Well, good luck with that, sunshine, I think to myself. I can’t work myself out, so how she would, I have no idea. A huge orc sheriff, who prefers to spend his days working on mathematical equations and baking cookies than breaking up brawls. Yeah, I’m an anomaly. But I’m also trying to stop humans from destroying the Labyrinth and all the monsters in it—you know, aminortask. Frankly, baking takes my mind off the stress.
Of course, this is not the moment to explain all that to her. And yet… I don’t know why, but I want Clem to see me in a good light. Not just as some ugly orc with huge tusks who might take a bite out of her. It’s almost laughable, because orcs don’t bite. We gore occasionally, when we’re cornered or defending our own. But that’s very rare. We’re not a warrior species, especially not compared to some of the other monsters in the Labyrinth. Sure, we’ll defend to the death. But we rarely ever start a fight.
Clem grabs a cookie. Jax grabs two.
Her eyes widen as she takes a nibble. “Y-you baked these?”
“Yes. Be careful when you BITE into them.” The dig is out of my mouth before I can stop myself.
Her lips quirk, and it really is a sight for sore eyes.
“I guess I deserved that.” She’s fully smiling now, two dimples appearing on either side of her mouth. “While you were gone, Jax filled me in on how much you do around here.” She stops, takes a bigger bite of the cookie and closes her eyes.
“Mmmmmmmmm…” She lets out a long moan and her eyelids flutter. “Oh my, this is the best cookie I’ve ever tasted.”
I let out an embarrassed grunt. “My mom’s old recipe. Easy as.”
“It's so… so… melt in the mouth.” She lets out another soft moan, and the sound rumbles unnervingly to my nether regions.
Jax is also tucking in now, stuffing a cookie into his mouth. I take my cup of tea off the tray and lean my backside on my desk. I don’t indulge in a cookie, I’m trying to avoid the extra pounds around the midriff we orcs are prone to.
Jax mumbles through a mouthful of cookie, “I’ve explained to Clem about helping you get your workload under control.”
“Are you okay with that?” I raise a brow in her direction.
“Apart from the fact I knew nothing about this job ten minutes ago, and I’ve only got a bikini to wear—sure, I’m fine with that. Got to be better than being tracked by the Sparkleauthorities, I guess.” She turns to Jax. “Are you going to tell me what was going on back there?”
“You are being monitored as a person of interest because you’re Sammy’s friend,” Jax tells her. “That guy is a spy for the authorities. He’s been sniffing around the Periphery, so I planted a bug on his jacket and we’ve been tracking his movements. When he followed you to your vacation spot, I thought it best to get you out of Sparkle fast. Plus, our good sheriff here needs some assistance, and I know you’re a whiz with organizing things.”
Her lip curls. “Wow, did you just pay me a compliment?”
“Yeah, I think I did. That felt weird.” Jax smirks.
“Smart-ass. You could get me some clothes, at least.”
“You can talk to Sammy about that.”
Her face brightens. “When can I see her?”
Jax grins. “Shortly. She’s got some cool news to share with you.”
“Are she and Arlo getting married?” Clem asks excitedly.
Jax grins. “My lips are sealed.”
I suppress a smile. I know what he’s talking about, but it’s not my place to say anything.
Jax gets up and ambles over to the door. “I’ll go and fetch Sammy. Meanwhile, can you find my sis a room in this rabbit warren, Sheriff?”
My jaw slackens, and Clem squeaks, “I’m stayinghere?”
“The sheriff’s house will be the safest place. And Otis has loads of spare rooms.” Jax’s brows raise in my direction. “Don’t you, Otis?”
I feel heat swirling through my body. The thought of this cute human in the spare room opposite mine, having to share the bathroom, bumping into her all sleepy-eyed every morning, is disconcerting. Especially considering the way my cock has been reacting to her presence.
Heck, there’s no choice really. She could stay at Arlo and Sammy’s house, I suppose, but they’re pretty much the loved-up couple. Besides they may have to move to a lower level if things get worse suddenly.
And Jax is right, this is a safe house. Any human spy would think twice about coming here. The sheriff’s house is the best place for an escaped human.
