Page 12 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas

“What do you need clean water for?” Loral barked.

Graal’s jaw clenched. “The agreement was that the water would be changed daily. It’s what I pay for.” Graal didn’t know why he bothered complaining. It never did any good.

In the social pecking order, imps weren’t that high up. But they were higher than orcs. Some, like Loral, wanted to make sure orcs knew that.

“You can complain to sir if you want,” Loral said.

Graal only ever saw the vampire landlord when he collected rent. Otherwise, he was always too busy to deal with Graal and his complaints.

Loral turned to leave, and she mumbled as she walked away, “It’s not like you need clean water. You won’t wash properly anyway, you stinking tusk-faced half-breed.”

Graal clenched his teeth and slammed the door shut behind her. He stared at the wood, breathing heavily.

He should be used to the insults. He’d heard the same and worse from Jordan growing up; half-blood, green-skinned brute, bastard, mongrel, and monster had been just a few of his favourites.

Graal should really be used to it. But still, the words always cut him deep.

CHAPTER 7

“How were the cookies?” Cas asked as Graal approached the counter in the bakery.

“They were delicious,” Graal said in his low, gravelly voice.

Cas smiled as pleasure filled him. “You liked them? I knew you would if you gave them a chance.”

Graal reached for his pouch. “I’d…a…I’d like to buy some more.”

Cas’s wings flapped as he rose above the floor. “That’s wonderful. Which would you like?”

Graal looked along the line of different-shaped and -coloured cookies behind the glass. He scratched his beard. “Ah. Maybe you could choose.”

“I’d be happy to.” Cas picked up a box.

“And could I have the ones you made?” Graal added softly.

Cas opened his mouth. Graal wanted cookies made by him. It felt…strangely intimate. Which was silly. Everyone ate Cas’s cookies all the time. Still, to ask specifically for them…

“All right.” Cas thought back to Lacy’s suggestion of having some fun with Graal. He glanced at the giant orc. He imagined placing his hands on those broad shoulders, stroking those thick arms, and feeling all those muscles.

And those tusks! Cas had never kissed anyone with tusks before.

Cas bit his lip. Of course, Cas wasn’t ready for anything serious. His heart still lay a fractured and crushed mess in his chest. But some sexy times with this orc would be something he’d definitely be interested in.

“Only if it’s not too much trouble,” Graal rushed out.

“No. No trouble.” Cas shook his head and reached for the cookies. “No trouble at all.” He carefully selected the cookies, packaged them in the box, and wrapped them with the red ribbon. “I hope you enjoy them.” Cas slid the box across the counter.

Cas leaned forward, giving a slow smile. “Anything else?” he asked, lowering his voice to something more seductive. He batted his lashes.

“Brick bread,” Graal said. “Four loaves.”

Cas let out a breath. He nodded and reached for the horrid loaves. He wasn’t disappointed. Graal was eating his cookies. And he had enjoyed them yesterday. Still, the orc needed sustenance. And apparently, he needed the sustenance to be the worst bread they made.

“Unless…” Graal trailed off.

Cas’s hand froze. He raised his eyebrows. “Unless?”

Graal licked his lips. “Maybe different loaves. They need to be filling. But if you think something else might be—” He paused, gesturing with his hand. “—nicer.” The last word came out uncertain.