Chapter 50
Kayla
Jackson and Noah and I end up staying in a small cabin that’s somewhat removed from the rest of the pack.
We offered to let Jade stay with us as well, but she chose to stay in a room in the healing center where Sage and Paul work.
She said she wanted to learn more about healing.
I’m not going to lie; it’s been nice to be together, just the three of us.
Ransom and Martin have both come to check in, and they both spent hours talking to Jackson.
It’s been four weeks since we got here, and honestly, it feels like it’s only been one.
The time has flown past, but it has been so good.
Jackson and I have spent hours talking together and getting to know each other better.
He’s gone on long runs in wolf form, but other than that, we’ve spent pretty much every moment together.
Emma has been so kind to let Noah come over to her house for play dates with Daniel, her toddler and their baby, Jack.
At first, I didn’t want him to because I was afraid Noah would think we were trying to ditch him; but Noah loves going there and playing with the boys.
Emma said it’s a huge help to her, so it’s a win-win for all of us.
Once a week, somebody from the Northwoods Pack drops off groceries on the front porch.
I’ve had so much fun cooking with Jackson in the kitchen and learning what he loves and hates.
I’ve tried in vain to get the man to eat vegetables; I’m pretty sure it’s a lost cause. The man won’t touch them.
I take the pan out of the oven and set it on the top of the stove.
“That smells amazing,” Jackson says as he comes into the kitchen.
I turn towards him, and my breath stalls in my chest. I finally cut his hair and his beard.
If I’d known how sexy it would make him, I probably wouldn’t have done it.
Jackson was sexy before, but a cleaned-up Jackson is devastating.
The red in his beard is much more noticeable now.
Seconds later, his arms are around me. I'm so used to it now, I’m no longer surprised by his touches.
Who knew Jackson, leader of the rogue wolves, would love touch so much?
The man is basically a cuddle bug, and I am the one to benefit from it.
I lean my head back against his chest a minute.
“It’s a new recipe I tried for chicken enchiladas,” I tell him. “And I made that salsa we love.” He makes a deep sound in his chest, and I grin. “I think we’re ready to eat.”
“Is Noah joining us?” he asks as he picks up the pan of enchiladas and carries it over to the table. I grab the chips and salsa and sour cream and follow him.
“Emma said Garrett would run him over when he got home.”
Jackson frowns. “I’ll go get him; I don’t want him to miss dinner with us.”
I smile. “Okay.”
He grabs the keys to the vehicle the Northwoods Pack is letting us borrow. “I'll be back in a few.”
I grab foil out of the drawer. “I’ll keep the food hot.”
I feel a hand at my waist, and I turn to face him, knowing what’s coming. His lips touch mine a moment later, and I sigh against him. I don’t think Jackson’s kisses will ever not affect me. He pulls back too soon and touches my cheek. “I better go before I don’t want to.”
After he leaves, I finish getting the table set for dinner. I can’t help but think about his kiss and feel a little disappointed. There’s a knock at the door, and I walk over to the door, smiling when I see it’s Raechel at the door. “Hey,” I say, opening the door.
“Hey, Chica,” she says, brushing past me and inside.
“Come on in,” I say with a laugh.
I close the door just as she groans. “Oh my word, what is that smell? It smells amazing!”
“Are you past the queasy stage?” I ask, curious.
“It comes and goes, but right now, it’s long gone.”
I laugh. “Come on, Mama, let’s get you some food then.” I dish out a plate of chicken enchiladas and top it with sour cream and add chips and the fresh salsa I made. “It’s a new recipe; let me know if it’s good.”
She picks up her fork and then looks at me. “Where are Jackson and Noah?”
“Jackson just went to pick up Noah.”
Her face falls, and she looks down longingly at her plate. I can’t help my laugh. “You’re fine; you don’t have to wait.”
“Oh good.” I watch as she takes a huge bite and then groans. After she swallows, she closes her eyes. “This is soooo good.”
I grin. “I’m glad you like it.”
I sit across from her and pull out a few chips and dip them into the salsa. “Not that I’m not happy you’re here, but did you have a reason for stopping by?”
“Besides eating your food?” she asks with a grin that I find myself returning.
“Besides that.”
She takes another bite and then swallows. “No, I just haven’t seen you since you disappeared into your love coma with Jackson. I wanted to check on you and make sure you were still alive.”
“Love coma?” I ask dryly.
She wiggles her eyebrows. “Hey, I am a happily mated woman. I know what a love coma is.”
I break off a piece of my chip. “Yeah, well, whatever love coma you’re thinking of is not happening.”
“What? Why not?”
I shrug and try to play it off. “I’m not exactly sure. I mean, don’t get me wrong. These past few weeks have been amazing. We’ve spent so much time together talking and going on walks and just connecting; it’s been so good.”
Raechel arches an eyebrow. “You’ve been in a house with your mate for four weeks and all you’ve done is talk? How have you not stripped each other’s clothes off by now and gone at it like rabbits?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know how to take you sometimes.”
She waves her fork at me. “Most people don’t.
” I laugh at that. “Is it that you’re not married yet?
Because marriage isn’t really a big thing with wolves.
Mating is their form of marriage. They mate once, and it’s for life.
If Jackson didn’t grow up around humans, he many not even know that’s an issue.
