Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Zana

I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, watching the ice cubes clink against each other. The whiskey burns my throat, but it's not enough to distract me from thoughts of X. His green, muscular frame and that rare, gentle smile keep flashing through my mind.

"Earth to Zana," Caro says, waving her hand in front of my face. "Where'd you go just now?"

I blink, forcing myself back to the dimly lit hotel bar. "Sorry, I was just... thinking."

Caro raises an eyebrow. "About that tall drink of water you turned down earlier?"

"He's more like a tall glass of green tea," I quip, trying to deflect.

"Mhm," Caro hums knowingly. She drains her glass and sets it down with a sigh. "Well, as much as I'd love to stay and pry all the juicy details out of you, I think it's time for this old lady to call it a night."

I snort. "Old lady? Please. You're not even forty yet."

"Tell that to my lower back," Caro groans, stretching. "And my kids. I swear, they age me a year every month."

We share a laugh, but my mind drifts back to X. Would his hands be rough or smooth? Would his tusks get in the way if we...

"Okay, now I know you're not listening," Caro's voice cuts through my fantasy. "Spill it, Estrada. What's got you so distracted?"

I feel heat creep up my neck. "It's nothing. I'm just... processing some data."

"Uh-huh. And does this ‘data' happen to be about six-foot-nine and green all over?"

I groan, burying my face in my hands. "Is it that obvious?"

Caro pats my arm sympathetically. "Only to someone who's known you for years. Don't worry, your poker face is still intact for everyone else."

"Great," I mutter. "Just what I need. Another reason to be anxious around people."

"Hey," Caro says softly, "it's okay to lust after big, grumpy orcs."

I peek out from between my fingers. "Even if they're not only your co-worker, but a senior somebody overseeing our department?"

"Bah! He's no co-worker, at least not for real. Besides, you're more of a freelancer anyway. Contracted work. Totally not even your boss. If anything, I'm your boss, and look at us," she says, waving her hand between us, "we're not sleeping together."

I laugh at Caro's random jokes. I know she's just trying to make me feel better. "Great. Not only am I opening myself up for rejection, but risking my really good job, too."

Caro stands, gathering her purse. "What if you're not? I know for a fact the Otherkin have let's say different Sometimes, Zana, you've got to take a chance. Who knows? Maybe Mr. Tall, Green, and Handsome is sitting in his room right now, thinking about you too."

The thought sends a shiver down my spine. "Maybe," I concede, standing up as well. "Thanks, Caro. For the drink and the pep talk."

"Anytime, kid," she says with a wink. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with some fuzzy slippers and a face mask."

As we head towards the elevators, I can't help but wonder if X really is thinking about me too. And if he is, what exactly is he thinking?

We meander back to the hotel, my mind a whirlwind of green-tinged daydreams. After making sure Caro's safely tucked away in her room, I trudge to mine, feeling suddenly drained. The click of the door locking behind me is oddly final.

What I wouldn't give for a nightcap right about now. My gaze lands on the room service menu, and I snatch it up like a lifeline. Perfect.

I dial the number, trying not to sound too desperate as I order. "Hi, uh, could I get a gin and tonic sent up? Oh, and some of those little cheese puffs? Thanks."

While I wait, I putter around, half-heartedly getting ready for bed. I'm mid-toothbrush when a knock sounds at the door.

"Coming!" I call, spitting and rinsing hastily.

I swing the door open, and my jaw drops. There, filling the entire doorframe, is X. He's got a drink tray in one massive hand and is maneuvering a food cart with the other.

"Room service," he says, his deep voice tinged with amusement.

I blink rapidly, certain I must be hallucinating. "X? What are you—how did you?—"

He arches an eyebrow. "I was still helping my team break down the ballroom and get some meeting rooms set up when I saw you and Caro head upstairs. I stook a chance that you could use a night cap for your night cap. Thought I'd deliver it personally."

My heart's beating straight out of my chest. "That's... surprisingly thoughtful of you."

"Don't sound so shocked," he rumbles, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I can be nice. Sometimes."

