My Orc Santa Claus (Eastshore Isle #5)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Sakkara

It was surprisingly difficult to focus on the data in front of me, but that seemed to be par for the course—a human expression I’d learned to use quickly after assimilation—for today. I frowned and focused on the pencil eraser tapping against the fourth line of the spreadsheet.

Estelle preferred to print things off and talk about them in person, bless her heart—another humanism—but it certainly would be easier if I could enlarge things.

“So I think it’s reasonable to assume this site would be the most successful. What’s wrong?”

I glanced up and forced my expression to ease. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m pleased to see the plan is viable.”

She was studying me as if I’d personally offended her. “Did you leave your reading glasses at home? You did, didn’t you?”

Sighing, I reached up to pinch the bridge of my nose, careful to keep my claws retracted. Poke yourself in the eye more than once and you learn your lesson. You know the old human expression: Poke me in the eye with a sharp claw once, shame on you. Poke me in the eye twice , shame on me.

Wait, what was the point?

Did I mention I was distracted? I was distracted.

Last night had been…

Distracting didn’t begin to cover it.

The way it had felt to finally allow myself to open up, to let go with Turquoise… damn . I wanted to do it again, and soon. Her responses to me, even though we were merely talking, had sent my Kteer spiraling into madness.

It was a good thing she’d never told me her name or where she lived, because the way my Kteer —that inner, primitive force that drove me—responded to her, I couldn’t trust myself not to show up at her door.

Thank the gods, because you are not the sort of male who can just abandon everything and go to a female. You have responsibilities, you have Emmy. When you accepted her into your life and your heart, you gave up the chance to gallivant across the world looking for your Mate. Emmy comes first, and—

Wait.

Mate ?

Turquoise was just a female on an app. Not even a dating app; MonsterSmash had been created to connect monster-lovers with monsters…or males who imitated monsters in a sort of strange role-play. In the years since Emmy came into my life, it had been the only safe way to live out my own fantasies, since I couldn’t abandon her.

But Turquoise had not been the first user I’d requested to speak with directly, but last night had been by far my best experience on the app.

“Honey, you have got to remember to bring your glasses with you!” Estelle burst out, leaning to one side to reach into a drawer in her desk. “Here, use my backup pair.”

I didn’t say anything as I slid the too-small reading glasses over my nose, allowing her to think that was the cause of my distraction. In reality, I had my readers in the breast pocket of my shirt, under my jacket, but this was a convenient excuse.

Leaning over the spreadsheet, I hummed appropriately. “Oh, yes, I see,” I murmured, as if that had been the issue and not the fact I was still half-distracted by the sound of my female’s orgasms. “And the estimates are reasonable. Within budget.”

It hadn’t been a question, but Estelle nodded happily, tapping the pencil against the printed form once more. “I think this proposal is a good one, Sakkara, and you ought to be proud of yourself. I’ll help you with any information you need for next month’s town council meeting, and if they agree, we can get started in the spring.”

Nodding, I sat back and pulled the glasses from my nose, carefully folding them. “Excellent. Thank you for pulling this budget data. I don’t mind handling the communication with the builders because I plan to ask for a few concessions.” Such as hiring locals. “And hopefully it’ll bring in some new faces.”

“Oh, it most definitely will.” Estelle shuffled the papers together, then began to paperclip them. “Are you thinking of anyone specific? The way you screwed your lips up on one side when you said that made it look that way.”

I had to chuckle ruefully because she’d caught me. “I had word two weeks ago that another pair of our cohort will be joining us on Eastshore. I went ahead and arranged housing for them, but you know how the twins are.”

Estelle snorted. “I have no idea who you’re talking about, but I’m glad more of your friends are arriving. I have to admit, when Jess pitched the idea to the council of inviting more orcs to Eastshore, I was skeptical. But y’all are a fine addition to the community, and I’m all for anything we can do to grow this place with more residents!”

She might not think that after she met the twins, but I didn’t say anything. They weren’t due to arrive until the end of the month, anyhow.

“Well, we’re glad to be helping to shape Eastshore’s future, and grateful for the friendships and community we’ve found here.” I was sincere; last month’s Kap’paral celebration proved that we could combine human and orcish culture here. “And soon, we’ll have even more neighbors.”

Estelle had stood to file the papers, but now propped her hip against the filing cabinet and nodded thoughtfully. “Eastshore needs more rental properties. We have plenty of houses, but for those who can’t afford or don’t want to own, we’re woefully short on rentals.”

“Condos, especially in different size configurations, should solve that. And if we limit the numbers that can be purchased as short-term vacation rentals—while still allowing some to be rented—it should even help mollify those on the council who want to boost Eastshore’s tourist industry.”

