Page 93 of His Untoward Hate

Clearly astounded.

Jude deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of confusion, frustration, and emotion into it. Sky remained motionless, seemingly too stunned to react.

Jude forcefully tried to enter his mouth using his tongue, but Sky would not let him. Jude tried to enter again, this time with more force, so that he could make his way inside his mouth, but Sky remained stubborn.

“Open your mouth,” Jude commanded in frustration under his heavy breath.

He looked at Sky’s wet and pink lips, glistening with his saliva. His gaze drifted to the small stubble above Sky’s upper lip and along his jaw. The rough hairs gave Jude a pleasurable feeling when they brushed against his skin during their kiss. Jude had always noticed how often Sky shaved, but he had also noticed how quickly the stubborn hairs grew back.

The sight of Sky’s lips was mesmerizing, drawing Jude’s gaze back to them once again. He tiptoed and leaned in again, kissing him with renewed intensity, but Sky was very obstinate. The restraint only made something inside Jude ache even more.

He wanted to cry.

“I said open your mouth,” he repeated, voice trembling with a desperation he could not understand.

Jude crashed his lips against Sky’s once more, one hand gripping his cheek while the other practically tangled in his newly barbered buzz cut as though trying to bridge the distance that remained between them.

Sky let Jude kiss him.

But he still did not let him have access to his tongue. The more Sky held back, the more frustrated Jude became. Tears pricked in the corners of his eyes, and before long, they began spilling down his cheeks.

Jude ceased his irrational desperation as he slowly slid his face in exhaustion, from his neck down to his chest. Jude creased Sky’s shirt using both his hands and started sobbing.

“I wouldn’t let you kiss me if you weren’t being sincere about it,” said Sky.

A broken laugh escaped Jude’s lips even as tears continued to fall. At this point, he felt like he was losing his mind.

“What do you know about sincerity, Sky Granger?” he shot back sarcastically, his lips twisted wryly.

“I’ve known you for over five years, Jude. I know when you’re being honest and when you’re not. So, stop doing things just because you are miserable and you want to forget.” Sky said, his voice deep and stern.

The words hit Jude like a slap, catching him completely off guard.

“Excuse me?” he blurted, staring at him in disbelief. “You know me, Sky, but you actually don’t. I hope you can see the difference with that,” Jude snorted.

“My whole world revolves around you,” Sky said, staring deeply into his eyes.

Jude blinked, taken aback.

“I know every little detail about your life. So, when I tell you you’re miserable, it’s because you are. For once, just listen to me,” Sky said with such certainty that it sounded as though he knew Jude better than Jude knew himself.

“Why would I listen to you?” Jude snapped. “Stop being delusional. And I’m not miserable!”

“You’re hurt.” Sky slightly widened his eyes as he penetrated deep into his soul.

The simple statement made Jude fall silent.

“You’re hurting, you’re exhausted, you’re sick, and you’re not thinking clearly right now. Let’s go back inside.”

The calm conviction in Sky’s voice only irritated him further.

“Wow,” Jude scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You just confessed your feelings to me, and somehow, you’re still this bossy and stubborn. The nerve of you, asshole!”

Jude’s eyes narrowed as anger flared in his chest.

“You’re the one who’s not in the right mind here!” Jude said, voice rising.

Jude shoved him hard against the chest, putting all his frustration behind the push. Sky barely moved. He remained standing exactly where he was, unfazed by the force of it.