Safe House - Tagged

[Deleted]

Chloe heard Jackson ask her if she was alright, she smiled and walked to where he was standing and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m about as good as can be expected, considering everything that has happened today. In case you were wondering, I told the agent everything, but he’ll probably be out in a couple hours anyway. The agent said something about a restraining order, but really the best I can hope for is that he goes back home with his Daddy in a few days.”

She turned him loose then and walked back to the sofa wrapping a blanket around herself. She looked up at him and smiled, “Thank you again, you just being here and letting me hang out here means a lot. You helped give me the courage to tell the whole story, and even if it’s not doing any good… It kind of feels better to just have it out there in the open.”

She patted the sofa next to her, “So are you going to join me again? You made an awful nice pillow earlier.” She wasn’t tired anymore but she still wanted him to sit back down, being close to him made her feel safe. After everything she had just spilled to the agent and all the memories that had resurfaced through retelling it all, it would be good to feel safe again. She wasn’t sure if Jackson had heard everything that she had told the agent, but she sure hoped that if he had it wouldn’t change anything.

Chloe decided she was getting a bit hungry and she knew that Jackson had promised to fix her dinner, but the problem with that was she didn’t want him to be that far away from her for that long. Ok, so she was being a bit clingy today but at least she felt like she had a good excuse. “How about you hand me my phone and I order some pizza so that you don’t have to cook for me on top of everything else you’ve already done today? Maybe after I eat I’ll feel up to calling my parents and coming clean with them too, that way I can get it all done and over today. Start fresh tomorrow.”

Tag: Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson wrapped his arms around her to the minute she did, “Chloe you tell the agent what you want to tell him, I’m not going to tell you what to do about any of this. Just know that you can stay here as long as you like and you’re safe here. I wont let anything happen to you.” He said knowing that if Brian got out, would this really teach him a lesson or would it just make him more determined. Jackson wasnt sure which but then again as long as Chloe was safe it was all that mattered to him.

He stood for a moment making sure that everything was tidied up and put away as he smiled and nodded to her. “You can hang out here whenever you want to Chloe, you’re always welcome besides if it makes you feel better to tell the story of what has happened then it’s worth it. No one should ever make you feel like that and at least you’ve told someone so you don’t have to keep it on your shoulders anymore.” He said knowing that he would gladly help her out with whatever she needed.

“Since you asked, I can play at being a pillow again. It was fun.” He said as he walked over to the sofa and sat down next to her. Jackson hadn’t heard everything she had told the agent, he had tried to give her space enough to talk without him hovering over her and putting her off. It wasnt that he wasnt interested but he just wanted to give her time. Jackson placed his arm around her again as he was glad that she was still in once piece after everything that had happened so far.

With him sitting on the sofa with her he couldnt fix dinner unless he moved not that he minded sitting with her at all but then he was starting to feel a little hungry. “You know that sounds like a very good plan, pizza it is.” He said smiling as he reached for the phone and passed it across to her. “My treat, whatever you want order it. And a fresh start tomorrow does sound good, I know it’s not easy but I’m here okay and take as much time as you need. Besides like you say fresh start tomorrow, it’s a new day.” Jackson knew it wasnt always as easy as that but then it was the only way to think at times.

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

When Jackson sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her she snuggled into him. It was nice to feel safe, protected, and loved. It was something she could easily let herself get used to. Part of her was still scared that something would happen to ruin it, because it was something she had never had any experience with. She took a deep breath, breathing in his scent before pulling back to look him in the eye. She nibbled on her bottom lip for a minute before leaning up to kiss him. She took his hand in hers as she laid her head back on his shoulder. She traced patterns in the palm of his hand while she was lost in thought.

When he agreed to her plan of pizza and handed her the phone telling her it was his treat and to order whatever she wanted, she realized she had no idea what he would want on his pizza. “So, if I ordered pizza with anchovies and pineapple you’d be ok with that?” She giggled. “Seriously, what do you eat on your pizza? And so help me if you say anchovies… you can have them on your half of the pizza and I may have to eat in the other room to keep from gagging, but I would definitely insist that you brush your teeth right after you eat…” She smiled and kissed him again before sitting back and giving him a chance to answer her question.

