The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Ice cream," Jackson growls, turning to glare at my brother and my cousin as soon as we get to the bathroom door. "Strawberry. Now. She's taking a shower, and then she's going to take whatever time she needs, and then she'll tell you if she wants to."

Rafe growls his discontent, but spins away towards the dumbwaiter to put in the order as Jesse just gapes at us.

But I don't say anything, letting Jackson take control and lead me into the bathroom where he immediately turns on the shower, hot and steamy just how I like it. Then, quite gently, he takes off my cap and tosses it aside, deftly unbraiding my hair so that it falls around my shoulders.

I keep my eyes on him, my face turned up to his, as he turns his attention next to my muddy clothes, quickly tugging the shirt up over my head and then kneeling down at my feet to untie and tug off my boots. He sets this all aside and then undoes my belt, unbuttoning my pants and slipping them down my legs, holding them steady at the floor so that I can step out of them.

A little smile starts on my lips as I look down at my perfect mate, being so incredibly sweet to me right now. Because none of this is sexual - he's just doing everything he knows to clean me up and make me feel better.

He stands, tugging off his own shirt and tossing it to the ground before flicking his eyes over my bra and boy-short underwear. "You want those on?" he asks, raising an eyebrow at me. "I don't want you to feel like -"

But I just shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest and tugging my bra off, tossing it aside onto the pile of dirty clothes.

Jackson gives me a small smile, holding my eyes with his, and then wraps a gentle arm around my waist, tugging me close for a second. He presses a simple kiss to my mouth, warm and pleased, and then gives me a little push towards the streaming water. "In," he orders.

the shower, pushing my panties down and walking out of them as I enter the steamy flow of water, exhaling a

wrapping his arms around me, pulling me closely

- about the pounding nothingness of the sound all around me, about the warm solidness of his body next to mine...brings me back to myself. Reminds me that I'm home, and I'm safe, and that even if I don't understand what happened...I did come back. And that no

a long breath and straighten up, lifting my chin. Jacks takes this for the signal that it is - that I'm ready to move on, and he reaches for the shampoo, handing it to me as he grabs the soap. We shower quickly then, sharing the materials, helping each other - though still, none

incredibly intimate.

as I turn, and see that he's still wearing his own underwear,

little shove. "I didn't want you to think I was...taking advantage of you or something.

very sweet," I say, leaning against him and

forehead. "You'd better get out of this water and dressed before I

laugh, stepping away from him

Jackson turns the water to a starkly cold setting and stands beneath it for a moment. When a knock comes at the door, I hurry over to it, peeking through and grinning when I see that it's Jesse there with a big bowl of ice

no details," he murmurs, holding them out to me.

be, taking the supplies from him and swiftly kicking the

and is using another