Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

Ayen

"All right, split up into groups of two," one of the volunteer firefighters, Mac, as I remembered from our first day, called out to us. "We're going to be doing some surveying while we're out here and gathering test samples for the quality of the soil to send back to one of the labs we work with. We want to make sure that the soil has been properly enriched after our burn and it's reading in the reports."

Our group began to separate themselves into teams, dividing amongst themselves with little hassle. I stood still, rubbing my fingers together at my sides while people moved around me, easily finding their partner and heading over to the tool kits with sample vials in them.

Fuck, this was like getting picked last for teams in high school gym class all over again.

With only twenty-one of us left, I'd be the odd man out and would need to add myself as a third to someone's group.

But who?

A hand at my back pressed against me, gently motioning me forward.

Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Jackson, who nodded toward the tool kits.

"Go on, grab one."

That was the first time I was seeing him since last night. His expression didn't betray anything but his hand sure did, gently tracing along my lower back in small circles where no one could see.

My stomach flipped at the contact while I tried to fight the smile that was trying to work its way onto my face.

I dragged my feet over to the tool kits. There was only one of them left after each of the groups had grabbed theirs. Inside of it were small glass vials, a set of strangely colored liquids, field sheets, and a set of small tools used for digging up dirt.

I hooked it around my waist and tightened the belt until it was snug against me.

Sure, I wasn't exactly thrilled that Jackson was forcing me to be social, but hopefully, it was only for one day. If I played my cards right, I could potentially mess up one of these tests on purpose and get him to come over to show me, giving me ample opportunity to ask him to stop by later.

"Uh oh."

A hand slapped down on my shoulder. I looked up to see Mac staring down at me.

"No partner, huh?"

"Uh..."

"I'll take him." Roxy trotted over while Jackson followed close behind. "He's still got that ankle thing going on."

"Oh, right. I forgot about that." Mac patted my shoulder. "Keep to the flatter terrain while you're out there, okay? There are a lot of exposed roots since all the undergrowth was burned. We don't need you tripping over something and breaking anything."

I gave him a firm nod. "Of course."

Roxy pressed her wet nose against my palm.

"I'm going to take him down by the river bed," Jackson said. "Less roots down there."

"Good idea." Mac stepped away to attend to another group who was struggling to get their belts on, leaving Jackson and I alone again.

"River bed, huh," I mumbled, making a show at fixing my belt while I could feel my entire face heat up.

"Well, the river's loud this time of year. It will help cover up any screaming."

I choked out a surprised noise and snapped my head up to look at him again. " Screaming ..."

He grinned, shrugging. "I like that you're loud."

Oh. My. God. This man.

"You're a bit full of yourself thinking I'll be screaming your name." My voice was quiet as I spoke. Even as I said the words, though, I knew they were lies. I could barely contain myself last night and it was just a blowjob.

What was going to happen if this progressed into more ?

I probably would be screaming Jackson's name.

He chuckled softly. "Who knows, maybe I'll be screaming yours."

The inside of my cheek hurt from how hard I had to bite it to keep myself from grinning back. Jackson's acceptance of my verbal need was so different than my past with my ex, to the point where it was kind of startling. Alex had hated how noisy I got when I was turned on and always had me pressed down face first into the mattress while he fucked me so it would drown out my moaning.

I'd learned to like it like that, or so I let him believe seeing as how it was the only intimate contact I'd had my entire adult life. If I didn't enjoy it somehow, then it'd feel like a total chore and would be another thing I added to my ever-growing list of things I hated about marriage.

Jackson winked at me before stepping away, heading over to one of the other firefighters to speak with him for a moment. Roxy stayed by my side, sitting down next to me and leaning her body against my thigh to rest.

I stroked her golden fur, luxuriating in the feel of it under my palm, anticipation racing through me.

A short whistle had both Roxy and I looking over to where Jackson was gesturing. She lifted herself up off the ground and trotted over to him, her tail swishing as she went. Jackson shook the other firefighter's hand before squatting and brushing his hands all over Roxy's face.

She yipped at him as he stood, sticking by the other firefighter's side while Jackson headed back over to me.

"I'm going to have her go with the rest of the group. I don't need her jumping in the water the second we get down there."

"Does she like the water that much?"

He rolled his eyes affectionately. "Oh, you have no idea."