After they agreed on the pizza she called and placed the order before she laid her phone in her lap and snuggled back into Jackson. “You know a fresh start sounds pretty good, as long as you’re still here. I… well, I just don’t think I’d want to face it without you.” She buried her face in his chest to try and hide the blush that she could feel creeping up her face.

She spoke into his chest, “because, I’m not sure I would have made it through today without you. Thank you for being here for me, and I only have two more favors to ask you. The first is… After we eat…I’d like you to stay here with me when I call my Mom, I appreciate you wanting to give me privacy and all but I don’t want privacy I just want you.”

She was silent for a bit, before taking a deep breath “The second favor is, I’d like to crash on your sofa tonight… I just don’t really want to be alone right now, but if you’re not ok with that I can definitely go home.”

Tag: Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson enjoyed having her near him, even just that one someone to hug meant a lot though he was happy she was safe or at least that Brian couldnt find her there. Jackson hadn’t been used to being there or at least around for anyone other than his family, this was different as he didnt want to break things or ruin anything with Chloe. He watched her pull back as he grinned when she kissed him, feeling her trace the patters in the palm of his hand he wondered if she was okay or just processing the day so far though none of it mattered to him as long as she was safe and alright.

Anchovies and pineapple, who had he brought into his apartment again? Oh no there was no way that those two things were touching any pizza of his as he stared at her as if she had just slapped him. “How can you even break a pizza with those two items....” He asked her as he grinned shaking his head, “Pepperoni, or mushroom or ham but no pineapple and anchovies.” He said grinning at her. “I would throw my own self out of here don’t worry if I ate that, I mean no it cannot be done to a Chicago pizza.” Kissing her back he couldnt help but feel as if he was on cloud nine.

Jackson waited for her to call the place as she snuggled back into him. “I am sure you could do that but I’ll be right here, I’m not going to go anywhere unless you want me to.” He said knowing that it was tough deal to get but then a fresh start was always a good thing. Jackson wrapped his arms around her again the minute she buried her face into his chest. “You would have made it through Chloe, you’re a lot stronger than you think and sure favours I can do.” He said wondering what they would be about.

“Sure I can stay with you while you call your mum, just tell me if you want me to go though and I will.” He said not wanting to step into anything that she wanted to be private. After all he wasnt too sure how the conversation would go over with her parents from what she had told him. Then again if someone had hit his daughter, if he had one he was sure they would be lucky to be alive after once but after all she had been through already.

“No I’m not okay with you crashing on the sofa tonight at all.” He stated as he shook his head, “You take my room and I’m taking the sofa, that I can do. I’ll change everything in there after the pizza gets here and you can stay in there for the night because that’s no bother at all. I’d be happy to have you here.” He said as he realised that she might need something things from her place. “Do you need to swing by your place at all to pick anything up?” He asked, “I’ve got spare clothes if you want I... well they’re not female clothes and yeah but help yourself though.”

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

Chloe almost panicked when Jackson shook his head and said that he wasn’t ok with her crashing on the sofa, and breathed out a small sigh of relief when he offered up his room for the night. “That’s sweet and I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to kick you out of your own room. That’s not fair to you at all.” When he asked her if she needed anything from her place she thought about it for a minute, and shook her head deciding that she really didn’t want to go anywhere. “No, I think I should be good. If I can use your shower and borrow a shirt to sleep in I think I have everything else I need in my work bag.”

She laid her head back on his shoulder and closed her eyes while they waited for the pizza to be delivered. One of her favorite things about spending time with Jackson was that the silences weren’t awkward, she didn’t feel the need to force conversations. She was completely comfortable and relaxed when she was with him no matter what they were doing. She could stay like this forever snuggled into his side, “Mmm you are the best pillow ever; you’re warm, you’re comfortable, you smell good, and you cuddle back.”

Thinking about how lucky she had been to even meet Jackson she smiled, “Do you ever wonder why things work out the way they do?” She pulled back a bit so that she could see his face, “Out of all the bars in Chicago I decided to come into the one you were in, and out of all the people in the bar I sat next to you. That turned out to be one of the best nights ever.” She leaned in to kiss him and continued in between kisses, “Thank you, for being you… and being there for me through all of this even when you really don’t have to be. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

Tag: Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

How could she even think he would let her just crash on the sofa, no way his parents had taught him the right thing to do and that was giving up his room without a second thought. There was not a chance anyone stayed on the sofa unless there was a reason for it. “You’re not kicking me out, I am and you’re not staying on my sofa. That isn’t fair on you at all. Besides my bed is comfy and you cant argue this one with me.” He said smiling at her, there wasnt a chance he was going to change his mind on that at all.