It was a fine line to toe. Many Eastshore residents disliked the idea of the island becoming a tourist destination, full of seasonal visitors who had no real claim to the area. They wanted to attract more residents, in order to make the community stronger.

This was in contrast to some of the business owners, who wanted to bring in as many tourists as possible, even if it meant that business would only thrive during the summer months. My opponent in the mayoral race had run on the plan to build large hotels for those tourists, but I suppose the desire to keep Eastshore Isle mainly to permanent residents won out.

Now we just needed to find a way to keep both sides happy, and I think we’d figured it out. A new set of condos—something the island didn’t have already—would mean rental properties for residents, and some short-term vacation rentals to take the strain off the bed and breakfasts.

Estelle crossed back to the desk and settled into her chair. “And using the parking lot at the old fish warehouse is a good location, especially if the council buys into your plans for another park down there. We could fancy it up a bit, but not till next year.”

Since that last was said in a warning tone, I placed her glasses on the desk and raised my brow, even while checking my watch. “Why is that?” My parent-teacher conference was today, but I still had three minutes until I had to leave for my meeting with Emmy’s teacher.

“Because that parking lot is where the Christmas parade floats gather, and they start from there. I guess you’ll get your eyeful, since you’ll be on the last float.”

Well that got my attention.

“What?” My head snapped up, and the town administrator blinked at me.

“The Christmas parade. You’ll be on the last one…right?”

I frowned in confusion. “I hadn’t realized I was involved in the Christmas parade.” My brother’s Mate Jess was the town’s Community Development Coordinator, and she was in charge of the festivities—she’d mentioned nothing, even though she knew how excited Emmy was about it. “Is that required?”

“Well…” Estelle shifted in her seat, suddenly not meeting my gaze. “No, I suppose not. Mr. Jankowski, the la st mayor, was always on the last float, so I suppose we just assumed you would be taking that role.”

I nodded curtly. “Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Eastshore needs me to do.” That was my job as mayor. To do whatever I could to help my people. It was what I’d done my entire life, but now I’d been elected by my new neighbors, and I wouldn’t let them down.

Estelle slowly exhaled in what looked like relief. Her job as the Town Administrator was basically to keep Eastshore running smoothly, and the pair of us would have to work closely in the coming years. I can imagine she was still getting used to having an orc in her office.

“Good,” she said, pleased. “I’ll tell Mrs. Oliveria you’ll be by sometime this week to get fitted for the suit. It’ll have to be let out a bit, but we have another two weeks before the parade for you—”

“The suit?” I interrupted, already glancing at my watch. If I didn’t leave now, I would be late, unless I jogged. “Can’t I just wear one of mine?” I had plenty. If it was one thing I liked, it was a well-tailored suit.

But Estelle chuckled. “Not unless yours is red and furry.”

Red and furry? I slowly straightened, the parent-teacher conference forgotten. “What are you talking about?”

“The Santa suit?” When it was clear I didn’t know what she was talking about, Estelle’s lips curled. “Santa always rides in the last float, Sakkara. You’ll wear the big suit, sit up there, wave, do the ho-ho-ho bit, and pass out candy to the kiddies.”

Santa.

She wanted me to play Santa?

“Santa… Claus ?” I clarified .

She was outright grinning now. “You do know who he is?”

“Of course,” I sniffed. “Emmy is a big fan.” We celebrated Christmas, along with the rest of our adopted country. “I just…don’t you think people will notice? I’m…” Seven feet tall. Lacking a beard. Proud of my abs, thank you very much . But all of that sounded prideful, so I finished weakly, “I’m green.”

The Town Administrator just chuckled and reached across the desk to scoop up her spare glasses. “No one thinks you’ll be the actual Santa, Sakkara. You’re just playing the part.” She froze. “Uh…unless you don’t want to? I’m sure I can find someone else—”

“No!” I didn’t mean it to come out so harsh, so I gentled my tone. “I’m happy to do it, if that’s what’s expected. I want to do good for Eastshore, and if that means looking silly while I throw candy canes, I can do that.” I stood and adjusted my cuffs. “I’ll go see Mrs. Oliveria tomorrow, so she’ll have plenty of time with the suit. I hope to be wearing it for several Christmases.”

Estelle knew about my meeting and waved me out. “I have no doubt. The people of Eastshore love you already. Go give that baby of yours a kiss for me!”

I lifted my fingers in a goodbye wave, already half out the door. Glancing at my watch once more, I picked up the pace. I could still make it to Eastshore Elementary School on time.

My dress shoes weren’t made for running, so I was a minute late gliding through the main doors, and I ran into Hannah, Tova’s mother, on her way out.

Shit, that meant Ms. Rios was waiting for me! I sped up, but Hannah stopped me with a wave. “Congratulations again, Mr. Mayor,” she said with a teasing wink. “Tova has been bragging to everyone that she’s best friends with the mayor’s daughter.”

