Page 5 of Marked by the Wild Orc (Heat & Ink)

Chapter 5

Krissy

T he very next day, after I saw heat in Talon’s eyes while he was gazing at my bed, the shop closed for the winter holiday.

I knew this vacation was happening, but it was strange to suddenly be in a situation where I wasn’t going to see Talon for a whole month–because I swear I caught a glimpse of a hard on in his pants when he entered my apartment.

He kept eyeing my bed. And he was standing very close to me while he spoke and there was a difference in his voice, it sounded almost…seductive. And he was so sweet, that big, hulking orc, with the tusks and the horns, telling me that he’s got my back. I wanted to give him a big hug, or really a passionate kiss.

But then he basically ran away and slammed the door shut behind him.

I really believe he feels something for me beyond friendship. But how is that possible? I can’t get pregnant, so our relationship has been professional friendship and me pretending I’m not falling in love with my boss. I work there, we have dinner together, I care for his cats and run his shop so he and the other artists can do their work.

All four of us have become a great team.

I enjoy working at that tattoo shop, greeting all the customers and watching them proudly display their new ink. Some of them save money for months or years to be able to afford our services, because we’re exclusive. I’m proud of the high quality work we provide for our customers. I like working at Heat that’s in fact tearing me up inside. I should find a new job and try to meet other people my age. He doesn’t think I know, but Talon scares away any of the guys who even hint at the possibility of asking me out on a date. Maybe he thinks he needs to protect me, for my brother? But in fact, he’s isolating me. If I can’t be with him, I should be allowed to find someone else.

But it’s hard to think of anyone else when my mind and body desperately want Talon.

It’s a crazy situation, made worse that now I’ve been given an inkling of hope of something happening between us by the way he acted when he dropped me off at my apartment.

Or maybe I was misunderstanding and that was nothing? It must be nothing, because again, how could he possibly want me as more than a friend when his species only mates with a woman they know will instantly conceive? It’s a biological prerogative he can’t circumvent and neither can I.

Ugh.

Maybe it’s good that Heat & Ink is closed for a whole month over the holidays, mainly so that Talon, Oreg and Doril can each return to their respective communes for a winter break. But also, this provides me with a sorely needed break from seeing Talon every single day. This could be the break I need to get my head on straight and start updating my resume.

They’re all gone but meanwhile, I’m sad because this is my first Christmas without grandma.

Kavin invited me to go with him to Mia’s parents’ house for the holiday, which I of course declined. Instead, I plan on driving all the way back to Portland to stay for a few nights with grandma’s best friend, Lori and her family, who are also like my family too. Lori called and insisted that I come down or she’d pick me up herself.

So sweet.

But first, I have to check on the cats again. I’m house sitting for Talon while he’s gone. Kavin is stepping in for me over Christmas Eve and Christmas, to come and check in on the baby kitties while I’m out of town for two days. I want to bring them with me, but I’ve learned that Shadow, Ink and Cole are very choosy about who they show their affection towards and I’d hate to bring them all the way to Portland, only for them to hate everyone and for chaos to ensue. So, at home they stay.

I unlock the door to Talon’s home and instantly miss him all over again.

What a mess.

Three weeks later…

It was cathartic to talk with others who’d loved grandma as much as I did.

We shared memories and talked of times past. I even went to the cemetery and left flowers at her gravesite. I sat on the grass and chatted with grandma and told her all about my new adventures in Spokane with Kavin and my job at the shop. I even laughingly admitted my attraction to my boss. It was nice.

Then I returned to my new hometown and spent a lot of time at Talon’s house, taking care of the cats and also getting words done on my novel. I brought my laptop with me each day because I’d discovered a perfect little desk in his second bedroom which was pushed up under a large window. If I brought a chair to the desk, I could write on my laptop and pause often to look out at the large front yard, with a beautiful view of large trees, birds and white snow. With the occasional cat hopping up for hugs and kisses. Lovely.

