Page 21

Jackson

“C rap.” I tug the label now on the outside of my t-shirt that should definitely be on the inside.

Chloe’s waiting for me downstairs and my dumb ass can’t even put a t-shirt on right.

I sigh and wince as I fumble with tugging the top over my head. It’s been a day. Work sucked, I scraped the burn on my hand, making me feel useless, Dad was in a mood, and now I can’t even put on a t-shirt the right way.

Having my hand bandaged again doesn’t help matters.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid," I mutter, gritting my teeth as I awkwardly wrestle the shirt into place." I tug it over my head and the shirt catches on my elbow, twisting. "Seriously?"

A soft knock interrupts my internal pity party. "Jackson? You okay in there?"

"Yeah, I'm good," I call back, my voice strained as I struggle. "Just—” I bit back a swear word.

The door creaks open and Chloe peeks in. Her eyes widen as she takes in my predicament—shirtless, tangled in fabric, looking like an idiot.

"Oh, Jackson," she says softly, stepping into the room. "Here, let me help."

"It's fine, I can manage," I protest weakly, even as Chloe approaches.

"Don't be silly," she chides, reaching for the shirt. Her fingers brush against my skin and I have to suppress a shiver. "You're going to hurt yourself even more if you’re not careful.”

“I’m not useless,” I mutter, feeling totally useless. “It’s just this stupid bandage keeps getting caught and—”

My words vanish when Chloe tugs the shirt down, her cool fingers brushing my skin. I watch her closely as her brow furrows in concentration. Her lashes skim cheeks and freckles dance across her nose. I want to kiss every one of those freckles—and maybe never stop.

She smooths the fabric, her hands lingering at the hem, her fingertips grazing my sides. The air feels charged, electric. I'm hyper-aware of her closeness, the scent of her floral perfume.

"Is that okay?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Chloe's gaze flicks up to mine and my throat tightens. She’s in my room. Alone.

It feels dangerous.

"Jackson?" she breathes, her hands now resting lightly on my chest.

I swallow hard. "Yeah?"

Time seems to stretch, the moment suspended between us. I can hear the distant hum of traffic from the main road, but it feels a world away. Right now, there's only Chloe, her warmth, her touch.

"I'm really glad it wasn’t worse," she finally says. “The burn that is. When I heard about the accident, I—”

"Hey," I say softly, covering her hand with my good one. "I'm fine. It's just a little burn.”

“I hate the thought of something happening to you.”

“I’m all good.”

“You know you can ask me for help when you need it.”

Help? God, the only thing I need right now is her. I nod though.

I don't consciously decide to move. It's like gravity pulls me toward her. My hand slides up her arm, coming to rest at the nape of her neck. Chloe's breath hitches, and I pause, giving her a chance to pull away.

She doesn't.

Instead, she leans in, closing the last bit of distance between us. Our lips meet, and it's like fireworks exploding behind my eyelids. Soft, warm, perfect. I lose myself in the sensation, in the taste of her, in the quiet sigh that escapes her.

The kiss deepens and I draw her close, lifting her from the floor as she loops her hands around my neck. We stumble a little and the backs of my legs hit the bed. I sink onto it, drawing her with me.

Chloe shifts, moving to straddle my lap without breaking the kiss. I lock my hands around her waist, steadying her, drawing her closer.

The silky feel of her hair as it brushes my face. The warmth of her skin beneath my palms. It’s all sent to drive me insane and I can’t get enough of her. I don’t even remember my stupid injured hand as I tug at the fabric of her top.

“Chloe,” I manage to mutter between kisses as if it will bring some sense to this. It’s hard to believe I get to touch her, to kiss her. I’ve never needed someone so badly.

She threads her fingers through my hair, tugging lightly, and I can't help the low groan that escapes me.

"Jackson," she breathes against my mouth. The sound of my name on her lips sends a shiver down my spine.

