GRAY'S POV
I weave between the buildings coming up on Hatter's Mansion fast. My clock pounds hard with excitement as I clear the fence, dipping beneath a nearby rose bush for cover as two servants walk by, surveying the area.
Jackie loves me.
My clock aches with eager anticipation as I shakily exhale. After all this time I couldn't have simply figured out the obvious? That I, Gray Ringmarc, am in love with Jackie? And more so, she returns such affections. My blood burns as I hop from rose bush to rose bush keeping a careful eye on the guards. Hatter won't be back for another ten minutes at the very least. I ran all the way here and all of them tend to take their time when returning to their estate from the meetings.
The second the guards are out of view I leap up into the wall, clinging to a tiny crevice. Jackie's room would be in this wing of the building. I'm sure Blood likes to keep a close eye on his foreigners. My eyes narrow at the mere thought of his lying lips pressing against Jackie's. It disgusts me to think that while he has Alice he is trying to selfishly claim another foreigner.
I glance into one of the nearby rooms. This must be it. This is one of the few open rooms near Blood's room that is on a normal basis vacant. I slip my thinnest blade between the crack of the windows flipping the latch with ease. Too easy.
I deafly leap inside the room darting over to the drawers. Most are empty with the exception of three. Tops, pants, and, er, undergarments. I pick up a lacey black pair of underwear flushing as I imagine Jackie lying on the bed, moaning my name with these latched around her hips. I quickly shake off the inappropriate thought. No, no that's much too fast. But what is she expecting tonight? When I had said it I only meant that I wished to simply see her but now that I'm rethinking my words I can only imagine what she's thinking about.
An excited shiver crawls down my spine as I quickly fold up the clothes and set them in the a pillow case. I need to be quick or else Elliot will hear me. I am not foolish. I know that if he takes on step into the estate he'll be able to hear me. At that point it's just if I act suspiciously or not through my movements that he will notice that I'm not a servant simply cleaning the rooms. I toss the bag over my shoulder after shutting the drawers, erasing every trace that I was even here. My foot lightly touch the edge of the window ceil as I shut the window, maneuvering the latch back into place.
And now for a clean escape.
My focus shifts for a moment, spying Dupre's silhouette leaning against the door frame. He got back sooner than I expected.
"My my ... seems to me there's a little thief in the house. Cute." Dupre purrs as he coolly walks into the room. My eyes narrow as I push the window open, prepared to make a dash for it if he brought out his gun. I can't start a fight with him. It will come back on the Clover Tower.
"This is a personal matter."
"I realize it has nothing to do with Clover Tower and yet everything to do with that new foreigner Jackie." He purrs excitedly. I immediately stiffen catching his shifty eyes.
"Leave her out of this, Hatter. You already have Alice."
"That does not mean I cannot entertain myself with the young lady every now and then. She's funny, cute," He brings his hand up to his face sliding his tongue just over his pointer finger, "and so sweet." My hand twitches towards my set of blades as I struggle to resist.
"You're pissing me off, Hatter." I warn struggling to hold back from slashing his throat and painting the walls with his blood. What makes him think he has the right to toy with her like that?! My knuckles turn white from gripping the bag so tightly, making my fingers fall numb. This f***er -!
"My, and the little assassin starts to show his true colors. Poor little lizard, so intimidated by me that he needs to come by himself so Jackie doesn't fall for my charms correct?" Dupre croons, his eyes flashing to my free hand as it twitches towards my blade. I want to cut him. I want to see him bleed. I want to see him begging for mercy just before I drive a knife right through that f***ing skull of his -! I clench my teeth struggling to calm down. No, I can't do that to Nightmare and Clover Tower. My actions now will fall back on others, including Jackie. I shift my weight, signaling my leave.
"Goodbye, Hatter. Jackie will be staying at Clover Tower from now on." I add as a final note.
"It's a true shame that she's already in my grasp, isn't it?" Dupre chuckles catching my attention, "you should have seen her, Gray. Her lips, her body, her mind ... they are all so soft you want to spoil it rotten, don't you?"
" ... Farewell, Hatter." I hiss before leaping out of the window. I'm going to lose it. If he had said Jackie's name one more time with that filthy mouth of his - just once more, and I ...
I would have slaughtered him on the spot.
