Sarah crossed her arms. "Really? Do tell."
He lay on the sofa with his head in Elisabeth's lap. "I thought I would go as the big bad wolf, if you'll be my little red riding hood? How's that for irony?"
The other three were silent for a moment while what he said sunk in, then all at once they started laughing. Elisabeth grabbed the apple and took a bite. "I think that's perfect."
They discussed menus and decorating details for a while. Connor yawned, "I'm ready for bed, you coming Sarah?" They bid them goodnight and climbed the stairs.
Jackson head still rested on Elisabeth's lap. She put one hand in his hair and combed her fingers through. He held her wrist. "Will you stay with me tonight?"
"Yes, of course."
They walked upstairs hand in hand. When they reached Jackson's room, Elisabeth noticed her artwork and asked, "Where's the fall scene?"
"Jackson closed his eyes and dropped his head back. "It's being restored."
She held a hand to her shocked face. "Oh my."
He apologized and began to explain what happened.
She stopped him. "I don't need to know this."
"Are you sure?"
She answered with a warm, full kiss. When they parted, he looked at her oddly. Elisabeth searched his eyes for the reason. He squinted. "You're really strong aren't you?"
She immediately understood where his mind had gone and chuckled wickedly. "Oh yeah."
"So… I don't need to worry about hurting you, do I?" She shook her head with a knowing smile. He raised both eyebrows with a laconic grin. Elisabeth threw her head back laughing as he buried his face in her neck. They released the heartache they had been holding in and were filled with unencumbered passion, melting into each other as they had the first time, but now neither held any secrets, and neither needed to maintain control.
As they lay exhausted, locked in each other's eyes, Jackson drawled, "I am definitely starting to see some upside to our situation."
"Indeed, there are a few perks."
***
Jackson awoke, famished; he once again had not fed all day. He considered fighting the hunger, not wanting to disturb Elisabeth who slept soundly with her head on his chest. Abstaining would make for a long night, so he carefully slid out from under her and crept downstairs.
Sitting in the oversized chair near the fire with blood cocktail in hand, brand new emotion washed over him. It was intoxicating. The reason Sarah always chased this now made sense.
Elisabeth appeared at the top of the stairs wearing his shirt. She looked incredible. As she descended, he thought, God, those legs make me dizzy. Climbing on his lap, still sleepy, she nuzzled into his neck. He slid his arm around her and kissed her head. "I like you in my shirt."