Page 30 of Stray

“Like you, huh? And how’s that?”

“Not into the casual bullshit. The one-night stands, the drama, the forced getting to know you’s, followed by the awkward morning afters. She and I never really liked that, not the way Carter does, anyway.”

“So, you and her are looking for your wives? What about Jensen?” I laugh as we leave the hospital and head to my truck.

“I don’t know about Theo, but I ain’t looking for shit. I’m getting old and don’t have the time for nonsense.”

“Getting old? Aren’t you like… fifty-something?” I turn and stare at her amused expression.

“I oughta leave your little ass here to walk back,” I mutter before opening the passenger door to the truck. “I’m forty, thank you very much.” She sticks her tongue out at me, and I focus on that fucking ball shining in the sun. “Did that hurt?” I hear myself ask before I can stop. She gives me a smirk before shrugging.

“Not too bad. The piercer was really fast. Now my left tit,” she blows out a breath. “I think I died for a second.” I want to laugh, like I know she’s being funny, outgoing, and friendly, but I can’t. I can’t because she’s reminded me of those fantastic tits that I have no business thinking about having piercings through the nipples.

“You okay?” I flinch at her voice, which causes her to jump.

“Yeah,” I mutter, feeling my cheeks go red. “I ummm… I’ll go now.”

“Go where?” she laughs, and fucking hell, what am I saying?

“Go to the driver’s side and start the truck,” is my desperate attempt at a save as I stumble over my stupid big ass feet as I get into the truck. Now that I am on my side of the bench seat and I have to focus on driving, I feel calmer. At least until Ozzy opens that fucking mouth again.

“Are you attracted to me?” I slam on the brake and turn to stare at her, my eyes wide.

“No?” I breathe out and wince. It sounds more like a weak, desperate question rather than a definitive answer. I watch something flash through Ozzy’s eyes, but before I can pinpoint what it is, that fucking wall of hers is back up.

“Might wanna start driving there, Rowe,” she states just as a horn honks from behind us.

“Why would you ask that?” I say after several minutes of silence.

“Curiosity. Now I know.”

“You know what?” I ask, terrified that she’s about to out me.

“That me kissing you was wrong. I didn’t get your consent to do that, and I apologize.” I glance over at her. She looks dejected. Her shoulders are hunched over, and her gaze is on her hands in her lap. I turn and park in the grocery store’s parking lot. Ozzy looks up from her lap and then whips her head to look at me. I turn to look at her and take a breath.

“Don’t apologize. And don’t look like that.” I say, pointing at her face.

“Like what?”

“Like I rejected you or some shit.” Ozzy shakes her head, and a lock of black hair falls from her bun. I stop my hand from tucking it behind her ear, but only once it’s already halfway to her face. I go to move my hand away, but she grabs it.

“Do it,” she breathes out, and she looks almost shocked by her own words.

“Do what?” I ask softly. “Baby, you’re gonna have to be so fucking specific with what you want from me.”

Ozzy slides closer to me as she bites her lip nervously. “You were about to move my hair, weren’t you? Do it.”

“I o-okay.” I reach my hand up and watch as she fights off a flinch when my hand reaches her face. I run my finger over her temple, and she takes a sharp breath. I tuck the hair behind her ear and go to move my hand when she catches my wrist and holds me still. It’s my turn to inhale sharply as she rests her cheek on my palm and closes her eyes.

“Ozzy,” I whisper, refusing to move an inch. She’s a wild bird that has landed in my hand—one wrong move, and she’ll fly away.

“Oh my god,” she breathes out and opens her eyes. “You’re touching me.” I give her a small smile.

“You’re doing amazing, Tink.”

“Does this bother you?” She asks, refusing to let my hand go, which is fine. She can have it.

“No, why?”

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