My Orc (Secret) Boss (Eastshore Isle #7)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Maya

There is a knowing.

Maybe it was because I lived on Eastshore and had seen so many women find love with orcs. Maybe it was because I’d paid so much attention to Memnon’s stories of his home, or because I did trust him, in spite of current events. Maybe it was my tati , tapping me on the shoulder and telling me I needed to believe in things I couldn’t see.

Whatever it was, the moment my palm pressed to Memnon’s chest, I felt myself relax.

There is a knowing , and I knew he was still my Mate.

“Maya, this is the truth,” he murmured. “This bond between us, the Mating Bond, it’s real and true and no matter how much of a complete asshole I’ve been, please believe in this.”

For months, I’d only known Memnon as my scowly, grumpy upstairs neighbor. In the last two weeks, though, he’d shown me that he could smile—occasionally—and I’d learn to read his moods and expressions.

Now, in his eyes—dark once more, with only that fleck of green—I saw only sincerity. His expression, his body language, his entire being was begging me not to give up on this.

On us .

I exhaled.

“I do,” I whispered the truth, curling my fingers around his t-shirt. “I do.”

My assertion seemed to help. He inhaled, as if he’d been holding his breath. “Thank fuck,” he murmured, and my lips twitched.

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” I asked, trying not to sound whiny. But dammit, I was whiny!

He winced as he glanced away, and I realized I’d seen more expressions on his face in the last twenty-four hours than I had ever seen.

“I should have, Blossom. I’m sorry I didn’t. At first…” He shook his head and met my eyes once more. “When Sakkara told me about you getting the landscaping gig and how much you needed someone to help, I just…” He shrugged. “I didn’t realize it then, but I couldn’t stand the thought of someone else being the one to help you if I could do it. I needed to be the one, Maya.”

His free hand rose slowly to settle on my hip, as if he were hesitating to give me time to pull away. “But I didn’t think I was doing anything more than digging some holes and hopefully giving my leg a workout. I didn’t need your money, so I didn’t pay attention to the paychecks or the rent. I thought…” He blew out a breath and dropped his chin. “I guess I thought I was helping you.”

“And all the time we’ve been working together?” I asked gently. “When I was so worried about becoming intimate with you— moving in with you—because I was supposedly your boss?”

One corner of his lips twitched almost ruefully as he lifted his gaze and shrugged. “You were so into being my boss and so worked up about the propriety of it.” His fingers tightened on my hip, as if he wanted to shift me closer but didn’t know if I was ready. “I was afraid, I guess.”

I stepped forward on my own. “Afraid of what, Memnon?”

Beneath my palm, his heart beat strongly. “I was afraid that if you knew the truth, about me owning the building and whatnot, you’d think I was taking advantage of you . I wasn’t, Maya,” he tacked on, shaking his head quickly. “I—I hadn’t accepted what we had between us, not until the night of the auction, and by then…”

My cheeks heated, remembering that evening right here in the park before we’d started our renovations. Something had changed during the auction, something I hadn’t understood at the time.

He’d carried me out to claim me behind the dunes, his actions savage and beautiful and primal. That was the night I realized I loved him. And…

“That was when you realized we were Mates?” I breathed, understanding.

Memnon nodded. “After that, all that mattered was you , Maya. Making you happy, pleasing you. Whether that meant at work or at home or…”

He trailed off, and for the first time, I swear I saw his cheeks darken.

Oh my . Was he embarrassed? Was my big, strong Mate embarrassed ? “Or in bed?” I teased.

“I pleased you,” he grunted, looking away.

“You did.” My smile was a little impish as I moved closer. “And I understand. Last week…I knew there was something going on with you, but I didn’t know what.”

“It was the Mating Heat,” he admitted with a sigh. “I’ve seen it happen. I just never thought it would happen to me. I was desperate to claim you completely, to start building our forever, but I didn’t want to do it while I was lying to you. But then…” He shook his head, something like disgust flickering across his expression. “I think I convinced myself that since we were Mates, as long as I could make you understand what that meant, everything would be okay.”

I remembered the things he did to me yesterday beside the creek, and the way he made me scream his name last night. The way he’d focused on my pleasure again and again in the last week, as if determined to break some kind of record.

Just the memory of it made liquid heat pool between my thighs, and from the way his nostrils flared and that spark of green lit in his eyes, I knew he knew it too.

So I took a deep breath. “I forgive you. Biology makes us do weird things sometimes.”

