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,"

voice low. "You're the one who had to deal

worse for you," he says, his smile growing

I step a little closer

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

I can tell he doesn't feel

me talk him through this, fix it all. I raise myself up on my

"I think I need a minute, Ariel," he says gently, with absolutely no

he mad at me? Is this...is

around my waist and tugging me close against him. "Don't get all 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

absolutely gaping, before I burst into laughter. "Seriously!? Ella?" He grins at me. "Ella is behind all of this talk about boundaries and taking

grin deepens. "Yup," he says, nodding down at me. "She's on my side

for now. She's going to want someone to do all the heavy lifting of

grins, pressing a kiss to my forehead, murmuring that it