Suddenly, all thoughts of playing Santa and the teacher’s reports and everything just sort of…escaped. Instead, my throat closed up at the thought of my adopted daughter having a best friend .

In the years she’d lived with me, we’d moved from place to place, trying to find a home, somewhere we would be accepted. She’d struggled in school, been bullied, been teased, come home crying more often than not.

And now we had Eastshore.

A place that had elected me mayor because I was the only one willing to stand up to my horrible opponent. A place where my brothers and I could exist in peace—they’d even found Mates! A place where Emmy was not only accepted but also loved.

My nod was a little jerky, and I cleared my throat. “Th-thank you. And again, I am sorry I wasn’t able to watch the girls today so you could attend. I feel as if I owe you many babysitting credits—”

The woman snorted and smacked my arm. “Don’t worry about it, Sakkara. You’re busy, and we’re both lucky to have such a great support network on this island. My kids are with my mom.”

“And Emmy is staying with one of my brothers,” I admitted. Luxor wasn’t the usual babysitter, but he’d offered to take Emmy to the animal shelter to play with the new puppies, and she’d been excited, so I’d agreed. “We are lucky.”

“See?” She waved goodbye. “I’m going to grab some takeout for dinner. See you later!”

I was in a thoughtful frame of mind as I strolled toward Emmy’s classroom.

And then I stepped through the door and forgot whatever insightful, important thoughts were going through my head.

Because of the ass.

There was an ass, which presumably belonged to a person, pointed right at me. I couldn’t seem to look away from the ass long enough to investigate the owner. It was round, covered in a tight skirt, and I had to curl my hands into a fist to keep from reaching for it.

Then the owner straightened, and I realized a few things:

She was across the room, contrary to what my tunnel vision had led me to believe, and I couldn’t reach her anyhow.

The rest of her was just as delicious as that ass, even from the back.

By all the gods of the ancestors, you idiot, this is a whole female with a mind and a personality, and you can’t just minimize her to that glorious ass.

Also, pretty sure she was Emmy’s teacher, Ms. Rios.

Gods, that ass.

I shifted to hide what I had to assume was some awkwardness happening in the front of my trousers. Frankly, after last night, I was impressed my cock was still strong enough to stir.

When I cleared my throat, the woman whirled, and I was struck speechless again.

Because if I’d thought her ass was beautiful, the rest was even more so. This female was curvy—very much so, in all the right places—with a beautiful smile and bright eyes which lit when they saw me.

I liked that very much.

She lifted one hand and tucked a teal strand of hair—it stood out from the rest of her brunette bob—behind an ear festooned with a delicate blue stone, then tottered toward me. I say tottered because of those strappy heels, and beneath her light blue blouse, her hips and thighs were tightly encased in a pencil skirt that made my Kteer think about skin and folds and—

Focus .

“Ms. Rios?” I managed.

“Mr. Smith!” She stopped in front of me, hand out, and I had no choice but to take it. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Trying to distract myself from the spark I’d felt shoot up my arm when I’d taken her hand, I cleared my throat again. “No, thank you. I’m sorry for my tardiness. And please, call me Sakkara. Smith is…just a legal formality.”

To my surprise, she nodded immediately, and I wondered how much she knew of the history of orcs in her world. Turning, she gestured me further into the room.

“I’m sorry the only seating I can arrange is here.” She pulled out one of the miniature chairs in front of the miniature desks. “I hope we can manage.”

In a sort of impressed daze, I watched her fold herself—that skirt was not made for athleticism—into one of the chairs. She crossed her ankles and shifted them to one side, but it was still comically awkward.

When she reached for a folder marked “Emmy” in curly handwriting and tipped her head back to peer up at me, it became apparent that she was waiting for me to join her.

I unbuttoned my suit jacket, pulled the chair out of the way and lowered myself cross-legged to the floor across from her, stretching my trousers in unexpected ways, so my chest was level with the desk.

I might have felt silly, but her smile and suppressed giggle made it worth it. “I suppose this was one meeting we could have done standing.”

Waving away her concession, I nodded to the folder in front of her. “I’m too curious to hear what you have to say. First, allow me to express my gratitude for your open email communication. I’ve appreciated your insights, and it truly is a delight to finally meet you.”

I told myself that had nothing to do with how gorgeous she was. She was Emmy’s teacher, and the first one to truly care about my daughter. We were lucky to have her.

Her smile was soft. “I’m happy to do it. Your daughter is a remarkable girl, and I’m lucky to be her teacher.”

My brows rose, wondering if she had read my thoughts somehow. “I was just thinking the same thing about you. Emmy seems to be thriving under your care.”

