Page 48 of Hard to Judge

I see the fear overshadow him like a storm cloud shifted from outside the massive wall of windows and hovered over his head.

“I don’t expect it ever or anytime soon, and I’m sorry if it’s too big of an ask, but?—”

His hands cover mine. The sorrow in his eyes hides behind his lids for a few seconds. He opens his eyes and pins me with a gaze I’ve never seen before. “You only ever asked me for one thing, Hota. One thing. And I regret not giving it to you more than you’ll ever know.”

He leans his head into my hands. His throat works on a swallow. “I won’t make the same mistake twice. I’ll give you what you want. What you deserve. I need you to prep me for it, though. I need to work up to that.”

My heart has never been as warm as it is right now. I wonder if it will prove a health concern. A cooked heart probably doesn't function the best, but fuck it. All for the cause.

“Say something,” Arlo begs.

“I hope you guys took a shower before you arrived,” I snarl, wishing I could kiss him right fucking now.

He blinks at me, not knowing what I have in store for him.

I grin and release him. “Both of you, strip.”

Hailey, the best girl, is the first to move. She slips the sweatshirt over her head, revealing the artwork of her flesh. My gaze maps the dragon with wings spread wide across her sternum, the swell of her breasts, the pink of her areolas, and the griffin that crawls across her torso.

Braless. She’s been braless this whole time.

She tosses her sweatshirt at Arlo. It smacks him in his shocked face. Her gaze is heavy on me as she stands and slips her fingers into the waistband of her sweats. One hip at a time, she strip teases, revealing the body of a chimera one amalgamated part at a time.

My lungs seize in my chest, awaiting the final reveal of her perfect pussy, when my vision goes dark. A fraction of a second later, something heavy and decidedly fabric smacks into my head, covering my eyes and nearly knocking me sideways.

Arlo.

Fully expecting it’s Hailey’s sweatshirt he’s accosted me with, I jerk it from my face and narrow my gaze at him.

Only it isn’t Hailey’s clothes. Nope. Not at all. It’s Arlo’s.

I’m not certain my lungs will ever work again. He stands under our makeshift fort with his head cocked and every inch of his delicious skin on display. Scars, muscles, hefty dick, and all.

Saliva pools in my mouth. The only thing that keeps me from demanding he take a step forward and let me siphon his balls dry is decades of self-restraint.

“Are you sure about this?” I demand, stealing my eyes away from his body to meet his parted lips and starved gaze. He flicks a glance at Hailey for a second.

I try not to let it bother me. Her consent is on my list of things to do before I do things that shouldn’t be on my list at all. Of course, he would check in with her before answering. It’s the right thing to do. After all, they are in a relationship together.

I’m the odd man out.

“Yes.” The desperation in his voice appeases the discomfort.

“Good.” I pin Hailey with an intimidating glare. Her chin lifts in challenge. A thrill burns its way through my veins. “Are you sure about this, sun?—”

“Yes, Sir.” She nods, her chest heaving from where she holds herself back yet completely open to me.

A sinister smile curves my lips. “Greedy, perfect cunt.” My head shakes, and I tsk. “Your lover has spoiled you and taught you no manners.”

The corners of Hailey’s red lips curve. Mischief dances in her green eyes. “You think you’re the man to teach me manners?” She grazes her fingers over her collarbone, between the valley of her breasts, and across her belly button, heading straight for the promised land.

To my left, Arlo groans. The pussy.

“I know I am.” I lick my lips and watch her eyes follow the movement. “Touch that hot snatch before I tell you to, and you won’t come tonight.”

Her jaw drops, but her hand stops immediately at the border of her swollen lips. She huffs and moves her hands to her sides.

“You don’t speak unless spoken to. You don’t make a sound unless I allow it. Break any of these rules, and I won’t touch you again tonight.” I let my gaze slide to Arlo. “And neither will your lover.”

---