Page 43 of Her Males

Gray’s approaching footfalls draw my attention, and I turn toward my office door just as he invites himself inside.

He wears only a pair of tight black briefs, and he leans against my doorway as he looks around my office. I was under the impression he was already in bed, and I must have been too busy listening to Silas and Charlie to hear him get out and walk down here.

Gray crosses his arms over his chest as he takes in my half-lidded eyes and stiff posture.

“It’s time for you to go to bed,” he says.

I snort. It’s been a while since he cared enough to make such demands. His paternal instincts left shortly after Charlie arrived, his care for how many hours I slept or how much I ate disappearing.

“I’m busy.”

I turn back to the paperwork on my desk. The issue with the females is taking up a significant portion of time, and I have to work late if I want to get everything done.

“Go to bed, Aziel. Silas and I will help you with your work tomorrow,” Gray says, his offer appreciated but unrealistic.

“You don’t know how to do my work and teaching you will only be more of a hassle.”

Gray lets out a frustrated hum. “Silas knows how to do it.”

I lean back in my chair. Silas hates when Gray whores out his brain, even if it’s for my benefit.

My lips purse as I recall when Gray went feral after a particularly bad haircut. He promised a witch that Silas would tell her her fate if she made him an elixir to grow his hair back, and Silas was so mad, he refused to speak to Gray for a good two months afterward.

Silas made up some story to tell the witch so she wouldn’t come after Gray for not holding up his end of their bargain, but he was pissed.

“If you keep promising such things, you’re going to find yourself upset when Silas gives you the silent treatment again,” I say.

“I’ll do it!”

I snap my jaw shut with a quiet click. Gray shoots me a cocky smirk as I glance toward the ceiling where Silas’s shout traveled down from. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised he’s listening to our conversation. He’s always been nosy, interested and obsessed with everything that happens inside our home.

Charlie giggles as Silas explains he wasn’t talking to her. I gulp, wanting to know what’s happening as the sound of her bouncing on the bed makes its way to my ears.

She may be slowly opening up around me, but I’ve never seen the truly playful side of her that she so eagerly shows to Gray and Silas. The closest I get is listening to it through the walls, which doesn’t feel great.

“I’m going to use the toy on her tonight,” Gray says, changing the subject.

That captures my attention.

“If she’s not into it, I’m not going to follow through,” he continues.

I nod, having expected as much. I wouldn’t want him to continue with something she doesn’t enjoy. It took everything in me not to storm into their room when I heard her uncomfortable moans the first time they used it.

I clear my throat and set my pen on my desk. I don’t remember picking it up, and I hate that Gray’s presence has me fidgeting.

“Don’t make her say my name,” I decide. “I don’t….” I trail off as I search for the right words. “She doesn’t like me, and I don’t want you to force it on her.”

Gray’s loud laugh only furthers my embarrassment, and I look away as my face and neck warm. He shakes his head and scratches his bare stomach before turning and leaving.

“Go to bed!” he shouts from the hallway.

I run a hand through my hair and recheck the time before standing. I’m not getting any meaningful work done, anyway. It won’t kill me to rest and return with fresh eyes tomorrow morning.

I materialize in my bedroom as Gray makes his way upstairs, and I rip off my clothes before sagging face-first on my mattress. My sheets still smell of Gray, the scent irritatingly comforting. Already, I can feel my eyes growing heavy, and I mindlessly listen to Charlie and Silas laugh and joke with one another.

They do this every night, and I tense when their happy noises are cut off by a sharp gasp. Charlie lets out a quiet moan and whispers Silas’s name, and I turn my head to better hear.

Silas hums, the vibrations of his voice signaling that his mouth is busy. I try to imagine what part of her he has his lips on, and my body grows taut as her noises grow louder.

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