my prized possession

CHAPTER 7

I lay in Jackson’s arms, curled into him, his warmth wrapping around me like a blanket I never wanted to leave. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek was strangely soothing, and the faint scent of his cologne—earthy and soft—calmed every restless thought in my head. I smiled to myself, thinking about everything that had just happened between us. How did I get so lucky?

But even in that perfect moment, a question tugged at the edges of my thoughts. Where do I stand in his life now? Was I just a momentary thrill, or something more? Could I start calling myself his girlfriend, or would that be assuming too much?

I let out a small chuckle, caught between nerves and bliss.

Jackson stirred. “What are you thinking about?”

I looked up at him, smiled, and kissed him gently. “Nothing. Just… us.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Us? In what way?”

I hesitated for a second, then decided to just say it. “Just thinking about how crazy the last few hours have been... how we went from school notes to... this.”

He chuckled, a low, deep sound that sent a delicious shiver down my spine. God, he had no idea the effect he had on me.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the moment. I glanced at the screen—9:04 PM. My heart skipped. It was my stepdad. Crap.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t want a long-winded lecture about curfews and responsibilities echoing in my ear right now. I sat up quickly. “I need to go—it’s already late.”

Jackson nodded in understanding and offered, “I’ll drive you home.”

I shook my head, still flustered. “You don’t have to. I’ll be fine.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I want to. And it’s not safe this late. So that’s final.”

I didn’t argue. His tone was firm, but not controlling—just caring. It made me like him even more.

By the time Jackson was dressed and we made it downstairs, I was already waiting by the front door, ready to dash out. But just as we were about to leave, a voice called out from the hallway.

“Jackson!”

It was deep and rich, with a slight rasp that made it sound like velvet wrapped in smoke. I turned around—and stopped breathing.

There, standing a few feet away, was a guy who looked like he had just stepped out of a dream. He was tall, lean, with tousled dark hair and striking green eyes that seemed to see straight through me. Every part of him—from the way he moved to the effortless confidence in his gaze—radiated something magnetic.

Who is that?

Jackson’s face lit up. “Noah! When did you get in?”

Noah smiled, walking over to hug him. “Just now. Thought I’d surprise you—and the folks.”

Then his eyes landed on me. And everything in me stilled.

We stared at each other for a moment too long—long enough for Jackson to notice.

He gently nudged me. “Vanessa, this is my cousin, Noah. And Noah—this is Vanessa. She’s my study buddy.”

Study buddy. The label felt too small, too casual for what had just happened upstairs. But I said nothing.

Noah extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Vanessa.”

My fingers tingled before I even touched him. And when I did—when our hands met—it felt like an electric current surged through me. The warmth, the unexpected pull… it caught me off guard. I swallowed hard and withdrew my hand quickly.

“N-nice to meet you too,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Then I turned, mumbled a goodbye, and walked out—my mind spinning, my heart racing.

I stepped outside, breathing hard. What the hell was that?

Why was I feeling this way... about Jackson’s cousin?

Jackson followed me out and gently asked, “Are you okay?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I kissed him.

I needed something to ground me. To forget the spark I’d just felt inside that house. To remind myself that this—Jackson—was what I had always wanted.

I pulled away and smiled. “I’m fine,” I said, trying to convince both of us.

The drive home was quiet. Short, but it somehow felt eternal. My mind kept drifting... back to him. Back to those green eyes and that slow-burning gaze that had stirred something I wasn’t ready to name.

Vanessa, stop it.

You’re literally sitting beside the guy you’ve wanted for ages. Jackson. The one who just made your heart feel like it had finally found a rhythm.

So why are you thinking about someone else?

I scolded myself internally, shaking the thoughts away like an annoying fly buzzing in my head.

When we pulled up in front of my house, Jackson looked at me again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Did he notice the way I had stared at his cousin? God, please no.

“I’m fine, I promise,” I said quickly. “Just dreading the lecture my stepdad’s got waiting for me inside.”

Jackson chuckled. “It won’t be that bad.”

I nodded, smiling faintly. There she is. The real Vanessa. Stay grounded, girl. Stay sane.

I stepped inside and saw Bill—my stepdad—sitting in the living room. His face was tight with worry and frustration.

“I’m so sorry,” I said before he could even speak. “I was at Annabella’s after studying and didn’t realize how late it had gotten. We were just... talking.”

He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’ve given you freedom because I trust you, Vanessa. Don’t make me regret that. You came home late without a word, and I was worried sick. Your mom called, and I had to lie for you—which you know I hate doing.”

His voice was calm but firm. Disappointed, not angry. That made it worse.

“I know,” I said softly. “I didn’t mean to put you in that position. I’ll do better. If I’m ever going to be late again, I’ll text you... or just sleep over at Annabella’s. Deal?”

He stared at me for a moment, then finally gave a small, tired smile. “Deal.”

“There’s dinner in the microwave if you’re hungry.”

“I’m good,” I lied. “I ate at Annabella’s.”

Not true, but the truth was—after everything that had happened with Jackson—I didn’t even feel hunger. I was full in every way that mattered.

Upstairs in my room, I showered and slipped into something comfortable. Then I called Annabella. There was no way I could sleep with all this swirling in my head.

As soon as she picked up, her scream nearly burst my eardrum.

“SPILL! Tell me everything right now!”

I laughed and began unraveling the whole story. From the first kiss to the fire in his eyes, to the way his lips traveled like they were tracing a map only he knew. Every detail spilled out like confetti.

Annabella gasped, screamed, teased, and laughed through it all.

“Well,” she said finally, “you’re not innocent anymore. You’ve officially had a taste of the wild side.”

I laughed so hard I nearly choked. “Says the girl who beat me to the club.”

“True,” she giggled. “Welcome, baby. We’ve been expecting you.”

We talked late into the night, girl talk turning into giggles and dreams and whispered confessions. But there was one thing I didn’t tell her.

Noah.

I couldn’t explain what happened when our eyes met. That single touch. That rush.

So I kept it tucked away in a quiet corner of my heart.

Untouched. Unspoken.

For now.