SNEAK PEEK

From My Orc (Fake) Boyfriend; ready to find out how Meli and Cairo end up fake-dating?

"Mom…" I groaned, not even sure where to begin.

"Sorry," my sister offered with a wince. "But Simon is cute, and since you're not dating anyone—"

The answer came to me in a flash. "I am!" I blurted. At their questioning looks, I elaborated. "Seeing someone, I mean. Here on the island. Uh…It's new."

Mom frowned. "You haven't mentioned him before."

Behind my back, I crossed my fingers and prayed for inspiration. "It's...I mean, we've kinda liked each other from afar, that sort of thing." I was rambling now, rolling with the lies as they came. "Very romantic, Jess says. We were pining."

"And now you're not?" Mom pressed doubtfully.

"Nope. Definitely not pining. Very much enjoying our lives. Dating. Each other. Because that's what we're doing."

"Dating," Harper repeated, very clearly not smirking as she licked the last of the crumbs from her fork. "This gentleman."

"Right." I nodded too enthusiastically, desperate to keep them going. Please please believe me. "I'm really sorry. Simon sounds great, podiatry, and—and cuteness and everything. I just…I can't see him."

"Because you're dating someone else," Harper said with a too-serious nod.

At this point, I don't think I cared if she believed me or not; it was Mom who needed to. I needed Mom to quit bugging me about Simon, because no matter how "cute" a skinny little dude like him could be, I wasn't going to give up Eastshore and my dreams to move to Fredericksburg to be a podiatrist's wife, Mother.

So I smiled regretfully at her, and hoped the universe would help me out. "Sorry," I managed again.

Mom's pursed lips told me she didn't believe me. Dammit.

"And you've never mentioned this man? What's his name? What does he do?"

"Ahhh…" Stalling, I hurried around the counter and began to bustle about, taking care of my usual end-of-the-day chores. Closing the blinds, sweeping up the crumbs, that sort of thing. "Well, I've been so busy these days you know I haven't called as often as I should…"

"I know," Mom said icily, and I winced.

"Like I said, it was more of a from-afar thing," I hedged. "I had a long-time crush, and it's not like I mention all of my crushes to you over the phone, Mom."

"And you just recently started dating?"

"Sorecently." My smile was likely sickly. "Haven't had time to tell you about him."

Or make up a name.

"Well, I for one can't wait to meet this mystery man," Harper spoke up cheerfully, clearly enjoying my misery. "Glad we came early!"

"Yes," Mom drawled. "What is his name, Melinda?"

I swallowed.

And at that moment, the universe answered my prayer.

The bell above the door jingled, and my orc—I mean, Cairo stepped in. He froze when he saw Mom and Harper standing there, gaping at him, then his dark eyes flashed to me.

"Cairo!" I burbled, relieved. Beyond relieved. "You're just in time."

Unthinking, I latched onto his arm, intending to pull him toward the half-dozen caramel cupcakes I'd set aside for him, but it was impossible. For one thing, he was built like a house: large, sturdy, and so much stronger than me.

And for another…

The moment I touched him, a zing went up my arm and landed in my chest, causing me to suck in a breath I swear I heard him echo. When I glanced up at him, he was scowling down at me.

But this scowl felt confused instead of angry.

"Your—your cupcakes," I managed. Then I swallowed. "They're right over here. Honey."

The honey was what made his dark eyes widen and forced a little "Oh for heaven's sake" from my mother. When I turned back to them, Mom was still looking shocked, but Harper was smiling approvingly.

"Mom, Harper, this is Cairo." I peered up at him. "Cairo, this is my mother and my older sister. They're here early and surprised me." I was mugging extra hard, hoping he'd pick up on my desperation and help me out. "I was just telling them about you."

"About me?" he growled.

"About him?" Mom blurted. "Darling, this is your new boyfriend?"

Above me, Cairo made a noise which was probably incredulity at my audacity, and I hated to think of his expression.

But I couldn't afford to back down, not with Skinny Simon and his podiatry office on the line. So I forced a big smile and bustled over to the counter, talking a mile a minute.

"Yep, my boyfriend. Definitely! Cairo has lived on Eastshore for ages, and I've known him for a long time. Jess's married to his cousin—

"Third cousin," he muttered fiercely behind me.

I pretended I hadn't heard him as I smiled brightly at Mom. "Cairo's the absolute best mechanic on the island—"

"I'm the only mechanic," came his rumble.

"And he has his own shop," I finished smoothly, spinning back to land at his side, noting the undershirt he wore with a splatter of something oily on it. "Here you go, honey. What'd you think of the strawberry ones from last week?"

My eyes darted between his, hating the confusion and uncertainty he was masking with grumpy irritation. I begged him with my gaze to go along with this, to understand how much I needed him right now.

Finally he blew out a little harumph. "They were your best yet," he admitted.

And I couldn't help it; I lit up. I knew I lit up, because his eyes widened in surprise and his gaze dropped to my wide smile.

"Thank you!" Forgetting my mom was in the room, I admitted, "I created the recipe just for you."

His gaze was still on my lips, and while I watched, the tip of his tongue darted out to brush against one of his tusks. I'm not certain if the gesture meant anything, or if it was unconscious, but it sent a surge of heat through me, settling deep in my lady bits. I sucked in a gasp and pressed my thighs together.

His nostrils flared, and his gaze darted back up to mine.

"Sorry, Mom," came Harper's voice from behind me. "I don't think Simon's in the running at all."

I didn't hear my mother's response, because I was too busy trying to remember how to breathe.

My entire world had narrowed to the box of cupcakes in my hand and the giant, gorgeous orc standing in front of me. It should be impossible, but I swore I could smell him. Not just grease and soap, but…something else. My lips parted as I stared up at him.

And then Cairo was lifting his arm, and I'm pretty certain my heart stopped beating.

His big hand cupped the back of my head, nails—claws?—digging into my bun and making me shiver with anticipation when they scraped lightly against my scalp. He pulled my face toward his, lowering his lips…

Oh my gawd, oh my gawd.

He kissed me.

The kiss goes on for another few pages, but I'm going to cut it off here, because whew! I don't want to give too much away! Check out My Orc (Fake) Boyfriend for the rest of Meli and Cairo's story! It's so, so good, and you're going to have loads of fun!