Chapter 177: Latrice III
’I cannot want you.’
Jackson’s thoughts trailed off when he sensed her raise a hand. He grabbed her wrist on instinct, his eyes blazing menacingly as part of his instinct. When she flinched at his action, he snapped back to the current lapse.
"What do you think you’re doing?" he breathed out in a low growl.
"Showing you what I learned today," she answered with a small frown. "Madam Windsor told me there’s a way to make pain feel less painful. She said it works."
"I’m not in pain."
She blinked and blinked, and even without saying anything, he folded. Jackson slowly released her wrist, letting her do what she planned to do. His brows knitted and his body tensed up when she slowly touched his cheek.
"Stop," he urged when he figured out where her thumb was going. "Get out."
"People who are in pain say hurtful things because they are in pain," she argued softly, not listening to him as she caressed the scar on his lips with her thumb. Her eyes softened and, for the obvious reason, his shoulders also relaxed.
"It’s hideous," he blurted out, watching her eyes hold his. "Are you not disgusted by it?"
"Is that what Your Grace always thought?" she chuckled.
"Am I wrong?"