Page 31 of Bones

“Okay, how about I meet you there when she gets up?” I suggest, unable to say no to her. She’s so cute, and she has these big eyes that are hard to refuse.

“Aren’t you meant to go to work?” Lore asks, lip twitching.

“Yeah, but I can go in later. Skull’s still there right now.”

“Yay! Park!” Dove yells, waking Natalia, who slowly opens her big blue eyes. “Oh, Natty is awake! We can all go now!”

“All right, I’ll change her and pack her bag. Are you coming?” I ask Isla, who is watching me with a gentle expression.

“No, you guys go. I’m going to surprise Skull at work.” She grins.

We all get ready and then head to the park. Ora and War join us with their son, Zade.

I still haven’t told Doc about Natalia. I wanted to ease her into everything, but I know if I wait too long, she’s not going to be happy. Maybe tomorrow night, I can casually drop that I have a daughter and slowly explain the dynamic.

She’ll be understanding, right?

Fuck. Maybe I should make her come a few times before I tell her, and show her the pros of being with me first.

Because whether she likes it or not, Doc is mine.

She opens the door wearing skinny jeans, knee-high leather boots, and a tight black top that shows off her bare shoulders. “You look beautiful,” I growl, leaning down to kiss her. She smells so good, like berries and vanilla, and it makes my mouth water.

“Thank you. You look handsome yourself,” she replies, blatantly checking me out. Although I’ve watched her on the cameras and driven by her house a few times, it feels like so long since I’ve seen her, especially when I have Pyro getting to see her almost every day at the shelter. He should not be fucking spending more time with her than me. I wonder if they need another volunteer?

She grabs a dark brown jacket, and I help her put it on, then I take her outside to my motorcycle.

“You ready?”

“Yeah, I’ve been waiting for this all week.” She grins, and my gaze drops to her pouty red lips.

“Me too.”

After putting on her helmet, which I bought for her today, I get on my bike, and she hops on behind me. I show her where to put her feet, and then her arms come around me, her breasts pressed up against my back, and nothing has felt more perfect.

This is where Meredith is meant to be.

“Lean with me when I turn, and tap my shoulder if you want me to stop,” I tell her, and she nods.

Her fingers bite into my stomach for the first few minutes, but then she relaxes. My hand grips the back of her calf, my thumb stroking her.

I’ve never felt more possessive of a woman in my life, and I’m not sure how to handle it without scaring her the fuck away.

I’m hiding things from her.

I know I am.

And no, it’s not right. I’d be pissed if she were keeping important information from me.

But I can’t risk losing her before I’ve even gotten her.

MEREDITH

After the thirty-minute ride, we stop at a nice restaurant near the beach. I’ve wanted to go there for a while now. The venue has fairy lights all around the outside seating, giving it a cool vibe.

“You liked the ride, didn’t you?” He smirks, taking my hand in his and leading me to a table.

“I loved it. I thought I would be scared, but it was fun. Can we take a longer route home?” I ask, and he laughs.