Page 19 of Love Limits

If you’re looking for cuddles, I’m always open. He looked both wary and hopeful.

Really? they asked, already bubbling over with excitement. They hadn’t been making it up, then. And they didn’t even have to wait for some awkward date later on. This was perfect.

Ash checked around the room, wanting to make sure that this was alright with everyone else. Well, with Dustin, really.

They didn’t need to worry, though. Ash couldn’t tell whether Dustin or Zhong seemed more pleased by the suggestion.

He’s a cuddle slut, Dustin explained affectionately. Go for it.

There were some mysteries to unpack between the two of them, but Ash put them aside for another time. Right now, cuddles!

Zhong didn’t move from the narrow armchair that he was sitting in. With this set-up, Ash could either sit at Zhong’s feet, or in his lap.

Zhong opened his arms.

Fuck, yeah. If this was the choice, they were totally going to make the most of it. They sashayed over to Zhong, appreciating again his strong shoulders and the open warmth on his face.

They sat down tentatively, trying to keep their weight even and a little forward. Zhong’s arm slipped around them, tugging them back into his warm bulk. Heaven.

Is this alright? Zhong asked. It was a bit awkward to sign front-to-back.

Perfect, Ash replied, the sign like a kiss between their fingertips.

Zhong pulled them back further, and they let their head fall back on his shoulder. Not an inch separated them. Their body buzzed with awareness of every place where their bodies touched. Those muscular arms, the thick thighs, and… Please let him be a Daddy.

Now that Ash had their own snuggles, watching the other couple be ridiculously cute just made them feel warm all over. And, yes, still a little turned on. Ash’s mind didn’t really stop having one crush because a new one presented itself.

They could feel their attention spinning toward Zhong, though. His wide hand was stroking down their arm, sending shivers down their spine.

Was he a Daddy, though? He hadn’t confirmed or denied.

Maybe Ash could kind of test the waters. Ask something like a joke, and if Zhong just laughed and waved them away, no harm done. Flirty questions were so much easier than straightforward ones that way.

They smiled up at him. So, where are my hand-fed chocolate-covered bananas?

They were pleasantly surprised when Zhong leaned forward, pressing his burly chest delightfully against their back and pulling the nearest tray table toward them.

Without any hesitation, he popped a piece of chocolate-dipped fruit into their mouth. His fingers didn’t linger, but the gentle touch to their lower lip made them feel shivery inside. They couldn’t decide whether the treat or the sexy man feeding it to them was better, but they were doubly delicious in combination.

All interest in the game forgotten, they swallowed and then opened their mouth for another piece.

Zhong laughed. You’re very demanding. Like a baby bird.

Yep, baby bird. Feed me! They were feeling playful.

Zhong gave them a mischievous look, then opened his mouth to display a half-chewed banana piece.

Oh, gross! Ash complained, though it didn’t bother them that much. If they knew Zhong better, they might have turned it into a weird and messy kiss. It would have been more funny than sexy, but why not?

What do you think baby birds eat? Zhong challenged with a glint in his eye.

Chocolate-covered strawberries, they answered promptly. Fresh, whole chocolate-covered strawberries.

I see. Zhong plucked a strawberry by the leaves and held it to their lips. They nibbled at it, feeling decadent, until the chocolate started to crack and they had to take a large bite to keep it from falling.

Zhong laughed while he helped to maneuver the rest of it into their mouth. Then he gestured back toward the game. Do you want to give the next clue?

Sure. They thought for a moment. Relationships, they finally announced. One card. It wasn’t a great clue, but they couldn’t see anything that would get two cards at once. Either way, it felt like a nice idea for the moment. Something full of hope.