Page 51 of Alpha’s Conquest

Mom’s soft grey hair was done up in a simple bun at the base of her neck. Her smile was always full of warmth, a smile that drifted over to the Alpha who had his arms around me. “Casey. Sorry for dropping in so suddenly. We thought we might surprise you since we haven’t seen you in a few months.”

Wearing his usual jeans and jacket, Dad’s smile grew as he let go of Mom’s hand. He quickly stepped forward, holding his hand out for Adam. “You must be Marshall. We haven’t heard a lot about you, to be honest, but that’s just Casey for you. I’m Greg West. This is my wife, Cindy.”

Without knowing what he looked like, they’d naturally assumed the man they caught me kissing was my boyfriend. Before I could correct them, Adam gave them both a friendly handshake, giving my Mom’s hand a small pat with his best smile.

“Lovely to meet you both. Casey hasn’t mentioned much about you two either, if it helps.” He pulled me closer, sliding his arm around my waist. “It’s obvious he cares about you both, though.”

What was he saying?

Mom chuckled, tossing a knowing finger in my direction. “Our Casey is a complicated man. I guess you really do know him.”

“I’m taking good care of your son, Mr. and Mrs. West. You have no need to worry about him.”

Oh my god.

My mom glanced at me before returning her gaze to Adam, her smile unwavering. “We were hoping to take Casey out for lunch. Would you like to join us?”

Before I could panic, Adam lifted his hand to decline.

“I’m sorry, I promised my son we would spend lunch together. Another time, I hope?”

“Son?” Dad asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

I rushed over, quickly urging them toward the door. “I’m busy for lunch, Mom, but dinner would be fine.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” She peered at Adam over my shoulder, and gave me another warm smile. “He’s nice. I like him.”

I had finally introduced someone to my parents after so many years of keeping them in the dark about my dating life, and they were both spellbound by Adam’s charm. To be fair, I was spellbound by him too, or else I wouldn’t be in this mess. The man had mad rizz, I’ll give him that.

“Stop,” I whispered. She took the hint and followed Dad back down the stairs. I flinched when Adam’s hand touched my shoulder.

“Don’t be upset, Casey.”

I wasn’t upset. I thought I would be, but the only thing that bothered me was Adam didn’t get to meet them as himself. I wanted Adam to meet my parents. Not as Marshall’s father. As my boyfriend. I’d had many revelations in the past week. This was by far the most significant.

I turned and kissed him, conveying all I felt with my lips, with my body, and he felt every unspoken word. The soft kisses on my lips, my cheek, my forehead were silent declarations all on their own, matching the unsaid words in my heart.

I love you. I need you. I want you by my side.

“Adam…” His eyes seemed to pierce right through me. He understood me perfectly before I’d even spoken, just like he always did. “I want more. I need more than whatever this is between us. No more hidden texts, or secret hookups in the dead of night.”

“I know.”

“I have to end things with Marshall.” The words hung in the air, the words we’d left unspoken this whole time, from the very first time we gave into temptation.

His jaw ticked, and he touched my face, his calloused fingers softly brushing my skin. “I know.”

“He’ll hate you.”

He gave the same answer, the words carrying more significance every time he said them. “I know.”

“What should we do?”

“I don’t know.” His kiss sent a shiver through my trembling body. “I want you, Casey. That has never changed.”

And I wanted him just as desperately. If there was anyone I would risk ruining my life for, it was Adam. But it wasn’t just my own life I'd be upending. Adam might lose his son if we went any further.

“I have to go back home.” My chest seized, and only his touch on my body kept me from falling apart. “I’ve been putting this off for as long as I can, and Marshall will suspect me if I stay any longer. He needs to know, but I don’t want him to find out like this.”