Page 95 of Forced Vows

Miceli again.

I dry off thoroughly everywhere. I have no panties to put on, so I have to get back into my jumpsuit without them. Or a bra.

It feels weird.

And also, kind of cool. Like it's something private just for me. Or me and Miceli.

He's not in the boathouse when I come out of the bathroom. His tie is laying neatly over the back of one of the chairs at the table though. And his knife is resting on the table beside the armchair that just witnessed so much activity.

There's a message there, but heck if I know what it is.

Or, he just forgot both?

Chapter 31: RÓISE

Before I can decide if I should head back up to the house, or stay and see if Miceli comes back, the door opens and he's there.

With a present in his hand.

Heat flares in his eyes when they land on me, but he banks it almost immediately. Like it was never there.

He crosses the room, grabs my wrist in a gentle grip and tugs me to the armchair. Where he sits down and pulls me into his lap.

"You're going to give me whiplash," I complain.

"Here." He thrusts the gift at me. "Open it."

"What is it?"

"Your birthday present."

"You already gave me one. The cats, the shelter, any of this ringing a bell?"

"Catalina bought and put that together." He doesn't sound even a little ashamed that his sister-in-law bought my birthday gift.

But then the present he's holding says maybe she didn't?

And in our world, it wouldn't be something to be embarrassed by.

I shift a little. It's weird sitting in his lap with no underwear on. Okay, sitting in his lap at all is odd, but the lack of panties adds to the oddness.

In a sexy way? Or in a I really need to finish getting dressed way?

Embarrassment warring with arousal says both.

"I knew you didn't pick out that pink cat bed." I try to scoot a little further back on his thighs so maybe my cooch isn't pressing down on his hard muscle.

I mean, it's not really. There's the French terrycloth between me and his leg. Not to mention his slacks. And my butt isn't exactly flat.

But it feels that way, okay?

"Stop squirming, or you'll never get to open your present."

"Why?"

The look he gives me.

"Oh." I do my best to stop moving. "What did you get me?"

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