I pull back slightly, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. "Is this okay?" I ask, my hands resting lightly on her hips.

Chloe nods, a shy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "More than okay," she whispers, leaning in to press a soft kiss to the corner of my jaw.

Every muscle in my body tightens as she trails kisses along my neck and I fight another shiver.

Slowly, hesitantly, I let my hands wander upward. When I cup her breasts through the soft fabric of her t-shirt and bra gently, Chloe lets out a soft gasp of pleasure. The sound makes me want to toss her onto the bed and touch every inch of her but I force myself to go slow.

"That feels nice,” she sighs.

"You're beautiful," I tell her, my voice rough.

Our gazes lock, and I see a flicker of vulnerability there. It reminds me to slow down, to savor this moment. I don't want to rush things or push her too far.

Gently, I draw her back down to me, capturing her lips in another kiss. This one is slower, deeper, filled with all the words I can't quite bring myself to say yet.

As our lips part, I wrap my arms around Chloe, drawing her down onto the bed beside me. I keep my arm around her and she shifts slightly, hooking a leg over me. I try not to think about how hard she’s making me as her fingers trace idle patterns on my arm.

"I...I should probably tell you something."

I tilt my head to look at her. "You can tell me anything, Chlo."

She takes a deep breath, her cheeks flushing. "I’ve never...you know...been with anyone," she finally says, avoiding my gaze. "You probably guessed."

Christ. I knew it was a possibility but she and Brendan had been together for a while and it sounds like Brendan definitely isn’t keeping it in his pants since they broke up.

God, I hate that guy.

I’m glad they never had sex, though.

“I wasn’t sure,” I reply gently.

"It's just...I've never wanted anyone the way I want you, Jackson. But it's also a little scary."

I pull her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I get it. And, honestly, I’ve never wanted someone like I want you.”

“Yeah.” Her voice is a little hollow.

“But, also, I'm just happy being with you. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for."

“You don’t mind?”

“Is it easy, touching you and not going further?” I shake my head. “No. You’re gorgeous, and yeah, I want more. But if kisses are all you ever want, I’d be fine with that, too.” I chuckle as her eyes widen. “It’s worth it just to spend time with you. I want you for more than your body, Chlo.”

“Okay.” Her responding smile is so sweet it makes me want to tell her how hot and amazing she is all day long just so I can see that grin all the time.

“Let's just see where life takes us, okay?"

Chloe snuggles closer to me. "Sounds good.”

I breathe in the sweet smell of her shampoo and feel her breaths drifting across my neck as we lie there, intertwining our fingers.

The crappy day I’ve had, the annoyance of my injured hand, and the stupid arguments I got into with my dad are all forgotten.

Nothing matters more than being with Chloe.

My stomach chooses that moment to growl loudly, shattering the peaceful silence and I groan.

"We should go get dinner." She shifts to sit up but I keep her pinned against me.

“I don’t fancy going anywhere. What do you say we get takeout?” I reach for my phone and unlock it.

“Takeout sounds perfect.”

“Just like you.” I kiss her nose and she rolls her eyes at me but smiles.

“You’re really are ruining your reputation here.”

“I don’t care about my reputation if it means I get to spend time with you.”

“Stop being all sweet and order the food,” Chloe says, snatching my phone from my hand. “I’m starving.”

I grab the phone back. “I didn’t know you get hangry.”

“Yeah you don’t want to mess with me when I’m hangry.” Her eyes glint with mischief and I toss the phone aside and draw her back onto my lap.

“I reckon I can convince you to wait for food a little longer,” I say, skimming my hands up and down her legs.

Chloe leans over, her hair brushing against me. “Maybe, but you’ll have to make it worth my while.”

I draw her close until her lips are hovering above mine. “I think I can do that,” I tell her as I kiss her hard and any thoughts of food quickly vanish.

This girl has me obsessed, and I don’t care if my reputation goes up in flames. All I care about now is Chloe.