Page 11 of Last Pack Standing
“Jace, this is incredible.” I said as I looked around in awe. The sommelier walked up to our table and presented us with our firstround of wine as Jace smiled at me. He really was handsome when he wasn’t so stiff and reserved.
“Well, I wanted you to see a different side of me. We never got a chance to interact much when we worked together.” He said while filling my plate with small bites of the tapas.
“Yes, well now we can catch up.”
I lifted my glass, and he mirrored me, the chime of our wine glasses clinking softly between us, finally signifying a truce. For a moment, we just sat there, enjoying the peace. The cameras, for once, almost seemed to disappear. They were just part of the atmosphere now, like the warm night air or the scent of flowers drifting on the breeze. Speaking of scent, I could get a full whiff of his cedar and spice scent. I’d never noticed it before, but it was incredible. It was making me feel a little more excited than I’d anticipated. And I was finally ready to lean into it.
Jace studied me over his glass. Then, finally, he set it down and leaned forward just a little, hitting me with another wave of his incredibly seductive scent.
“I meant it, you know,” he said. “About wanting to show you a different side of me.”
I tilted my head, curious as to why he was being so romantic when I’d worked in the same building as him for over a year and barely spoken. “Why now?”
He smiled, a little sheepishly. “Because back then, I was… intimidated by you.”
I sat back. “Byme?”
“You were brilliant,” he said simply. “Fearless in meetings. So confident and quick to speak up. Everyone noticed you, and I…” He looked down, his jaw clenching. “I was always tongue-tied around you. I admired you, Cassie. I still do.”
My cheeks flushed, and I busied myself by taking a bite of a crostini, mostly so I wouldn’t have to meet his eyes for a second. When I looked up again, he was still watching me. But not the stiff, calculating gaze I remembered from work. It was open and warm, his eyes soft and honest.
“Then why didn’t you ever say anything?” I asked softly.
“Because I thought you’d laugh,” he admitted. “And then, the presentation…” His brows furrowed, and he looked down at his plate. “I didn’t know it was my mistake until later. I was distracted. I - I’d been watching you rehearse and I connected the wrong file.”
He looked up at me again, guilt etched in every line of his face.
“I wish I’d never even been at work that day. I felt awful that you felt you needed to quit, Cassie. I’m so sorry.”
The world fell quiet between us. And then, I did something unexpected. I reached across the table and took his hand. His fingers tightened gently around mine, warm and steady. I searched his face, and for the first time since I’d arrived on this show, I saw Jace. Not the polished alpha, not the work nemesis, not the source of my greatest humiliation - but a man. Just a man. Trying to make things right.
“I hated you,” I said honestly. “I really, truly did.”
He nodded, accepting it.
“But…” I exhaled, “Maybe I never gave you a real chance either.”
Jace smiled at me. “Then let me make it up to you.”
“You’re doing a pretty good job so far,” I murmured, raising my glass again. As the sommelier brought out the next wine, something inside me started to shift. The evening passed quickly as our talk turned deeper, filled with laughter and a new intimacy that developed more quickly than I thought possible. Finally, the lights overhead finally started to dim, a sign that the crew wanted us to wrap it up.
“Well, it’s about my bed time.” I remarked now that our tasting was over. “Would you walk me to my room?” I asked, and Jace nodded, looking absolutely at ease now that we’d put our work past behind us. He offered his arm, and the cameras panned back as we left the courtyard for our private suite.
Jace felt so strong and stable next to me as I threaded my fingers into his hand. How had I never noticed him before? I always knew he was attractive, but if I’d seen this side of him earlier, who knows what would have happened.
We reached my door, and he stopped and grabbed both of my hands. “Cassie, thank you so much for this evening. You don’t know how much it means to me.” He said earnestly. I looked up at him, biting my lip. He was too hot for me to end the night like this. And I was way too pent up to stop myself now.
“Well, if you really want to make it up to me, I have an idea in mind.” I said, and his eyes widened.
“Anything.”
“Follow me.” I said, opening the door to my room and pulling him inside. I sat down on my bed, and pointed to the floor in front of me. “Now, you can finally get down on your knees.” I ordered, and Jace, the huge, powerful alpha who seemed so in charge and closed off, immediately dropped down to his knees in front of me. Even though I was sitting on the bed, he was tall enough that he was looking down at me slightly.
“Now, ask me for forgiveness.” I commanded, my voice low and husky as I started to feel that undeniable, inescapable need coursing through my veins. It had been far too long that I’d been satisfied, and I needed something to relieve me.
Jace crawled forward, so close that I could feel the heat radiating off his body. “Please Cassie, forgive me. I only want to helpyou.” He said, his deep voice also laced with arousal. I bit my lip harder, trying to keep my wits, but my omega side was taking over.
“You really want to help me?” I asked, my heartbeat racing as I saw how hungry he looked.
