Binding 13

He tried to pry me off him, but I held on tighter, clenching my thighs and arms as tight as I could.

Exhaling heavily, he rubbed my back with one hand and asked in a much softer tone, "What happened?"

"There's something in your bed."

Clenching my eyes shut, I clung to his body for all I was worth.

"Under the covers," I strangled out as a huge shudder rolled through me. "I'm not messing. I saw it move – twice!" I buried my face in his neck and choked out, "I think you have a ghost in your bed!"

"Sha

"Yes, you do," I snapped, shuddering again. "I saw it – and don’t laugh at me."

"I’m not laughing at you," he told me – while he laughed. "Come on, I'll prove to you there's no ghost in here."

He moved to walk into the room and my hands shot out, gripping the doorframe to stop him.

"Take me home," I begged, wide-eyed and horrified. "Please. Don’t bring me in there. I am terrified, Joh

He brought me back in anyway, marching into the room with me locked around him like a baby monkey.

"Look at your ghost, Sha

"I can't." I closed my eyes and shook my head, burying my face back in the crook of his neck. "I don’t want to see." He smelled so good, whatever cologne he was wearing was wafting up my nose, so at least I could die smelling something wonderful.

A bark filled my ears then, stalling me mid-meltdown.

"Hey, baby," Joh

Baby?

Slowly, I lifted my head and turned to face the bed.

A black Labrador poked out from beneath his duvet.

A tsunami of relief crashed through me followed swiftly by a generous dollop of reality.

The dog nudged out from under the covers, tail wagging so hard it slapped against the mattress.

"Sha

"Oh." Unlocking my arms and legs, I slid down his body, every inch of my skin flaming with embarrassment. "Oh, that makes more sense."

Feeling lightheaded, I sank down on the edge of his bed, pressed my hand to my chest, and exhaled a tremulous breath.

"Your dog," I panted, breathing hard. "Sleeps in your bed."

It wasn’t a question.

I was just trying to piece everything together.

"I said hi and she wagged her tail. I thought she was a –"

"Ghost?" Joh

I shook my head.

"Don’t make jokes," I whispered, still shivering as the adrenalin inside of me slowly dissipated. "Not yet."

Sookie touched her wet nose to my bare thigh and nuzzled gently, distracting me.

"Look at you," I whispered, giving her my attention.

It was clear from the white hair on her face that she was an old dog.

"You're so sweet." Reaching over, I placed my hand on her head and stroked lightly.

"Now this one is sweet," Joh

"Well, Sookie, you almost gave me a heart attack with your impressive hiding skills," I added, feeling my heart slowly return to its natural rhythm. "But you're still very sweet."

"Are you okay?" Joh

I felt the mattress shift beside me, but I didn’t look up from his dog.

"I should’ve warned you that she was in here," he added. "I'm just so used to her that I totally forgot. She can pass out for hours up here."

"It's okay," I whispered, keeping my attention on Sookie.

"It's okay or you're okay?"

I chewed on my lip and thought about it for a moment before saying, "It's okay and I will be okay."

Dropping my head in my hands, I let out a low groan. "God, I'm so embarrassed. Did you guys hear me screaming all the way down in the kitchen?"

"Actually, it was just me," he replied. "I was on the way up to talk to you when I heard you scream."

My heartbeat quickened.

"Talk to me?"

"Yeah, your brother had to take off while you were in the shower."

"Joey's gone?" I croaked out, feeling a sudden surge of panic race through me. "Is something wrong?"

Joh

"What is it?" I squeezed out. "Tell me, Joh

"It's, ah, it's your Ma, Sha

"What about my Mam?" I whispered. "Oh my god, is she dead?"

"No, no, fuck no," Joh

She had a miscarriage.

Your mother has lost the baby, Sha