After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Elle’s POV

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My fingers paused on the third button of his shirt.

He thought the person holding him was me?

I kept my eyes focused on the task, but my mind was racing. What did that mean exactly? Who had he been with this week? And if he really hadn’t touched Marissa… could I actually believe him?

Stop it, Elle, I told myself firmly. What right do you have to care who he touches?

But even as my rational mind tried to shut down these thoughts, I couldn’t suppress the small flutter of hope in my chest. The idea that he hadn’t been with her, that maybe I’d misunderstood everything…

I finished unbuttoning his shirt and helped him slip it off his shoulders. The moment his upper body was fully exposed, I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Jesus Christ.

Brad’s physique was absolutely incredible. Every muscle was perfectly defined, his shoulders broad and powerful, his chest sculpted like some kind of Greek statue. The man was pure testosterone and raw power wrapped in flawless skin.

I found myself staring for a good three seconds, my mouth going dry. God, he really does have an amazing

body.

I actually had to swallow hard to keep from drooling.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Brad watching me with obvious satisfaction. There was a smugness in his amber eyes that told me he’d noticed my reaction.

When I reached his belt, I hesitated. “Do I really have to help you with your pants too?”

The thought of undressing him completely was making my heart race in ways that probably weren’t healthy for a pregnant woman. I pressed a hand to my belly, reminding myself of my condition.

Calm down, Elle. Too much excitement isn’t good for the baby.

Brad caught my hesitation and moved to help himself, wincing slightly as he used his injured hand. The

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Chapter 96

movement revealed the perfect V-cut of his lower abs, ose defined lines that seemed to point directly

toward…

Oh God, his Adonis belt is going to make me have a nosebleed.

I jerked my hands back instinctively, but Brad was quick to catch my retreat.

I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously. He was totally milking this injury to get me to undress him!

Fine, I thought with resignation. Just get through this quickly.

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I steeled myself and reached for his belt buckle. My fingers accidentally brushed against his skin, and I felt

him tense beneath my touch.

Brad’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.

His eyes held a barely controlled hunger, and I could tell he was fighting some serious internal battles. The way he was looking at me made my skin feel like it was on fire.

Just as I was debating whether I really needed to help him out of his underwear, Brad’s left hand suddenly

cupped the back of my head.

Before I could react, he leaned down and captured my lips in a fierce, demanding kiss.

I was so lost in the intensity of his kiss that I didn’t notice when our bodies pressed closer together. It wasn’t until we both suddenly tensed and froze that I realized what had happened.

My hand had somehow ended up… somewhere it definitely shouldn’t have been.

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water. I jerked backward, stumbling two steps away from him, my hands flying up to cover my burning face.

Oh my God. Oh my GOD. I can’t believe I just…

“This is so embarrassing,” I muttered into my palms, my face burning with mortification. “I can’t believe I just did that.”

My brain had completely short-circuited. The only coherent thought I could manage was that I had been completely played by Brad Rayne,

I could hear the satisfaction in his voice when he spoke, “Well, you seemed pretty… satisfied with what you

found.”

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Chapter 96

My face somehow managed to get even redder. Stop thinking about where your hand was, Elle!

But of course, now that I was trying not to think about it, that was all I could think about. Which only made me cover my face with both hands again.

“You’re shameless!” I accused through my fingers.

I turned to flee the scene of my humiliation, but Brad’s amused voice stopped me at the door.

“Aren’t you going to help me with my bath? How exactly am I supposed to wash myself with one hand?”

I spun around to stare at him in horror. “You want me to give you a bath? With my hands? All over

your…?”

The mental image that popped into my head made me feel like I might actually faint.

Brad Rayne, do you even want this baby to survive?

My face was probably red enough to stop traffic at this point. The thought of running my hands over his

entire body, of touching him everywhere…

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“If you keep this up, I’m going to have a heart attack,” I warned him, pressing a hand to my chest where my

heart was hammering like crazy.

Brad took one look at my completely flustered state and finally showed mercy. A slow smile spread across

his face.

“I suppose I can manage the bath myself,” he said with obvious amusement. “We have plenty of time for…

other activities… later.”

The way he said ‘other activities’ made my knees weak.

I practically ran from the bathroom, my face still burning with embarrassment. Outside in the hallway, I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heat.

Brad Rayne, you bastard.

But even as I cursed him, I couldn’t help replaying the way he’d looked at me, the intensity in his eyes

when he’d kissed me. And his body…

God, what a body.

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Chapter 96

I immediately felt guilty for the thought. Elle, you can’t be thinking such inappropriate things!

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But if I was being honest, Brad could probably seduce any woman he set his mind to. What chance did I

really have against that kind of concentrated male appeal?

When I finally felt composed enough, I made my way back to the bedroom and climbed into bed with a

book, determined to act like nothing had happened.

Twenty minutes later, Brad emerged from the bathroom wearing silk pajamas, his hair still damp from his shower. He walked straight to the other side of the bed and climbed in like it was the most natural thing in

the world.

I stared at him in shock. “You’re sleeping here? Tonight After disappearing for a week, you just… come

back and climb into my bed?”

A dozen questions were running through my mind. What about Marissa? Wasn’t she supposed to be waiting

for him in her room, fresh and ready for… whatever it was they did together?

I’m not that much of a saint, I thought defensively. This is MY bed. I’m not giving it up without a fight.

Brad raised an eyebrow at my challenge. “Where else would I sleep? Are you suggesting I go sleep in the

study?”

I was genuinely confused. “What about Marissa? She’s probably expecting you to… I mean, isn’t she waiting

for you?”

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After One Night with the Alpha