Was that a hint of a blush? Ms. Rios bent over the folder. “She’s very smart, which speaks more to your parenting than my teaching. She’s opened up so much in the last few months. Her reading level is off the charts, of course, and while she’s still ahead in math and social studies, it’s clear her stubbornness in refusing to memorize her math facts—”

I couldn’t help the noise of surprise I made, and when she glanced up, my lips twitched ruefully. “She is stubborn—she gets that from her father—and I’m just impressed you recognized it.”

Slowly, her expression eased as she understood my meaning. “Mister—I mean, Sakkara, your daughter is very bright. But more than that, she’s a sweet little girl, with her own outbreaks of temper and foibles, like any other child.”

I nodded immediately. “Yes, and I’m a little shocked you were able to see that. Most of her teachers—starting in preschool—couldn’t see past the fact that she doesn’t speak to them.”

Ms. Rios opened her mouth, then closed it again and glanced down at the papers in front of her. I could tell she wanted to say something.

“What is it?” I prompted as gently as I could.

Warm brown eyes peeked up at me. A remarkable sort of color, if it made me feel warm.

“I know… In your email, you told me Emmy doesn’t have a diagnosis?” she finally said.

I shook my head. “No, she doesn’t.” While she could speak, it seemed to be a struggle. “She only recently began to speak to me .” I’d become very good at understanding her silent communications, although it had been difficult at first.

“May I suggest that this might be a case of social anxiety?” The teacher leaned forward in her chair, gaze intense, trying to make her point. “I am not an expert by any means, but I have researched since meeting her—I hope you don’t mind—and it might be worth considering. Some children with anxiety, while friendly and able to make friends, only speak around their trusted circle. If she does speak at home—”

I couldn’t take her enthusiasm any longer. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Ms. Rios, but it’s not anxiety. Emmy has found a group of children who will accept her, and she is comfortable with them.”

“Anxiety can manifest in—”

“It’s a trauma response, Ms. Rios.” Her mouth snapped closed, eyes wide, and I winced. “I’m sorry. Her therapists have all agreed on that. Emmy’s reaction to severe trauma was to shut herself off, and while she’s healed in many ways, her ability to speak, especially in groups, has not recovered.”

I saw the teacher’s plump lips form the word “ trauma ,” but no sound emerged.

Gods, I wanted to focus on those lips, to think about how they’d taste…but I couldn’t. Not now. Sighing, I glanced at my watch. The allotted time had passed for the end of this meeting.

“Do you need me to fetch the next parent?”

She blinked at me, glanced at the door, then seemed to understand. Shaking her head, she assured me, “You’re my last appointment of the day. But the school will begin locking the doors soon.”

As I suspected. “Then I should ask if you are willing to continue this discussion?”

Her chin came up. She was so small, the mulish set of her jaw was almost laughable. “This concerns one of my students, Mist— Sakkara . You couldn’t drag me away.”

I’ll admit I liked the sound of that. I stood from the floor; a process I hadn’t tackled since the last time I’d played dolls with Emmy. “Allow me to take you to dinner, then?” I asked as I rebuttoned my jacket.

With her still in that small chair, and being so much shorter in the first place, seeing the female tip her head back to stare up at me in shock…well, it had my Kteer wondering how she’d look on her knees.

And it made me remember the sound of my female’s orgasm last night.

My female ? What in the seven hells? Turquoise was just a woman I’d met on an app. We used one another for some mutual pleasure, and yes, last night had been remarkable, but it wasn’t as if we were Mated.

I forced myself to focus on this woman and offered my hand.

Finally, she quit gaping and shook her head. “Sakkara, you’re the mayor . You don’t want to be seen with someone like me. ”

Although I didn’t lower my hand, I did frown in surprise. This female, this lovely teacher, thought herself unworthy to be seen with me? As if I was someone special? What a strange response from a human.

I gentled my tone. “Ms. Rios, you are Emmy’s teacher, and this will be a professional meeting. Besides, allow me to take advantage of babysitters while I can.” Luxor had promised Emmy spaghetti, one of her favorites.

But the female bit her lower lip—which sent a shot of need straight through my Kteer —and cocked her head in uncertainty. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not really in a position to pay for—”

“My treat.” A horrible thought occurred. “Unless your Mate would object?”

She straightened, eyes going wide, and immediately shook her head. “I’m not Mated. I…no male cares about me.”

My lips twitched. She’d used Mated instead of married , the human term, and seemed angry at the thought. But I nodded and offered my hand again.

“Ms. Rios, you are the first teacher Emmy has had who has not only treated her the same as other students but has gone out of their way to ensure she thrives. If you care about her, I think it’s important for you to know her—our—history. Allow me to explain.”

This time, she didn’t hesitate to place her hand in mine.