Chapter 84: Mister Hot and Cold

The flick of a switch sounded in the room.

"Avery, do you want to wake everyone up?" 

Avery had shielded herself with her arms. She lowered them gradually and twisted her neck towards the bedroom door. The lights glared from the ceiling, illuminating the whole room. 

The silhouette became a real man. The round object turned into the edge of a duffel bag and the pointed weapon transformed to the tip of an umbrella. The dripping blood became water droplets. 

Raising an eyebrow, teal almond-shaped eyes stared down at her. Thin lips stiffened into a straight line. Drenched black hair clung to a tan forehead, trickling beads of water towards a chiselled jaw.

Avery saw red. She jumped to her feet, her fists clenching on either side of her hips. She raised her voice higher than her previous shriek. "JACKSON BENNETT HATHAWAY! HOW DARE YOU SCARE ME LIKE THAT?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE A BLOODY MURDERER!" 

Jackson chose not to reply. Instead, he took off his shoes. He put the bag and the umbrella down. Then, he shrugged off his trench coat. He walked over to the fireplace and started a fire, opting to use it in order to dry himself off and his garments. 

Avery rolled her eyes and strode to his side. 

Her foot slipped against the wet floor. 

"Damnit," she cursed. Using the same foot, she reached for a rug and wiped the floor. "Stupid bastard who can't even clean up after himself. Not even that damn fire can melt your iciness."

Jackson uncuffed his sleeves. His coat and his socks draped over the metal screen. It stood up to his knees, framing over the fireplace. His shoes leaned against it. "Just like how a wife can't even inform her spouse about their son's blossoming romance."

Avery froze. 

She had been meaning to tell him that. Except, she hadn't worked out on how much to tell. If she told him everything, no doubt that Jackson would not just berate her for it but he���d also tell Ambryan about the whole affair—something that could not happen just yet.

Taking a deep breath, Avery opened her mouth… but closed it again. Her eyebrows knitted in his direction. "Are you telling me that stunt earlier was for revenge?"

Jackson didn't appear to hear her. He unbuttoned his vest and positioned it beside the coat. The fiber material of his dress shirt clung to his skin, emphasizing the muscles he still had despite reaching past 50 years old.

Avery gulped at the sight of his back. It stretched tall and proud. Broad shoulders and slim waist shaped his torso. Sometimes she wondered what compelled her to marry a sexy man. 

The decision made it much harder for her to win in the art of seduction.

"No, it was impeccable timing that it became revenge," her husband finally answered, turning towards her. He tucked his hands into his pant pockets and tilted his head sideways. "Can't say I regretted it since not even any of my subordinates told me about Ambryan's relationships despite knowing all this time. Why? Well, they all pointed to one person."

Jackson approached carefully. Unlike his soaked shoes, his bare feet didn't make a sound. He stopped just a few inches away from her face. "You, my lovely wife."

"I was meaning to tell you…" Avery began to say. 

"Were you now?"

The rest died in her throat. She hadn't made up her mind yet even now. Although she'd rather not tell him everything, the second option wasn't appealing either. 

Mainly because, the risk of choosing the latter rested on how he won't see through her lies. Not only would he find out the truth in the end but also he'd become even more furious at her attempt to keep quiet.

Avery groaned internally. What boundary line did marriage couples have when it came to secrets? There had to be an acceptable range of degrees. 

"Well…?" Jackson prompted her. He stepped closer until his face hovered hers. His teal eyes bore into her violet ones. "Why such secrecy, my lovely wife?"

"... and let you ruin my fun?" She said, fluttering her eyes. A sickly sweet smile blossomed on her lips. "You and I both know that you're not exactly the happiest when it comes to the idea of love. You'd find a way to rain on my parade."

Avery gave herself a mental pat on the back. She finally found a way to answer him—while keeping him in the dark. The longer she thought about it, the more she realized that it was the best choice. Like Ambryan, Jackson needed to meet Evangeline first without context. Let him judge her as he saw fit.

Hopefully, fingers crossed, that it would be favorable.

"Then, why did I marry you?"

Avery blinked, raising her eyebrows. The shift of topic surprised her… but it wasn't unwelcomed. She stepped back and tapped her chin. Her eyes gazed up at the ceiling. "I ask myself the same thing but only one answer comes to mind."

Jackson crossed his arms over his chest. "Really?"

"Yes," she confirmed, showing him a smug look. "It's because I'm a goddess."

"..."

A delighted giggle escaped her lips. His deadpan expression never failed to amuse her. If she observed carefully, she'd see his eyes hardened into icicles. It made teasing much more fun.

"I'll grill you later. I need a warm bath." Jackson retreated, spinning on his heels and heading towards the bathroom.

"Wait!"

Avery hugged him from behind, capturing him. She stood on her toes until her chin could reach his shoulder. Her voice became breathy as she said, "I'm sorry, okay? I was just so happy about everything that I wanted to relish every moment."

Her husband stiffened under her touch. He kept his face straight ahead, staring at the bathroom door. He spoke without emotion. "So you decided not to tell me because I would ruin it for you?"

"You do react harshly a lot of times."

Avery flinched at her admission but it was the truth! They didn't always see eye to eye and they also reacted differently. Something he enjoyed could be something she didn't. The reverse also rang true. In her case, she would step away from the picture and leave him to his amusement.

In Jackson's case, he expressed opinions on everything and inserted himself even as a killjoy.

"So I can't be a part of our son's personal affairs?"

The question struck Avery's heart. Her gaze glanced up and watched the side of his face. He showed the same neutral expression, not hinting at his true feelings. He really did like to include himself in her business—but that was only because he loved to be around her and be there through it all.

A smirk curled on her lip corner.

"... are you perhaps happy about this development?" Avery asked suspiciously. The smirk continued to climb until it became a wide grin.

"That is subjective." Jackson turned down at once. He started to pry off her fingers on his stomach. She didn't make it easy. "I haven't met her yet. Will you let me meet her or will you lock me up?"

"Can I do both?"

Wickedness simmered in his wife's blood. She took advantage of his startled state and tightened her hold around him. She pressed herself against his back, inhaling deeply. Her chest puffed out. Her right leg snaked up the side of his. 

His ears tinted pink.

Avery bit his earlobe. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Her husband sighed. He turned around until they were face to face. His finger brushed the stray hair piece off her cheek. He kissed the same spot. "I'll join you once I'm done in the bath."

"Or I can join you instead." Avery wiggled her eyebrows, trying to rile him up. A second deadpan expression was more than welcome. She remembered how he used to escape from her advances—the bathroom becoming his number one hiding spot.

Too bad that wasn't going to be the case this time. 

Jackson chuckled. He lowered his head until they had the same eye level. A few seconds passed. He ensnared her waist against him, making her yelp. A wicked grin smirked on his lips.

"I'd rather continue this where we don't have to move after anymore."

Avery shivered. This man was too much! How could he be so cold and so hot at the same time? It wasn't fair! Her insides betrayed her as her body responded to his gestures. She licked her lips, trying to regain her composure back. 

Her arms went around his neck and played with his hair.

"Not move, huh?" She joked lightly.

Jackson's teal eyes darkened. He took the question as a challenge. Using the bridge of his nose, he traced her jawline until he found her left ear. His tone of voice dropped into a warning as one of his hands curved over her hips.

"Trust me, my lovely wife. I'll show you exactly how much I missed you."