“Whatever,” I laugh. “Our cafeteria is huge, and not to mention, there’s a whole football field for you guys and three basketball courts in the gym. We’re not exactly missing out.”
“No,” he agrees, “But would it kill them to offer us some of that seating down there?”
“True.”
I grin up at him as his eyes meet mine and it’s as though something clicks within him. One second he’s laughing and the next, it’s the Jackson that I was seeing at Tora’s party.
He steps that little bit closer and slowly brings his lips down toward mine. Everything leaves me. All the shit that’s happened today fades into the background as the only thing that exists at this moment is me and Jackson.
I suck in a breath just moments before his lips come down on mine, making all the memories from our night together come slamming back.
It was incredible. Every touch, every whisper, every smile. It was perfect. He knew when to be rough and he knew exactly when I needed to slow things down. No guy I’ve been with has ever been able to read me like that and because of it, he made me feel things that I didn’t realize my body was capable of.
How could I have been such a fool to wait so long to experience life with Jackson? I’ve been missing out and I fully intend on doing it all over again. That’s if I don’t get screwed over like I usually do by boys, especially ones who happen to play football.
Jackson pulls back and his eyes shimmer as he watches me. He trails his fingers over my shoulder, treating me as though I’m the most precious creature in the world and making me feel like a queen.
“I realized something this morning,” he murmurs, lifting me up onto the ledge so we’re eye to eye. I briefly look down, hoping he’s not about to throw me over when I realize there’s a railing at my back, keeping me safe from falling.
I should have known Jackson would never put me in harm’s way like that. It’s simply not in his nature. He’s a protector. I see it in the way he loves his sister and is always looking out for her best interests, I see it in the way he persists to mend the bridge between him and Tora, and I see it in the way he looks at me.
Whatever this is between us, it’s something special and I don’t want to miss the chance to make it something more.
“And what’s that?” I ask him, looping my arms over his shoulder and briefly brushing my lips over his, making the softest smile spread across his handsome face.
“I’m warning you; I’m about to drop a bomb. Are you ready for it?”
I roll my eyes and laugh as I playfully nudge his shoulder. “Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
Jackson raises his chin as joy shines through his eyes, making something stir within me. “I’m in love with you, Elle.”
My heart stops.
“What?” I breathe, staring at him in shock. No one has ever said that to me before. What am I supposed to do? Say ‘thank you?’ Say it back? I mean…woah. “You love me?”
His eyes soften as a gently smile plays on his lips. “Yeah, babe. I do.”
He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair back off my face and as he looks deep into my eyes and bears his soul to me, I see that he truly does, and what’s more is that I absolutely love the feeling. How could I have missed this? This is new ground for me and I’ve never quite felt so lost, but the one thing I do know is that I don’t want to do a damn thing wrong to ruin this.
I swallow back the fear that raises in my throat as I take his hand and lace our fingers. “How?” I whisper, probably making myself sound like a stereotypical dumb blonde.
Jackson shakes his head, laughing at my ridiculous question. “I’ve got no fucking idea. I’ve never said that to a girl before, all I know is that I feel it.”
Emotions overwhelm me as I pull him in before kissing him with everything I have. “What does this mean?” I murmur when I finally release him.
“It means that from here on out, you’re my girl. I want you to be mine, Elle and I swear, I won’t stop asking you until you say ‘yes.’”
“What?” I laugh. “Do people even ask each other out anymore? I just kind of assumed we were together after what happened the other night.”
Jackson looks at me dumbfounded. “Huh?” he grunts. “We’re already together? I could have saved myself all of this effort?”
“Hey,” I scold. “Don’t even think about it. This is the best moment that’s happened to me all senior year. Don’t take it away from me.”