Page 123 of Gratification in Gluttony

“I like this,” he said, voice tinged in embarrassment, like the confession was too vulnerable. “I like being this way with you.”

“I like you every way,” Toni said honestly, and Jude beamed up at him. “I like you soft,” he said as he traced Jude’s lips. “And I like you hard,” he said as he pressed his finger to Jude’s teeth. “I like you nice,” he said as trailed a finger down the length of Jude’s throat. “And I like you mean,” he said as he gently circledJude’s neck and gave it a barely-there squeeze, bringing a gasp from between his lips.

“I just like you all the ways,” Toni finished with a peck to Jude’s nose, and Jude smiled before he tucked his head under Toni’s chin.

“Me too,” he said, another vulnerable admission. “I like you all the ways too, Toni.”

And fuck if that didn’t punch Toni right in the heart. “Myri je entwyn,” he whispered into Jude’s scalp, and his human sighed.

“What’s that?”

“It’s Elani forI love you,” Toni said without an ounce of shame, and Jude kissed him under his lowest gill.

“Myree ye entwin,” he echoed, butchering the pronunciation.

Toni smiled, going warm all over. “Good enough.”

“You’ll teach me Elani, right?” Jude glided his fingers over the sheer, frilly fabric covering Toni’s chest.

“If you want to learn,” Toni said, nuzzling Jude’s head. “But English is easy for me, so you don’t have to.”

“I want to,” Jude insisted, making eye contact so Toni could read the sincerity there.

“The species’ dialects tend to be more complicated and nuanced than Hellia is.” Toni tucked a stray curl behind Jude’s ear. “But you’re so smart, you’ll pick it up in no time.”

“Myri je entwyn,” Jude repeated, his pronunciation already improved.

And Toni smiled and said, “I love you too.”

Chapter twenty-eight

Demon Mafia Family

Halfway between sleep andawake, Toni drew lazy designs over Jude’s back as the human lounged across his chest, legs on either side of Toni’s hips, bodies touching from chest to groin. They’d cleaned up, more or less, and Toni had shed the pretty garment so he could cuddle nude with Jude under the covers. There was something comforting and intimate about lying together, naked flesh against naked flesh.

Unfortunately, a phone ringing broke their silent reverie, and without climbing off of Toni’s torso, Jude reached to the side table and picked up the vibrating phone. It was Toni’s and Jude angled the screen so they could both read the caller I.D.

“Flo?” Jude asked.

“My sister,” Toni said, taking the phone from Jude. “If she’s calling ’cause they fucked up my mother’s other breast, I’m throwing myself out the window.”

“Drama queen,” Jude said as he trailed kisses down Toni’s throat, lavishing gentle attention to his gills.

Tilting his head to give Jude better access, Toni answered the phone. “Flo, now’s not a good time.”

“Oh, Toni,” she said, voice thick with tears.

“Here we go,” he mumbled to himself, before he addressed his sister. “What’s wrong now?”

“Nothing,” she sniffled, and he heard the smile through her tears. “Absolutely nothing. The babies are here, and they’re just perfect.”

Toni sat up with a start, catching Jude before he could topple off of him. “The babies are here?”

“They’re so beautiful, Toni. You gotta come see.” Her voice was full of hope and happiness, and it made Toni’s chest ache. “I know last time you got in a row with Ma, but you’ll still come, right?”

“Of course, I’ll come see,” Toni’s voice broke, and he cleared his throat as he rubbed Jude’s arm. “You’re okay, right?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. Had some bleeding, but the doctors said I’ll be fine.”

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