Page 67 of Bones

The men start lining up.

Skull is first, staring at her with an intense look. He steps forward and pulls her against him, kissing her forehead. “You’re a part of my twin, which means you’re a part of me. I’d die for you, Doc. I’m here for you. I’ll care for you. Love you. Adore you.”

“Skull,” Meredith whimpers, and he winks at her and steps aside.

Suit stands there next, and he takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. “Protect you with my life. I’ll even let you watch me in the pole room whenever you want.”

Doc laughs, while I scowl at him. “Thank you, Suit.”

Lore is next, also kissing her knuckles. “I’ll protect you with my life. Gossip with you in the group chat anytime. And next time you want to run away from Bones, come to me. I’ll hide you better.”

I’m going to murder him.

“Thank you, Lore. I’ll remember that,” Doc replies, amused.

Ghost is up next. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even touch her. Just bows in front of her, blade in his hand.

“Thank you, Ghost.”

One by one, they all step up and welcome her, promising to protect her as if she were their own.

Angel comes up, and he doesn’t touch her either, but he bows his head. “Protect you with my life, Doc.”

“Thank you, Angel.”

Last of all is Pyro. He stops in front of her and takes her hands in his. A small growl leaves me. I know if he had the chance, he’d take her. But now that she’s officially my old lady, she’s untouchable.

“I’ll always protect you, be your friend, and save animals with you. My door is always open to you,” he says to her, not looking at me.

“Thank you, Pyro. Your friendship means a lot to me.”

“Oh, and by the way, I adopted Bruno.”

She smiles widely and does a little happy dance. “I was hoping you would!”

He grins and kisses her knuckles and then leaves the room.

My gaze follows him until he’s gone.

Doc turns around and smiles up at me. “That was amazing.”

“You look so fucking sexy in that cut,” I murmur, raking my teeth over my lower lip. “I’m already hard. Can we leave here now?”

“No way! I didn’t know this was my party! We have to stay and enjoy it.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my earlobe. “Build up some anticipation.”

The women come up and pull Doc away, and I let them for now.

Because as soon as the party ends, I have plans for her.

MEREDITH

I’ve had the best night of my life.

Nate cut me off from alcohol halfway through the party and put me on water. Something about having plans for tonight, and I, for one, am intrigued. When he carries me to our new house, I hold on to him and pepper his face and neck with kisses. The walk from the clubhouse to the property is only five minutes, and it’s a beautiful moonlit stroll.

We’re kissing hungrily by the time we make it inside, and he pulls off my heels and tells me to put on some sneakers.

“What?” I ask, frowning.