“Sure you can do all that, whatever you want Chloe consider this place home so feel free to do what you like. Shirts are in the draw second from the top in my room. All clean I swear.” He said, they were all folded neatly like his entire place was organized in a military style fashion. His clothes were the exact same, all folded and placed away neatly without being thrown around the place. The silence was comfortable to him, there wasnt that on edge feel or needed to fill time with conversations it was simply nice to be relaxed about it. “Happy to be your pillow and cuddle back.” He said grinning.

She was the best thing to cuddle ever, there were loads of reasons he had for that but to him she was simply the best. Jackson gazed at Chloe for a moment when she pulled back a bit, “Wonder sure... I mean things usually work out for a reason right?” He asked not sure where she was going with it though he figured there was a reason for everything. You might not be able to see it straight away but eventually the reasons would be clear enough. Kissing her back Jackson grinned as he nodded to her, “Out of all the people in the world that night was the luckiest night I’ve ever had. Thank you for just being you and trusting me to be there for you.”

Jackson hadn’t always been the best at being there, a first failed marriage proved that though it was complicated as he figured most marriages were. “You mean so much to me Chloe so thank you for being you and being here.” He said as he leaned in to kiss her remembering how nervous he had been the first time he had even attempted to do that.

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

When Jackson told her she couldn’t argue with him she sighed and smiled, “While I’m sure I could argue with you, I’ve got a feeling that it wouldn’t do any good. I’ll sleep in your comfy bed, but I’m not going to feel guilty about making you sleep down here… so you’ll just have to share with me for the night.” They were both consenting adults, she couldn’t see a reason why either one of them should have to sleep on the sofa… unless of course he just didn’t want to share a bed with her. That thought made her nervous that she had just been incredibly forward, “I mean… unless you don’t want to, then you’re more than welcome to sleep wherever you want to... you could even just send me home… I’m sure I’d be just fine.”

She smiled when he said she could do whatever she wanted and that she should consider his place home. When he told her where his shirts were and that they were all clean, she frowned a bit and tugged gently on the shirt he was wearing. “But what if I said I wanted to wear this one… I think it’s my new favorite.” She smiled into his chest a blushed a bit, yeah maybe she was flirting a little… but she liked Jackson a lot so that made it perfectly acceptable to flirt, at least in her mind. “I’m so happy that you like to cuddle.” Chloe wasn’t usually a clingy person, but she liked to be close to the people she cared for and it helped that being in Jackson’s arms made her feel incredibly safe. She’d never experienced anything like this but she was finding that when she was with Jackson she wanted to touch him constantly, whether it was just simply holding his hand or being cuddled into his side.

When he questioned her if things usually worked out for a reason, she shrugged “Yeah, I guess so… I mean I usually try not to question it much, but I’ve just been so happy lately. Today when everything happened…” She nibbled on her bottom lip a bit before continuing, “You were the only person I wanted… the first and only person I thought about calling. I guess it just got me thinking how lucky I was to have met you when I did.” She laughed when he said that had been the luckiest night he’d ever had, “I’m surprised you still feel that way, after everything I’ve drug you into today. Most people would have run away scared that first night after seeing how crazy my ex was, much less witnessing it today first hand. You’re the only one I trust to be here for me.”

When he thanked her again for being her and being with him she shook her head, “No… thank you for being here for me, because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.” She smiled as he leaned in to kiss her, kissing Jackson was perfect it made her forget all her problems and let her focus on what was going right in her life. They were still kissing when she heard a knock on the door causing her to pull Jackson closer and grumble under her breath when they knocked again, “Seriously, do they train these people to have the worst timing ever?” She was half tempted to tell the pizza guy to go away, and if her stomach hadn’t grumbled just then reminding her how hungry she was she probably would have.