I step back, gesturing for him to enter. "Well, don't just stand there, Mr. Room Service. Let's see what you got."

As X wheels the cart in, I can't help but wonder if Caro was right. Maybe he has been thinking about me too.

As X sets the cart down, I suddenly remember I'm wearing my favorite pink pajama set—the one with little cartoon sloths all over it. Great. Real sexy, Zana.

"Nice jammies," X comments, his eyes twinkling.

I lift my chin defiantly. "Hey, sloths are cool. They've got life figured out."

He chuckles, a low rumble that does funny things to my insides. "Can't argue with that."

We sit at the small table, and I try not to fidget as X pours our drinks. The silence stretches, thick and awkward.

"So," I say, desperately grasping for a topic. "Come here often?"

X snorts. "Smooth, Zana."

"Hey, I'm trying here!" I protest, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You're the one who showed up unannounced. With...an entire buffet, apparently."

He shrugs those massive shoulders. "Figured you might be hungry."

Before I can respond, another knock echoes through the room. I jump, nearly spilling my drink.

"Uh, that's probably the room service I actually ordered," I explain, standing up. "Just the gin and tonic I pathetically ordered before you showed up with your mobile snack bar."

When I settle the room service, and X tipping, I add the sad little combination to the table.

X's brow furrows. "You expecting anyone else tonight?"

"No. I have ‘Do not distrub' firmly in place."

Something in X's expression shifts, his green eyes suddenly intense. "Good," he growls.

And then, before I can process what's happening, he closes the distance between us in one long stride. His hand cups my face, and then he's kissing me, his lips surprisingly soft against mine.

My brain short-circuits for a moment, but then instinct takes over. I kiss him back with everything I've got, wrapping my arms around his neck. A small part of me wonders if I should be embarrassed about my pink pajamas, but X doesn't seem to mind at all.

Somehow, I end up perched on the edge of the table, my legs wrapping around his waist. The friction sends a jolt through me, and I can't help but gasp against his mouth. X's hands settle on my hips, pulling me closer.

"Is this okay?" he murmurs, his voice rougher than usual.

I nod enthusiastically. "More than okay. It's…great."

X chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest. "From you, that's high praise."

"Hey, you try forming coherent sentences when there's a hot orc kissing you senseless," I retort, but there's no real heat in my words.

"Hot, eh? Of the two of us, I'd wager you're the one who's hot." His hands slide up my sides, and I shiver. X's face dips lower, nuzzling into the curve of my neck before trailing kisses down to my collarbone. I tilt my head back, giving him better access.

"You smell amazing," he murmurs against my skin.

I laugh breathlessly. "It's probably just the hotel shampoo."

X shakes his head, his tusks grazing my skin lightly. "No, it's you. All you."

His large hand cups my breast through the thin fabric of my pajama top, and I arch into his touch. X's other hand slides down my thigh, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin.

"Is this alright?" he asks, his voice low and husky.

I nod fervently, my breath coming in short gasps. "Yes, please... more," I manage to say, my voice a mix of desperation and desire.

X's fingers trail higher, ghosting over the fabric of my panties. The teasing touch sends sparks through my body, and I squirm against him, seeking more friction.

"X," I whimper, my hands clutching at his broad shoulders. "Please..."

He chuckles, a low rumble that I feel more than hear. "Patience, Zana," he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear.

His thumb brushes over my center, applying just enough pressure to make me moan. I'm acutely aware of how thin the fabric of my pajamas is, how it does nothing to hide my body's reaction to his touch.

"You're killing me here," I groan, my hips moving of their own accord.

X's grin is both tender and wicked. "I thought you data scientists were all about delayed gratification."

I let out a breathless laugh. "That's for algorithms, not... oh!"

My words cut off as his fingers finally slip beneath the waistband of my panties. X's thumb finds my clit, circling it with maddening slowness. My back arches, a gasp escaping my lips as pleasure courses through me.

"Is this what you wanted?" X asks, his voice rough with desire.

All I can do is nod, lost in the sensation of his touch.