Page 55 of Beneath the Hood

Shaking my head, I walk across the kitchen until I’m in front of the white corded phone that’s attached to the wall. It’s archaic, but my father refuses to change, saying it reminds him of the “good ol’ days.”

“No, let me call in Eric.”

“Who’s Eric?” Jackson walks behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, and his words rumbling into the skin of my neck. Goose bumps spread down my spine as I press into him.

“He’s our chef.”

“You have achef?”

“Of course we do.” My forehead scrunches, wondering why he seems so surprised.

“And you’re just gonna have him show up here, even though it’s seven at night?”

“Uhh... yeah.” I shrug. “It’s his job, Jackson.”

“What if he’s with his family?”

My brows draw together. “Him and his wife both live on the property, it’s not a big deal.”

He chuckles. “Damn, sometimes I forget how different our worlds are.”

Defensiveness swirls inside of me and I twist in his arms to face him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You have chefs that liveon your propertyand come whenever you call. Bodyguards that find us no matter where we go. It’s a different world is all.”

Sadness clenches my heart.Is he judging me?

“And?” I snap. “It’s not my fault this is what I was born into. Hardly fair for you to hold it against me.” I push out of his hold.

He shakes his head, gripping me tighter, pulling me back against his chest.

“No.” His voice is firm. “I didn’t mean it wasbad.Just different. I’ve spent the past decade working so I could support my mom and help pay the bills. I learned to cook just so we could taste something other than ramen noodles and rice.”

My heart sinks. I can’t relate to his experience at alland it makes a sour taste hit the back of my throat.

I’ve never even thought about things like that.

“But when we’re together,” he continues. “I get so lost in all the ways it feels like you were made for me, and I forget how different our lives have been.” He turns my face back toward him, his hand gripping my jaw tight. “Our circumstances don’t define us.”

My heart flies, slamming against my ribs.

Leaning down, he presses a kiss against my lips. “I look forward to hearing about your past, Blake. Now, make your phone call so we can eat.”

He retreats, walking back toward the island, like he didn’t just upend my world with a few words.

My eyes trail after him, wondering what it is that makes him so damn different from the rest.

28

Jackson

“What was it like growing up here?” My voice echoes off the high ceilings in the dining room, bouncing around the ten empty chairs at the table.

Blakely shrugs, her fingers toying with the edge of the bloodred placemat. “Like anywhere else, I guess.”

I snort and she looks up, her eyes sparking. “What?”

“Like anywhere else?”I mock, a teasing grin on my face. “That’s a good answer for the cameras.”

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