#Chapter 416 – Morning in Darkness

Jackson kisses me softly through the bars of my little Atalaxian cage. I lean my full weight against them, letting my hand slip up over Jackson’s stubbled cheek and then back into his hair. He pulls away, snarling a little, both for want of me and, well – “I hate these fucking bars,” he growls, glancing around at them even as he wraps an arm around my waist as best he can, pulling me tight against him. “This was not the reunion I had in mind.” I smile at him. “Well, for the reunion, can we keep the beard?” He raises his eyebrows at me in surprise. “You like it?” My smile deepens. “You’re all rugged and rough, like you were when we first met and you didn’t know how to get your hair cut –“ A laugh bursts from him and he tightens his arm. “You were a fan of that?” “I was a fan of it once you stopped trying to murder me and I realized how sweet you were beneath,” I say, grinning at him fully now, unable to help it. “Rough exterior, sweetheart inside. Gorgeous through and thro