Page 217 of Scatter the Bones

The leather of his cut creaks as I grip it. My knee scrapes the edge of the seat. I fumble, catch myself on his shoulder,and climb on—heart in my throat, hands trembling, stomach somewhere near my butt.

His voice cuts through it all, steady and low. “Hold on tight. Lean when I lean. I’ll take it slow. We’ll go down to the end of your street, to the park and back, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper. Then louder so he can actually hear me. “Sounds good!”

I wrap my arms around his waist, squeezing so tight, and press my cheek to his back. The engine roars to life, vibrating through my legs, my chest, my bones. It’s loud, and powerful, and wild.

I hate it.

But then, I kind of love it.

We start to move.

The bike rolls forward and my heart threatens to claw its way out of my chest. I squeeze my eyes shut certain we’re going to fall to our deaths when he turns out of the driveway. Every breeze feels like it could lift me right off the back. My fingers dig into his leather.

But he rides smooth. Steady. Slow. The way he always is with me.

We’re not going far. Just the park and back. I can handle that.

This isn’t about the distance.

It’s about overcoming my fear and getting to know something he loves so much.

Trusting him with something I never thought I’d do.

By the time we reach the park, I realize I’m breathing. Not panicked. Not hyperventilating. Just breathing.

And smiling.

Jigsaw

“That was perfect.”Margot tosses her hair over her shoulders, then gives me a shy smile. “A perfect introduction. Thank you.”

“Thank you for giving it a chance.” I clasp my hand over her hip and take her helmet from her hands. “Will you do it again one day?”

Her gaze slides to my bike and back to me. “Yes, I think so.” She leans up and slides her arms around my neck. “Maybe that can be our Sunday morning ritual. A ride to the park and back?”

That sounds like my kind of weekly worship. My brave woman on the back of my bike. My chest squeezes with so much love for her. “I’d be honored.”

“Thank you.” She brushes a soft kiss against my cheek. “For letting that be enough for now.”

For now.I like that part.

She’s my better half. Soulmate.

I never believed in soulmates. But that’s what she is.

She’s my quiet girl with a scalpel smile. Violence wrapped in sweetness.

The darkest pieces of our souls were always meant to fit together.