My Orc Santa Claus (Eastshore Isle #5)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Nikki

I’ll admit it; when Sakkara darted forward and reached for my hand, calling my name, I jerked back and slammed against the wall of the hallway. Wincing, I plastered that fake smile on my lips for any parents who might be watching.

“Nikki,” he repeated, stepping closer—not so close that he was crowding me, which I appreciated—and lowering his voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied brightly, flinching at the crash of thunder. “I’m fine.”

He studied my face, and I wondered what he could see. He was insightful, intelligent, and so very caring; I’d learned so much about him in just a week. Could he see through my facade?

CallMeDaddy . This was him. The male I’d been fantasizing about, and masturbating with at his command , was really my student’s father. My home’s mayor .

Dios mio , I’d really done something stupid this time, hadn’t I?

So much for keeping myself to myself.

“Turquoise.” His voice was so deep now I had to press my thighs together to quell the little throb of excitement in my core. My body knew that voice now. “It is you, isn’t it?”

My hand rose to fiddle with the pendant I often wore. It was my favorite, a present I’d purchased for myself when I’d graduated. “It’s me,” I finally rasped, unable to deny it.

“And…” He ducked his chin so he could hold my gaze. “What are you afraid of?”

Another crash of thunder, another wince, then I blurted, “ Nothing !” and ducked into my classroom.

He couldn’t know. No one could know. I couldn’t put him in danger, and I knew Sakkara— CallMeDaddy —well enough to know that he’d try to protect me.

And as much as I desperately wanted to give up and sink into his protection, I couldn’t risk Peter finding me with him. Could I?

Honestly, I’m not really clear on how I made it through the next hour, smiling and giving out hugs and holiday treats to students and families alike. I suppose it was the same way I’d made it through yesterday and today: compartmentalizing. Every loud noise made me jump—and of course the stupid storm wasn’t moving on—but I hoped I’d masked it well enough that no one noticed.

At last, the students were gone, the party decorations taken down, and the classroom ready to be closed up for a few weeks. Normally, this would be a time of celebration, because Eastshore Elementary had a particularly long holiday break this year. But my sorrow wouldn’t allow me to think of the upcoming holidays.

Instead, I pressed my hand against Emmy’s small desk, and finally— finally —allowed my tears to flow. I was going to miss them all so much, even Michael. But Emmy? Dios , I was going to miss her most of all.

I dunno how long I hunched there, sobbing, but by the time I pulled myself back together, there was no light coming in through the window. Of course, the rain still lashing the panes might have something to do with that.

I sighed and pushed myself upright.

My old sedan was in the parking lot out back—probably one of the last ones left at this point—and if I could make it there without being soaked, I’d be okay. Last night I’d spent two hours sleeping in the lot behind the library, then when Chief Ortiz tapped on my window, I’d moved to the lot near the docks. I hadn’t had much sleep either way, which likely explained why I felt so drained.

Tonight I’d go to the docks first, and if I could get to sleep there, curled up in my backseat, I’d lock the doors and bundle up tight and try to forget all this heartache.

Tomorrow I’d be leaving Eastshore Isle.

I’d reached the front corridor when a large shape loomed out of the shadows. I’m not ashamed to admit I screeched and lurched sideways, before realizing who it was.

“Nikki, please.”

My heart was still pounding, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I should be afraid. “If I scream, the security guard will come running,” I blurted, praying it was true.

Sakkara lifted his hands. “I won’t give you a reason to scream,” he promised. The fact he was holding a club or something in one hand made that a little suspect— oh , it was an umbrella. Never mind.

I forced myself to relax a little. “Why are you still here? I thought Emmy went home a while ago.”

“I sent her home with my brother.” He edged closer, and I heard him inhale. “You’ve been crying. Nikki, what’s wrong?”

Dios , how easy would it be to just…tell him? Just dump all my problems on someone and have them hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay? Someone like Sakkara, who was so very good at taking control and taking care of me?

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the tears not to fall. “I’m fine,” I choked.

He clearly didn’t believe me, but there wasn’t anything he could do. I heard him shift, then sigh. “Allow me to walk you home, then. Your apartment is some ways away.”

I wasn’t going to my apartment. I opened my eyes, sorrow trying to claw up my throat. “My car is out back.”

He nodded firmly, already turning toward the double doors and holding the umbrella out. “Then I will escort you there.”

