Page 35 of Falling for the Orc All-Star

He’s human-looking—but to someone in the paranormal community, it’s obvious he’snothuman. Well, not these days. For one thing, he’s made of shadows from the knees down, at least at the moment. “Hi,” I choke out.

“This is my husband, Nyx. It’s a... It’s a family name.”

“Understood. Hi.” We shake hands, his cold, gray, and solid; mine green, huge, and sweating. “Mind if I sit?” I ask.

“We’ve got air hockey!” Lester cries. “Up for a game, son? Can’t wait to tell my grandson King Silverbow came to visit.”

“I don’t know if I can balance... but I’ll try.”

“If we old bastards with hip replacements and knee replacements can do it, you can do it. That your nurse?” Steve points to Ingrid.

“No. She’s...”My girlfriend. My date. My friend. My mate.“She works at the physical therapy place and invited me to come over.”

Lester watches Ingrid swivel, down on her knees, booping Daisy’s nose.

His eyes are glued to her beautiful backside.

I let out a low growl. “Don’t think I won’t, Lester.”

For some reason, that makes Steve cackle, then Lester cackles. “Shoulda told me she was off the market! Just because the pencil don’t get sharpened as much these days, doesn’t mean it’s outta lead!”

My groans turn into laughter, and I leave the cuddle puddle of dogs, seniors, and so much pet hair, allowing myself to be dragged into an air hockey game.

Ingrid catches my eye before I go.

I think she heard Lester. And me.

And she smiles.

“We should have left sooner,” Ingrid looks through the streaming rain and bites her lip.

Thunder booms.

The dogs cower in the back, shaking, eyes huge and sad, huddled together. Daisy has her head on top of Chip’s, but when the next boom comes, she yelps and snuggles under his neck, and it’s his turn to be brave and put his head on top.

“I have to take them home first. If I don’t, they’re going to have an accident in my car,” Ingrid apologizes.

“I don’t mind. What helps them?” I reach back with my extra-long arms, easily reaching both and stroking them in turns. Myheart is cracking, feeling them shaking. “It’s okay, guys. It’s okay,” I soothe. “It’s just a big noise.”

“Nothing helps them but me holding them and letting them be basket cases. I have those thunder vest things. They help a little if I’m not there.”

There’s silence in the car as Ingrid turns towards the other side of town, heading towards the townhouse development.

“Well... Why don’t you take me home after the storm? Or I could call a ride.”

“N—no.” Ingrid shakes her head. “You wanna stay for dinner? I mean, if the storm lasts that long?”

“I’d love to. And you know everyone is bringing me enough food to feed an army. I could pay you back tomorrow night?” I hold my breath. She could point out that I already had her over. Ingrid could say this is her returning the invitation and that we shouldn’t keep things going. Back and forth, her place, my place... Our place. I try not to drift into fantasy, waiting for her answer.

Rain lashes the windshield, Chip lets out a shaking howl, and Ingrid says, “I don’t want to leave the dogs—”

“Oh, they’re always invited.”

“Oh. Then, yes.”

Chapter Thirteen: Ingrid and King

He can hold both of my dogs in his lap. At once.