then and there.

I pinched his nipple again, harder this time. Hard enough to get him to stop and turn to me with lust-filled eyes. He batted his lashes at me.

“The store,” I confirmed, my voice husky with need, “Now, little stalker. If I don’t fill you soon, I’ll lose it.”