Chapter 0311

I ned, getting it now, unlacing my fingers from behind his neck and starting to run them again through his hair, liking Jackson more now than I have before, which is…saying something. He’s right, though — he doesn’t have some of the more annoying and disgusting habits of our culture’s masculinity. He just never learned them

“I don’t want you to think that I’m dismissing this,” Jackson murmurs, lifting a hand to softly stroke my cheek. “I respect that you’re a public figure — and I’m proud of you for that. I think you take it seriously, and I…1 like that. So, if this hurts you, and you’re mad about it, then I’m mad about it. But. if you’re worried that I’m wounded by this?”

Jackson just shrugs, like bullshit like this can’t even touch him. And I grin, and pull him closer, and press a simple kiss to his mouth. “You’re amazing, Jacks,” I say, shaking my head in awe a little. “You’re so lovely.

“Do you want me to be madder about this?” he asks, genuine and earnest. “Because I can be angrier, if that’s what you want.” And then he forces his face into more rigid lines, growling again, and I laugh as I feel the rumble of it in his chest. “This stupid…magazine!” he grumbles, taking it from my hands and tossing it to the floor, clearly trying to figure out how to perform an appropriate level of rage for my sake. “I’ll…beat up that reporter! I’l… punch Luca!”

I burst into laughter now, taking his cheeks between my hands and shaking my head, urging him to stop.

Jackson laughs too and then shrugs. “Actually, I won’t punch Luca,” he murmurs, smiling down at me. “Because…I mean, I really want him to win tonight, and I’m really strong and would seriously mess him up. So. If you want me to punch him, I’ll have to save it for tomorrow.”