Page 78 of The Quiet
Paris began to walk off and Ella followed with her eyes as the idea registered. Paris had mentioned they would prepare one of the houses for her as they often did with those who’d surfaced from The Ocean.
“Just one?” she asked, glancing at the houses nearby which had been built in preparation but clearly not prepared for anyone to live in.
Paris waved a hand back. “We can have another prepared in five to six months if needed.”
Ella started to look at Jackson, “it only took weeks to prepare this one. What–”
She stopped when she noticed Jackson already walking into the house. She walked after him.
“You’re okay w–”
She stopped. Of course he was.
She paused when she saw the smile on his face, inspecting the interior and intentionally avoiding her eyes as he ran callousedhands over the kitchen counters, the walls of a cozy living room, the doorframe of a bed and bathroom.
He circled back to her, not meeting her eyes until he stood right in front of her. His smile was somewhat mischievous.
“You didn’t ask for this, did you?” Ella accused, eyes narrowing.
He laughed, shaking his head, clearly seeing humor in the predicament. “Nope.”
“Then why would they?” Ella said.
Jackson moved his hands into his pockets and looked around curiously before glancing back down at her.
“This doesn’t bother you?”
He shrugged, still smiling.
“Really?” she asked.
“I’ll sleep back at the palace,” he said. “I can’t guarantee I’ll want to live in this town anyway.”
Somehow, that bothered her more. She scratched her head as she looked around, “Well, let’s not rush to make any decisions.”
He looked at her as if he could read her reluctant attachments, and leaned forward as he shut the door behind her.
She mirrored his smile as she circled her arms around his head. “You’re getting a room back at the palace.”
“Absolutely,” he said, and kissed her.
She broke the kiss, eyes still closed as she said, “I am going to put in a request for you to have a separate house.”
He nodded with a grunt of agreement, and she heard the lock click behind her, causing her to bite down a broader smile.
“Please do,” he said, voice low as he backed her against the door and kissed her.
His lips caught her smile and she reached for his face as she relaxed in his arms, embracing at last in long awaited solitude. Ella paused after a few minutes, her breath mingled with his as she said, “We have to get ready for visitors in the palace.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed again.
She laughed, sensing the absence of any real intention in his agreement. “I mean it!”
“Absolutely,” he said, guiding her deeper into the cottage.
They didn’t leave for the rest of the day.
CHAPTER 22
