Chapter 0379

"I thought you said a shower wasn't going to change the way I smell now?" I say, frowning at Rafe.

"It's going to help," he says, turning back to me and raising his eyebrows. "Seriously, Ariel, you...you smell like you took a bath in eau d'Jackson. It's not a bad thing but it is...a statement cologne."

I laugh a little and he nods to me, stepping out the door, clearly letting me know he'll give me a minute. Rafe pulls the door after him, but doesn't let it completely shut.

Quietly, I cross the room to Jackson, who holds my gaze as I do.

"Hi," I say quietly - the same thing I said last night when I showed up at his door. But this time I say it with...a little less verve.

Jackson just smirks at me, reaching to cup my cheek in his palm.

"I'm really sorry, Jacks," I whisper. "It shouldn't have happened like that."

"Not your fault," he murmurs.

"Still," I say, my voice low. "You're the one who had to deal with it."

"I'd put up with a lot worse for you," he says, his smile growing a little.

I smile back, unable to help it. I step a little closer and look up into his face. "Are we good?"

"We're good," he says, reaching out and tucking my hair back behind my ear in that way he likes. But something in his terseness - I mean, Jackson doesn't usually say a lot anyway, but today...

Well, I can tell he doesn't feel quite right.

I bite my lip, anxious. "Do you...want me to stay?" I ask, kind of hoping that he'll say yes, let me talk him through this, fix it all. I raise myself up on my toes, bringing my face just an inch or two closer to his. "For a little bit?"

But Jackson just sighs and shakes his head. "I think I need a minute, Ariel," he says gently, with absolutely no malice.

Still, my heart sinks, and I lower myself till my feet are flat, suddenly worried. Is he mad at me? Is this...is this way worse than I think it is? Should I -

Jackson just laughs at the emotions he feels through the bond, slipping a hand around my waist and tugging me close against him. "Don't get all mixed up about it," he says, shaking his head at me. "We're fine, Ariel. I just... Ella said...she said that I am allowed to take a minute. To ask for time alone when I need to... think about stuff. And figure out how I feel."

I stare at him for a second, absolutely gaping, before I burst into laughter. "Seriously!? Ella?" He grins at me. "Ella is behind all of this talk about boundaries and taking a minute!?" Content belong to N?velDráma. Org.

His grin deepens. "Yup," he says, nodding down at me. "She's on my side now. I stole your mom."

"Yeah well," I mutter, narrowing my eyes playfully. "You can take her for now. She's going to want someone to do all the heavy lifting of yule logs on midwinter anyway."

He grins, pressing a kiss to my forehead, murmuring that it sounds like a fair deal to him.

I groan a little, leaning against him, pretending to be annoyed. But really, I'm thrilled that he's growing so close to mom and that she's helping him figure out how to deal with all of these complicated emotions. I let him feel all of that down the bond. "You take your minute, Jacks." I say softly. "As much time as you need. I'll see you later?"

"You'll see me later," he says, assured. And then he dips his head, and I stand on my toes again, and my mate kisses me, his arm tightening around my waist.

I pull away after a moment, wanting to give him his space, and Jackson just stands quietly - already in thought-noveldrama

as I move towards the door. But before I leave, I turn back, my hand already on the handle.

"Hey, Jacks?" I ask quietly.

Instantly, his head turns up towards me, his expression I think a little surprised that I'm still here. "Yeah?"