Page 47 of Stray

Setting the basket down, I remove my shoes before walking into the house and heading straight for the stationary tub, where everyone washes off in the mudroom. I walk through the house and see Morris is sleeping. I check his vitals and place my hand on his for a moment before deciding to shower before I need to give him meds and set up for movie night.

As I enter my room, I disrobe and shudder at the stench of the pieces of fabric while walking to the bathroom. It amazes me how truly terrible it smells when you come inside, but when you’re out there… It’s just a calming aroma. I don’t know how to explain it or explain when I made that shift. The old me would’ve died if her hand had fallen into animal shit. I would’ve hated being out there feeding the animals, collecting eggs, cleaning out pens. While I’m not exactly whistling and skipping along, I don’t mind it. It’s calming and honest work. And I love the animals… except Henrietta. That cunt is going to be on my plate one day. Probably not, but I still don’t like her.

As I step out of the shower, I towel off and rub lotion all over before walking back to my bedroom to grab my clothes.

“Holy shit!” I freeze at the sound of Jackson’s startled voice from where he’s standing in the middle of the room.

“Jackson,” I whisper, trying to figure out what the fuck is happening.

“Uh huh?” He mutters, his eyes locked on my very bare tits.

“I’m naked,” I state, and I swear I can hear him swallow.

“Yeah, I’m… aware.”

“Stop looking!” I hiss, breaking him out of his trance. His tanned face goes tomato red as he breaks tit contact and turns to face the wall. Quickly, I go to my dresser and grab baggy sweatpants and a green henley. Once I’m decent, I walk over to him. “What the fuck? You ever hear of knocking?”

“O-Ozzy, I am so sorry. I thought I could slip in and out without you knowing. You came out just as I was leaving.” I raise a brow at his words.

“Why were you in here?” I didn’t know his face could get any more red. I watch as he looks at my nightstand, where a single red rose lies with a box. I scrunch my brows as I walk over to the box and pick it and the rose up. “What’s this?” I ask nervously.

“The rose is because I’m really sorry for yesterday, like… so fucking sorry. I’m an idiot, and I will understand if you want nothing to do with me again. I won’t like it, but I’ll understand. And that,” He gestures to the box. “I saw when I was in the city earlier, and it made me think of you.” I watch him rub the back of his neck nervously as I set the rose down and open the box. “If you hate it–”

“Oh my god,” I breathe as I look at the silver necklace. It looks like a wax seal with a large poppy on it. “It’s… Jackson, it’s beautiful but–”

“I know,” he interrupts. “I know you don’t like things around your neck, but I thought maybe as a bracelet or something? I don’t know. I just saw the poppy, which made me think of you.”

My hand goes to my throat, and he must mistake the gesture as apprehension because he steps forward and takes the box.

“Tink, I swear I didn’t mean for it to go on your neck. Shit, maybe I should’ve asked if they could’ve put it on a bracelet.”

“What? No!” I snatch the box back, clutching it to my chest. “No,” I repeat softer. “Jackson, I… nobody has ever gotten me something before.” He gives me a dry laugh.

“You mean jewelry?” I stare up at him, and his face drops when he sees the look on mine.

“Anything,” I whisper, gripping the box tighter. “Thank you, I love it.”

“Oh,” he seems almost shocked. “Yeah, you’re welcome.” There is an awkward, quiet moment between us before I take a deep breath and set the box down.

“Can I kiss you?” I ask, and I watch the nervousness on his face melt, and a smile replaces it.

“Always.” I smile at that small word. It hits me in a way I hadn’t expected as I close the distance and press my lips to his. He captures my bottom lip in between his, and I feel like I’m melting. I get halfway through licking his lips when the alarm on my phone startles us.

“Fuck,” I whisper, reaching over to silence the thing. “It’s the alarm telling me I need to start getting your dad’s meds ready in an hour and get dinner going.” I turn to walk away when Jackson cups my cheek and pulls me back to him. He walks us back until my back hits the wall before bending down, hovering his mouth over mine.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks, and I would give anything to say ‘always’ to him. But I can’t give him the permanent consent he gave me. So, instead, I nod, and he captures my mouth, causing me to whimper. I feel his hand grabbing my thigh, and I nod again, silently consenting as he lifts me to his waist. I feel his erection against my center.

“Fuck,” I hiss out as I grind against him.

“Tink,” he grits out, the need and lust thick in his voice. “Goddamn it, there isn’t a thing about you that doesn’t drive me crazy,” I whine while gripping his hair with my hands, lust filling me as well.

“I want you,” I whisper, watching his body stiffen before relaxing.

“R-Really?” I can’t help but chuckle at his surprised tone. I mean, I understand the question, but still, his hands are holding my thighs apart while he grinds against me.

“Yeah, I’m just scared,” I say as I move off him and sit on the bed. “Things about me are… well, I guess you know now.” I look up to see his face fall. He walks over and drops to his knees in front of me.

“I’m so sorry for invading your privacy like that. I could say I never meant to see what I did, but even if that’s true, I shouldn’t have been looking at all.”

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