I got two whole chapters completed while I house sat. It was good times.

But at the same time, I heard nothing from Talon, which was heartbreaking considering I thought about him every single day. How could I not, considering I was in his home, taking care of his cats?

I sent him texts with pictures of the cats, but he never responds.

He has not lived in this home for very long. I thought at first that he was renting, but I learned he bought this home, with cash. It’s fully paid for, which is astounding. He moved in only a month prior to opening the shop. There still isn’t much furniture. And I can’t help but think of all the large furniture I have in my apartment and how it would fit nicely here. My Fiestaware, cookware and utensils would also be a nice addition.

Look at me, play acting like I’m moving in with him.

Jeez, I think I’m in love with Talon Overtree. The male who doesn’t want to have anything to do with be beyond friendship and a coworker relationship. It’s a sad state of affairs. And this isn’t like a relationship with a human male. I can’t just tell myself that I should get brave and tell him how I feel and ask him out, so then I’d at least know where I stand. Of course, I know where I stand, permanent friendship. I’ll never be able to get past this point.

Except on the last day of this house sitting gig, the day before the shop reopens in the middle of January—I find an envelope that looks like it had fallen and slipped between the trash can and the wall. It is addressed to me.

I glance over at Shadow. “Did you knock this off the counter and never tell me that it had fallen down here?”

The cat gives an adorable, embarrassed meow and rubs his head against my arm.

A light growl of disappointment rumbles in my throat but I also give him a pet so he knows I’m not remaining angry.

“This is from Talon, isn’t it?” I tear it open and see that it’s indeed a handwritten letter from my boss.

Talon told me, long ago, that often orcs raised in communes were sent to human schools in nearby human towns. He graduated from a small human high school with a large mixture of orcs amongst the humans. I’ve always thought that sounded interesting. But it also means that he has good handwriting in English despite the fact that it’s his second language.

Dear Krissy,

I cannot communicate with you while we are both on winter break. Kavin remains in Spokane to share your holiday and will be your contact if you need anything. Thank you for caring for Shadow, Ink and Cole while I’m gone. And thank you for the excellent job you do at Heat & Ink.

Happy Holidays,

Talon

An extra two hundred dollars, in twenties, falls out of the envelope. Of course, he pays me in cash. Some things never change. Talon is very generous, always trying to give me extra bonuses. He also pays for my health benefits, which is how I was able to recently get my teeth cleaned and a cavity fixed.

I hold the letter to my chest with tears in my eyes. He does have feelings for me. Right? Isn’t that what he’s saying? Well, not outright, but it sounds close.

Dammit, I need to act on this. Why wait? Maybe there is some loophole in orc mating allowing the two of us to be together that I haven’t been aware of until now.

I’m going to show up tomorrow morning, ready to get something started.

I arrive at work in a new outfit that shows cleavage. I can’t even quite explain why I’m dressed like this, but I’m growing a little desperate.

I take off my long, puffy coat and the dark brown sweater dress clings to all my curves. I’m kinda excited for him to see it because it’s the first nice dress I’ve bought with the money I earned from this job.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” a deep voice questions.

I turn around and shift in my tall boots. I lick my lips because I haven’t seen Talon in a little over a month and my poor heart can’t handle all that green muscle and silver belt buckle, yearning to be touched. “Maybe?” I squeak.

His dark, molten gaze scans me from head to toe, lingering on my chest and then finally back to my face. Is his crotch tented or am I imagining things?

“I’m on the edge of sanity,” he growls. “You have to get away from me or I'll fuck you right now.”

Am I dreaming or is this real? “And this is bad because…?”

“I won’t be able to make it to my home, or even to your apartment across the street. If you don’t leave now I’ll strip you bare and fuck you here, in my office or even on the floor or against the wall. And customers are set to arrive soon. I might need to close the shop today, either way.”

I stare at him, continuing to not understand how this is something I shouldn’t want. And then I take a step closer to his hot body. “Can’t we talk about this? Is the problem that you think you’re too old for me? Because I don’t think that’s a problem at all. We get along great and a thirteen year age difference isn’t a big deal.”

