Chapter 126
Ellie's POV
"Because I've seen you, Jackson. Really seen you." I smiled softly. "You think you don't feel things, but I've watched you stay up all night reviewing medical journals because you want to be the best doctor you can be. I've seen you gentle with your dancers when they're struggling. You risked everything to save me from that water, and you've been nothing but patient with my family's very thorough vetting process."
"You feel things," I whispered. "Maybe not the way you think you should, maybe not on the timeline everyone expects. But you do, Jackson. And that's enough."
He was quiet for a long moment, his forehead coming to rest against mine. His eyes closed, and I felt his breath even out, the frantic energy in the bond settling into something calmer.
"Thank you," he murmured. Just that. But I felt layers of meaning—relief, affection, a tentative kind of hope.
The question of the Alpha challenge hadn't been answered. The threats against me hadn't been resolved. But for now, in this moment, Jackson's spiral of self-doubt had been steadied.
And that was enough.
Good mate, Thalia approved drowsily. Helps our mate find peace.
I smiled against Jackson's temple. Maybe I didn't have all the answers either. But we'd figure them out together—one uncertain step at a time.
Jackson pulled back gently, his hand lingering on my shoulder for a moment before he stood. "I should probably start on lunch," he said, his voice soft but steady. "You okay to hang out here for a bit? Take your time."
I nodded, watching as he headed toward the kitchen. The quiet settled around me again, but it felt different now—less heavy, more like breathing room.
The kitchen smelled like garlic and olive oil, warm and homey in a way that made my chest feel full. Jackson stood at the stove, one hand holding a wooden spoon while the other adjusted the heat beneath a pan of sizzling vegetables. The afternoon light caught the side of his face, highlighting the concentration in his dark eyes as he worked.
I watched him from the doorway for a moment, taking in the sight. He'd rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, and there was something absurdly attractive about the casual competence in his movements. The muscles in his forearms flexed as he stirred, and I felt a flutter low in my stomach that had nothing to do with hunger for food.
Our mate cooks well, Thalia observed, her tone smug. Provides. Protects. Perfect.
I bit back a smile and crept forward, careful to keep my footsteps light on the hardwood floor. Jackson didn't turn around, too focused on his task, which meant I managed to slip right up behind him without being noticed.
Then I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his shoulder.
"A man who can cook," I murmured against his ear, letting my breath ghost across his skin. "That's really attractive, you know."
Jackson's body went rigid for half a second, his hand tightening on the wooden spoon. I felt his pulse jump beneath my lips where they rested against his neck.
"Ellie," he said, and his voice had dropped half an octave. "The pan is very hot right now, and you're—" He cleared his throat. "That spot is particularly sensitive."
"Is it?" I asked innocently, even as I pressed closer, letting my lips brush against the junction of his neck and shoulder. Right where a mate mark would eventually go, if we ever got to that point.
His free hand came down to cover mine where they rested against his stomach, his grip firm but gentle. "You know exactly what you're doing."
I laughed softly, pleased by the slight tremor in his voice. "Maybe I'm just exploring," I said, and this time I kissed the spot properly, letting my lips linger. My tongue darted out to taste his skin, salt and warmth and something indefinably Jackson, and I felt more than heard the low sound that rumbled through his chest.
Mate responds well, Thalia purred. Wants us. Good.
Jackson moved fast. One moment I was behind him, teasing and confident. The next, he'd turned off the burner and spun around, his hands coming up to frame my face as he backed me gently but inexorably against the kitchen counter.
"You," he said slowly, deliberately, his eyes darker than usual, "are playing with fire."
My heart kicked into overdrive, but I managed a smile. "Am I?"
"Yes." He leaned in closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough to catch the scent of his cologne mixed with something wild and indefinable. His thumb traced my lower lip, and I felt my breath catch. "Do you have any idea what it does to me when you touch me there?"
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how fast this was escalating. But underneath the spike of nervousness was something else—excitement, anticipation, want.
"Show me," I whispered.
That was all it took. Jackson closed the distance between us, his mouth finding mine in a kiss that was nothing like our careful, tentative explorations from before. This was heated, demanding, full of the hunger we'd both been holding back. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I gasped at the solid strength of his body.
My own hands came up to tangle in his hair, and I kissed him back with everything I had. No hesitation. No second-guessing. Just wanting, pure and simple.
Jackson's lips left mine to trail down my jaw, my neck, finding that same sensitive spot I'd teased on him. When he sucked gently at the skin there, my knees actually went weak. My body, which had been so tense and uncertain our first times together, was now pliant against his, responding to every touch like it had been waiting for this moment.
"Ellie," he breathed against my skin, and the reverence in his voice made my chest ache. His hands slid beneath the hem of my sweater, palms warm against my bare waist, and I felt myself arch into him instinctively.
Yes, Thalia growled. Want. Need.
"Is this okay?" I gasped as his mouth found another sensitive spot.
"God, yes," he murmured, and I could hear the strain in his voice, the control he was exerting to keep from rushing. "Is it okay for you?"
"Yes," I breathed. "Don't stop."