Page 94 of Look, Don't Touch

The gasps turn into hoots and catcalls.

“Oh, the things I’ll let you do,” she says with sass and seduction, but her other hand freed now, brackets my face and she pulls me close. Very slowly, as if giving me time to back out, she presses her cheek to my temple in a gesture so sweet my knees go weaker than they did at my climax.

The warmth of her hands spreads through me like a tonic, demolishing the toxins that have festered inside me for so long. It revitalizes my immune system. Now, its only weakness is its only antidote.

I’m fucked in the best possible way.

A smile stretches my lips.

She eases back. Her eyes stay on my face, studying the angles. “With a smile like that, there aren’t many things I wouldn’t let you do.”

“Perfect.” I keep hold of her hand, shoot a withering look at my pilots, and then urge Natalia forward. Hota has enough good sense that he’s already out of my line of sight, but I know I heard him whooping.

Can’t say I blame him. Me touching anyone is an aberration. Touching someone and enjoying it. Well, that’s a fucking miracle.

“Hello, Mr. Judge.” Nat offers with a grin she’s trying and failing to keep under wraps.

“Nice to see you, Natalia.” I open the door for her, unburden her of Plinko, and then see her inside.

I’m slow to release Hailey, but it must be done. The tips of her fingers glide over mine for an added second before she climbs into the car. I follow, careful to maneuver the box without knocking it on the doorframe.

Natalia sits on the long bench alone. “Thank you for arranging everything. It made an uncomfortable trip as smooth as possible.”

I close the door and then turn my gaze on Hailey, who’s chosen to sit beside me along the back. I shouldn't be surprised by how much it pleases me, but I am. “It was my pleasure.”

The pale apples of Hailey’s cheeks blush red. Her lips quirk. “Yes, thank you.”

“Any time,” I answer, without taking my gaze off her.

Nat clears her throat at the same time Plinko gives an incensed meow.

Terror grips my throat like a fist. I pluck the lid off. “How did he travel?”

What if he hated it and is stressed? What if he got sick because I’m an idiot? What if he dies?

The gnarly cat in question props his front paws on the side of the box and nuzzles his face under my neck.

“Like a royal, the spoiled brat.” Hailey’s laugh is soft and melodic. “No wonder he smelled like you. He’s being quite the hussy.”

I pet his head with one hand and slip the fingers of my other across the top of Hailey’s hand. “You jealous?”

“Maybe.” She grins, but there’s something behind it. I want to know what it is and how to fix it. But I’m pushing a lot already.

“He is quite taken with you,” Nat chimes. “I’ve never seen him be quite so enthusiastic about his affections.”

“Perhaps he and I have something in common.” I twine my fingers with Hailey’s, but let my gaze slip from hers to meet her aunt’s. My other hand slips over gnarled ears. “I think we have quite a lot in common, actually.”

Abuse. Neglect. The admiration for and the affection of an amazing woman.

“Hotaru?” Natalia expertly shifts the conversation into safer territory. “Is he your lover?” Then again, maybe not.

“Nat,” Hailey shrieks. “That’s hardly your business.” She huffs. “It’s not even mine, and I’ve had Arlo’s cock in my esophagus.”

Nat’s eyes go wide, like she can’t believe her niece said what she said. “Hay,” she chokes.

I’m suddenly struck by the surreal nature of this situation. I’m a grown man who’s experienced enough that I shouldn’t blush at the exchange, but I can feel my cheeks go hot. Then my shoulders shake uncontrollably. A laugh builds from deep within my belly and ratchets up my lungs until it fills the car.

Plinko leaves me for the comfort of his box because I’ve clearly lost my mind. I can’t stop laughing. It’s like an orgasm of the soul. If feels like a weight is lifted off my chest and I might float up off my seat.

---