“You are fired,” he snarls.

I have a sinking feeling that this time he’s not joking. “Why? What have I done wrong?”

“You know.”

“I don’t know.”

“Get out, now,” he thunders.

One hour later I stand in the snow in front of the nearby sandwich shop, crying.

My brother calls me at exactly the wrong moment. Right when I’m in the midst of a snotty ugly cry over the fact that Talon has fired me, for reals this time. He literally kicked me out of his shop.

I’ve been here for awhile now, not quite knowing where to go or what to do with myself. I did have presence of mind to zip up my long, puffy coat and pull on my hat. The boots are pretty but they’re also practical and warm in the snow.

“Yes?” I sob.

“Krissy? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I try to say and then cry some more.

My brother’s voice vibrates with agitation. “I just got back to the station and was calling to invite you to an open house we’re having at the fire station next month, but instead you need to tell me why you’re crying. The tears of a female, especially from a sibling, affect me greatly. Tell me. Who is making you cry? I will pound this human into the ground.”

“It’s…it’s an orc. But really, it’s nothing you need to do anything about. It’s more like I just need to get over it and move on. Or, I don’t know, go back and try again later? I’m so confused. You happened to call right after it happened, so I’m upset.”

“An orc has mistreated you to the point where you are crying? Is it one of the customers at the shop? Have you told Talon so he can take care of this individual?”

“That’s the problem, it’s Talon,” I cry because I’m a freaking mess. “He’s fired me and I don’t even really understand why. Well, I guess I do understand but why did he have to fire me? It’s silly how he acted and it…it hurts my feelings.”

A vicious growl rumbles over the phone. “I will be there in moments to take care of this.”

“No. No, I was only telling you because you called and happened to ask. This is nothing. I can handle it myself. Really, maybe he’s right that I shouldn’t work there…Kavin? Kavin?”

But the line is dead in my hand. Uh oh, this won’t be pretty.

And then I hear a shout of greeting and look up to see Doril who has come to my rescue. “Get in the car,” he says.

I use the back of my hand to wipe at my face and get in the passenger seat.

Doril slowly drives me home and I ask questions. “I don’t understand why he’s treating me this way,” I cry. “I mean there was another reason for him firing me, that I hope you didn’t hear about but, this is the second time he’s tried to fire me, and you and I both know there’s no cause.”

“Well, you’re his bride, that’s why.”

“Huh?”

“He treats you nice because you’re his bride.”

“He doesn’t treat me nice at all… Wait, what did you say? I can’t be his bride, or any orc’s bride ever, because I can’t get pregnant.”

“That’s not true. You can get pregnant.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, when you first arrived, it’s true, I didn’t scent your compatibility, but lately it’s very strong.”

“Compatibility? Do you mean you can scent that I can…”

“All orcs can scent that you are now able to become pregnant. It’s a thing amongst our species. In ancient times we had to know in order to, um, identify and kidnap as quickly as we did. We don’t kidnap anymore but we still have the ancient ability to know if a potential mate is fertile.”

“But neither you or Oreg have ever asked me out or shown any interest in me at all.”

He parks in the spot in guest parking, closest to my apartment and turns to answer my question. “Well, to be truthful, it’s because the both of us could also immediately scent your arousal for Talon.”

My cheeks grow hot. “No.”

“Yes.”

“This whole time you’ve been able to…and Talon could scent this also?”

“Yes, he’s always known how you felt towards him, as we did. But don’t worry, once we knew that Talon was interested, we backed off and especially when it was clear lately that he returned your feelings. And now neither of us feels any way for you other than friendship, or coworkers. That’s how it works amongst orcs. Once a female has been identified by another, we don’t fight amongst ourselves for that female, instead we step aside and keep looking for another.”

“What is that noise?”

I look out the window and let out a whimper of fear. “It’s my brother.”