Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 240

"Yeah?" He moves closer.

"Since I'm here at the school," I start. "I just remembered that I need to catch up on some homework."

He nods, trying to understand what I'm saying.

"The thing is." I look away. I'm the worst liar ever. Why didn't Michael talk me out of this? "The notes are kind of in my locker, so I..." I nod towards the school. "I kind of need to get in there."

"Oh, okay." He grins. "The school's open, but I'll go with you."

I wave him off. "No, no. I've got it."

"I insist," he says.

"I insist," I say.

Some people gag.

"I'll just go get it. You rest," he says. "What's your combination?"

I'm not telling him my combination. "I only remember it from muscle memory now," I say wistfully.

He laughs. "That happens to me too. I'll just use the master key."

My eyes bulge out.

He's already halfway down the bleachers. "So is it a textbook or...?"

"It's so specific." I run after him. "It's like one indistinguishable, tiny piece of paper. I have to be the one to get it."

He stops me from running. "Your heart," he says.

I wave him off. "I'm fine, just..." I gesture for him to stay put. "Let me do it. You've got training."

He crosses his arms, standing in front of me. "Okay. I'll see if Krys can go with you."

"No," I say.

He furrows his brow. "You want her to get it for you?"

"No," I say firmly. "Go. To training. Now."

He frowns. "But-"

"It's right there, Carson." I try not to yell at him. "I can take two steps on my own."

"Will those steps be running or walking?"

I ghost my lips over his before kissing him, to make sure everyone that's staring gets the view they clearly want.

I guess I'm doing this because I don't want there to be any confusion later when I claw someone's eyes out for trying to touch him. I want everyone-including these sharks circling around-to know that he's mine. And I'm his. And I'm here even when I'm not physically beside him, so yeah. Back up.

Can territorialness rub off? I think so.

Carson kisses back slowly this time. Slower than any kiss we've had before. It lasts just a few seconds, but it feels like years. I run my fingers against his skin, through his hair. He rests his forehead against mine, closing his eyes. He opens his mouth to say something, but then he chuckles. Biting his lip, he smirks in the way he does. "Wow."

My whole face heats up. I struggle to find something to say.

He pulls me closer, using the front of his jacket that's on my body. "I should let you get stuff from your locker more often," he whispers against my neck. Then he leans in for round two.

Okay, that's enough. I turn away.

"Wait. One more."

"No." I swat him away. When I look around at his admirers' faces, I don't see anger. Or rage. Or irritation. They look genuinely... happy for us? Wait, what?

They pretend like they're not looking, but I hear one person say, "Will I ever find that?" A few people nod. When did we become someone's idea of that?

I consider that for a while as I walk through the empty halls, starting my investigation. According to what I remember from Bri and Krys, training sessions are divided by rank and file. The guy I'm looking for was in an entry level position, to the best of my knowledge. Or was he leading the entry levels? I don't know. He had something to do with the first years. That's all that matters.