The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0379

"I thought you said a shower wasn't going to change the way I smell now?" I say, frowning at Rafe.

"It's going to help," he says, turning back to me and raising his eyebrows. "Seriously, Ariel, you...you smell like you took a bath in eau d'Jackson. It's not a bad thing but it is...a statement cologne."

I laugh a little and he nods to me, stepping out the door, clearly letting me know he'll give me a minute. Rafe pulls the door after him, but doesn't let it completely shut.

Quietly, I cross the room to Jackson, who holds my gaze as I do.

"Hi," I say quietly - the same thing I said last night when I showed up at his door. But this time I say it with...a little less verve.

Jackson just smirks at me, reaching to cup my cheek in his palm.

"I'm really sorry, Jacks," I whisper. "It shouldn't have happened like that."

your fault,"

the

for you,"

smile back, unable to help it. I step a little closer and look up into his face.

my ear in that way he likes. But something in his terseness - I mean, Jackson doesn't usually say a

he doesn't feel quite

kind of hoping that he'll say yes, let me talk him through this, fix it all. I raise

"I think I

flat, suddenly worried. Is he mad at me? Is this...is this way worse than I think it is?

mixed up about it," he says, shaking his head at me. "We're fine, Ariel. I just... Ella said...she said that I am allowed to take a minute. To ask for time alone when I

Ella?" He grins at me. "Ella is behind all of this talk about boundaries and

me. "She's

playfully. "You can take her for now. She's going to want someone to do all the heavy lifting of

to my forehead, murmuring that it sounds like a