He wasn’t asking, and I wasn’t strong enough to tell him no. Besides, it felt so damned good , so right , to tuck myself against him, to allow him to put his arm around me, to hold the umbrella over me, as if I was someone important. Important to him.

Sakkara hustled me toward my car, and I have to admit, I didn’t even care that my shoes and slacks were getting soaked from the puddles. The thunder didn’t bother me when I was tucked up against him like this.

Nothing could bother me when I was in his arms like this.

Shut up , I muttered to myself, blinking rapidly against the tears. You can’t think of him like that.

Sakkara was the father of one of my students. He was someone important . And CallMeDaddy was just a fantasy I’d had, a faceless guy on an app who made me feel good. The fact that they were the same male didn’t change things; I wasn’t good enough for either of them. I wasn’t going to bring him sorrow.

We reached my car just as another burst of lightning lit the sky, and I felt Sakkara’s muscles tighten. He leaned forward to peer through the glass of the car’s windows, and I knew what he saw:

Boxes of my belongings. Food wrappers from last night. Pillows and my blanket laid across the backseat. My suitcase opened, spilling clothes across the passenger’s seat.

“Nikki?” he asked, and I flinched.

Slowly, he straightened and turned, holding the umbrella over me and seeming oblivious to the frigid rain lashing at his head and shoulders. “Nikki, have you been living in your car?”

Suddenly, it was all too much to keep pretending.

I blew out a breath, the puff of mist in front of my face helping to hide his. “Yes,” I admitted. “Just for a few nights, though.”

The air between us cleared, and I saw him studying me.

He didn’t push.

He didn’t try to fight my battles.

He just squeezed my arm gently. I could see the play of emotions across his face as he tried to think of the right thing to say. Finally, he sighed.

“Do you have someplace safe to park?”

I didn’t expect that question.

I blinked up at him. “What?”

“Since you’re sleeping in your car. You keep it locked, but not running, while you’re in it, right?” He looked so serious. “And while you’re sleeping, do you have someplace safe to park?”

I hesitated, not sure how to answer that. Last night had shown me that no , there wasn’t a good place to park that allowed me to really let down my guard and sleep.

He nodded once, firmly, in that take-charge way of his. “Park in my driveway.” He rattled off an address in one of the island’s bigger neighborhoods. “You’ll be safe there, and no one will chase you off, I promise.”

I eyed him, wondering if he was for real.

He’d given me what I needed to be safe?

Slowly, I nodded. “I…thank you.” I repeated the address. “Thank you.”

He opened his mouth, as if he had more to say, then closed it. To my surprise, he leaned down—shoulders soaked from the rain, since mine were protected—and moved his cheek next to mine. I expected him to…I dunno. Kiss me? I think I was in shock.

Well, when he inhaled, long and slow, smelling me, I sure as shit didn’t expect that .

Then he straightened, nodded again, and pushed his umbrella into my hands.

I stood there in the dark parking lot under his umbrella, my feet and legs soaking up water from the puddles, and watched him stalk away through the storm.

Sakkara

The occasional flash of lightning illuminated the dilapidated sedan sitting in my driveway. I stood at the front window, my hands clasped behind my back, my claws digging into my skin, to keep from going to her.

She’d come.

Nikki had taken my offer of safety and parked in my driveway. I told myself that was enough. It was enough to know she was going to be able to sleep without being harassed, without having to move.

But my Kteer didn’t think it was enough.

My chest ached with the need to protect her, to watch over her. Whatever was wrong was her business, and I told myself that if she wanted me to know, she’d tell me.

But whether she told me or not, I couldn’t tamp down the need to protect her, to gather her in my arms and not let go.

I blinked, startled when my reflection came into focus in front of me.

Where had that thought come from?

I wanted to keep Nikki forever? I barely knew the female!

You’ve known her for months as Turquoise .

Ah. Yes, that was true.

For months, I’d been living out my dominant fantasies with Turquoise through the MonsterSmash app. And the other night, we’d connected via a conversation just as deep and interesting as the one I’d had with Nikki the night I took her to dinner.

Because they’re the same person, you fool .

And I wanted them both.

I wanted her .

Another flash of lightning, and I could see the car shaking.

She’d only pulled in a few minutes ago. Emmy was asleep, and I wondered what Nikki had been doing in the meantime. Eating dinner? Driving aimlessly?

Doesn’t matter. She’s here now .

Right.

Right.

That was enough, wasn’t it ?

No . It wasn’t.

I saw the door open, saw a dark shape hurl herself from the driver’s seat, yank open the back door, slam the front door, and throw herself into the back seat, in an effort to avoid the worst of the rain.

