~The Shy and The Stubborn~ (the santa clause)

Chapter 11: strange dream

As Justice came home from the long day at the factory, she threw all of her stuff onto her kitchen counter, and flopped onto her couch, reveling in the way she could finally allow all of her joints and muscles to relax, groaning at the smalls pops and cracks her body gave off as she wriggled on the sofa. 

The events of the day had left her physically and emotionally exhausted, but in the best possible way. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to fully unwind and let go of any remaining tension.

The quiet of her little home embraced her, providing a sense of solace after the bustling energy of the factory. The familiar sights and sounds of her home brought a comforting familiarity, grounding her in the present moment.

She reached up to her chest, fondling the pendant which Bernard had gifted her with, her wrist grazing against the fabric of his t-shirt which she still wore in the process. It made her gut twist and turn to think that he had put in the effort to make such an intricate gift - just for her. And...not to mention allowing her to borrow his shirt when hers was covered in her own blood. 

For a moment, she allowed her hand to trail down her body, feeling the fabric of his t-shirt under her fingertips and enjoying the sensory pleasure it gave her. Then, they trailed back up, and she pulled the collar of the t-shirt off of her body slightly. 

A perverted thought came to her mind. 

She felt her face flush red. Bright red. And she felt a little hot all of a sudden. 

She wanted to save her dignity, do anything but what her mind was telling her to do right at that moment. She'd find it hard to look Bernard in the eye again for a while should she do it. 

But...no one was around to see, right? There couldn't possibly be any harm in it...

Closing her eyes, Justice pulled the t-shirt over her face, and inhaled. 

The fabric against her skin felt intimate, like a gentle caress. As she breathed in, her senses were filled with his scent - a mixture of freshly laundered clothes, a hint of his cologne, and a subtle musk that was uniquely his.

Her mind swirled with conflicting emotions, the intimate act she was indulging in amplifying the connection she felt with Bernard. A rush of desire coursed through her veins, mingling with the tender affection she held for him. It was a secret moment, a stolen indulgence that allowed her to revel in her own vulnerability.

A part of her felt a pang of guilt, fearing that she was crossing a line by immersing herself in this private moment of intimacy. But the other part of her reveled in the delicious sensation, feeling a connection to Bernard that transcended words.

As Justice held the fabric against her face, she couldn't help but recall the events of the day - the way he had looked at her, the genuine warmth in his smile, and the way his touch lingered when he fastened the necklace around her neck. It stirred a deep longing within her, a desire to explore the unspoken feelings that simmered beneath the surface.

Eventually, Justice reluctantly removed the t-shirt from her face, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and desire. She took a moment to compose herself, allowing her breathing to steady.

She felt like such a gross pervert just now. 

-

It was exhausting having to come into the Urban on boxing day, hungover, tired, and grateful that this was simply another day off like it had been yesterday. The night before - after her little moment with Bernard's t-shirt - she had invited her friends over, and naturally, they all drank eggnog and celebrated Christmas together.