Moon Bound

Chapter Fifteen

It had been three days since the three of us had left the Blue Moon Pack in search of our freedom.  We had spent most of our days driving North.  Only stopping for gas, food, and bathroom breaks.

It had only been a short time, but together we had already formed a rhythm.  In the early evening we would pull over and set up camp.  Izzie and Jackson would put up the tents while I searched for firewood.  Jackson would build a fire and we would sit around it, talking and sometimes singing, underneath the vast night sky. 

I would always be the first to go to sleep.  Izzie and Jackson always stayed up later, together.  I would try to stay awake and listen to them, but tiredness always overcame me.

A small part of me was jealous that they seemed to get along so well.  I wasn't sure if it was because I didn't want to share him with her or if it was because I had feelings for him.

It didn't matter though.  At the end of the night, like tonight Jackson always made his way to my tent.  His warm body temperature always keeping the nights chill away and his strong arms made me feel safe. 

"I could get used to this" I mumbled sleepy.

"Used to what?" Jackson asked.

"Falling asleep in your arms, in a tent, in the middle of nowhere." I smiled.

He pulled me closer, spooning my body with his.  His lips almost touching my ear as he growled,  "Me too" sending a wave of desire through my body.

I don't know what is wrong with me lately.  Everytime we are in close proximity to one another all I can think about is our encounter in the cabin.

I'd often find myself staring at Jackson. I had never noticed how perfect his teeth were, or how when he smiles his top lip almost dissappear, but when he isn't smiling his lips sit in a cute pout. 

His lips... oh those lips! They felt so soft but so strong and demanding pressed against mine.  And the way his hands felt so warm as they pulled me closer to him, and his...

"GET A GRIP, GREY" I mentally scolded myself.

I really needed to pull myself together.  This wasn't the time to go all hormonal over Jackson.  So what, we shared a kiss.  A very brief, but steamy kiss.  It was my first kiss albeit so maybe it was "puppy" love I felt for him.  Or maybe it was deeper.  I couldn't decide.

I laid there, wrapped in his arms, for a long while after he had fallen asleep contemplating my feelings for him.  I had never allowed myslef to see Jackson as more than a friend  I knew that one day he would dismiss me, out of his duty as the Beta of the pack or when he found his mate, which ever came first. 

But now it was different.   The option of being with him was on the table.  I could be with this man... this ridiculously, sexy, strong, kind man...

*mental eye roll at self*

After a long talk with myself I  finally drifted to sleep.  But there was no rest to be had there either. My dreams were haunted by dark greens and a different beautiful man. 

He didn't have the bright smile or the relaxed demeanor that Jackson had.  No, this man was dark and serious, dangerous even... but beautiful still in his own way.