This storm, which might’ve been a blizzard had we been farther north, was brutal. The kind of rain that pierced like needles, driving against your skin and making you hiss with irritation. The drops were as cold as needles as well, the bone-deep kind of cold that won’t freeze you but will make you wonder if you’re ever going to be warm again.

I should know.

I walked home in it earlier today.

Worth it, to give Nikki my umbrella.

A gust of wind slammed into the side of the house, and I winced. This storm really was nasty, and I hated that Nikki was out there alone, that car poor protection from the elements.

When the lightning flashed again and illuminated the sedan, I saw it shaking. Although a part of me understood it was only moving because of her movements, another part of me flashed to the thought of her, scared and shaking in fear.

I’d yanked open the front door before I realized what I was doing.

Outside, the wind was howling, a mournful sort of sound that would make anyone shiver, and the rain lashed sideways. No need for anyone to be out in this when there was a nice warm house available.

I stalked through the rain toward the car in my driveway, and I reached it in time for another flash of lightning to illuminate her inside, struggling to pull that sweater over her head in the cramped backseat. In that flicker of light, I could see her hair was plastered to her head, and she was soaked through.

I ripped the back door open, desperate to help her, and she screamed and pulled the sweater against her chest, as if to hide from me.

Nikki screamed again when I ducked and reached for her, but as soon as I said, “It’s me,” her lips snapped closed. She was still breathing rapidly—too rapidly—as I gathered her in my arms and lifted her from the car, but she buried her face against my chest.

Gods below, she was so small compared to me. So perfectly curvy, so delicious, my mouth was already watering. She shivered in my arms, and my Kteer howled loud enough to challenge the wind, so desperate to protect her.

“I have you,” I whispered raggedly, striding toward the front door. “You’re safe now.”

Who knows what else I promised her as I carried her into the master bedroom—kicking the door behind me—and into my large bathroom. She was still shaking, and since we were both soaking wet, I could feel every inch of her plastered to me.

It took all my strength to pull her away from me, to set her down on the countertop between the twin sinks, her back to the mirror. That horrible Christmas sweater, which she had been wearing earlier today, had been trapped between us, and now fell to the tile.

Nikki was wearing a plain cotton bra, now soaked through and practically transparent against her tan skin. Her softly curved stomach disappeared into the waistline of a pair of black pants, and she’d lost a shoe somewhere along the way.

She was shaking, her eyes glazed, her gaze locked on my chest as if she wasn’t really seeing it.

“Oh, my poor little human,” I murmured, dropping to one knee so I could pull her remaining shoe off, peel down her socks, and capture her tiny foot between my palms. I vigorously rubbed first one, then the other, trying to will some warmth back into them.

When I glanced up at her, Nikki was still staring, unseeing, at the door to the bathroom.

Was she in shock?

“Nikki,” I said, lifting myself to my feet. “Nikki, look at me.”

She shifted her gaze to me, having to tip her head back to do so. She blinked, and suddenly, I could see her again. I smiled.

“You’re in my house. You’re safe now.”

“I know.”

That was all she said. I know . But it meant the world to me. She was safe with me, and she knew it.

In one movement, I yanked my sodden shirt over my head and tossed it behind me in the vague vincinity of the laundry hamper. I had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes go wide at her first glimpse of my naked chest, and then I reached for her.

I folded her in my arms, allowing my warmth to sink into her. Still shaking, she reached her small hands for my sides and pulled me closer.

It felt like ages that I stood there, wrapped around her, my cheek pressed again her head, with her buried against my chest, until her shivering slowed, then stopped. I could feel her breathing and steady heartbeat under my palms as my fingers splayed across her back.

My poor little human had been through so much.

I slowly lifted my head from hers, cautiously pleased to know she was improving. The sight that met me in the mirror, however, arrested my movement.

I was wrapped around Nikki, my skin covering as much of hers as possible. My Kteer was smug, seeing her surrounded by so much green.

But…there was something wrong with her back. The skin on her back… At first I thought these were just acne marks, or something similar, but the longer I stared, the more I realized the pockmarks were too large for that.

Too deliberate.

I felt myself frowning as I moved my palms out of the way so I could see more of her back in the mirror.

Yes, no doubt about it; those scars were old, but they’d been given to her.

Without thinking, I unsnapped her bra, and with the cotton out of the way, more scars became visible. These weren’t accidental.

They were…