Page 73 of Bones

“No?” She stood and started pacing in front of me. I knew then she was about to really amp it up. “We’ve been on two dates, and I’m not even sure that one of them was actually a date. I mean, we slept together, but we spent most of the night watching the game with the guys. I’m not sure that counts. But even it does, it’s been two dates.”

“It’s been six years, Elsie. You know me better than anyone, and I’d dare say I know you just as well.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s absolutely right.” I stood up, and her face flushed red when I told her, “I know the only reason you like Oreos is because of the center. I know you like daisies because they remind you of your mother. I know you say you like scary movies, but you also sleep with a light on for days after watching one. I know you bite your bottom lip when you get nervous, and I know your cheeks flush whenever you see me come into a room, and they don’t do that for anyone else but me.”

A small grin slowly spread across her face as she tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, letting me know I was getting to her. “You definitely know how to win an argument.”

“Only when it’s important to me, and nothing’s as important as you... You mean everything to me, Elsie.” I brought my hands up to her face, gently brushing my thumb across her cheek as I said, “One look at you, and my day is made. I don’t know a better way to say it than that.”

“You said it pretty damn well.” She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “Okay. I’ll move in with you, but only on one condition.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I need you to not to forget about me.”

“Hmmm? How could I forget about you?”

“Pretty easily actually,” she scoffed. “When you’re working on something, you tend to get tunnel vision. You go into your office, and there are times when you don’t come out for days. I get it. I know you have things to do, and the brothers are counting on you for stuff, but I need you to find a way to fit me into the equation. Even if it’s only for a few minutes.”

“I can manage that.”

“Okay, then I guess that settles it.” She stepped over to me and wound her arms around my neck. “You should probably know... I’m not a very good cook.”

“I’m aware.”

“And I like cats, but I like dogs better.”

“I know that, too.”

“So, we’re really doing this?”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her with a promise of what was to come. The beat of her heart next to mine calmed me, refueled me, and that’s when I knew. She wasn’t my first, but she would be mylast. I pulled her closer as I continued to devour her mouth, claiming her in the only way I could in that moment.

Damn.

I loved how her body instantly responded to mine, but it made it hard not to take her right there on the roof. I was quickly losing my restraint, so I stepped back and broke our embrace. Disappointment flashed through her eyes until I said, “I think it’s time we took this inside.”

She nodded, then waited as I unplugged the lights. We gathered the rest of our things and made our way back downstairs. I took her to my room, and we spent the next few hours tangled in each other’s arms. A night with Elsie and a few hours of sleep were just what I needed to get my head straight.

The next morning, I woke up well before Elsie. I hated to leave her, but I was eager to find out what Stitch and Wrath had been able to get out of Ben. Being careful not to disturb her, I eased out of bed, got dressed, and headed to Stitch’s playroom. When I walked in, I found Savage and Two Bit standing at the two-way glass, and neither of them even noticed when I walked up.

I had no idea what had them so enthralled until I stepped up to the window. Ben was no longer hanging with his hands bound over his head. Instead, he was sitting down in a chair. He was drooped over, but I could still see that his face was bloody and swollen. It looked like he’d had a hell of a night. We were all staring straight ahead when I asked, “What’s the latest?”

“He don’t know shit,” Savage grumbled. “Dude bribed him to take Elsie out, so he could get information out of her. But she wasn’t having it.”

“So, he didn’t know anything about who Bruton had working for him?”

“Fuck no.” Savage shook his head with disgust. “He thought it had something to do with the town council or some shit like that.”

“You gotta be kidding me.”

“Nah, this kid is as green as they come. Get this.” He nudged me with his elbow. “He actually thought he had a chance with Elsie and got all butt hurt when she blew him off.”

“Damn.”

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