Most of the girls from the theater lived in a women's only boarding house with lenient hours, and a few like Beth shared flats with some of the East End whores, who wouldn't wonder why we weren't back until after midnight. As far as I knew, I was the only one who lived alone, and I kept that fact to myself to avoid a sudden influx of roommates.
"I should leave you to get your rest," Hunter said, reaching that deceptively large white gloved hand of his up to my cheek, thumb grazing over a tender spot that made me flinch. I'd forgotten the slap already, but he growled at the spot.
"You could come in," I found myself saying. "I could…make us tea."
"You've had a long night, Miss Nix—"
"Hazel."
"—and I should leave you to your rest," Hunter rumbled in that amusingly short illusion of his.
As frustrating as I found his refusal, there was also something delightful about it. I wanted to drag him inside and throw him down into my bed. I also wanted to preen at the rare chivalry and consideration.
As he raised my hand to his lips, I decided to compromise. There was a dark alcove between my building and the one just before it, and Hunter only grunted as I pulled him into the shadows where we wouldn't be seen. I pulled his hat off his head as I pushed him into the dark, grinning at the obvious strike of surprise on his features, eyes brilliant and fixed to my face. I had to grab his collar and tug him down an inch or so, even as I rose to my toes, but he moved so easily at my command.
Kissing an orc was simultaneously straightforward and an interesting puzzle. The tusks were less complicated than you might first guess. Orcs’ mouths were broad and their lips were full. Hunter made the puzzle even easier, freezing at the first brush of my mouth against his, sighing and just barely parting his lips for me to wrap my own around the top plush cushion and press softly.
"Goodnight, Hunter," I murmured, blinking open my eyes to find his wide and staring.
I kissed him again, and this time, he responded. A low and quiet groan vibrated against my mouth, and a strong arm banded across my back, drawing me roughly to his chest. I cupped his broad jaw in my hands, impressed with the silky-smooth texture of his careful beard, and arched as he took a hungry lick of my lips and a full press of his mouth to mine. His coat was too thick to know for certain how affected he was, but he held me still against him for a long time, only shifting the kiss slightly, a little whisper of a slow exhale warming my cheeks.
He lifted his head and stared down at me as I smiled.
"Goodnight, Miss Nix," he said, blinking slowly. "I will see you at the theater again soon."
He took his hat from my hands, stepping away and lifting it onto his head, vanishing back into his human disguise. I thought even the dowdy little man looked more vivid now after the kiss.
"Inside, Miss Nix, so I know that you are safe."
It was my turn to blush, and I hurried past him, up the stairs to my door, aware of his stare with every step.