Chapter 927

I wake up to the feeling of Jackson's broad hand stroking over my hair and I squeak, petulant, turning my face so that my other cheek is pressed to his chest. Then I nuzzle close, my eyes pressed determinedly shut, refusing to wake up.

"Ariel, it's nearly noon," Jackson murmurs, laughing a little.noveldrama

"No, it's not, the clock is a filthy liar," I murmur, shaking my head, laying my hands flat on his lovely warm skin.

"Lazy wolf,” he whispers, far too cheerful and awake for my tastes. "What, you think just because you're all done saving the world that you can sleep all day?"

I just snarl and turn my head a bit to press my teeth to his skin, mock warning. "Shush or I will bite."

He snarls in return, his pleasure at the idea evident in the swell of desire that comes down the bond, and I can't help but laugh as he quickly shifts, snatching me up in his arms and rolling me to the side, pulling me up closer so that we're face-to-face and he can press a warm kiss to my mouth.

"Nooo," I moan, breaking the kiss and pretending to wriggle away. "Take me back - I want my pillow -"

"It's my body, Ariel, not your pillow -"

"Yes it is!" I whine, going limp in his arms like a kid having a temper tantrum. Jackson laughs harder, gathering me close and pressing kiss after kiss to my cheeks and neck and shoulder until I'm laughing too, and kissing him back, my fingers curling in his hair and over his soft beard, which he kept at my request.

"Mean to me," I murmur, opening my eyes a little, peering at his beautiful face as I press my belly to his.

He just snarls, hungry, letting me know that he can be a bit meaner to me if I want him to. I bite my lip, quite liking that idea, but a quiet knock comes at the door.

Jackson gasps, sitting up straight, spinning towards the door like he's getting caught doing something bad.

I laugh, looking up at him. "What?" I ask.

"Ariel, someone is here -"

"Duh," I say, rolling my eyes and sitting up with a sigh, snatching at the discarded pieces of the pajamas I barely wore last night. "I have a gigantic family packed into six tiny rooms in this royal suite. There's always someone here."

"But I'm " Jackson panics, looking down at his naked body, only covered by the blankets.

"So put something on!" I laugh, pulling my pajama pants up before I grab my top, tugging it on as I head for the door. "You've got like, eight seconds -"

Jackson gasps, grabbing for his pants as I laugh and reach for the door handle. I only open it a little bit, enjoying Jackson's panicked cursing as I peek outside. I grin to see my mom standing there.

"Hi, baby," she says, smiling at me, her eyes flicking towards the room. "Enjoying torturing your mate?"

"Yes, mommy," I say, leaning against the door frame and continuing to block her view as I hear Jackson hastily putting on his clothes. My eyes flash to the tray in her hand and the three wheeled trollies behind her all stacked with covered dishes. "What did you bring us?"

"Sustenance!" mom says with a happy sigh. "Jackson is too skinny."

I burst out laughing. "He's huge!"

“He lost a great deal of weight being all magical and pining for you,” mom says, laughing even as she narrows her eyes at me. "Come on, let me fatten him up.”

"Be my guest," I say, opening the door wide once I hear Jackson finish finding his clothes. When I turn I see him glaring at me, well aware of my tricks, but when he turns his eyes to my mom he smiles - because she's a great favorite of his, we're all well aware. And even if he's annoyed at me, he can't help but beam at her.

"Did you bring that for me?" Jackson asks, eager, looking at the tray in her hands.