Page 129 of What We Bury

“I’m fine, Sage. This is hands-down the most fun I’ve had this year. Don’t you dare ruin it by trying to be polite.”

“It’s not polite, I want?—”

I reach for him.

He catches my hand.

“Nope.”

“Milo.”

“Tonight is a one-way street, kitten.” He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles, one at a time. “Next time you can wreck me. Tonight we’re watching movies.”

“That’s not?—”

“Arms up.”

He settles my shirt back over my head, pulling back down to my waist before dropping a kiss on the end of my nose.

“I’ll be right back.” He nudges me gently. I climb off his lap reluctantly and flop onto the couch beside him, dazed and warm and a little wrecked. He stands. Stretches. Goes to the kitchen and comes back with two glasses of water and hands me one.

“Drink.”

“Milo—”

“Drink.”

I drink.

He drains his glass in one long pull, and sets it on the coffee table. Then he picks up the remote, points it at the TV, and switchesBridgertonoff mid-scene.

“Hey—”

“New rule. Nobody touching below the belt for me”—he points at his crotch—“or below the collarbone for you”—he looks pointedly at my breasts—“until Frodo gets to Mount Doom.” He begins clicking through the streaming app menu. “We need a chastity buffer, and I know just the ticket.”

Frodo?

“Lord of the Rings,” he says triumphantly, hitting play.

“Milo!”

“The extended editions.” He gives me a severe look, as I dissolve into giggles.

Who knew sex and laughter could be so intertwined?

“Don’t argue. This is for our protection.” He places a hand over his crotch. “Mostly mine. I am one good kiss away from forgetting I have principles, and Frodo’s never let me down.”

Shaking my head, I smile. “I’ve never seen them.”

He freezes. Slowly, very slowly, he turns to look at me.

“I’m sorry?”

“I haven’t?—”

“Sage.”

“What?”