JadeOur breaths mingled in the cold, dark night as his head bent closer and closer.The space between us collapsed. His body heat was a living, breathing thing, clouding my mind and stealing my focus until my world consisted of nothing except dark eyes, soft wool, and the clean, expensive scent of citrus and wood.Goose bumps rose on my sensitized skin.I took a small step back and bumped against the door at my back. I exhaled, my back flushed against the cold, hard metal of the apartment's door.I cleared my throat. "What…what are we doing?"My voice didn’t sound like mine. It was too thin, too breathless, but Conan had snuffed out the oxygen in the room. I couldn’t breathe fast enough or deeply enough to sustain a clear head.“Jade,” he murmured. “You know exactly what it is we are doing.” Gone was the formalities. In their place were velvet and smoke, whispering silent promises against my skin and compelling me to tilt my face up. Heaviness gathered low in my belly, thick and molt
JadeI couldn't deny the logic in his words, and I nodded in agreement. "All right, let's do it. When and where?"Conan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Tomorrow night, it's a surprise, but don't worry. It'll be the perfect setting for our next performance."We quickly set the details for our upcoming fake date. I wondered how much more complicated our relationship would become. My determination to find my children and reunite our family kept me moving forward, no matter how treacherous the path.The day of our planned date arrived, and as evening settled over the pack's territory, I couldn't ignore the ecstacy building within me. This time, Conan had chosen a more casual setting for our "date," a quaint cafe nestled on the outskirts of the pack's territory. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a dusky hue as we sat across from each other at a cozy table on the cafe's outdoor patio.I sipped my hot coffee, letting the warmth spread through me as I glanced at Con
Jade"A ball?" I asked, my left eyebrow raised in skepticism as I stared at the boyish, spoiled Alpha lounging in the chair opposite me."Yes. You are one of the most sought-after pack doctors in the country. You could have joined any pack you wanted to, but you decided to join the Nightingale Pack. The ball will serve as our warm welcome to you.""Oh, but you don't have to do that." I said as I tried to hide the shiver that was running through my body at the thought of a ball thrown in my honor by the very same people who had bullied and humiliated me.Another ball came to mind, one that had happened six years ago. My fists clenched as I thought of that horrid night, and at that very moment, I wanted to tear out the eyes of the man who was seated across me, smiling as though he was goddess' gift to mankind.Brad leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You'll attend. It's non-negotiable. Besides, it's not just for you; it's for the entire pack to see our commitment to you
JadeJust then, my office door opened, and Conan walked in, carrying lunch with him. He set the food on my desk and took a seat, his expression warm and friendly. I slid the phone below my desk as I smiled at him."Hey, Jade," he greeted. "I thought I'd bring you some lunch today."I appreciated his thoughtfulness but couldn't ignore the tension between us. "Thank you, Conan."We delved into a discussion about the upcoming ball. Conan seemed genuinely excited about it.I listened to him talk about the event, trying to keep up appearances as the devoted fake couple.Later that evening, as I returned home, I found a package waiting for me at my doorstep. I cautiously picked it up and brought it inside. The package was elegantly wrapped, and when I opened it, I found a necklace with a note from Brad. It read, "A present for you to wear to the ball."I frowned as I gazed at the necklace. The thought of wearing something gifted by Brad made me uncomfortable, especially considering his persi
JadeI stepped back, disoriented by the emotions surging within me. Conan's eyes held genuine concern, and I appreciated it. The memories of that night six years ago had resurfaced unexpectedly, and they left a bitter aftertaste.I nodded shakily, my voice unsteady. "I'm sorry, Conan. It's just... those memories. I… I…just… I'm sorry… I can't." Tears sprang up in my eyes, clouding my vision as I stared at him.Conan gently touched my arm, offering support and reassurance. "Hey, it's okay. I understand, Jade. We don't have to rush into anything you're not comfortable with. You have nothing to be sorry for. You've done nothing wrong and I would never want you to feel pressured."His understanding and patience was a contrast to Brad's domineering behaviour. My rapidly beating heart began to slow down, and I wiped off the tears that had flowed.Taking a deep breath, I composed myself, not letting let my past overshadow the present. "Thank you, Conan. Let's enjoy the rest of the evening, an
Jade"Thank you for bringing me home," I said as we got to the door of my apartment.After our discussion, he had driven me home and the car had been filled with silent tension. My heart never stopped racing as I thought about what I had planned to do.Brad had taken a lot from me when he humiliated me six years ago, but he had also given me my children. Despite the circumstances, I had found myself in, I was determined that I wouldn't allow Brad to take anything more from me."You're welcome." Conan's dark, raspy voice sent shivers down my spine.I took a deep breath and turned to face him, my heart hammering in my chest. "Conan…"He looked down at me, arching his eyebrow when I said nothing else.Fuck it, I muttered to myself as I leaned and up and crashed my lips on his. He remained still, his shocked eyes looking down into mine.When he still did nothing, I removed my lips from his, my face burning in embarrassment. I stepped back, my eyes looking everywhere but at him.I cleared m
JadeBy the time Conan and I finished, I was exhausted, wrung out, and would probably wake up sore as hell the next day, but I didn’t care. Cona hadn’t held back the second time, and that was what I needed. The first time, after I had my first orgasm that was self-induced, he had fucked me long and slow, taking care of me.And when my orgasm came around again, it had nearly destroyed me, but not as much as the feeling of Conan coming apart in me had rocked me.“Aren’t you tired?” I yawned, watching Conan through half-droopy eyes. We’d gone at it fast and furious, and the slow and sweet, and I was ready to pass out, he still looked alert and awake.“If by ‘tired’ you mean you wore me out, perhaps,” he said in an uncharacteristically teasing tone. “But if you’re asking whether I’m sleepy, no.”“Why??” I mumbled..“I have insomnia. I sleep for just a few hours a night— and that's if I'm lucky.I frowned. “But that’s…” Another huge yawn. “Not good.” Humans need sleep, even werewolves. How
Jade"I don't know, Helene. I woke up this morning and he was already gone. No note, no message, nothing.""Damn…" She whistled."I don't want to jump to conclusions, but last night…"I told her about what had happened at the ball, about the fact that we almost kissed, about what he had said about redefining our relationship and about how he had slightly opened up about his past."Coupled with the fact that we had…you know last night, I thought that maybe…""Maybe, he wanted to be in a real relationship with you?" Helene asked, her voice soft."Yes…" I replied, picking at a thread in the blanket I had wrapped around myself."Oh, honey…""I know, I know. It's stupid of me to think so, especially since I have only known him for a couple of weeks. I mean, I don't know anything about him and vice-versa. I just…""I understand. I'm gonna be honest with you, I do think things happened a little too fast, but from what you've said, I'm beginning to believe that this Conan guy also has feelings