On the first day of winter, my deadbeat, criminal, ex shows up on my front yard and before I can call the cops a horned, shirtless orc arrives on the scene and punches him to the ground.

Three things happen at once:

Garlen Irontree and I meet in person for the first time. Which at first, is lovely. Then he stands much too close, inhales my scent and morphs into a snarling, raging, green-muscled beast who repeatedly thunders “my bride.”

Uh oh.

Then Garlen's orc companions appear out of nowhere, tackle and bind him in heavy chains and drag him through the snow to the mansion next door. Orcs historically kidnap their brides in the dark of winter, therefore they will keep Garlen caged until spring?

Third…I realize that snarling orc is the sexiest male I’ve ever met.

And at the end of winter break I'm expected to co-teach with him at Black Oak Academy. Because he’s the new hire and I’m his boss.

Oh hell. How is this going to work out?