JACKIE'S POV
What did he mean by 'Go to your room. I'll be there shortly.'?!
My heart pounds with the obvious as I try to erase the thought. No way no way no way! He wouldn't move that fast right? I mean I just realized that I really like him. N-No need to rush things at all. A never ending blush stains my face as I try to cool down the permanent blood settlement. Why am I even blushing this much? H-He probably meant that just to drop off the clothes, that's all!
I nervously pace my room continuing to look at my cracked window. I went and unlocked it for him but still, can't he hurry up? The suspense is killing me. I don't know what he meant! My breathing slightly hitches as I remember his teeth grazing the skin on my neck leaving a fiery line of heat that practically melted me on the spot. M-Maybe he will do something like that? My heart jerks hard as I imagine his perfectly toned muscles pressing against my back as he does who knows what to me.
SHUT. UP. BRAIN!
I'm over thinking this. I know I am. I mean, h-he's not expecting me to do the mattress mambo right? Not so soon, impossible! I squeak and spin around as I hear the window creak. I remain frozen, eyes locked to the window. N-Nothing. It's just my imagination I know it is b-but this is really freaking me out -!
"Jackie."
"Augh!" I choke, spinning around as I spy Gray coming through the door like a normal human being. He softly sets a stuffed lumpy pillow case aside looking over my clearly distraught face. His topaz eyes solemnly study me before flickering to the open window.
"You should close the window. You'll catch a cold." I lightly shiver as his arm brushes by me. Oh man ... what am I going to do? I-I like him and don't want to hurt his feelings but I-I'm so not mentally prepared for something like that! No, stop thinking! Just stop thinking!
"R-Right." My arms tremble with the tension and stress of the whole situation. Man I am terrified-! He glances over his shoulder his yellow eyes locking onto my arms.
"Are you cold? Here," he offers, sliding off his jacket as he wraps it around my shoulders. I flinch as he picks me up, sitting himself down on the couch before pulling me into a soft embrace. I-Is this the start of it? Oh man I just don't freaking know-! I jump as his hand softly rubs my back, more so in a comforting way than romantic. H-Huh?
"Relax, Jackie. I ... only want to hold you." He reassures with a smile, pressing his cheek to the top of my head. I shiver as his warmth penetrates my thin clothes and nuzzle my head against his shoulder. Oh ... so this is all he meant? I take a moment to measure his sincerity before slowly relaxing. He won't go against his word.
I smile and set my hand on his arm slowly inhaling his masculine scent. Hm ... I've never been the one to like cigarettes but mixing that with whatever cologne he has makes it smell good. I look up at his jaw faintly blushing as my eyes fall down towards his neck. My mouth strangely heats up as the urge to kiss him comes over me. I tense up again as my blood begins to boil.
No, no just stop thinking you stupid brain! My lips press up against his neck just over his lizard tattoo. I shakily inhale as my blood throbs an electric shock lighting up my bones. W-What the heck was that brain?! I said stop thinking not start acting! I quickly pull back spying Gray's startled eyes. Whoops.
"Sorry ... ," I mutter, suddenly self conscious as I bury my face into his neck. Wow that was embarrassing. Why would I do that?! Stupid instincts!
"N-No, it just startled me is all." Gray feverishly says with red coloring his entire face. I hide my face in his shoulder. Don't look at me that was so embarrassing!
"Look at me, Jackie." He breathes, scooping my chin up as he makes me look at him. His gentle smile broadens as his lips touch the tip of my nose. "You're so cute, Jackie."
"S-Stop." I weakly beg, my face growing an even deeper shade of red. I don't know what to do! Yeah, I like him but even just a little touching like this is making me feel so weird and I don't know what to do with it. His hand softly cups my cheek as he tilts my head, gingerly leaving kisses along my jaw. A strange hum builds up in the back of my throat as I tremble, softly gripping Gray's shirt. S-Stop ... I'm not used to so much touching. It's honestly scaring me.
"G-Gray, please stop." I plead, holding completely still as his lips draw over my temple. He pauses, measuring the hidden terror in my voice. Why am I being such a baby?! Gray pulls back lightly tapping his forehead against mine.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asks, concerned as his fingers overlap behind my neck. My eyes remain firmly down as I try to come up with a response.
