Page 95 of Look, Don't Touch

“Arlo?”

When I finally meet Hailey’s eyes, they’re light with amusement but tempered with worry. My hand has left hers to brace onto Plinko’s box in an effort to keep myself upright.

I breathe deeply. “The shit that comes out of your two mouths.” My head shakes, and my shoulders continue to bounce. “It’s better than therapy.”

With that, they join me in the absolute hysterics, as though they need it as much as I do.

Finally, I collapse back against the seat, drained as though I just went a few rounds with Hotaru.

Natalia wipes her eyes and Hailey draws deep, cleansing breaths.

“Hota and I go at each other a few times a week.” I let my gaze slide between the two women and then stay on Hailey’s. Her eyes are alight with mischief. Her smile is huge, as though she knows exactly where I’m going with this. “It’s invigorating and exhausting. He’s a big guy. A giant by Japanese standards.” I flick my gaze to Nat, who looks intrigued but also like she’s holding her breath. “He’s one of a few men”—Nat’s brows shoot up at that—“who are my boxing partners.”

Nat slaps the air in my direction. “Oh you!”

Hailey giggles, and it fills me up.

“If I were able”—and not so fucked up—“Hota would have obliged long ago,” I add. “His sexual prowess knows few limits. Gender is not among them.”

“Now I’m blushing,” Nat chirps.

“That’s what you get, Nosy Rosie.” Hailey gives her aunt the side-eye.

We ride in a quiet that is ruffled every couple of blocks by errant laughter, but no one is brave enough to take a crack at a new subject. It’s a nice, light feeling that I haven’t experienced, maybe ever. Plinko’s weight, curled inside the box, feels comfortable on my legs while Hailey studies me from the side. It’s as though she’s trying to map my features for a drawing she’s about to attempt. The glide of her gaze is almost a caress. It’s amazing.

When our gazes connect, it’s like a circuit is completed. A current pulses, energizing us and sparking in the close confines.

Too soon, the car stops outside of their building. The connection is severed. Hailey’s gaze hits the floor between our feet. I want to know what’s going on in that maze of a brain of hers.

“Mr. Judge?” Nat starts.

“Arlo,” I correct.

“Arlo, thank you again for your hospitality.” She’s talking, but I don’t take my eyes off her niece. “I’m going to get out, and I’ll take that lump of love off your hands.” Hailey shifts as though to help, but her aunt stills her with a tut. “I’ll drop him off and make sure his royal highness has his dinner.” With a pat on Hailey’s knee, she’s out and reaching for the box.

I close the lid and carefully pass him to Hailey, who hands him to her aunt. “Thank you,” she whispers. Natalia blows her a kiss and then closes the door.

The city flows around us, but it’s still and quiet in the car. A handful of seconds pass, and then slowly her gaze finds mine. There’s confusion behind her eyes.

“Tell me,” I demand in a whisper.

Her lips press into a line. The green of her eyes flicks to the front of the car and then back to me. She draws a deep breath. Leisurely, it filters out through her mouth. I want to press my lips to hers and suck it into my lungs.

“I’m happy you were there when we landed.”

A part of me wants to rejoice, but I withhold. That’s not all she has to say. When the rest doesn’t come immediately, I hike a brow.

“I am.” Her chin shoots up in protest. Then her pink lips purse, and her chin falls. “So happy it’s terrifying.”

My lips stretch into a fat fucking smile.

“Why are you grinning at that?”

“Because I know exactly how you feel.” I shrug and let my smile simmer. “You don’t trust it.”

“I trust you.” She turns to face me, wedging her knee onto the seat between us.

“I said you don’t trust it, not me. You don’t trust the good feelings, that they’re real. That they’ll stay.”

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