Page 101 of Coerced

“Who knew there were so many types of bras?” I grumped.

My ribs were reminding me they were broken, so I balled up my coat and shoved it between my side and the cart handle, then leaned over it.

Ahh! Better.

“What did Gigi write?” Kerry asked.

“Full cup, 36D. That’s all. Cotton, lace, and I don’t even know what that fabric is. Satin? Nylon? Do you think the fabric matters?”

“You’re asking me?” He shot me an incredulous look.

“Well, what do Gemma’s look like?”

Before I could blink, he was in my face with a fierce snarl.

“Shut your mouth!” Blue sparks snapped off him. “Howdareyou think I would know?”

“What’s your problem?”

Anybody else I would have pushed back. Hard. But his temper would skyrocket if I did and we were in public, surrounded by humans. I bit back my own aggression and tried to reason with him.

“The day we met,” I said through my teeth, “you carried her off over your shoulder and kissed the sense out of her. And your boots were outside her tent every morning. Of course I thought you two were—”

“Don’t think it!” he snarled. “Yeah, I slept in her tent, but we had separate sleeping bags! And that was only our third kiss!”

I took a step back and was a little surprised when he didn’t follow because he looked like he wanted to throw down right there, right then.

“I was not suggesting something … inappropriate.” I held up one hand. “I wasn’t trying to insult her or you. I only thought we could use the information as a guide. But, as you are as ignorant as I am on this subject, go find Yvonne again, okay?”

Kerry glared at me for another few seconds, then took off.

Jeez! Touchy, touchy. Then again, anything about Gemma upsets him right now.

I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine having it that bad for a girl.

When Kerry came back with Yvonne, I found she was more than willing to help, although I quickly regretted asking for her in particular. She started shooting me interested glances and moved closer and closer. I tried to be polite, but, when she laid one hand on my arm and winked up at me, I resorted to lying.

“My girlfriend lost everything in a house fire.” I gave her a false smile. “I want to surprise her with some of the necessities.”

Yvonne left before we hit the underwear aisle, which was both good and bad. Good because I didn’t like her draped all over me and bad because I didn’t know any more about buying girls’ undies than I did bras.

Glad we got to bras first, though. I hate to think what would have happened if I’d asked him about Gemma’s panties. We probably would have demolished half the store.

I grabbed two packs of boylegs in Mira’s size and threw them in the cart. They seemed like her style. I caught my brain imaging those long legs sliding into them and mentally slapped myself upside the head.

Knock it off.You don’t have any right to think of her like that.

I turned the cart toward the pharmacy section. I was not looking forward to picking out tampons, but at least Gigi had been very clear on those, right down to the brand-name. I tossed a box in the cart, then paused. Although it wasn’t on the list, I grabbed a package of PMS relief, too.

Kerry looked at the package with a frown, and I could tell he was trying to read it.

“Is this word relief?” He put a thumb under it. When I nodded, he pointed at the list of ingredients. “Are these words English?”

“Chemical names made up from Latin words,” was the best I could explain. “It’s, uh, medicine to help with cramps and stuff when a girl has her period.”

“Oh, man, get her two boxes.” He laid the package in the cart with reverent care. “No girl should have to suffer through her period without this. Maybe she wants some chocolate, too.”

I laughed at his honest reaction, then had to assure him I wasn’t laughing at him. I was still smiling as we swung through the snack aisle before heading to the checkout lanes.

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