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I blew out a breath. “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”

“Hundred percent.” He shifted beneath me, hands moving into position. “Is this good for you?”

Shivering, I nodded. “It’s good.”

“Poker straight,” he instructed. “Don’t bend.”

“I won’t,” I replied, only to laugh when his fingers touched a particularly ticklish part of my thigh.

“Come on, baby,” he grunted, breathless beneath me, arms locked tight like vises on my body.

I could hear the smile in his voice, but I knew this was important so I didn’t push for playful. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I giggled, smothering my laugh. Inhaling a sobering breath, I locked my body into position and said, “Okay, muscle man, go for it.”

“One, two, three—” His words broke off and I was lifted into the air, held there for a moment, and then lowered back down. The movement was effortless as he repeated it over and over.

“You okay?” he asked, voice raspy and a little breathless, as he continued to pump my body up and down.

“All good,” I assured him, holding myself perfectly still.

“I’m going to go faster,” he warned me, tightening his hold on my body. “Tell me if it’s too much for you.”

“I can handle it,” I promised, feeling a little off-center and dizzy.

“The fuck?” Gibsie’s voice perforated through the grunting and heavy breathing.

Startled, I swung my gaze to where he was standing a few feet from us with a huge grin on his face.

“Do you mind?” Johnny scolded, not breaking his rhythm. “We’re in the middle of something here.”

“I’ve heard of fellas using household items as makeshift weights,” Gibsie mused, scratching his jaw as his gaze trailed over us. “But using little Shannon as a barbell? This is a new thing for you, Johnny.”

“His parents aren’t here and they locked the garage,” I called out by way of explanation, feeling my face flame with embarrassment. “We were just improvising.”

“So you have a free house and you’re weight training?” Gibsie replied in an amused tone. “And people say I’m weird.” Pushing off the doorframe, he stepped into the room. “Be careful. You’re not out of the woods yet, Cap.”

“Upper body,” Johnny muttered, jaw locked tight in concentration as he continued to lift me up and down.

“Yeah,” I hurried to explain. “See, we’re not touching anything below the waist, and that’s allowed.”

Gibsie’s brows shot up and his smile deepened. “Is that so?”

Johnny let out what sounded like a pained growl. I tried to nod, but it was impossible considering he was still lifting me up and down.

“Fuck, I feel like I should put somemoodmusic on,” Gibsie said, causing us both to look at him.

My brow furrowed. “Huh?”

“Oh, not for you,” he explained. “For me. I’m getting hard watching this.”

“Jesus Christ, Gibs,” Johnny barked, lowering me onto his chest so that I was sprawled across him. “The hell is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know,” he groaned, diving into the armchair. “I’m feeling very confused right now. But please, continue. I want to see how this plays out.”

“I’m going to, uh…go to the bathroom,” I squeezed out, as I twisted around onto my hands and knees.

The move wasn’t my best idea, considering it left me straddling Johnny. But in his defense, he looked as uncomfortable as I felt. His hands moved to my thighs of their own accord as he pulled himself into a sitting position. “I’m getting you counseling,” he said to Gibsie as his hands remained clamped on my thighs. “Seriously, lad. You’re getting out of hand.”

“Can I go?” I blurted out, tapping his hands to get him to release me. “I really need to pee.”

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