Chapter 326

Jacks sighs and deftly takes the glass from me, setting it on a table by his side as he speaks. "Luca doesn't want me to come," he murmurs, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Oh, Luca won't even know you're there," I say, waving a hand to dismiss the idea. "Seriously, Jacks"

"No, seriously, Ariel," he says, his tone a little sharper than I've heard from him before. I go still, looking up into his face, realizing that Jackson is asserting himself. Which I certainly want him to do - I just...am not used to it. He sighs and takes my face between his palms, stepping close, speaking more softly now. "I'm fine with it, okay? This is Luca's big night, he's worked hard for it, he deserves the spotlight. And he deserves your full attention. And beyond that, you deserve to have a night where you just get to concentrate on him - I know that if I'm there you'll check yourself, always looking over your shoulder to make sure that I'm okay."noveldrama

I sigh too, my expression falling as I gaze up at my sweet, thoughtful mate. "I just...always want you to be okay."

"I know," he murmurs, slipping his hand around to the back of my head and wrapping his other arm around me, pulling me close, bringing my head to his chest so I can hear his words rumbling as he speaks them. "Take the night, Ariel. Feel what it's like to be Luca's mate, to give him your full attention. I think that's...important."

"Why is it important?" I murmur, hating the idea of Jackson not being there, of him missing it.

"Because," he says, and I turn my head up to look into his face again when I hear the smirk in his voice. "When you pick me, Ariel, I want it to be with the full knowledge of what life would be like as Luca's mate - all the highs and lows. I'm not going to be accepting any accusations that I sabotaged his chances by always hanging around you, spoiling your good time."

"I would never accuse you of that!" I gasp.

"Yeah," he says, smirking and laughing a little. "But he would."

And I can't help it - I grin, and stare up at him. "I think you're too good, McClintock," I whisper, shaking my head a little. "That maybe you should play dirty, every once in awhile."

"Oh, I've got plenty of time to play dirty with you, Clark," he murmurs, his voice hitting that low register that makes my eyes flutter half shut. He takes my chin in his hands, then, sharp, and pulls me up onto my toes as he dips his head to kiss me. His movements are rougher than usual, his lips hard on mine in a way that lets me know precisely what he's got in store for me in the future.

My wolf responds with a panting little howl, frantically turning in circles, urging me to try to find a way to stay in his arms. To make him come with us, or stay here, or run away to Aunt Cora's beach cottage with him and just live on whatever canned food they've got stocked up there for as long as it lasts -

Because I never, ever want to not feel precisely like this - pressed wann against Jackson's body, tight in his arms.

I have to admit, I'm a little dazed when he pulls away, but his arm tight around me stops me from stumbling.

"Have fun, enjoy yourself," he murmurs, smiling down at me. And his eyes twinkle a bit, like he's daring me to have more fun than I could with him. Because he kind of...knows that it's impossible.

"Ariel?" my mom calls, worried. I glance over my shoulder and see that my family is starting to head out the door. Jackson raises a hand to her, letting her know she's been heard, asking for another moment.

"Jacks," I say, pouting pathetically, a little whine in my voice.

He just laughs and shakes his head at me, moving to step away. But I move with him, not ready to part.

"What will you do tonight?" I ask, really wanting to know.

Because Jackson, alone in the palace, or the city?

What on earth will he get up to?