Jackson beams. “Good boy. Honey would be very displeased if she lost me.”
I sigh dramatically. “You’re her favorite now.”
“I’m Daddy,” Jackson says matter-of-factly. He tugs me up by my arms, pulling me against his warm, solid frame. Sweeping his thumb along my lower lip, he tugs it down, before dipping down to kiss me. Our lips slide together, soft and slow, until I melt against him in a puddle of want and need. The Jackson Effect.
“There you are,” Jackson murmurs against my mouth.
“I love you, too.” I press the words into his mouth, not letting him reply. His fingers tangle in my hair, yanking my head intothe position he wants so he can kiss me more deeply. My brain turns off as Jackson licks into my mouth, tasting me, making my mouth his own.
When he pulls away, it takes a solid few seconds for my brain to boot back online.
“God, that’s the fucking best.” Jackson tugs my hair hard, forcing me to open my eyes and gaze up at him in a daze. “The day you stop melting from my kiss is the day I’ll leave this earth.”
“You give good kisses,” I admit.
“I givegreatkisses. Give credit where credit is due.”
I softly punch his stomach, rolling my eyes when he laughs loudly. Honey bounds in from the kitchen, her eyes concerned for Jackson.
“You’re supposed to bemydog, Honey.”
Honey lets out a little yip, before coming to stand in front of me. Not in service mode, she lifts her head up for a pat. Once I’ve scratched her ears, Jackson scratches under her chin, then dips down to kiss her wet nose.
“Best girl ever,” Jackson coos, making Honey’s tail beat a rapid tattoo against the ground.
“Disgusting.”
Jackson pinches my thigh, making me yelp. “Be more respectful. This is the love of my life over here.”
“Not what you were saying a couple of minutes ago.” I exit the living room in a huff, leaving them be.
A few moments later the soft sound of Jackson’s feet padding against the wood floors alerts me to his presence. Fixing water for tea in the microwave, I wait for him to approach. Sure enough, a moment later his arm wraps around my shoulders from behind, the curve of the inside of his elbow resting just under my chin. His reflection greets me in the window, but his fond gaze is on the top of my head.
“Jackson…”
“Hush. I’m admiring you.”
“You’re being mushy again. You know I hate that.”
Jackson covers my mouth with his hand. “Be quiet. I’m admiring the scenery.”
My eyebrows furrow, but then a startled gasp escapes me when Jackson tugs my sweatpants and boxers down until the cold air slaps my bare ass. A pleased sigh filters from his lips, as his other hand gently caresses my ass cheek.
“One day I’ll spank the hell out of you. Then I’ll fuck you so deep that all you can feel, all you can think about, is me. Just the way you like it.”
My body grows heavy against him. He uses his arm around my neck to pull me in closer until my back is pressed tight against the solid line of his chest. Every now and then his thumb and forefinger pinch my ass cheek. Drowsiness overtakes me. All I can see and feel is Jackson.
“Harper,” Jackson calls my name, slowly waking me up from the daze his ministrations put me in.
“Jackson,” I echo, tongue thick in my mouth.
“Stay with me.” His palm leaves my mouth to drag along my shoulder, my forearm, finally tangling his fingers with mine. “I love you.”
Our gazes meet in the reflection of the window. A relieved smile slowly unfurls across my lips. Happiness, true and real, blooms to life inside me.
“I love you, too.”
And he does, and I do, and for at least this very moment, everything is perfect.
