Page 43 of Property of Bones

“What?” I ask, trying to look around a scowling Jack to see my friend.

It’s no use.

“That’s the last time you’ll say anything bad about your body,” Jack says. “You’re fucking perfect, Sunny. I’m not a gentle man in anything I do. If you were any smaller, then I’d break you in half when I fuck you.”

I’m sorry…what?

“Speechless,” Riley laughs.

“I’m picking you up, baby. Got it?”

“Got it,” I whisper, still not sure how to respond.

Does he want to have sex with me? I know he said that he wants us to be in a relationship, but sex? Am I ready for him to see me naked?

With that perfect body? Heck to the no am I ready for him to mine.

When he reaches for me, my instinct is to wrap my right arm around his neck.

Big. Freaking. Mistake.

“Damnit, Sunny,” he says as I scream in pain. “Don’t move, baby.”

It takes several minutes for the pain to subside enough for me to focus. This time, I tuck my hands in my lap and hold my breath as Jack lifts me effortlessly out of the truck.

“Oh, that’s not so bad,” I sigh.

“Riley, will you go ahead and open my door?”

“On it,” she says, rushing forward.

A soft breeze blows and I close my eyes as it tosses my hair back. A smokey scent hits me, and my nose twitches.

“Oh no,” I say.

“What?” Jack stops looking down at me.

“I have to sneeze,” I say wide-eyed. “I can feel it coming, Jack. What do I do?”

“Fuck,” he says. “Spike, come here, quick. I need you to brace her!” Jack barks.

Spike’s already moving.

“What’s happening?” Riley calls from the porch.

“She’s gonna sneeze!” Jack says.

Spike blinks once. “Shit.”

I can feel the sneeze building. Has a sneeze ever taken this long to happen before? Then again, I’m trying everything in my power to hold it back.

Spike positions himself in front of Jack, me sandwiched between them. Their hands move with practiced calm. One arm goes behind my shoulders…another gently anchors my left arm against my side.

“Try to hold still,” Spike says, his voice suddenly gentle, like he’s talking to a skittish horse. “Don’t fight it, just breathe slow. You hear me, Sunny?”

I nod. My eyes are watering. My nose twitches again.

“Don’t do it,” I whisper to myself. “Be strong. Be brave. Be…ah-ah…”

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