My eyes sting, and I feel as though I’m on a tripwire. Years of being told I’m sick, bad,wrong—so deeply ingrained within me. It lights up my whole body when he says those words.
“I’m good,” I breathe out.
Teddy’s brows raise slightly, like he’s surprised I actually said it. “Say it again?” he asks as he thrusts into me again with no finesse, just pure determination.
“I’m good,” I pant.
My orgasm, which had been held out of my reach, barrels through me. His arms wrap around me as we grind our hips in unison, and I finally let go. Hot cum smears between us, coating our stomachs as my cock throbs, trapped between our bodies. Teddy lets out a groan, biting down on my shoulder, his body shuddering as his cock pulses deep inside of me.
“Yes you are,” he whispers.
BAILEY
Something soft brushesagainst my lips. I stir, but I don’t want to wake up yet; my mind's still floaty, and I’m cocooned in Teddy’s scent. I know as soon as I wake up, he’s going to leave. A hand brushes my hair behind my ear, and I peel my sleep-heavy eyes open to find Teddy leaning over me. His dark curls are flopping over his eyes, and a smile dances on his lips. He looks so pretty. I reach out to grab his sleeve, wanting to drag him back into bed.
“I need to go to the docks, Bay. Go back to sleep, okay?” He kisses my forehead once more. “I’ll be home around two.”
“What time is it?” I groan, closing my eyes again.
“Four-thirty. Rob texted me last night. My trainee is off sick, and we’ve had a temp covering the numbers since I took time off last week. I need to get in early to get everything organised.”
I’m barely listening, drifting back under already. I hear Teddy opening the bedroom door, whispering, “Sweet dreams, mo leannan.” Then I’m out like a light.
“Morning, lad,”Teddy’s grandad greets me as I walk in through the back door.
I nod to him, feeling my cheeks heat. I realise that everyone knows now that Teddy and I have been holed up together all weekend. I avoid eye contact while I take my shoes off. “Hey, Malcolm.”
“Parcel arrived for you early this morning,” he says, pointing to the breakfast table. “Breakfast’s on the hot plates. Take what you want. Noah’s the only one who hasn’t shown his face yet.”
Of course Noah would be the last up. I check my phone and see it’s eleven in the morning. “Thanks.” I get my breakfast and sit down next to the small parcel.
“The boys might be coming in early,” Malcolm mutters as he looks out of the kitchen window. I follow his gaze and see dark grey clouds. “Storm’s coming. Can’t have been in the forecast, or else they wouldn’t have gone out.” The deep frown on Malcolm's brow makes me a little uneasy. “I’ll leave you to it, gotta go help clean up the barn.” He sighs and heads out the back door.
My eyes drift to the parcel. I don’t know who would have sent it to me. Everyone who knows I’m here is here also. Teddy could have left me something, I suppose, but then why would he leave it here and not at his house?
Deciding I can’t finish my breakfast without looking, I take a deep breath and drag the parcel over. My name is written on the box in black marker pen, but there’s no last name and no address. It must have been delivered in person, but I don’t recognise the writing.
I rip off the brown tape sealing the box, and immediately my stomach revolts. As I open it, the smell of sweet rust hits me like a punch in the gut. It takes me right back to when I was a kid, waking up covered in the blood of?—
Not again.
Inside, there’s a bundle of tartan fabric. With trembling fingers, I unwrap the cloth and shove my hand over my mouth to stop myself from crying out. A mouse lies unmoving, fresh blood smeared over its fur.
I jump off my stool and run out the back door, doubling over as my breakfast comes back up. I spit to clear the bile from my mouth, then lean against the wall, begging my heart to slow down.
He’s found me.
How the hell has he found me …?
On shaky legs, I stumble back to the kitchen, not wanting anyone else to see what’s in the parcel. I go to close it back up, but something catches my eye. Underneath the mouse, partially stained by blood, is a piece of paper. I pick it up by a dry corner and slide it out gently. My breath catches in my throat, and a sob threatens to come out. It’s a screenshot of the picture from the wedding where Teddy’s kissing me.
He knows where I am, and he knows I’m with Teddy. “Fuck!” I shout, slamming my hand on the counter. I turn the paper over and see scrawled writing that I finally recognise as my brother's.
Then my heart stops completely.
Found you, Little Mouse. You should have left him alone.
I throw it back into the box and seal everything up.
