Chapter 0311

I ned, getting it now, unlacing my fingers from behind his neck and starting to run them again through his hair, liking Jackson more now than I have

before, which is...saying something. He's right, though — he doesn't have some of the more annoying and disgusting habits of our culture's

masculinity. He just never learned them

“I don’t want you to think that I'm dismissing this,” Jackson murmurs, lifting a hand to softly stroke my cheek. “I respect that you're a public figure —

and I'm proud of you for that. I think you take it seriously, and I...1 like that. So, if this hurts you, and you're mad about it, then I'm mad about it. But. if

you're worried that I'm wounded by this?”

Jackson just shrugs, like bullshit like this can’t even touch him.

And I grin, and pull him closer, and press a simple kiss to his mouth.

“You're amazing, Jacks,” I say, shaking my head in awe a little. "You're so lovely.

"Do you want me to be madder about this?” he asks, genuine and earnest. “Because I can be angrier, if that's what you want.” And then he forces his

face into more rigid lines, growling again, and I laugh as I feel the rumble of it in his chest. “This stupid...magazine!" he grumbles, taking it from my

hands and tossing it to the floor, clearly trying to figure out how to perform an appropriate level of rage for my sake. “I'll...beat up that reporter! I'l...

punch Luca!"

I burst into laughter now, taking his cheeks between my hands and shaking my head, urging him to stop.

Jackson laughs too and then shrugs. "Actually, I won't punch Luca,” he murmurs, smiling down at me. "Because...I mean, I really want him to win

tonight, and I'm really strong and would seriously mess him up. So. If you want me to punch him, I'll have to save it for tomorrow.”

“Don't punch him,” I murmur, sighing happily. absolutely adoring my big tough Alpha. “But thank you for offering, baby, it's very sweet.”

A little shiver passes through Jackson when I call him baby, and he looks away from me, I think hoping I didn’t notice. But I did, and I grin.

“Baby,” I murmur, turning his face back to me, and he groans and brings his mouth to mine, kissing me swiftly and burying a hand in my hair,

absolutely sweeping me away.

We both sigh in disappointment when the door opens.

"Oh, gross,” Jesse says, and I turn to see him standing stoop-shouldered in the doorway, a pastry in each hand. “Rafe, my best friend is kissing my

cousin! And it's gross.”

"Oh, shut up. Jesse," Rafe says, shoving him into the room and closing the door behind them. “It's not like I haven't had to watch you make out with

people like, a million times.

“Yes, but this time it's Ariel, and I am the one having to do the seeing, and it's very terrible, Rafe, honestly — I might need a nap — I have to recover

from this shock —

ait,” Rafe says, frowning at Jesse and processing what he said before — which sometimes takes a moment. Jesse talks a lot, and he says it all fast.

"Aren't I your best friend?

‘Oh, no, that's Jackson now,” Jesse

says, his facerfalling into mock

apologetic lives as he points over at

my mate:Rafe’ s jaw drops open in

pretend shock as he presses a hand

to histheart, making me laugh. &Yes,

we came to new terms on a cliff

outside the Academy the night Ariel

told everyone she has two mates. It

was a very traumatic experience, but

very bonding.”

“All right, all right,” Jackson sighs,

releasing mefrom his arms and

putting his hands up like he gives in

and just wants it all to end. I laugh”

and mave over slightly, sitting pext

to hiri'in the window seat instead of

in-his lap. “What's going ons

afiyway?’

"We come bearing breakfast,” Jesse says with a broad grin, moving forward and handing Jackson and I each a pastry.

"And also, a ride.” Rafe adds, crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head back towards the door. “Car's waiting outside to take us to Luca's

house. Time to go give him a piece of our collective mind.”

I beam at my brother and my cousin,

thrilled that tiiey knew that this is

precisely what I'd want to do next, N

and that put this in order so that I.-

didn’t have to bother with the details.

takes bite of my pastry and jump

tomy feet. "Great!" I say, wiping

crimbs from my lips. “Let's go! I

want to get to the bottorn of this.”

Rafe nods to me and then turns his eyes to Jackson. “You coming, McClintock?”

I look back eagerly at Jackson, but my face falls when I see him hesitate.

“Well...” Jackson says, a little awkward, running a hand through his hair.

“You're kidding me, right!?” Jesse sputters out.