All Novel Sweet
Chapter 361
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No, the way I'm coming apart right now has...absolutely everything to do with this quiet moment, of being alone with Jackson in his dark room and knowing that no part of me his hidden from him right now. That I'm his, if he wants me, every piece of me, body and soul. And Jackson, to my delight, claims me. Eagerly, like I'm all he's ever wanted his whole life.
He gives me a small smile and holds my gaze as he lowers his face to my stomach. Then he dips his head and presses a soft kiss there, just below my navel. I raise a hand and run it through his silky hair, letting it slip through my fingers, just...adoring him.
And there's no need to pass any of these feelings down our bond - because it's all already open. What I feel, he feels. And to me, he gives precisely the same.
That little kiss to my stomach - it's as far as we go, physically, sexually. But the way that we connect as Jackson takes his time working his way all the way up my body, touching every inch of me, caressing my skin, noting every freckle and bend of my flesh, making sure every piece of me receives his scent?
God, I've never felt so connected to anyone in my entire life. So claimed, so wanted, so treasured.
When he's finished, Jackson gathers me into his arms in the quiet dark of his room and quietly slips the little diamond clips out of my hair. "These are very pretty," he murmurs, reaching over to put them on his bedside table. "But...tonight, I like you without. Just you, no adornments."
Thum my assent, agreeing, wanting to just be myself with him tonight. Nothing fancy, nothing extra. Just me, and my Jacks, and his arms around me.
I trace my fingers softly along his spine as he dips his head, pressing a kiss low on my neck, in that soft place just between my neck and my shoulder. And I smile, loving the feel of it. loving him.
And then my eyes drift shut, and I know his do too, right at the same time.
And just like that, quite simply,
We fall asleep.
When my eyes flutter open the next morning, I'm confused for a second, but then I break into a grin. Because even though I fell asleep on my side on the mattress, with my head pressed into one of mom's very expensive down pillows, I've woken up sprawled across Jackson's stomach and chest, just as I did during the Examination.
I smile, letting my eyes drift back shut, nuzzling my face closer to his bare chest and curling closer to him, even though that's a little impossible. Jackson's flat on his back, one arm wrapped protectively around me, the other flung out over the mattress. His mouth hangs open a little, adorably, as he breathes deeply. And I can feel each of those breaths raising, lightly, against my body.
Honestly, I should be waking my with a crick in my neck and sore muscles from such a strange position. But, really, I feel more rested and comfortable than I've maybe ever felt. Which is saying something, considering how much we all had to drink last night.
I'm basking quietly in the warmth of him in the still-dark room - Jackson has his curtains pulled shut, even though I can see a little sunlight peeking through - when I feel him twitch, slightly, and I feel him wake up. I grin at the sensation, which is so new and delightful, and only possible because our bond is so open to each other after last night. We're so connected to each other right now that when my little wolf turns her sleepy head and stretches out her nose, she rests it on Jackson's wolf's paw. His wolf grumbles sleepily and turns his nose towards her so their muzzles nearly touch.
I open my eyes again, and tilt my head up, grinning when I see Jacks peering at me a little blearily in the morning light.
Down our bond, I pass a warm and happy hello, pleased and quiet and comforted.
Jacks, to my surprise, just snarls and grabs me tighter to his chest, turning on his side and taking me with him so that we're laying face-to-face against the pillows. I burst out laughing as he shakes his head, pressing his eyes shut again.
"No," he murmurs, angry. "We're not up. It's not morning. You're imagining it - go back to sleep."