Page 61 of Hard to Judge

“And scare you away? No, thanks.”

An exorbitant huff rushes from his lungs. Hailey rolls onto her belly between us.

I open my mouth to speak.

“Not tonight.” He interrupts me before I’ve even begun.

“Okay.” I nod, drawing a deep, calming breath.

He gives another hiss as though my quick agreement irritates him too. His arm snakes out and latches around Hailey’s waist. Like an anaconda, he pulls her into his clutches. The look on his face dares me to say anything.

It’s like he’s taunting me. Prodding me to anger.

What he doesn’t get is that seeing them together fills me up. I give him a smile and snuggle into his bed like old times, only this is so very different. “Good night, Hotaru. I love you.”

He says nothing in return. It’s a kick to the gut. I’ve taken plenty of those and lived to fight another day, so I’ll give him time.

Will morning be long enough?

I snag Hailey’s arm as she tries to sneak away from the bed. The sun hasn’t even risen, but it’s a weekday. My siren is an early riser unless the day of the week begins with an S.

A large presence still slumbers in the center of the bed. My lips turn up at his proximity. When I finally fell asleep, he’d been about to fall off the other side and take Hailey with him.

“My big, beautiful dragon.” She presses her thighs into the side of the bed and nuzzles my neck, whispering into my ear, “How do you feel about muffins and veggie omelets?”

“I feel better about you in bed,” I whisper.

“Hmm.” She kisses my cheek. “I could be convinced to come back to bed after food.”

A groan rumbles through my chest. “I’m a terrible partner. I didn’t feed you dinner for the second day in a row.”

“Orgasms are better, most of the time.” She chuckles and rubs her lips against mine even as she pulls away.

“Let me cook for you,” I say, snagging her hand once more.

After all, Hotaru will be happier waking beside her.

“You always cook for me.” She kisses my hand, then releases me. “Let me cook for my guys.”

My heart executes a standing triple back tuck inside my chest. My ribs clap like the supportive spectators they are. “Say it again,” I practically snarl.

Her lashes bat like the innocent woman she isn’t. “I want to cook for you?”

I swat her ass. “You know what I want.”

“I do. And I’m going to make sure you get it.” She shoos me toward Hota. “Now snuggle him. The man used me as his own personal body pillow all night. It’s your turn.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Not at all. I just didn’t take him for a snuggler,” she says as she saunters her round ass toward the bathroom and disappears behind the large door.

I look at Hota. I wouldn’t have guessed him for a snuggler either, but he had clung to Hailey as though his life depended on it. I’d thought it’d been out of spite. But maybe…it’s something more.

People can be touch starved. I’ve heard about it. Hell, I’ve even read research on it because of my issues.

Never in a million years would I have guessed Hotaru was touch starved, but he’s never had a significant other. His only trysts are short-lived Crave experiences with plenty of touch but nothing more than physical release.

No emotion. No intimacy. No affection.

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