Page 5 of Moist!

chapter five

HAYDEN

I can’t pretend that wasn’t the most incredible orgasm of my life. However, as surreal as the situation is, I also can’t pretend it’s normal to hear a man’s voice in my head while he’s sucking on my clit.

“Well. You seem like a woman who appreciates someone being blunt when they need to be, but I’m not certain if you would in this case.”

He’s not wrong, about the first part, anyway.

“You don’t need to be coy. The riddles, the temple.” I gesture around us. “I’ll admit, I was fairly convinced this was just some sort of fuck-boy shtick to get tourists into your bed.” I like the way his eyebrows raise at that; it’s the same look of surprise he had when I guessed his riddle.

“Which I was fine with, mind you.” I clarify before continuing.

“But, barring some Hounds of the Baskervilles level reality-altering substance, I doubt you could have manufactured what just happened. Logically, the simplest answer is often the right one. You’re gorgeous, obviously know your way around a woman’s body, you don’t seem like the type who needs to trick people into bed with you, nor the type who would get off on it.

So if one plus one equals two, you’re a sphinx, right? ”

I keep my tone neutral as I deliver my conclusion, as neutral as I can with him between my legs, my panties no where to be seen and my pussy still very much on display, and from the way the bottom of his face is wet from me, a total mess.

“You’re surprisingly calm about that suspicion.” He laughs roughly, shaking his head a bit as he shifts, pushing himself back to his feet. I take the time to adjust myself as well, sitting up higher in the throne and letting my skirt settle over my knees.

“I’ve spent a previously thought to be absurd amount of time thinking about what I’d do if I were ever in this situation.”

The smile he wears as he straightens his tie makes my core melt for him again. I can’t believe I’m still needy after the most earth-shattering orgasm I’ve ever experienced.

“Have things gone as expected?”

I shake my head.

“Not even a little bit.”

He laughs again, that melodic sound I find far too alluring.

“Where have I fallen short of your expectations?”

I have half a mind to let him know falling short hasn’t been the problem, but I fear if I go down that path, I’ll get lost in him again. He’s already sated my carnal curiosity, for now; it’s time to focus on the academic.

“You don’t look like a sphinx.” I start with the obvious.

“Human form.” He confirms.

“Can I see your sphinx form?”

Something flickers in his expression.

“You wouldn’t like it.”

“Try me.”

He considers it for a moment. Then shrugs. The transformation is nearly immediate.

His features shimmer like he’s reflecting candlelight, one second completely human, the next, not quite. It’s not what I expect, and hardly a one-to-one for the stone tribute, but I never would assign dislike as a qualifier.

His face has stayed the same, full lips, warm eyes, dark, neatly trimmed beard. The only notable change to his head are his ears, now long and pointed.

He’s still upright, with black feathered wings unfurled behind him like some avenging Valkyrie.

His suit seems to have simply disintegrated from the shift, leaving his beautiful body on full display save for a simple cloth around his waist, almost like a shendyt.

Otherwise, he’s exactly like I imagined underneath his suit, lean but strong.

Now covered in a shiny coat of black and tan fur.

I’d have to guess he’s gained at least a foot of height, possibly from the way he seems to balance on the pads of his lion-like pawed feet. His hands have changed, too. They’re bigger, tipped with intimidating claws.

A shiver goes down my spine looking at them.

Still, I don’t want him more or less having seen this side of him, the fact remains, however, that I do want him. Desperately.

“Interesting,” he mutters to himself.

“What’s that?”

He closes the distance between us, dipping down until his face is level with mine.

“You’re consuming my thoughts.”

His voice has that low note of promise that makes my stomach flutter violently. Mercifully, he continues, each word holding me willingly captive.

“I can taste your lust.”

I don’t doubt that. My heart is in my throat with need for this man.

“Care to do something about it?”

He presses his lips to mine, instantly stoking the embers of my desire. He doesn’t deepen our kiss, unfortunately. Leaving me wanting.

“More than I think I’ve ever wanted anything. But, I can’t. ”

He moves to straighten, but I stop him, my hands landing on his warm arms braced on either side of me.

“Why not?”

He moves faster than I can register, ending with him taking my spot on the throne, with me in his lap, my back pressed to his chest, his mouth against my ear.

“Well, a very clever woman once said to me that the simplest explanation is often the right one. So I’m pretty sure with all the evidence present, and the fact I’m hanging on by a thread to stop myself from plunging into that pretty cunt of yours, I think it’s safe to say you’ve activated a bond.”

None of my fantasizing could have prepared me for that sentence.

Or the visceral reaction my body has to it.

I want to grind against him, to tell him to stop holding himself back and fuck me.

He seems to anticipate my thought process.

Wrapping a large, clawed hand around my throat and the other around my wrists, holding them together to stop me from reaching for him, ripping a moan from my lips.

“Fuck, I can’t take those perfect little noises you make Hayden.” He sounds tortured, and an answering groan deep in his chest vibrates through my body.

“I don’t understand why you’re holding back, do you not want me?”

Deep-seated insecurities I usually don’t let gather traction rear their ugly head.

Does he not want this? Flashes of being good enough to have fun with in private, but not enough to claim publicly, make my teeth grit.

Even though I know I’m more than good enough, more than worthy of devotion, those memories never quite go away.

“Stop that right now.” His voice is harsher than I’ve heard it yet. “I’m desperate for you. I can’t satisfy the bond because of how much I want you. Sphinxes are tragic, remember. Who knows what will happen if I tie you to me?”

His words completely contradict his body as his thick fingers flex around my throat, his sizeable cock hard against my ass. Significantly larger than it has any right to be.

“Yet, you decided to pull me into your lap to tell me that?”

I’d cross my arms if they weren’t being held effortlessly in place by a single one of his powerful claws.

“I thought being close to you would make it less insistent,” he admits softly.

“Why should it be your choice alone? What if I’m willing to accept what happens to me?”

His hand leaves my throat, moving to my chin and tilting my head back to look at him.

“Do not tempt me.”

He brings us both to standing in one swift movement, and then he’s striding back the way we came.

“This conversation isn’t over.” I huff a bit as I scramble to keep up with his long legs.

“I think it is. Listen.”

I hear what he’s referring to as we get to the hallway—Avery, calling my name.

“I’m not leaving right now, are you kidding me?”

He tilts his head toward the door.

“I can’t conceal the entrance while you’re here, and I’m not keen on another human besides you knowing about this place right now.”

I understand, but I hate it. A fact I hope to make obvious by making no move to leave.

“Midnight. Come back to me, and we’ll figure out exactly what all this means.”

Frustration bubbles inside of me. It’s as if my entire body rejects the idea of being away from him.

Avery’s voice sounds closer now, calling my name in a panic, and guilt breaks through my indignation. I’m compelled to ask one more question.

“How can you not know what’s going on?”

He shrugs.

“You’re the first.”