The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 193

But of course, time does pass, and we do eventually stop kissing when things again get heated. Because what Jackson said before really was the truth – this is not the time or the place for it.

Somehow we separate ourselves from each other, though we’re never really more than an inch apart, and we take a moment to get comfortable, organizing our supplies and taking inventory before Jackson passes an apple to me.

“Here,” he murmurs. “Eat, please. And then you should probably get some sleep.”

I take the apple but laugh at the suggestion that I’m going to get any sleep. I mean, I just confessed my deepest secret to my mate – what, does he think I’m going to just curl up and take a nap?

“I’m serious,” he growls, though I wave a hand at him, dismissing the implied danger in his voice that probably makes other men quail. We’re both well aware that he’d never hurt me. “You should rest, Ari.”

“Well, so should you!” I protest. But when I look up into his smirking face I scowl, shaking my head. “You seriously just don’t need it?”

“Nah,” he says, shaking his head and reaching for the canteen. “The water I need, we have to share that. But food and sleep – that’s all for you. I’ll keep watch.”

“I’ll rest,” I say, hesitant. “But Jackson…there’s still a lot we need to talk about. And I’m not going to be able to sleep until we…come to terms with some stuff.”

“Okay,” he murmurs, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me tight to his side. I smile up at him, pleased that he’s not fighting me on it, but then I realize that he’s…well, he’s got a ton of questions, doesn’t he?

Quickly I nod. “My cousin,” I whisper, seeing the possessive question already in his eyes. Slowly he nods, believing me. “Again, Jacks, I hope you can forgive me for it, over time. It wasn’t easy but…I didn’t have a lot of choice, not if I wanted to stay in the Academy.”

“No, it’s okay,” he says, giving an easy shrug, already over it. “I don’t care. I didn’t mind waiting, Ari – I just wanted to know that you were safe.”

“You should care,” I say, smiling at him but still feeling a little guilty. Luca’s response in some ways made more sense – he punished me, a little, and rightfully so. I lied to him for weeks. But Jacks – he’s so instantly ready to move on.

“Nah,” Jackson replies, wrapping me up closer in his arms, pulling me cozily into his lap again and against his chest as he presses a kiss to my hair. “It’s all worth it. I don’t want to make myself feel mad just because I should. I have you now, don’t I? It’s all that matters.”