“Oh, fuck, Blossom, you have no idea,” he groaned in what sounded like relief, crushing me to him. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled into my hair. “I can’t promise I won’t screw up again, but I promise to talk it through with you when I do.”

“Deal.” I wrapped my arms around his middle, loving how perfectly we fit together. “Because that’s what Mates do.”

He groaned again, only this time it sounded like it was pleasure. “Gods below, I love you, Maya.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d said those words, but my breath caught at how casually he’d uttered them now.

Mate. Mine. Beloved. Blossom. Dkaar. Forever.

Everything he had said to me in the last days? They meant the same thing. I love you .

So I smiled against him. “I love you too, Memnon. Mate.”

He shuddered, and I squeezed him tightly, letting the joy flow from me into him.

Pushing up on the toes of my work boots, I lifted my lips to his. Memnon was smiling as he bent, prepared to kiss me?—

“Well, hello there, Maya,” a voice purred from behind me.

Memnon’s expression immediately clouded—and by clouded I mean turned into a thunderstorm —as I tried to turn toward the newcomer. And I say tried because Memnon’s hold on me tightened possessively.

“Go away, Geoffrey,” he snarled.

Ah. Geoffrey the Asshole?

But I was too buoyant, too full of joy, to let anything dampen my day. Yes, Memnon had screwed up, but he’d talked me through his choices, which made sense, and he apologized. It was comforting to know he was as fallible as me.

Finally, I managed to pull from his hold and turn to offer Geoffrey a false smile. “Hello, Mr. Harrison. We’re having a private conversation?—”

“Don’t be silly.” He oozed even closer, projecting the same confidence of a used car salesman in a ‘90s movie. “I know this monster bought you at the auction, but I decided that was merely because you didn’t have a chance to?—”

“Memnon didn’t buy me,” I blurted, finally able to form indignant words at his horrible claim. “My landscaping services were up for auction, and he’s going to use them to make Eastshore better!”

Geoffrey waggled his brows. “I could use some of your services , if you know what I mean…”

Behind me, Memnon’s warning growl made me consider stepping aside and allowing him to tear the asshole limb from limb.

But I didn’t, because think of the paperwork !

“Come on, Maya.” Geoffrey reached for my hand. “All jokes aside, I’m very wealthy. Did you know? I can show you a good time.” His thumb was making little circles on the back of my hand as he gave me what he probably thought was a winning smile. “How about I take you out to a nice dinner, and then show you the hot tub on my balcony? It looks out over the beach.”

It was ridiculous . I mean, the balls on this guy, am I right?

I should be disgusted, but with Memnon’s rumble at my back, I was more…I dunno, amused ? Like, look at poor little Geoffrey, trying to compete with the beautiful, thoughtful hunk of orc I had already.

So my tone likely betrayed my laughter as I pulled my hand from his. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Geoffrey.”

“Why not?” He winked. “I’m single.”

Why not ? How about because my Mate is ready to tear your arms off ?

Instead, I smiled sweetly and backed up to press against Memnon. “I’m not.”

Geoffrey, who was apparently as thick as a pile of bricks, waved dismissively. “Your boyfriend won’t mind if I borrow you?—”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” I interrupted, trying to dampen the anger I could feel rolling off Memnon. “He’s my?—”

“Mate,” Memnon finished in a snarl. “Her possessive, strong, and above all, pissed off Mate.”

To give him credit, Geoffrey finally seemed to catch on to the dynamic here. Or maybe he was remembering the way he already got one ass-kicking from an orc? Eyes wide, he backed up a step, then another.

I exhaled in relief and began to turn, hoping to share some calm with Memnon—and wondering if we could get back to that kiss Geoffrey had interrupted.

However , the universe had other plans.

“Memnon! Yoohoo, Memnon!”

Who the hells said yoohoo ? I saw my Mate freeze, then roll his eyes in exasperation, before I peeked around him to see Kelly Willis—the gym teacher who had been harassing him about working out with her for a week—hurrying toward us, waving enthusiastically.

Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a perky ponytail, she was wearing tight blue leggings that did wonders for her butt, and a t-shirt that hugged her curves and showed the lines of her bra.

She was likely any male’s sexy dream, and she was bouncing bouncily—did I mention her boobs were bigger than mine? Much bigger—toward my male.

I raised a brow and shifted to stand at Memnon’s side, one brow raised.

Kelly, of course, ignored me.

