Page 48 of Hollyhocks

Her ass is round and plump. Tiny lace black panties hug her cheeks. I’m overwhelmed with jealousy of that skimpy material having that much contact.

Her tail wraps around her leg so it doesn’t get in the way.Well, I suppose I’m making the monster do that since she is a figment of my imagination.I continue to lean over the edge of the bed to see more, watching as she slips my shirt on over her light purple skin.

I mean, her human skin? Fuck, I don’t know.

I need to get her out of my house. This isn’t okay. I’m sick in the head using her like this. This sweet, innocent girl is being held hostage because I want to see my dreams come to life.

That isn’t fair.

I managed to lean too far over the edge of the bed from my wandering eyes and face plant right onto the floor.

“Oh my God, Fitz. Are you okay?”

I groan, opening my eyes to see Holly hovering over me with a concerned expression.

“I’m fine. I just—”

“—Fell trying to catch a peek? Doe Eyes, if you want a peek, all you need to do is ask.”

The nickname flutters through my mind, ruffling a memory. “Doe Eyes?” I repeat, trying to think of when I heard it. “Who told you to call me that?”

She turns her head to the side, giving me the perfect view of her horns. They are more like a mirage. If I reach for them, I know my hands would go right through them. They aren’t real. No matter how much I want them to be.

“No one. I was looking into your eyes, and they remind me of a doe, that’s all. They are big, brown, and full of innocence.”

I get to my feet, shaking the static from my head. Holly’s gaze roams down my body.

That’s when I remember I’m only in my briefs.

“Ah, shit.” I pluck the clean shirt off the bed, covering my torso with it. My cheeks become brighter. The fever of embarrassment has me sweating. “I—uh—you—I’m—” I can’t figure out what I want to say. I’m nervous. My cock is half hard, my lust is in a frenzy with being so close to Holly while the more time I spend time with her, the more confused I become.

“Do you need me to turn around?” She eyes me again, biting her lip, sending me very strong signals. “That’s adorable. Youhave nothing to be shy about, Fitz. You are a very good-looking man.” She turns around, giving me a little privacy.

I’m conflicted. I’m not usually bashful but I feel like I’m cheating on my monster—who isn’t even real—and I can’t enjoy a nice night with a new friend because of it.

I slip on my grey sweatpants, then tug my black Snapdragons Garage shirt over my head. “That was wild. Completely, wild.” My words are muffled under the material of the shirt before I pull it down my torso. “I’m good. You can turn around. You didn’t have to, by the way. The nickname really threw me for a loop. I thought I had heard it before. Sorry, it’s been a really weird day.”

“We can talk about it over that glass of wine,” she says. “I’ve had those days too. I’m sorry, Fitz.” The amber eyes my mind has conjured swirl behind her blues. “I’ll be good. I promise. You can tell me about your day.”

My cheeks expand with the massive breath I release. “I’d like that, Holly. Thank you.”

“I’ll always have your best interests at heart, Fitz. I hope you know that.” She looks around the room, pointing to the broken bulb. “What happened?”

I love the change of subject. I’m relieved. “I don’t know. I think I might have broken it. It’s been a wild few days, if I’m being honest. I think I’m just tired. Come on, let’s go downstairs so I don’t make a bigger fool out of myself.” I give her my back, walking out of the bedroom.

“I don’t know. The night is young,” she teases.

Smirking, I turn to reply when I see her at my nightstand. I open my mouth to say something, but her tail swishes from the sweatpants. It flicks, stretching out to me as if it wants me.

I rub my eyes with the palms of my hand so hard, I begin to see spots. When I look at Holly again, the tail is gone but I can see everything else still. My imagination won’t quit.

“What are you doing?” I hate how the question sounds so accusatory. “I’m sorry for the tone. I shouldn’t have snapped like that.”

She spins, her blonde hair spraying over her shoulders. Teal paints a few strands, they fade in and out as if trying to mesh with Holly’s human features. To me, the human skin almost appears to be armor as if it’s trying to cover or hide something. That something—the monster my mind has created.

I’m not sure why my brain picked Holly, but this is as close to the real thing as I’ll ever get. I’m not sure if I can let her go. I like being around her too much.

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have snooped. I saw the pen and paper on your nightstand. I was writing my number down for you. You know, just in case you need some friendly neighborhood sugar.” Holly strolls up to me, a piece of paper in hand, and slips it in my pocket.

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