Chapter 0266
“You came!” I breathe, thrilled and relieved and nearly insane with happiness as Jackson laughs and lifts me up, holding me tight against his chest.

“I could get used to this greeting,” he murmurs, his arms wrapped so snug around me, his face so close to mine that our noses brush.

“You scared me!” I protest, half laughing and half shouting as I smack him on the chest with both hands, one after the other. “Why didn’t you come into our train car!? Why didn’t you tell me!? I was so sad! I thought you stayed behind!”

Jacks shrugs, smiling at me like he can’t keep the joy off his face, his blue eyes shining. “I figured my presence in your fancy royal car would cause more trouble than it was worth. You deserved a minute to be calm and happy, and I didn’t mind riding with the other cadets. I just slept the whole time anyway.”

“And you didn’t think,” I say, taking his perfect face between my palms and narrowing my eyes, scolding playfully, “that maybe I wanted you close by?”

“Well, you’ve got me close by now,” he murmurs, lifting his chin towards me in a bit of a challenge. “So, what are you going to do with me?” He tightens his arms, further proving his point as his voice drops an octave to a level that…does dangerous things to me. Emotionally. Physically.

My smile grows slowly, a little devious, but my response is clipped by the sound of Rafe clearing his throat again.