Page 58 of Stray

“Ozzy, we have a place for you. I just wanted the appliances to arrive before you moved in there. Did you really think we would kick you out after he passed?” I blink at him, completely confused.

“What?”

“Derek’s old house. We’ve all been working on it for a while now, getting it ready for you so that you would have a home of your own.” A home of my own? I feel my lip begin to tremble, and my eyes start to burn.

“Jackson, I… that’s so kind, but I can’t stay. I’m not a ranch person. I don’t know how to do anything here.”

“And?” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I watch his corded forearms, and dammit, I feel the warmth pooling in my lower abdomen and look away.

“And, I’m not anyone’s charity. That house should go to someone in the family. I need to go soon, find another job.”

“You’re my girlfriend. I don’t want you to go.”

“Jackson, a lot of couples live apart.”

“Goddamn it, Ozzy,” he growls, running his hands through his hair. “Just… I lost my dad. Derek is going home. Please, I can’t take this. I’m barely holding it together and… and…” I watch his chest rise and fall as he avoids my gaze. His left hand grips his dresser while his right grabs his chest. “Fuck,” he pants.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, standing and walking over to him. He looks at me, eyes wide.

“I-I think I’m having a heart attack.” He whispers. I walk closer and put my fingers to the pulse point in his neck.

“Where is the pain, and what does it feel like?” I ask as I guide him to his bed to sit.

“Uhmm… here.” He points to the center of his chest. “It feels like someone is stabbing me and… I can’t breathe. Fuck, I’m hot and cold, and–”

“Shhh…” I say softly and grab his hand. “It sounds like a panic attack, not a heart attack.” He looks at me, his forehead wrinkled in concern.

“Are you sure? Because if this is how Jensen feels with his anxiety, I owe him a huge apology.” I give him a small smile before squeezing his hand.

“Yeah, I’m sure. You’re under a lot of stress. Something horrible and traumatic just happened. It’s common. What can I do for you?”

“Stay.” He says, almost frantic. “Stay in this room for now and then in that house. Don’t make me say goodbye to anyone else, please.”

I sigh before rubbing his bare shoulder. “You wouldn’t be saying–” Seeing the look of panic and desperation on his face, I relent. Nodding my head, I give him a reassuring smile. “Okay,” I say softly as I feel him lean into my touch. Relaxing myself, I lean in and pull him to me, allowing his head to rest on my shoulder. We sit like this for a long moment before he raises his head, his eyes staring at my mouth.

“Tink,” he breathes softly. “I haven’t kissed you in five days, seven hours, and,” He looks at the clock on his nightstand, “twenty-eight minutes. If I have to go ten more seconds, this will become a heart attack.” God, he is so sweet. I just want to grab him and tell him I’m in love with him, but I can’t. Not now, with so much up in the air. My living and job situation on top of us all mourning Morris, now isn’t the time for love confessions, no matter how badly my heart yearns to tell him.

“Then you had better kiss me.” I’m not sure I finish the sentence before his lips are on mine. God, his lips feel so good, soft yet powerful, and, oh my god, his tongue. I moan as his tongue begs for access to my mouth. Granting it, I gasp as he teases and tastes my tongue before sucking on my bottom lip.

“Jackson,” I pant into his mouth, earning a groan.

“I’ve never loved my name so much as I do when it falls from your lips,” he whispers huskily. I straddle his legs while tangling my fingers in his hair.

“God, you’re so fucking gorgeous.” His voice is low as I feel him gently grip my hips. His lips leave mine and land on my neck, and I breathe slowly as his tongue runs over it. I feel him halt his descent and pull back. I’m about to ask him what’s wrong when he moves my shirt collar, and his expression softens. “You’re still wearing it,” he whispers as his fingers touch the silver chain.

“Yeah, I don’t have to take it off anymore,” I say, leaning in to kiss him. His lips meet mine, and I feel his frantic need this time. He lifts me up and carries me to the middle of his bed, laying me down before looking me over. He says nothing, but I know what he’s asking.

“If I can’t handle it, I can say stop?” I manage out, and he nods before falling to his knees in front of me.

“Always, Tink. Just let me worship you.” He pulls my pants and underwear off, and instinctively, I go to cover my brand, but he’s faster. His lips and tongue skate across the scars before traveling down to my inner thigh. He grips my hips and throws my legs over his shoulders before looking up at me. Fuck, he looks sinful down there, pupils dilated and a lust-filled smirk on his lips.

“I’m going to lick you,” he murmurs, not breaking eye contact. I nod, watching his mouth make contact with my pussy. It sends a jolt through me, and my body jerks as I feel his tongue run up my slit. “That’s a good girl. Now, here’s how we are going to do this.” He kisses my clit, and I nearly cry as he pulls away and grabs his phone. He taps it a few times before handing it and his earbud to me. “You’re going to listen to this while my mouth is busy eating you out. You will use your words and communicate with me the entire time, understood?”

I think… I think I’ve short-circuited. I stare dumbly at the nearly feral-looking man, all but vibrating between my thighs, and nod. He growls in frustration and softly nips my inner thigh, causing me to moan.

“I said to use your words.” He states slowly. His voice is gentle but still holds this authoritative tone to it that causes a shudder to run through me. I hit the play button and put the bud in my ear.

“Hey baby,” Jackson’s way too sexy voice purrs in my ear. “You say stop, and it’s over, I promise. Now, are you going to let me taste you?” Oh my god, this is not real life. This man actually made a recording of him dirty talking for me to listen to while he’s going down on me.

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