Page 89 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“Uhhh...” Embarrassment has me trailing off. “Nothing.”

Ari barks a laugh and even Jasper chuckles.

“Now my curiosity is painful. On that note, there is something else we should test.” Ari tilts my chin up to him. “Try to resist, sweet.”

When he speaks next, his voice is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. When Jasper had calmed me, his voice had flowed like silk and bound me tight. It was beautiful, but utilitarian. Ari’s voice is like chocolate, warm and coaxing with an explosion of flavor and depth.

"Tell me what drove your compulsion.”

“I want to watch you and Jasper together,” I say, the words falling from my mouth and betraying me with each syllable. I cover my mouth with both hands, my eyes wide. I didn’t want to admit that.

Ari sways me in the grip of his arms while he chuckles.

“That’s not fair!” I exclaim.

Ari shrugs. “You were supposed to be resisting.”

I glare at him and turn to face Jasper who only tilts his head.

“Why do you want to see that?” he asks.

Ugh, I want the floor to swallow me up. “Because you’re different with each other than when I’m involved… and I want to see it. You both get to watch me with one of you. I don’t see how it’s much different if I watch.”

Ari shrugs. “I’m not shy, but Jasper is more often the vulnerable one. He may not want you to see him the way we go at it.”

Jasper ducks his head and his ears are reddening.

“I don’t mind,” he mumbles.

I swallow, my eyes wide. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Jasper says back.

“I’m going to enjoy making your fantasies come true, Emilia. So be sure to share.” Ari winks.

“Shall we continue training, or do you have news?” he asks Jasper.

“Why are you home early?” I ask. “Not that I don’t want you here.”

Jasper’s blush spreads across his cheekbones. “I missed you two.”

Ari and I freeze, but we don't stay that way for long. Ari reaches out and pulls Jasper to us by his belt loop.

“You took time off?” I ask, still shocked.

“I have plenty of saved-up vacation,” Jasper says as an aside. “But as long as I keep my phone on and go in at least once a day, I’ve arranged—Agnes helped actually—to be available… should you need me.”

“You want to help with my training?” I ask, but now instead of shock, my heart is full of warm fuzzies at Jasper’s actions.

Jasper reaches up and slides a finger down my cheek in thought. “I’ve done all I can for you as the director of the library. All I have left to offer is as a partner. I wanted to be here with you, to help you train. If that’s alright.”

“Yes,” Ari says. His voice sounds thick, like he’s also affected by this development. “I think this will be even better.”

He clears his throat. “Thank you, Jasper.”

“We’re a triad now,” Jasper says. “If we have issues… I need to be here to fix them.”

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