Page 143 of Coerced

More worried about her than the tape coming off, I spent another thirty minutes telling her stories from my adventures with the two guys I’d been friends with since ninth grade.

“You’re doing great.” She worked the last piece free. “I’ll add five points to your impress-me score.”

“Impress-me score?” I scrunched up my eyebrows. “You made that up.”

“Of course I did. So far, you’re up to twenty-five points for impressing me. Good job!”

“Do I get a reward for a certain amount?”

“Hmm, let me think. If you can make it to fifty points by tomorrow, I’ll bring you a special treat.”

“I’m leery anytime you use the wordspecial. I’m still waiting to see whatspecialthing you’re incorporating into my armor.”

She threw back her head and laughed, and all I could do was stare in admiration.

She really is beautiful.

“How about a treat you choose? An ice cream cone? A cheeseburger? Cupcakes? What does the meathead warrior want for his special tweat?” She finished in a baby-talk voice.

I glared at her.

“I’m neither three nor a puppy.”

Her huge grin was everything. My lungs froze up, and it had nothing to do with my ribs.

She soaped up a washcloth, wiped away the oil, and rinsed me off with the shower hose. I would have preferred to do that myself, as her help - especially with the hose - was dubious, but I decided her enthusiasm and enjoyment made the dent to my dignity well worth it.

“All finished,” she said at last. “Let’s get you dry, then I’ll rebandage you. And we might as well finish your armor while you’re undressed, too.”

“Thanks, Mira. You were right. The bath did help. And thanks for not being, you know,weirdabout this.”

Her eyes rovedeverywhere.

“Oh, trust me, it was my pleasure. Such a high quality of temptation rarely comes along in my size. But now it’s time to get out.”

She moved into a squat position, slid her arms around my waist, and pressed her chest against mine - and I realized I was in all kinds of trouble.

“This may hurt,” she warned me. “If you pass out, I won’t deduct any points from your impress-me score.”

Then she locked her hands together and lifted. I felt a rib shift and squeezed my eyes shut.

“Sorry.”

“Kerry picked me up from the back.” I opened my eyes to find her face an inch from mine. “But I like your way better.”

Before I thought about it too much, I laid my cheek on her shoulder and closed my eyes. I made sure to keep my hands to myself, though. If I triggered a flashback again, I’d never forgive myself.

Something touched my hair, soft as a snowflake landing, then she drew my arm around her neck and started to half-lift me out of the tub.

“Hey!” I growled. “Stop that! I weigh a ton. I don’t want you to hurt yourself. I can do it.”

“In case it’s escaped your notice, there is nothing dainty or elegant about me.” She got my feet on the bathmat and looked me in the eye.

“Mira,” I tried to interrupt her, but she steamed right over me.

“I know this means I am physically unappealing to guys, but it also means I am strong enough to help you.”

She grabbed a dry towel with her free hand, wrapped it around my waist, and untied the sopping wet one under it, letting it plop on the floor.

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