Tag: Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson nodded to her when she spoke about arguing but it not doing any good, she had that right there was no arguing with him over that at all. He was about to tell her not to feel guilty when she said about the spending the night. He knew he might have been able to look less surprised or speechless but he didnt exactly know what to say to that one having not expected it at all. He opened and closed his mouth a few times but when Chloe spoke again he tried to find the right words. “I urm... no I mean I’m not sending you home and yes I want to... I... you.” He spluttered not quite sure what he was trying to say. “Sure I’d love to if you’re okay with it, I dont want you to feel awkward and if you want your own space then the sofa is fine with me.”

Great if she didnt run for the hills with that then, yeah why did he have to go and sound like he didnt know what he wanted to say? He wanted to smack himself over the head for a moment but then he didnt want Chloe thinking he was taking advantage or she had to make the offer or well the thousand other things in his head right at that moment. He grinned when she tugged on the shirt he was wearing, “Oh it is and sure you can wear this one if you want to. Just let me know when you want it handed over?” He said smiling as he did his best to flirt back or at least what he could pass as flirting given he was far out of practice for it.

Jackson grinned, he just liked being around Chloe and cuddling her meant that she was close he was more than okay with that. He wasnt the clingy type either but if it made her happy then he was happy do anything even it if was as simple as a cuddle. There was something about her that made him feel like it was oaky to be himself, that she lit up the room when she was there and made everything seem a lot better than the moments she wasnt there. A simple touch or cuddle and it changed his day entirely.

He listened to Chloe as he just smiled, “Thanks for letting me be that first person you thought about, I’m happy I was I just wish that I could have stopped it before he hurt you.” He said though he knew that was impossible given he didnt know the guy was in the fire house with her. “I’m lucky to have met you too Chloe, until I met you I didnt believe in fate or chance but you are the luckiest thing ever to me.” He said as he smiled at her, “Crazy ex’s dont make me run at all besides you’re worth fighting for and sticking around for. I’m just glad I can be here for you and that you trust me to be here.”

Trust he knew wasnt an easy thing, his trust had been shattered with Ashlyn and now Chloe was building it again. He trusted people sure but then trusted them enough to get close to or share a bed with well that was a new thing for him. Kissing her it was easy to forget anything bad that was going on simply because she was there. Kissing her just felt right until he considered asking the pizza guy to come back later as he heard her grumble hearing the knock a second time. He smiled as he nodded. “Yeah they do.” He said as he kissed her again for a moment as he pulled away from her and went to answer the door and get the pizza. He brought the box inside thanking the pizza guy as he paid and set the box on the table. “So dinner is served Chloe.” He said, “Do you want anything else with it?” He asked her just wanting to be sure that she was alright with pizza or if she wanted something with it.

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

Chloe laughed at the expression on Jackson’s face when she offered to share the bed with him, but when he started to speak it was obvious that he was uncomfortable and didn’t know what to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t ok with it, and if I had wanted my own space I would have had you take me home.” She laid her head on his shoulder and chewed on her bottom lip, hoping that she hadn’t just messed things up.

When she saw him grin, and he returned her flirting she felt like she could finally relax a little. At least she hadn’t messed things up so bad that he wanted to send her home. “Yeah… I definitely think I like this shirt… It’s a good color for me. Don’t you think?” She laughed, “And I’ll be needing it after I shower… so don’t spill any pizza on it.”

Chloe sat next to Jackson with her head on his shoulder in silence, reaching for his hand she held it between both of hers. “I’m… uh, I’m sorry I’m extra clingy today. It’s just… you make me feel safe, and well… right now I need that, but feel free to tell me to give you some space if it gets to be too much.” She was learning that with Jackson it was ok for her to have her own opinions, and make her own decisions even if he didn’t necessarily agree with them. She respected him enough to ask for his opinion and advice on things, but knew that it was still ultimately up to her to make the decision. Just being in the same room with him made her feel more confident, and any day she didn’t get to see him was one too many in her opinion.

She shook her head as she heard him thank her, “No need to thank me… I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I had been smart enough in high school I would have stopped it myself, besides there was no way you could have known that he was going to show up in Chicago… much less at work.” Shaking her head again, “No… I’m the lucky one. Although, I’m not sure why you’ve stuck around… pretty sure I’m not worth all this trouble. I do trust you, I have since the night we met.”