"N-No. You're doing everything just too good." I whine, hiding my head against his neck. He immediately jumps as his grip strains. I softly exhale feeling as he shakes beneath me and hides his expression over my shoulder. What's going on with him? "What's wrong?"
"N-Neck. You're breathing on the ta-tattoo." I lean back spying his flushing face and feverish grin. Uh ... oh. Oh wow whoops ok.
"Sorry." I mumble again as I try to pull away. His hand remains firm, only letting me shift so I'm not breathing directly on the ticklish lizard.
"I-I-It's fine." He huskily breathes out softly rubbing my back. I remain quiet enjoying the warmth. This is ... pretty nice. We sit in silence for a little while simply enjoying each other's warmth. I glance out the window. I wonder what I'm going to do about the debt with Blood now. I guess I can just work more so around Clover Tower and try to get it back to him before the interest sky rockets. I wouldn't put it passed him to do that.
"What are you thinking about?" Gray mutters making me jump. I quickly rake my brain for a topic since anything concerning Blood is to be avoided at all costs.
"Nothing much." I hum lightly squeezing his shoulders. I pause before leaning back, again pinching the rock hard muscles. "You've got a ton of stress knots."
"Oh, do I?" He asks, glancing over my hands.
"Yeah. Do you want me to rub your back?"
"Huh? Oh, I wouldn't I to trouble you." Gray says with a smile. He wants it I know he does.
"It's no trouble at all, Gray. Here lay down on the couch." I order before slipping off him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I want to give you a back rub, Gray." I smile squeezing my hands in the air. He chuckles showing me a small smile.
"If you insist, Jackie." As he rolls onto his stomach I messily try to fold up his jacket before setting it aside. Hm ... I could make him take off his shirt too. My face turns a tad darker as I quickly vanquish the idea. Nope nope nope~ that's not a good idea. I think I would be too busy drooling rather than rubbing. Once he was settle in I gripped his shoulders, working my way into the harder muscles.
"Let me know if it hurts." I say digging my knuckles into the knots of muscles. Gray groans in the back of his throat as he tenses. "Relax your shoulders it makes it easier for me and less painful for you," I note pushing and prodding the muscles running down near his spine.
"Do you do this often?" He asks as I barrel down on a particular nasty knot in his lower back. He shifts as I push harder forcing the muscle to relax or suffer the wrath of my elbow grinding into it.
"Sort of." I'm just really good working things with my hands. I haven't actually rubbed that many backs in my days.
"Hm ... you're very good at it." He compliments with a small hum thoroughly enjoying his muscles being jabbed and worked into.
"Thanks." I laugh, moving back up to his shoulders which have the worst knots. He tenses up as I massage the thick neck muscle, pinching and twisting my thumb into the places where it was the hardest. His back smoothly rises each time he breathes distracting me almost every time. Personally I wouldn't have pictured Gray as being someone who's really built but he's got a lot going for him. I dare say he may rival even Boris's six pac, although Gray's aren't as defined.
I stare at his content face which remains smooth as I begin to lighten up my rubbing. Is he asleep already? I pull back, watching as his eyes crack open. I laugh at his sleepy state trying to keep them to small chuckles. My hand lightly brushes over his forehead exposing his eyes. He looks really, really tired. As if he hasn't been getting enough sleep at night.
"Stay right here." I order as I trot over to my bed and pull off a small blanket folded in the corner of it. I unfold the tricky fabric laying it across Gray's back. I laugh at his still half cracked eyes softly rubbing his upper back.
"Get some sleep, Gray. You need it." I turn to take off his shoes but his fingers slip between my digits, making me look back at his blazing topaz eyes.
"Do you swear not to leave?" He asks with an excellent poker face. I gently pull his hand up kissing his knuckle.
"I promise. I'll be in this room when you wake up." I hum letting him tuck his hand back into place. My fingers tug at his shoe laces before sliding them off his feet and neatly set them behind the couch. He looked pretty sleepy and irritable the whole day. Now that I think about it Gray hardly said a word at the meeting. And when we were in his 'secret room' he pretty much was laying on me for support. I smile as draw my finger tips over his hair before leaning down and kiss his temple.
"Goodnight, Gray." Heh ... I guess even mama bear needs to be babied every now and then.
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Aw~! I thought that ending was cute! 10 REVIEWS for the next~ and, what's this? A date with the ex assassin?