Page 17 of Bony Bony
“Howwas the restaurant tonight?”Ipoured him aMoscowMule.
“Busy.”Heexhaled. “Butbusy is good.Adead restaurant is a dead business.”
Isnorted. “Don’tIknow it.”Ilooked around.Fortunately, business had been good tonight, and my bartenders and servers were happy with the tips.
WhenSebastiannoticed the skeleton on a chair, one brow shot up. “Newvisitor?”
“MeetMr.Bones.”Igave him a new rendition of its backstory. “WhenIwas walking on the beach earlier,Iheard someone calling for help in the ocean.Thisskeleton was out in the water, waving his hands before going under.Naturally,Ihad to go out and save him.”
Sebastianstared at me as his eyebrows edged up slowly. “Gianna.”Thedoubt in his voice indicated he didn’t buy my story.
Ichuckled and admitted my fabrication. “He’sa just fun prop.Peoplehave been taking selfies with him all night.”ThenItoldSebastianthe real story aboutMr.Bones’sarrival.
“SoundslikeEddiewent dumpster diving for that thing.”Sebastiancringed.Hecould be such a neat freak for someone who could sleep in animal form outdoors. “Filthy.”
“Ididn’t say anything about the dumpster.Itwas leaning against the building.”
Sebastiancocked his head. “Stillsounds dirty.”
“He’snot dirty,”Iprotested.
Sebastiansquinted at it, his expression turning wary. “Idon’t know about this,Gianna.Somethingabout it—it’s not right.Itlooks too…”
“Toowhat?”
Hecocked his head. “Notsure.Real?”
Myinitial wariness returned, but it was unfounded.Ifanything, this prop was great for marketing, always a good thing for business. “Relax,Sebastian.It’sonlyHalloweendecor.”Imotioned to the graveyard area. “Likehalf the stuff in here.”
BillyIdol’s“MonyMony” began playing.Peoplesang along, including the old-school chant, “Heyhey, what, get laid, get fucked.”Thenas they grew louder, one of my regulars,Simon, bent down and draped his hand around the skeleton’s shoulder.Hesang “BonyBony” instead.Thatearned several laughs and those who were singing eventually switched over toSimon’sversion.
Iraised one shoulder and toldSebastian, “See, it’s all good fun.Besides, it gave me a fun idea for an upcoming event.”Itold him about the event. “Wecan tell the gang to come.They’dbe into it.”
“Ohno.”Sebastiangroaned. “Ican only imagine what kind of costumeLucaswill come up with.Itbetter not be one from his stripper days.”
Agrin spread across my face asIpictured it.
“Thatwould be awesome.”Imotioned toMr.Bonesonce more. “Lucascould dress up like a pirate and put on a show withMr.Bones.”
Sebastianshook his head. “Thelast thingIwant to see isLucastearing off hisVelcropants—again.”
Mylaugh sounded more like a cackle, andIcovered my mouth.We’dseenLucasperform during an investigation.ZoeandNovawere searching for a demon that might be hunting whereLucasperformed as an exotic dancer.I’djoined in to supportNova, who was still adjusting to working at theSalemSupernaturalNetwork.Ithad been tremendously entertaining for me and horrifying toSebastianandDiegoto see their roommate strip on stage.
Itrailed my fingers down the front ofSebastian’schest and stared up at him. “I’mmore interested in whatyou’regoing to wear,BigGuy.”Witha naughty grin,Iadded, “Andrip off your body.”
“Oh, are you, my mate?”Histone lowered to a dark, smoldering one. “BecausenowI’mimagining the same with you.”Alow growl rumbled from deep within his chest. “Oneof those sexyHalloweencostumes.”
“Oh?”Ileaned closer, intrigued. “Whichone?”
“Anaughty nurse.Ora sensual vampire.”Hewinced. “No, not vampire.I’veseenDiego’sbottles of blood.”Sebastianshuddered. “Horrifying.”
“Whatelse?”Iencouraged.Roleplay was fun.We’dtried many of the scenarios we could think of already, but there was always room for experimentation. “Asexy devil?Afallen angel?”
“Ooh,I’dbe into that.Mybad girl…”Hisvoice hitched.
Ileaned closer to him and teased, “Icould be your bad girl tonight.”
“Gian—”Kylieinterrupted but then stopped. “Ah, never mind.”