She sighed, “I don’t trust very many people… it’s hard for me, but you’ve shown me that some people are worth taking a chance on. That not everyone is out to hurt me all the time.” When Jackson pulled away from her kisses to answer the door she pouted, “Just tell him to go away... it hasn’t been twenty minutes yet, they guaranteed twenty minutes not fifteen.” She huffed when she heard him thank the man, but smiled as he walked back in carrying the pizza.

When he sat the pizza down and asked her if she wanted anything else with it she shook her head, “No… but I’ll grab us some plates, napkins, and drinks from the kitchen. Do you want anything in particular?” She stood from the sofa and stretched her legs, before walking up to Jackson and kissing his cheek. “Better be some good pizza since their delivery man has such bad timing, but thank you for everything.” For the first time in a very long time she felt truly happy and content, given the events of the day that was saying something.

Tag: Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson chuckled and shook his head at her when she mentioned him being uncomfortable, he wasnt really he just hasn’t expected that at all and he didnt want her to think he was taking advantage of her at all. “At the risk of sounding like I’m going to kidnap you, tonight you’re not going home and you’re more than welcome to stay. I just didnt want you to think I was taking advantage or anything but yes we can share tonight.” He said as he hugged her for a moment hoping he hadn’t managed to screw things up with being a little awkward in himself.

“Oh sure the colour really suits you, probably better than it does me.” He said grinning at her, “I wouldnt dare spill pizza on it, not if you need it. I’ll make sure to wear a napkin bib just to make doubly sure.” He stated laughing a little, it had been a long time since anyone had wanted to wear one of his shirts and it was a nice feeling to get back to. Even if it did have pizza on it but he would make sure to be careful of avoid the dreaded pizza stains.

Jackson just sat there with her content to just be there as he felt her take his hand between both of hers. He squeezed her hand lightly as he nodded, “Be as clingy as you want to be and I’d never tell you to give me space because I’m happy you’re here with me.” He said smiling as he leaned down to kiss her head lightly for a moment. He could understand her being clingy after the day she had and everything she had been through, he was glad that she knew it was okay to have her opinions, sure they didnt always agree but then he wasnt about to not listen to her or raise a hand over anything.

“No but I should have figured it out faster and how could you have known in high school. You are a very smart person Chloe and a strong one to for walking away from it. Don’t sell yourself short on that.” He said as he grinned, “You are worth all this and more. I’ve stuck around because you’re worth sticking around for besides remember how many dates we had talked about when we first met?” He asked her, “So sure I’m sticking around.”

Listening to her he nodded, she had shown him the exact same thing. To trust someone else again was a big deal for him but Chloe made it easy to trust her. “No they aren’t and I’d never hurt you so thank you for your trust and you have mine too.” He said laughing lightly as he considered telling the delivery guy to just go away but then five minutes time he would likely just want an extra twenty minutes with that too.

Jackson smiled and watched her for a moment when she went to get the plates and drinks from the kitchen. “No i’m fine with anything.” He said smiling when she kissed his cheek. “Smells like good pizza and yeah I agree the delivery guy’s timing was awful but at least we wont be hungry though.” He said smiling, “And thank you for everything Chloe.” He said feeling happy, he had almost forgotten what that was actually like but with her it was easy to feel happy when she was around.

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

Chloe smiled when Jackson laughed and shook his head, “Ok, if you’re sure… because you kind of looked like you didn’t know what to say there for a minute.” She laughed and laid her head back on his chest when Jackson spoke about sounding like a kidnapper, “So a serial killer and a kidnapper? We make quite the pair.” Shaking her head when he mentioned she might think he was taking advantage of the situation, “If I felt that way I never would have suggest it, and honestly if I thought you were that kind of person… I wouldn’t be here right now.”

She just laughed when he said the color suited her, “Oh a bib huh? You’d do that for me? That has to be the sweetest thing ever, but I’m sure a pizza stain won’t kill me. I’ll be fine just as long as it still smells like you and not just the pizza.”