“Memnon, I’m so sorry I’m late,” she huffed, placing her hand on his forearm. “I told you I’d be right over, but Rissa at the front desk had some sort of news about more orcs or something, and I swear, it took me for-ever to get away and then I thought it would be a nice little jog here to the park, but did you know they’re doing road work on Blue Crab Way?” She sucked in a big breath. “Anyhow, here I am, and I’m glad I caught you.” Playfully, she smacked his arm. “Silly boy, you haven’t been responding to any of my texts.”

Memnon, who very carefully wasn’t looking at Kelly, deadpanned, “I wonder why.”

“Well, as you know, I’m yours for the foreseeable future,” the fitness coach blithely informed him. “Your brother thought it very important I work all of your muscles.” She squeezed his forearm. “And I know I’m just the woman to help you.”

Memnon turned to me and lifted a brow. On him, it was an expression screaming incredulity, but I doubted Kelly picked up on it.

Taking pity on him, I sighed and pressed closer. “Look, Kelly, we were in the middle of something?—”

“Something I thought important at the time,” purred Geoffrey, moving up beside us as he eyed Kelly speculatively, “but which is becoming increasingly less important.”

Unfortunately, Kelly remained focused on Memnon, draping herself against his side. “So what do you say, honey? Should we start our workouts right here and now? I’m pretty sure I could make you sweat…”

When she broke off with a giggle, Memnon rolled his eyes again. Before I could decide how to peel this bitch off my Mate, he took matters into his own hands.

Literally.

Memnon clamped his hands around Kelly’s waist and lifted. “Have you met Geoffrey Harrison?” he asked, thrusting her into Geoffrey’s arms. “He’s rich, and single, and apparently in desperate need of some fitness training.”

Kelly, who’d opened her mouth to protest the manhandling, I was sure, now snapped it closed and hummed thoughtfully, her hands pressed to Geoffrey’s chest. His arms had immediately circled her, the expression on his face revealing he thought he’d won the lottery.

“Hello.” He winked at her. “You’re Kelly, the sexy coach?”

“Hello there,” Kelly murmured throatily, already petting his chest and shoulders. “ How rich?”

I stifled my laugh as a thick green arm wrapped around my middle, picking me up and carrying me backward, away from the happy new couple.

I watched Kelly flirting with Geoffrey and nodded in satisfaction. I was ready to go back to flirting with my male.

Luckily, we didn’t go too far before he set me down with a little huff and spun me around to face him. I grinned up at him.

“What are you thinking about?” His tone was still suspicious.

Stifling my giggle, I wrapped my arms around his middle. “I was just thinking that we should be rewarded for doing our good deed for the day.”

“For the day?” He snorted, pulling me against him and settling me in his hold. “More like for the year. ‘S a good deed for the whole damn island , hooking those two up.”

“You might be right,” I murmured, pressing myself up on my toes. “So, how about that reward?”

I saw his lips twitch as he lowered his mouth to mine…

His phone rang when our lips were a whisper apart.

“ Fuuuuuck ,” he groaned, dropping his head.

Giggling, I squirmed in his hold. “Memnon, your pants are ringing.”

Cursing under his breath, he untangled himself and reached for his back pocket. “Simbel,” he growled when he saw the caller’s name. He punched the green answer button and barked, “ What?” into the phone.

His brother must’ve launched into a monologue, but Memnon shook his head, his expression suddenly serious.

“What? Whoa, slow down.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and hit the speaker button. “Okay, what’s going on?”

“Did Sakkara call you?” Simbel panted, as if he were running. “Did he tell you what he did?”

His panic was beginning to affect me, and I clamped down on Memnon’s forearm, unconsciously leaning toward the phone, as if that would help.

My Mate glanced at me. “No,” he told his brother. “We haven’t heard anything. What’s going on?” he snapped.

“They’re here,” his brother wheezed. “He didn’t tell any of us he was looking for them, but he got them here. I’m on my way to his place now.”

“Who did what? Sakkara?” Memnon exchanged a worried look with me. “Who is at his place?”

“ More orcs , Memnon,” blurted his brother. “Pay attention, for crying out loud!”

I saw my Mate’s eyes widen, his lips form the words more orcs , but no sound emerged.

Leaning closer to the phone, I all but yelled, “Simbel, it’s Maya. What do you mean, more orcs ? Who are they?”

There was the sound of heavy breathing on the other end, and then—strangely—Simbel began to laugh. I glanced up at Memnon, worried, as his brother continued to laugh.

“Simbel!” snapped Memnon. “Who are they?”

“Our brothers!” laughed Simbel joyfully. “Sakkara found them! They’re here on Eastshore!”