Page 67 of Jacinth

Moving around his large, very well-built body, I tried to slip his shirt off without getting an inadvertent motorboat from someone who could not consent. It wasn’t my fault the girls were more than a handful, but they seemed to like the look of the guy. Plus... y’know, stubble. The dude’s five o’clock shadow was just begging to rough up my sensitive skin.

Focus, Jace.

It was as I was slipping my way into the guy’s shirt—it smelled really good too; lucky I had no intention of giving it back—that he seemed to come around.

“Hey, are you okay, guy? I think you lost your shirt. I found it, but I lost all of my clothes, so I can’t give it back right now.”

The guy lunged at me so quickly I barely had time to squeak before I was completely engulfed in a truly amazing hug.

“You’re alive. It worked.”

Was this guy crying? I squirmed as I confirmed he was snotting a little on my—fine... HIS—shirt.

Wow, he was hot, though.

“Angel. Talk to me, please?”

You know when you’re put on the spot and all of a sudden nothing sensible or socially appropriate comes to mind? Just me?

“It’s impossible to lick your own elbow. I’ve tried.”

Wonder of wonders, the guy just laughed and hugged me again.

“Um... this is really nice and all, but who are you?”

Dude froze so fast, I felt like I was surrounded by stone.

Slowly, he retracted his arms from me, and I immediately regretted saying anything.

I wanted my cuddle back, damn it.

“What do you remember?”

I thought for a minute.

“Well... there’s the elbow thing...”

“Do you remember Skyler? Niko? Birdie? Silver Springs? Jacinth, do you remember me?”

I was a little overwhelmed at the onslaught of questions, and even more so by the answers. I couldn’t honestly say I remembered this guy, or anyone he had just mentioned other than my twin, but I couldn’t say I didn’t either. Something felt locked in the back of my brain. A small yet insistent voice screamed that this man was mine... that they all were.

“Birdie?” I asked, unsure of what else I could say.

“She’s safe and at my home. Will you come?”

I dropped my eyes to the ground and noticed he had no shoes on.

Even his feet were attractive. What was with this guy?

The promise of safety my sister represented, though, was irresistible as more foggy memories crowded their way into my muddled head. I nodded once and glanced up quickly to see him gesturing me forward. As we made eye contact, he brought one hand to his chest.

“Orion.”

A small grin started in the corner of my mouth. “Lead the way, Oreo.”

He rolled his eyes, but the answering grin he gave me took my breath away.

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