Page 58 of Grumpy Pucking Orc (Orcs on Ice #1)

“Good.” She let out a long breath. “Honestly, I was a little worried that I’d acted in haste and was putting you in a situation where you’d have to make a decision you might not be ready to make.”

“I wanted him before I left but felt it wouldn’t be fair. Thank you so much for adopting him for me and letting him stay here until I came back.” I gathered her in my arms and kissed her. “This is the best of all surprises.”

She snuggled against me. “I’m happy to have him stay here when the Tusks need to travel in the future. That way, he won’t be lonely in your apartment when you’re gone.”

“Thank you.” Again, there was the reminder that she had no intention of leaving this human world, no matter how much she might love me.

Something ached in my chest, and I ignored it.

This wasn’t the time for that discussion, not when I was so tired and had just gotten back to Baltimore after two weeks on the road.

“Bed?” Jordan asked with a soft smile.

“Bed,” I agreed. Then I put my arm around her shoulder and walked with her up the stairs, two cats bounding up behind to join us in the bedroom.

I did awaken to her mouth on my cock, and I returned the gesture which allowed me enough time for my hand-axe to recover and extend our lovemaking until the sunlight sent its morning rays through the bedroom windows.

I wanted nothing more than to spend the day in bed with Jordan, but I knew she had to go to work, just as I needed to prepare for tonight’s game.

And the cats were growing impatient for their breakfast. There was only so much ignoring cats would tolerate before they climbed onto the bed and meowed plaintively in your face while you were attempting to sexually satisfy your mate.

It was similar to having icy water poured on my hand-axe, so I gave up on another round of sex, told Jordan to take her time in the bathroom, and accompanied the cats downstairs to ensure they did not starve to death.

After swearing Judy and Coal to silence, I added a generous helping of chicken to their kibble. Putting the coffee pot on to brew, I began to pull food from the refrigerator for Jordan’s and my breakfast.

My two weeks on the road had taught me a lot about what humans enjoy as their first meal of the day. All of our hotels had buffets, and I’d learned from the staff how to make omelets, French toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and how to cook a variety of what humans called “breakfast meats.”

They were pretty much just cured meats that had been seared. I had no idea why humans limited these delicious things for only their morning meal but had taken note. So, with confidence, I put eggs, vegetables, milk, and bacon on the counter and got to work.

By the time Jordan came down the stairs, her hair clean, dry, and styled and her work clothing on, I was just sliding a huge omelet out of the pan.

“That smells amazing!”

I smirked, cutting the omelet in half and dividing it between two plates.

I added some sliced fruit and buttered toast, then set both plates on the table next to silverware and napkins before I turned to pour coffee into our mugs.

I was so glad we’d gone to her house last night instead of my apartment, not just because of the cats, but because she had food and whatever scant items were still in my refrigerator had probably spoiled.

“A girl could get used to this.” She smiled at me as she took her seat and reached out for the mug of coffee I extended toward her.

“A girl should get used to this. I love to take care of you.” Provide for you. Bring you not just sexual pleasure, but emotional and intellectual pleasure as well.

I kept the last bit to myself, worried that it might be too much for the fragile state of what we shared.

Her gaze was soft as her eyes met mine. “I love taking care of you, too.”

My heart swelled. Choking on the emotion, I turned around to regain composure and to get my own mug of coffee. By the time I sat down, I was able to breathe once more.

We ate and talked about tonight’s game, her new dental clients, the fact that she was doing her werewolf friend’s dental implant today and was very excited to use the new equipment she’d received.

She also informed me that she was ready to replace my two missing teeth and would like to do this procedure early Monday morning, since we had no game next week and she wanted my mouth to have the extra time to heal before I could potentially suffer another hockey puck to the face.

The pair of us cleaned up the dishes together, then Jordan dropped Coal and me off at my apartment with a box she’d filled with cat supplies.

With a deep kiss, she told me she’d see me at the game tonight and hoped to meet up afterward, then drove to work, leaving me and my cat alone in my apartment.

I hadn’t been here in two weeks, and in spite of my improvements, it felt sterile and empty compared to Jordan’s home. Then Coal meowed and rubbed against my ankles, reminding me that I wasn’t alone, and that I had a lot to do after being away for so long .

Cat supplies. Groceries. Resuming my milk delivery. And team workouts in preparation for tonight’s game.

It had been a perfect welcome-home. And I was grateful we hadn’t immediately jumped into The Talk about our different visions of the future. Honestly, I was dreading that discussion. Things were going so well between us. Maybe we could delay The Talk for a few weeks.

Or a few months. Or a year.

I really wanted to avoid that discussion, but I knew the delay would be worse. Our feelings would continue to grow without the resolution of these significant differences. And I’d be in limbo, uncertain where I was going and whether our relationship would survive.

But for the first time in my life, I was a coward. I’d avoid the conflict until I couldn’t. Then I’d face the prospect of a broken heart.