Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Elsa

Of fucking course, I thought, swallowing the acid rising in my throat.

I hung back as Drake approached the counter, ordering for both women without asking what I wanted. Not that I was surprised–I was just the help today, clipboard in hand, recording maintenance issues and occupancy rates while the “real” women in his life got the royal

treatment.

Susan accepted her ice cream cone with a delighted smile, taking a deliberate first lick while maintaining eye contact with Drake. Not to be outdone, Vera daintily tasted hers with a small silver spoon, making a soft sound of pleasure that was just a decibel shy of

pornographic.

Christ, if they get any more obvious, they’ll need to charge

admission.

Jason emerged from a nearby electronics store and noticed our group. He waved, making his way over with an easy smile. “Elsa! I didn’t

know you’d be here today.”

Before I could respond, he’d already stepped up to the ice cream counter. “One vanilla for the lady, right? I remember it’s your

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favorite.”

He extended a waffle cone of creamy vanilla toward me, his smile genuine. Something in my chest tightened painfully. Such a simple gesture, remembering my preference, yet it felt monumental after being invisible all morning. My hand twitched, wanting to reach out.

“Thank you, but I’m not feeling well,” I said, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. The truth was I couldn’t accept anything from Jason, not with Drake’s golden eyes watching my every move like a predator tracking prey. I wrapped my arms around myself, nails digging into

my sides.

Jason’s smile faltered. “Are you sure? It might make you feel better.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, taking a step back, my shoulders hunching

slightly.

Drake appeared at my side, his own cone of vanilla extended toward me. The temperature between us seemed to drop ten degrees when he saw Jason still holding the rejected ice cream. My heart pounded against my ribs so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

“I thought you might want this,” Drake said, his voice deceptively casual. “But it seems Jason has already taken care of you.”

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Without waiting for my response, Drake turned and tossed the ice cream into a nearby trash can, his face expressionless but his eyes flashing gold with barely contained anger. The gesture was deliberate, petty, and so perfectly Drake that I wanted to scream until my lungs burst.

Instead, I forced a neutral expression, though my nostrils flared with suppressed rage. “I’ve already declined, sir. I’m working.” And fuck

you.

Drake turned away without another word, returning to where Susan and Vera waited, each licking their cones with exaggerated enjoyment. I continued documenting the stores, grateful for the excuse to keep my distance, my fingers jabbing at the tablet screen with unnecessary force.

Twenty minutes later, Susan excused herself to use the restroom. The moment she was out of sight, Vera moved closer to Drake, her body language shifting to something more intimate.

“Stone Industries has truly transformed this space,” she said, her voice dropping to a sultry purr. “It’s a testament to your vision.” Her hand brushed his arm. “Perhaps after the tour, we could discuss the project over dinner? I’d love to hear more about the development

process.”

I didn’t wait to hear Drake’s response. I moved away, my stomach

C

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churning with disgust, focusing on checking the occupancy details of

a kitchenware store. Let them play their little games. I don’t give a

shit anymore. The staff there were huddled near the back, whispering

urgently.

“-near the women’s restroom,” one employee was saying. “Security is

on their

their way,

but-”

i

“What’s happening?” I interrupted, a sudden chill running down my

spine.

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