Page 55 of The Alpha Under My Bed

Like it mattered.

She could walk out in a trash bag, and I’d still think she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.

When she finally emerged, she was wearing a soft sweater tucked into a flowy black skirt, her legs bare except for her usual knee-high socks. It wasn’t abadchoice.

Just not ideal.

I said nothing.

Not yet.

She grabbed her phone off the table—still off like a good girl—and gave me a look. “Alright, let’s go.”

I followed her to the elevator, hands in my pockets as we rode down to the garage. She still hadn’t asked how we were getting there.

Which meant she assumed.

Sure enough, the second we stepped into the underground parking lot, she veered toward my car, her boots clicking against the pavement. I let her get about two steps ahead before grabbing her wrist, pulling her back toward me.

“Uh-uh,” I murmured, shaking my head. “We’re taking the bike.”

Ellie groaned dramatically, throwing her head back. “Mal! You should have told me before I put on a skirt!”

I grinned, my amusement only growing as she shot me the most betrayed look imaginable.

“You’ll be fine,” I said, plucking the spare helmet from my bike and settling it over her head before she could argue. The way she let me do it so easily, the way she didn’t even hesitate—it made something dark and pleased settle in my chest.

I adjusted the strap under her chin, brushing my thumb against her jaw. “You trust me, don’t you?”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “Not the point.”

But she didn’t fight me.

Didn’t push me away.

Didn’t say no.

I smirked, grabbing my own helmet and sliding it on. “Then get on.”

Ellie let out a long-suffering sigh before swinging a leg over the seat, shifting uncomfortably as she adjusted her skirt. “I swear, if someone sees my ass, I’m blaming you.”

I snickered, settling onto the seat in front of her, reaching back to grab her hands and wrap them tight around my waist. “Guess you better hold on, then.”

She grumbled something under her breath, but she clung to me anyway.

I revved the engine, feeling the way she instinctively pressed herself closer against my back as the rumble of the bike echoed through the garage.

“Ready?” I called over my shoulder.

Ellie tightened her grip.

“Just don’t kill me,” she muttered.

I smirked, kicking off.

No promises, sweetheart.

The second I pulled onto the road, Ellie clung to me like she was trying to fuse herself to my back.

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