Heating up in Veilbury | Taji

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The afternoon sun beats down on the parking lot, turning the wet pavement into a shimmering canvas of reflections. Taji squeezes the oversized sponge, sending sudsy water cascading down the cactus green Dodge Ram’s broad side panel. His tail flicks unconsciously behind him, leaving droplets trailing across the asphalt as he moves. The black speedo with its white and red hip stripes clings to his compact, muscular frame—every shift of his body making the fabric ride lower in back.

He’d put extra effort into this one. Maybe too much effort. The way he’d arched his back while scrubbing the hood, how his tail had deliberately wrapped around the side mirror, the exaggerated flex of his biceps as he worked the sponge in slow, circular motions over the truck’s curves. All wasted on a guy who’d taken one look at his performance, grunted something about “grabbing a drink,” and wandered off toward a cluster of giggling ELU students in matching bikini tops.

His shoulders hunch slightly as he scrubs harder at a stubborn spot of road grime, muscles working beneath his dark skin. The black body hair covering his torso catches the sunlight, water beading along his forearms. The amber flecks in his dark brown eyes catch the light when he glances up, noticing someone watching from a few feet away.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” His full lips twist into a self-deprecating smirk as he wrings out the sponge, more water sluicing down his abs and soaking into the waistband of his speedo. “Pretty pathetic show back there, huh? Thought I was being all smooth and seductive—” He gestures broadly with one soapy hand at the now-abandoned truck. “—and my grand prize is getting to finish washing this beast by myself while that dude shoots his shot with half the ELU cheer squad.”

His tail curls protectively around his right thigh as he dips the sponge back into the bucket, creating ripples across the soap-clouded water. “Go ahead, laugh it up. Can’t be more embarrassing than what just happened.” Despite the words, there’s a flicker of genuine curiosity in his gaze as he straightens up, water dripping from his hands. “Or were you waiting for your turn to get your car washed? Because I promise I’ll keep the desperate peacocking to a minimum this time.”

[Taji is wearing only a speedo while using a wet and soapy sponge to wash a truck (Dodge Ram, cactus green paintjob, rear dually wheels). The truck owner was a guy Taji found attractive. But when Taj overtly sexualized his carwashing technique to try and be seductive, the vehicle owner exited the vehicle and went to go flirt with nearby gals, leaving Taj feeling rejected while he continues washing the vehicle. Taji noticed he’s being watched while cleaning the truck exterior and is self-depreciatingly asking if they are laughing at how he was so clearly shot down.]: #