Page 15 of Charmed By the Orc
“Game?” the thick, black eyebrows above the sheriff’s crystal blue eyes rose toward his hairline.
“Perhaps, we’d better explain inside, Sheriff,” I offered, not wanting to rehash Sammy’s story outside for all the village to hear.
The sheriff nodded and led us through the heavy exterior door, down a hallway, and through another door to his office.We spent the next half hour recounting Sammy’s arrival, the meeting with the council, and the real poacher who had threatened the alicorn.
“Inara is currently being protected in the grazing fields, but we have to get back to her soon.” I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned forward in the chair. It had already been a long day, and not the manner in which I wanted to show Sammy the village.
“Of course,” the sheriff replied neutrally. He’d made copious notes on a pad of paper as Sammy and I spoke. Yet, he remained frustratingly absent of opinion about it all. “Did you get a look at the trespasser?”
“No. He seemed on the small side, but popped through the veil before I could get a good look.” I ground my back teeth together.
“And you?” he turned his sights on Sammy.
She shook her head, and I had to fight the instinct to block her from his penetrating stare. After another agonizing moment, he sighed. “Well, all right then, Guruk, Samantha,” he inclined his head at us, “thank you for coming in today. I’ll be overseeing the case from here on in, and my deputy will not be bothering you anymore.”
Said deputy grumbled in the corner where he’d spent the majority of the meeting stewing in silence.
“Will he?” Sheriff Rokhan didn’t bother glancing over his shoulder. His presence was enough to force a “No, Sir,” from his deputy.
“Thank you, Sheriff,” I rose, inclining my head at the gargoyle. While I didn’t relish the minor interrogation, I respected that the male had a job to do.
“We appreciate your help.” Sammy half-grinned at the sheriff and tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear.
Crystal blue eyes tracked the movement and his answering smile turned my heated blood to ice. I’d never been the jealous type, but even this innocent interaction had me wanting to challenge the sheriff to combat.
“Let’s go, Sammy,” I said on the harsher side.
She shot me a glare, then spun around and out of the office, knocking the chair as she went.
The damnable sheriff had the gall to laugh. “Looks like you might have your hands full, Guruk.”
I hissed through my teeth, showing him my tusks. He only laughed harder. “Damn gargoyle,” I muttered as I followed my little human down the hall and busted free of the station.
Sammy rounded on me the second I landed on the main path. “What was that about?” Her adorable brown brows were drawn toward her nose, and her pursed lips was downright sexy. I had no right to find her so attractive when she was obviously mad, but damn, she was hot when she was angry.
I cleared my throat to hide my amusement. Aiming for proper chagrin, I hung my head. “I apologize.”
“Don’t give me that.” She swatted my arm, her forehead wrinkling. “I can tell you’re not sorry at all.”
“You’re right,” I picked her up and spun her around, “I’m not.”
Sammy squealed, unable to stay mad at me for too long as we circled around and around. “Put me down,” she said breathlessly laughing. “Down, Guruk.”
I placed her on her feet, holding her steady while she regained her balance.
“That was underhanded, Mr. Orc.” She reached up and tweaked the bulbous part of my nose. “You aren’t getting out of this scot-free.”
“I don’t know who Scot is or why I need him to set me free, but if it means being away from you, then I want no part of it.” I claimed her hand, and she didn’t pull away, as we headed toward the village’s perimeter to find Inara.
“Very underhanded,” she mumbled.
9
Sammy
The sneaky orchad no right being so charming when I wanted to punch him. He’d totally pulled a possessive alphahole move on me, when the sheriff was just doing his job. But…
My panties were soaked.Damn it.