Chapter 95

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 st

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… noveldrama

Well.

Emergency calls only

That that’s maybe not such a bad idea.

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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 we both just tore into each other.

way

that

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.”

Jackson just laughs but keeps me in his arms as he pulls me away from the wall, folding hist legs beneath him and sinking gracefully to the ground with me still in his arms, tucking ust 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

mergency calls onlyHO O D 6

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mate’s face. My smile broadens and 1 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.

“L. 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.”

My mate, bless him, blushes just a little but then clears his throat, I think wondering where to begin.

I raise my hands to his cheeks, cupping his face between my palms. “Jackson, are you all right? I – I’m so, so sorry.”

“I’m okay,” he says, nodding, his voice choked. “I’m sorry I stormed out of here I was… really freaked out.”

“Are you still freaked out?” I whisper.

“Oh. for sure,” he says, his eyes widening as he lifts them to mine. And I can’t help it, I burst into laughter. He takes a second and then he laughs too, but his arms wind around me, holding me tighter and I think…well, I think everything’s going to be okay. “Ari, this is absolutely insane I mean…I was….” he scowls, hanging his head for a second, “I was completely convinced you were a boy.”

–

He lifts his head and narrows his eyes at me for a second, sniffing the air, as if he still kind. of suspects that I am.

I burst out laughing, giving him another shove. “I’m a girl, I promise, see?” And then I raise my hands to my head, making quick work of my braid, letting my hair fall down around my shoulders.

Jackson groans again, taking a second to dip his head close to my hair, taking a deep breath

Emergency calls only pe

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15.45

of my scent before he slowly raises his eyes to meet mine again, though his are half–lidded now. “Boys can have long hair too,” he murmurs, sounding a little drunk.

“Do you require further proof, sir?” I ask, sitting up straight, half scandalized and half well. Tempted.

“No,” he murmurs, ducking his head against me again and pulling me back against his chest, making me smile ridiculously with joy. “No, just…stay here, please. Right here. Don’t ever leave.”

“Have to leave at some point,” I murmur, running my fingers through his dark hair, which is silkier than I thought it would be. “Kind of…a big day tomorrow.”

“I know,” he groans. He lifts his head again, blinking at me, lifting a hand to tuck my hair behind my ear. “Stupid sun. Now would be a great time to blow it up or melt it, you know,” he says, making me laugh again. “Make sure tomorrow never comes and we can just…stay right here.”

“Really?” I whisper, still smiling at him. “You want to spend the rest of our lives sitting in the dirt under this rocky overhang?”

“Yes,” he replies, instant, leaning forward to brush his nose against my cheek, dragging it back towards my ear and then down my neck. “Right here, for the rest of time. That would be perfect.”

And I bite my lip at the sweetness of him, but even as I do I realize that he’s…he’s kind of right. Right here it is just us in our own little world. But tomorrow, if and when we do get back? There is…a whole lot of truth waiting.

And, for me…another mate.

Another mate who is not going to be pleased when I show up on the mountain top smelling all over of Jackson McClintock.

But still, as I wrap my arms tighter around Jackson’s neck, I realize that in this moment? I… just can’t bring myself to care.

My mate, I think sensing my joy and my

against my neck to look at me. Slowly, ale at once, lifts his head from its place tucked

takes over his lips.

Emergency calls only

“What is it?” I whisper, grinning at him, unable to help it.

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Jackson just shakes his head at me, marveling. “I just can’t believe you’re real,” he whispers, and my heart breaks and heals and breaks again, all in an instant. “I’ve been…thinking about you my whole life.”

“Me too, Jacks,” I whisper, pressing my hand warm to his cheek, my stomach filled with butterflies because, honestly, it’s not a lie. “I’ve been waiting for you too.”

He kisses me then slow, and rich, and deep.

And if that were my magical gift, to blow up the sun and prevent tomorrow coming, or stopping time right now and live in this moment forever?

Honestly, I’d probably do it.

Because this and Jacks…

It’s just…perfect.