Page 41 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

For a moment, it’s just us. No pack politics, no accusations, no past. Just the heat of his body pressed against mine, and the way his hands slide under my shirt, making my skin tingle.

This is wrong. I know it’s wrong. But God, it feels so right.

“Damien,” I whisper, not even sure what I’m trying to say. His name is the only thing that makes sense right now.

He groans before his lips find mine again in a kiss that’s somehow even hotter than the last one. His hands are everywhere, sliding over my waist, my hips, my ass, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us.

I can feel the edge of the shelf digging into my back, but I don’t care. All I care about is the way his body feels pressed against mine, the way his lips make me forget everything except the here and now.

But then, just as quickly as it started, something shifts. I hear a noise outside the door—a soft creak, like someone walking by—and reality crashes back in.

I push him back as my breath comes in quick, shallow gasps. “No. We can’t… not here.”

He’s breathing just as hard. His gray eyes are darker, almost the color of slate. “Jade…”

I shake my head, trying to catch my breath. “Not now. I need… I need to get back to Penny.”

He doesn’t argue, but I can see the frustration in his eyes. The way he wants to push this, to make me stay.

But I can’t. I’m not ready for this. Not yet.

I bend down, grabbing the staples and paper off the floor as my hands tremble. “I’ll… I’ll see you later.”

And before he can say another word, I slip past him, out of the storage room and back into the hallway. I don’t stop until I’m back at the reception area, where Penny is still happily coloring and Haley’s chatting with another employee.

I glance over my shoulder, half-expecting Damien to follow me, but he doesn’t. He stays behind, leaving me to wrestle with the storm he’s stirred inside me.

Chapter 15 - Damien

Dinner reservations. A sleek, black car with tinted windows. The finest restaurant in town. This is the kind of night I used to plan without a second thought. Back when I thought money and status were everything.

And now, here I am, doing it all over again, but for reasons that have nothing to do with impressing anyone. Tonight isn’t about flashing cash or showing off my position. It’s about Jade. And Penny.

But somehow, as I sit in the back of this stupidly expensive car with Jade and Penny beside me, I know this isn’t going to be as simple as I hoped.

“Isn’t this car awesome, Mama?” Penny’s eyes are wide as she stares out the window. She presses her face against the glass, marveling at the city lights as we cruise down the street like royalty. “It’s so shiny!”

Jade glances at me, one eyebrow raised. She’s not impressed. I knew she wouldn’t be, but I can’t help the urge to spoil them—especially Penny. The kid deserves a little fun.

“Yeah, it’s… shiny,” Jade agrees, though her voice is dripping with sarcasm. I can practically hear the eye roll that follows.

I stifle a chuckle. I expected this reaction. Jade’s never been one for fancy things. Hell, I knew it was a gamble even suggesting this kind of date, but I wanted to give them something special. Something outside the chaos of the pack and the constant tension.

When we finally pull up to the restaurant, a valet opens the door for us. I slide out, offering Jade my hand. She hesitatesfor half a second, then takes it before stepping out of the car with a sigh that tells me exactly how she feels about all this.

“Seriously, Damien?” she mutters as we make our way inside. “You think this is the way to… what, win me over? A fancy dinner?”

“It’s not about winning you over,” I reply. “It’s about spending time together. You and Penny deserve something nice.”

Jade’s eyes narrow, but before she can respond, Penny tugs at her hand. “Look, Mama! The lights are so sparkly!”

Both Jade and I glance up at the chandelier overhead, an elaborate, glittering monstrosity that hangs in the center of the dining room. Penny is mesmerized. Jade, on the other hand, looks like she’s seconds away from grabbing her coat and bolting.

“Sparkly,” she echoes in a flat tone.

I suppress a grin and lean down toward Penny. “You like it here, huh?”

Penny nods enthusiastically, and her little face is glowing with excitement. “It’s like a castle! And we’re like princesses!” She beams up at Jade. “Right, Mama?”

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