The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 169

He sighs, deeply regretting it, I think, and then leans forward to press a long kiss to my mouth. Before I know it, though, he’s gone – through the curtain and back to the couch.

I take a long moment to collect myself, knowing I need a shower, knowing that I’ve got to get these pajamas tucked away in my hamper before Rafe gets a whiff of them…

But then, something completely cruel comes to my mind. And I immediately decide to go with it.

Two or three minutes later I peek out of my curtain, my eyes instantly darting to Rafe’s bed and then Jesse’s. When I’m fully convinced that they’re still asleep, I slip out and slowly walk towards the bathroom.

My mate, pretending to be asleep on the couch but secretly watching my every move, lets out a very real, not-too-quiet moan as I walk past him only in a set of girls’ panties that Daphne set up to me, my naked breasts cupped in the hands that I’ve got crossed over my chest.

I almost burst out laughing at his reaction as Luca covers his face with his hands, turning to face the ceiling and clenching his jaw.

You are killing me, Ariel! He shouts, the words echoing loud in my head as I laugh and pull open the bathroom door, slipping inside. This is cruel! Borderline mental and emotional abuse – god damn it –

“Luca?” I hear Jesse’s concerned, sleepy voice ask. “You still here? You okay, man?”

I’m still grinning, wicked, as I pull the door shut behind me.

“Sorry, Jesse,” Luca sighs. “Just a nightmare. An absolute god. damn. nightmare.”

And then I sigh happily, a little too pleased with myself as I skip over to the shower and turn on the water, nice and hot.

Classes go well that day, with me passing marksmanship with flying colors and receiving a great deal of gratifying praise from the Captain, especially after Neumann was so disappointed in me yesterday. But not even that can keep my concentration on schoolwork, because I am so incredibly excited about tonight.

I charge up the steps to our room after class, already mentally composing the note that I plan to send down in the dumbwaiter asking for extra provisions for this evening, because it is Friday and finally – finally! – Daphne is coming up for a visit.

She’s been very overwhelmed with her work lately, and while I’ve been going down for a few hours a couple times a month to sit and study while she sews, this is the first night when she has some time free. And Daphne – she’s been so overwhelmed lately, and I think she’s quite lonely. Also, I that she’ll get along with our group beautifully and that we can cheer her up.

Overall, I just really, really want to show her a good time, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make it happen.

All the boys have promised to be on their best behavior and, as I hurry into the room, I start to move around, cleaning up and getting ready. A little guilt pulses through me as I set schoolwork out of my mind for a moment, though, remembering what Neumann said about prioritizing school while I have the small window to do so.

But…well, friendship is important too, right?

I bite my lip, knowing what he’d say about my evening plans, but there’s no time to think on it when the door opens behind me.

I spin, instructions already on my lips for whoever is there, but I falter for a second when I see that it’s…

It’s Jackson.

“Sorry,” he says, glancing around the empty room awkwardly. “Am I…early?”

“No,” I say, bursting into a smile. “No, Jacks. You’re right on time.”