Chapter 187

I’m panting, gasping really as Jackson presses me flat against the wall of rock, both of his hands under my shirt now, his palms a damn song against my skin as they press up over my ribs, as they move slow over my flesh like they’re trying to ensure that I’m here, that I’m real.

And suddenly, quite suddenly, I realize that I do not at all want to be wearing this shirt anymore. That I don’t want to be wearing anything – that all I want in the entire world –

No, not want – need –

Is to have my skin bare against Jackson’s – flush, with nothing in between, not even air – nothing but sweat -

Jackson groans, though, and turns his face away, ripping his mouth from mine.

“What?” I breathe, my voice trembling as my hands again go to his cheeks, trying to turn his face back to me, wanting his mouth back right where it was. God, his mouth, those lips. “Jackson, please –“

I’m begging, but I don’t fucking care. God, I want him.

I want him…bad.

But Jackson just presses his mouth into a thin line and holds his eyes shut. “I…I think we need to stop, Ari,” he murmurs, his head moving once, sharply, from side to side.

“What?” I gasp, baffled. “Why?”

“Because,” he growls, and I go rigid when he turns his blue eyes to mine, when I see the powerful want behind his gaze. “Because if we don’t stop now, I am going to…throw you down in this dirt, Ari, and I am not going to be able to stop.”

My breath hitches in my chest and then stops completely as I consider that…

Well.

That that’s maybe not such a bad idea.

But then, slowly, as Jackson stares at me, patiently waiting for me to catch up with him, I remember where we are. And what we’re trying to do. And the fact that there are people below us who will probably try to kill or maim us if they find out we’re here. And that tomorrow we have to climb a ravine and then a mountain.

So.

This is probably not the right time to let my mate throw me to the ground and ravish me.

As I stare at him, putting all the pieces together, I can’t help the furious scowl that forms on my lips.

Jackson’s face breaks into a slow grin as he raises a hand, tracing the shape of my lips with his thumb. “Perfect,” he murmurs, shaking his head as he stares at my mouth like he can’t believe it.

He leans forward again, pressing a kiss to my lips, ridiculously soft considering the way that we both just tore into each other.

But my body responds again, beyond me or despite me or just…expressing precisely how I feel. And I lean into the kiss, moving my mouth slowly over his, holding him close to me and never, ever wanting to let him go.

Jackson, again the responsible party here – I am doing absolutely nothing to help, I’m well aware - again breaks our kiss with a groan, shaking his head.

“Fine,” I sigh, tilting my head back and giving him a half-hearted shove on the shoulder. “Let me down, then, you big gigantic brute.” noveldrama

Jackson just laughs but keeps me in his arms as he pulls me away from the wall, folding his legs beneath him and sinking gracefully to the ground with me still in his arms, tucking us away beneath the little overhang of rock. It’s dark, but in the moonlight I can still make out his features, his expressions. Suddenly, ridiculously, I bless the goddess that it’s a clear night.

And then I grin, looking up at the moon, realizing that…well, that that’s her. And she did this. And so of course my grandmother has given me a clear night so that I can look on my mate’s face. My smile broadens and I send her a quick prayer of thanks because…

Well, because I really like my mate. She picked well.

“Are you okay?” Jackson asks, drawing my attention back to him.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I, um – I’m sorry, for like, slamming you up against the rocks.” He grimaces at me a little. “I got carried away.”

“Jacks,” I say, laughing and shaking my head, “I’m fine, I…” I hesitate for a second, biting my lip, “I liked it.”