Page 70 of Stray

My face falls. “It’s freezing out there!” I peer out the window to see him shoveling snow. I also see Gretchen is here, and my heart aches. Standing up, I walk to my kitchen, grab an insulated cup, and make a cup of tea before stepping outside. I’m shivering instantly, only in pajama pants, one of Jackson’s ranch shirts, and slippers.

“Jackson!” I call out, and I watch his shovel drop instantly. He turns and makes his way over to me.

“Baby, get your ass inside, it’s freezing out here!” His face is red from the cold, and I can hear his heavy breathing.

“I could say the same to you. Here, I got you some tea.” I hand him the cup, letting our fingers touch briefly.

“Here,” he says, reaching in his coat pockets. He opens his hand to show me a jewelry box. When I open it, I see my pendant. “When I went with Jensen to get your car, Denise had it. I uhh, I went and got you a new chain– Why are you crying?” I cover my mouth and shake my head.

“Because I thought it was gone. I was scared Mr. Kenton still had it. And because I miss you.” I watch his face crumple.

“Baby, I’m right here… the second you give me your consent, I’ll be in your house again.” I let out another sob as I walk forward and press myself into him. “Oh, thank you, god,” I hear him whisper in relief as he holds me to him. “Ozzy, it’s too cold out here,” I pull back and stare into his blue eyes.

“Come over tonight? Please?”

“You never have to ask. I’ll be here.” We hug once more before I go back inside, my heart trying to pound through my chest.

“Wow,” Theo states dryly. “Can you imagine having a relationship like theirs where they just say what they’re feeling and are honest all the time?”

“Yeah,” Niamh huffs out. “How absolutely healthy of you two.” I roll my eyes but can’t help the chuckle that escapes because I absolutely adore that Jackson and I have this open communication that I’ve never had with anyone else. It’s one of the reasons I’m so madly in love with him.

* * *

“Come in!” I call when I hear the knock on the door from my place in the bathtub.

“Just letting anyone in here?” Jackson’s voice carries up through the house.

“You just texted to say you were on your way!” I laugh as I hear him tap on the bathroom door, telling him to come in, and I smile at his shy gaze. “Oh, come on, I’m old news now.”

He breathes out a nervous laugh. “Ozzy, there will never be a day that just your presence doesn’t take my breath away.” My lip pops out, and I reach out my wet, bubble-covered hand. Jackson walks over and sits on the floor, his cold hand wrapping around my hot one.

“Jesus,” he laughs lightly. “You trying to scald yourself in there?”

“Eh, it’s possible.” I sink further into the water and rest my head on the rolled-up towel I’m using as a pillow. I run my hand over Jackson’s hand, and he lets out a hiss. Looking over, I gasp at the freshly busted knuckles on his hands.

“Jackson,” I breathe, sitting up. “What did you do?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he mutters while removing his coat. I watch as he pulls my pillow towel from the tub and wrings it out.

“It does matter! We don’t keep things from each other.”

“He deserved it.” He says, putting the towel in the sink and grabbing another for my neck.

“What did you do?” I repeat slowly, dread filling me.

“He ain’t dead,” he rolls his eyes at my insinuation. “I mean, he would be if Jensen and Carter would nut the fuck up, but I beat the shit out of him. And I’m not sorry, I don’t regret it, and I won’t feel bad. You are my girl, and I don’t care if it’s misogynistic or what the fuck ever Theo said. I protect you, and you protect me. No one touches you without your consent and without me dealing with it. So go ahead, yell at me, hate me, whatever you want, but mmff–” My lips are on his, hungrily devouring every moan and grunt that comes out of his mouth. God, I missed him.

“More,” I cry out, grabbing his hand and leading it to my breast. “Get in,” Jackson snorts.

“Baby, I’m a large man, we ain’t gonna–”

“You said if I want it,” I state while standing up. He stares in awe at the water and suds sliding down my body.

“Yeah,” he whispers, wholly fixed on me as he staggers to remove his clothes. “I-I did say that, yep, man of my word, move over.” I snicker as he all but jumps into the tub. Once situated, I begin to sit back down as he angles his cock inside me.

“Oh… god,” I cry as I lean against his chest and watch him use one hand on my clit while the other is on my breasts, playing with the bars in them.

“I love these piercings,” he says, and I pant as I grind against him. “I love… all your piercings, fucking god,” I smirk at his cry as I squeeze myself around him and lean forward.

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