Page 10 of Stray

Not that I care. I mean, I care because she’s a human and a woman, and I was raised to take care of women, to protect them. No matter what.

At least ten minutes have passed, and I finally hear the quad runner coming up the hill. I see Carter coming over the hill, and I’m thankful she actually listened to me and went to the house.

“You alright?” Carter asks, helping me stand.

“Sure,” I say sarcastically. “Never been better.” I wince as he helps me on the back of the quad, and we take off through the field, dodging branches and straw flying every which way.

We arrive in time to see Ozzy and Jensen finishing up tying the tools in the bed of the truck. I swear to fucking christ. It’s like no matter what I say, she has to disobey me.

They come over and help get me off the quad, and I glare at the woman. “What part of this seems safe for you to be out in?” I growl as I hold on to Carter while hopping to the house.

“Will you stop? I was helping. Sorry, I was trying to prevent another shovel from attempting to take out your big ass head!”

“It ain’t safe out there for a woman,” I bark as we walk into the house, where Mama is waiting to hand us towels and dry clothes.

Ozzy scoffs, getting into my face and rolling her rich brown eyes. Being this close, I can see they aren’t just brown. They’re flecked with gold, like the lightning outside in the dark stormy skies and the rolling fields in autumn. They’re so deep and captivating. “Be careful there, Superman, your misogyny is showing.”

Well, that takes care of the whole ‘captivating’ thing. This woman is infuriating.

Ozzy walks in behind me, her body near convulsions. She’s shaking so hard. “I’m changing and grabbing my kit, so make sure your leg is accessible.” I go to tell her not to worry about it, but she doesn’t wait for a response. Instead, she takes the towel from Mama and walks away.

“What the fuck happened?” Jensen asks as we all begin to disrobe in the living room so we don’t trail water through the house. I hiss while slipping my jeans off over my cut. Fuck, it stings.

“Fucking Leroy was out, and then a damn limb fell on me,” I grunt as my brothers and I wrap towels around their waists, and they collect their wet clothes, leaving to get themselves cleaned up. Limping over to the ottoman, I sit down, holding a rag against my cut. I hear Ozzy walk over and look up to see her dressed in shorts and a baggy long-sleeve shirt, with her long, wet hair on top of her head in a bun.

“Alright, let’s have a look.” She says, kneeling in front of me. I glance at her thick, tattoo-covered legs as she sits on her feet. Fuck, she’s so curvy. Her legs are fucking delicious and wiggle when she moves in a way that just–

“Ow! Son of a bitch!” I hiss at the burning sensation in my leg.

“Sorry, you had some bark in there.” She says, holding up the piece with her tweezers to show me.

“You enjoyed that too much,” I whine as she beams at me before cleaning my leg up.

We are alone as she continues her work, frowning while she does so. “You need stitches.” She mutters, and I watch her eyes shudder as she looks over my naked torso.

“See something you like, Tink?” I purr while bouncing my pecs. She rolls her eyes and fakes a gag.

“Get over yourself,” she huffs while standing up and padding to the kitchen. Coming back, she hands me a bottle of whiskey. “Drink,” she orders and begins to fish through her bag.

“I mean, you don’t have to tell me twice.” I laugh while unscrewing the cap and taking a long swig, enjoying the burn running down my throat.

“You’re going to want more.” She mutters, and now I see she is readying a suture kit.

“W-wait a minute,” I start trying to move, but note that the knot of the towel is no longer secure, and if I stand, all of my junk will be front and center. “Tink,” I let out a nervous laugh. “Listen, I… you’re a nurse, I get that, and while I’m sure you can do—”

She gives me a dry, unamused look as she stares at me. I’m annoyed at how fucking pretty she looks right now in her baggy clothes and no make-up. Like really fucking pretty. “Listen, big man,” she states with all the attitude in her body. “Nobody, and I mean nobody, sutures a wound like me. Now, take another shot, shut the fuck up, and lie down. If you start crying, I will absolutely make fun of you.” Not one to be called out, I snort before taking another long swig before staring back at her.

“Tink, if I lay down, you’ll get an eyeful.” A slight smirk plays across her lips before she hands me a small square of gauze.

“That should handle it, right?” I laugh. I can’t help it. She’s a fucking asshole, and it’s kind of… alright, it’s downright hilarious. Nothing about her is what you would expect, given how high maintenance she appears to be with her hair, nails, make-up, and clothing. I’m starting to think it’s more for show. Nothing about her underneath this disguise she wears is what you would expect.

She hands me a paper sheet and is about to start when we both freeze, hearing the second loud cry we’ve heard this evening. This one causes my blood to run cold. My boys… My dogs, Rocky and Bear, are outside barking and crying in the distance. They must’ve got out while Jensen and Carter were tying everything down. I hear one of them let out a cry like they are in pain, and it twists my fucking gut. I have to get to them.

Ozzy

I flinch when the dogs howl again before standing up. Jackson grips the paper sheet to his junk as he goes to stand. “Fuck, my dogs are still out there.” I stop him before he can get off the couch.

“I’ll get them,”

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