But you could probably ask him about doing a wedding. ”
“No, it’s not that. I get it. I actually love the mating thing.
It’s so much more permanent than marriage.
I mean, he’s so good to us. He bought Noah a bunch of shorts and t-shirts; he bought me a brand-new pair of running shoes.
He keeps trying to get me to order clothes online with his money.
” I’m quiet a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s just not into me that way. ”
Raechel laughs. “Yeah, and wolves are docile, gentle creatures.” She takes another bite of the food and groans again. “Seriously, this is so good. Does Jackson know you’re ready for the next step?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not a child.”
“Oh, well excuse me,” she snarks back. “Maybe just go the old-fashioned route.”
“What is that?” I ask warily.
“Just strip down naked and lay on the bed. He’ll get clued in super fast that you’re ready.”
“Oh. My. Word.” We both hear the front door open, and I freeze. “Not a word,” I tell her. She looks up and opens her mouth. “Seriously, not a word, or you can’t have any more enchiladas.” I swipe her plate and hold it away from her.
Her mouth drops open. “You would deny a pregnant woman food?”
“I absolutely would; now promise.”
She scowls at me. “Fine.”
Jackson clears his throat and looks between the two of us. “Everything okay?”
I plaster a smile on my face and set her plate back down in front of her. “Yep.” I look at Noah, who’s standing beside Jackson now. “Hey, how were Daniel and Jack?”
He shrugs. “Okay.”
I look at Jackson. “Emma said Jack’s teething,” he explains.
“He just cried the whole time,” Noah says as he comes over to the table. “I’m hungry.”
I can’t help my smile. “Of course you are. I’ve got dinner ready to go.”
“And it’s delicious,” Raechel says. I take in her plate that’s practically licked clean and smirk. “Hey, Noah,” she says as Noah slides into the seat across from her.
“Hey.”
Is there a reason the enforcer’s mate is here? Jackson says as he moves towards me, those gorgeous blues on mine. He stops right in front of me and puts a hand on my lower back. “Hey.”
I can’t help my smile. “Hey.” She just came over to say hi...I think.
He kisses my temple and then moves over to the table. And eat your delicious food apparently.
“I see what you mean,” Raechel says, breaking up the mental conversation Jackson and I are having.
“What?” I ask, trying to tear my attention away from Jackson.
“What was that kiss?” she asks, and I freeze.
She wouldn’t. “Raechel,” I start, a warning in my voice.
Jackson’s eyes narrow on her, and his eyes flash to mine. What’s she talking about?
There’s a knock on the front door, and Jackson stands. “That’s Max,” Raechel says, taking another bite of food. Jackson’s eyes meet mine as he walks towards the door.
“You said you weren’t going to say anything,” I throw out quickly once he’s gone. I hear the rumble of low voices, letting me know Max is inside now, talking to Jackson.
She scoops another serving onto her plate. “I did,” she says, taking another bite of enchiladas. I eye her plate, wondering if it’s like alcohol; and I should cut her off before she makes herself sick.
I scoop a helping onto Noah’s plate and pass him the chips and salsa. “That’s that new salsa recipe that we like,” I tell him, and he starts in on his food.
Jackson walks back into the kitchen with Max following him, and the kitchen suddenly feels incredibly small. “Hey, Max,” I say with a smile and a small wave. I never know how to act around him; he’s still incredibly intimidating. He nods at me before dropping his gaze to his wife.
“Are you going to acknowledge me, Mate?” he all but growls. “Or did I take second place to food again?”
Raechel takes the last bite of food on her plate and grins before standing up.
“Good things come to those who wait, Big Guy,” she all but croons.
Then she walks towards him and jumps him.
My eyes widen when he easily catches her, and she wraps her legs around his waist and kisses him like he’s going to die in the next few minutes and this is their last kiss.
I put a hand over Noah’s eyes and don’t meet Jackson’s eyes.
The kiss continues, and I begin to wonder if we all need to leave the kitchen.
Finally, she pulls back. Then she has the audacity to turn to me and grin and wink.
“That’s how you kiss someone when they return.
” My mouth drops open, and she turns back to Max.
“Okay, Big Guy, let’s go home and get a good, sweaty workout in. ”
“Raechel!” I say in exasperation, and she laughs.
“You are too easy.” Max sets her down, and she turns to me with a grin. Then she looks over at Jackson.
Oh no. I stand to my feet. “Raechel.”
“Your mate is desperate for some; you’d better give it to her before she finds someone else to—”
“Raechel!” I practically yell, just as Jackson growls low in his chest and stands. I feel the tension in our small kitchen skyrocket. I don’t miss Max step close to Raechel, and I try to think of what to say to diffuse the situation quickly.
“Don’t make her resort to the old-fashioned route.”
Knowing what’s coming, I turn and all but shove her towards Max. “Okay, it’s time for you to go.” She laughs, and I give her another push. Feeling desperate, I turn to her mate. “Max.”
He takes pity on me and wraps an arm around Raechel. “Come on, Angel.”
They walk towards the door, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s a moment too soon. “Go the old-fashioned route, Kayla. It works every time!” There’s a muffled sound, and then the door closes. I blow out a slow breath.
“What’s the old-fashioned route?” Jackson asks.