When he told her to be as clingy as she wanted to be her heart melted a bit, Brian had always fussed at her when she wanted to cuddle. He hadn’t been one who was much for any physical contact unless he was the one initiating it, so Chloe had gotten used to keeping her distance for the longest time. She was enjoying the feeling of comfort and safety that just being around Jackson provided. It hadn’t taken her long to get over the need to pull away anytime Jackson touched her, and get used to being able to enjoy the small things in a relationship again. The kisses, the cuddles, holding hands… she was getting to enjoy everything she’d always wanted to do but had never been allowed.

“I could have known in high school, because everything started when I was still in high school… and I stupidly put up with it for as long as I did because I made excuses for him.” Hearing Jackson call her smart and strong felt good, but she wasn’t quite sure she believed it. All she could do was smile as he said she was worth sticking around for. Laughing at the mention of all the dates they discussed she replied, “So what happens when we finish all those dates? Is that when you push me off the rock I just climbed?”

When Chloe returned with the plates, napkins, and drinks the aroma of pizza filled the air causing her stomach to growl. “Guess I was hungrier than I thought, and that pizza smells amazing.” She went and sat down next to Jackson and before handing him a plate opened up a napkin and tucked it in his shirt, “Don’t forget the bib.” She kissed him and handed him both plates as she opened the pizza box.

Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson laughed as he shook his head feeling himself turn a little red, “No of course I’m sure, just wanted to make sure you were too.” He said smiling not having wanted it to come across that way at all. Then again considering they were talking about serial killing and kidnapping, they did make quite the pair as he laughed nodded. “Well I promise you I’m not that kind of person. Happy you suggested it though because that means I get to keep you around without having to put my kidnapping plan into action.” He said smiling.

“Yeah, only for you though but if I’d have known you’re alright with a pizza stain I would have ordered the anchovies.” He stated even though he didnt like them at all, “But I can guarantee it will smell like me because i’ve had it on all day so sorry about the smell.” Seeing her smile when they spoke about being clingy was sweet, Jackson had never been around much for physical contact. In the space of a few days here and there and occasionally a week or two before he was back out of moved from base to base it was nice just to hold someone.

To feel as if he was helping in some way or at least doing something useful. He had never felt ungrounded but with Chloe she gave him a reason for being home, that reason for being around her that felt like nothing else in the world. Jackson knew there would be some difficult times given what she had been through with Brian, even the thought of not being able to do those things was foreign to him but then he hadn’t been around much for his first relationship so those things were the added bonus when he was home.

“It’s easy to do, you don’t want to believe anyone’s capable of it. You’ve done great though to get away from it and I think you’re stronger for it. After all it takes a lot to talk to someone in a bar then take them to your hotel room after.” He teased grinning at her, she was smart and strong and a lot of other things too as he saw her smiled which made him smile too. “Yeah but shush, don’t let anyone else know or you’ll ruin the surprise.” He said smirking, “Then again a lot more dates with you, I think you’d live or at least I’d save you from the fall. Cant go getting away that easily.”

The smell made him realise just how hungry he was, it had been a hell of a day as he grinned at Chloe. “It’s good to be hungry and it does smell amazing. I can forgive the delivery guy for the interruption for this.” He said as he he took the plate from her as he chuckled when she tucked the napkin in his shirt. “Nope, cant forget the bib, not that you mind pizza stains though.” He said as he took both the plates and held them as he watched her open the pizza box. “Who thought this day could get any better, you’re here and we have pizza too. It’s like heaven.” He stated.

Tag: @hcassell9978

[Deleted]

Chloe laughed at Jackson as he blushed, “Well I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t sure, besides it’s really no different than snuggling on the sofa…right?” She smiled as he promised that he wasn’t the kidnapping type, “If you had been the kidnapping type I would have been a goner that first night, though technically I was a goner anyway. For you… I’d stay as long as you’ll keep me no kidnapping needed.”

She made a face when he mentioned the anchovies, “Ew, just ew… have you seen those things? It’s like the whole freaking fish… eyeballs included. Fish is bad enough, but fishy eyeballs? Ewww.” She leaned into him and sniffed when he talked about his shirt smelling like him and apologized for the smell, “Smells perfect to me.” It did too, smelled just like him which was a smell she associated with love and safety. Chloe was enjoying being held, she felt protected. Chloe had spent so much time trying to avoid Brian’s touch that snuggling and cuddling had not been something that she had usually enjoyed. She was learning to look forward to the random touches, snuggles, and kisses that came with having a loving boyfriend.

