Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

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“Which is precisely why I don’t want it to be too intimate.” Kade smoothed down his suit jacket and faced the camera again. “They don’t need to know the details of our personal lives.”

“Oh,” Serena said, seeming to understand.

She had to understand.

And most of all, Kade had to convince himself that that was the real reason why he didn’t want to kiss her. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Serena’s POV

Serena joined Kade for dinner that night in the dining room. Before entering, she paused in the hallway, checking her reflection in the mirror that hung from the wall. She carefully primped her curls and checked her teeth for lipstick.

Everything had to be perfect. She had to be perfect.

Serena was no fool. She knew that Kade was still missing Elena. It would fade in time, of course, but she needed to get on his good side before the wedding. Otherwise, he might never warm up to her.

Forcing a smile onto her face, Serena finally stepped into the room. The table was lit with flickering candles, covered silver dishes already waiting. Kade was there, bouncing Ivy in his lap.

The little wretch hadn’t stopped crying since Elena left. Her shrill screams were giving Serena a headache, but Kade couldn’t know that, so Serena smiled and strode over to where he was sitting.

“May I?” she asked, holding her arms out to take Ivy.

Kade hesitated. Ivy, as if sensing Serena’s presence, screamed louder, and it took all of Serena’s willpower not to shut her up for good right then and there. Finally, Kade shook his head and gestured to the spot all the way at the other end of the table.

“I’ve got her. Please, enjoy your meal.”

Serena’s jaw clenched-she was trying so hard to play the doting stepmother, and yet Kade had done little but give her the cold shoulder since Elena had left-but she took her seat anyway. It felt too far away, and the flowers in the center of the table hid Kade’s face from view.

Serena lifted the lid off of her plate, revealing a little roast bird and some vegetables. She was growing tired of the same repetitive meals, but she began demurely cutting her meat anyway, although she pushed it around the plate more than anything.

“So,” she said, her voice nearly lost amongst the sound of Ivy’s cries, “the photography session earlier was nice. I’m excited to see how the picture turns out.”

Kade didn’t respond. Serena had to lean over to see him around the flowers, and noticed that he was busily fussing over Ivy, and apparently hadn’t heard her.

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Chapter 127

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“Kade?” Serena asked.

“Hm?”

“Did you hear me?”

Kade glanced up at her through his brows. “Oh, um… Yes. I’m sure the picture will turn out satisfactorily.”

Satisfactorily. As if their one engagement photo merely had to be acceptable to be good enough. Serena’s fingers tightened around her fork, but she maintained her smile.

“You looked very handsome today,” she said softly, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “Still do.”

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