Jackson was helping more than he knew, just by being there and showing her that not all men tried to control the way she felt and thought; not all men would try to change her by hitting her. She had finally stopped flinching when people reached for her, and she owed that to Jackson… he was showing her that not all people hit first some used their hands to comfort, love, and support. So she sure hoped that he could forgive her for being a bit clingy even on the good days.

She laughed when he said that it took a lot to talk to someone in a bar and take them to your hotel room the same night, “Not sure if that was brave, or stupid… but thankfully you were the one I took back to my room, guess there was something about you from the very first time I saw you that told me I could trust you.” When he smirked and told her she couldn’t get away that easily, “Honestly it would be you getting away easy, not me… that would probably be the only way to get rid of me.”

Chloe was actually kind of hungry, she hadn’t eaten much all day and hadn’t really thought that much about food until she smelled the pizza. “I guess I can almost forgive the guys bad timing if this pizza is as good as it smells. She smiled as she tucked the napkin in and he laughed. His laugh was contagious, when he laughed she couldn’t help but smile and laugh with him. “Nope pizza stains are ok, but I figured you’d look cute with a bib.”

She smiled and laughed when he said it was like heaven because she was there with the pizza, “If I’d known pizza was the way to your heart I would have ordered it a couple weeks ago and shown up here with the pizza and some brownies unannounced. However, I for one am glad that today has gotten better… started out pretty rough, but knowing I have you can make anything better.”

Jackson Martin

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson smiled and nodded, she was right he guessed it wasn’t any different than snuggling on the sofa. “No different at all.” He said grinning at her, he was really the luckiest guy on earth and had been since he had met her that night. “So does that mean I need to take back the duct tape and zip ties... damn knew I should have kept the receipt for those.” He said with a sigh as he nudged her lightly, “If you’re staying then I’d like to keep you forever but the choice is entirely yours if you want to stay.”

He chuckled when he saw the face she made at the mention of the anchovies. “Ewwww, fishy eyeballs yeah I’m never ever touching one of those in my life. I don’t understand how anyone can eat then, it’s like shrimp with their heads on, nope it has to be just the shrimp or prawn no eyes attached.” It was one of his ‘couldn’t get paid enough’ rules, food with the head still attached or really anything that remotely looked as it did when it was alive was a big no no. He relaxed when she said his shirt smelled perfect, he hadn’t much thought about the things he had missed but holding someone and snuggling with them he was enjoying more and more.

Jackson knew she had been through a lot with Brian and he just wanted to be there for her no matter what was going on. He knew that he was nothing like Brian from what he had seen that day but then it wasnt him he needed to convince though he was happy when Chloe had stopped flinching, he knew it couldnt be easy for her but then he just hopped she was alright. He never minded her being clingy at all, he was glad of it as he hadn’t really been able to be there for anyone before, at least be there in the sense that he was actually present and in the same country so he glad of the chance with Chloe.

“I vote not stupid at all because I got to taste the best brownies ever there so I’m all for it.” He joked though the brownies were good, “I’m glad you trusted me because I trust you and that hasn’t happened for a long time so thank you.” Jackson wasnt exactly the most trusting type after his first wife, he had thrown himself into work and that had done its purpose for a while to keep him distracted and away for the world long enough that he could actually dip a toe back into and then Chloe which just made the world a better place. “What if I don’t want to get rid of you at all? Will you stay?” He asked her as he smiled.

At the mention of the pizza he nodded, it did smell good as he realised he was hungry too though before he said anything the napkin was tucked in and he now had a bib for the night. “Awww, well since you say it’s cute I can work with it.” He said chuckling again as he nodded. “See now if you’d have told me you were turning up with pizza and brownies you could have been here hours ago. Sure I’d rather you where here but if you have pizza and brownies too I’m not arguing over it.” Jackson was just happy she was there and she was safe considering how the day had started for her.

“Thanks and same for me too but as long as you’re alright and safe now. Thanks for calling me though it means a lot.” He said as he reached for the pizza box as he opened it and held it out to her. “Ladies first.” He said as he picked up her plate for her hand held that out for her as he smiled.

Tag: @hcassell9978