As she led us deeper into the store, I couldn’t help but notice how her hips swayed, how confidently she carried herself. She was sexy and womanly. Everything I wasn’t.
Why are they wasting their time on me?I wondered, fingering a silky pink top as we passed.Women obviously throw themselves at them. Surely there are other Omegas who smell good to them with less… baggage. I’ll never measure up to someone likeher.
But then Dimitri’s large hand settled on the small of my back, warm and reassuring. “See anything that interests you, Kitten?” he murmured.
I looked up at him, searching his face. His dark brown eyes were focused solely on me, ignoring Jennica’s attempts to capture his attention.
The way he looked at me… It felt as though the entire world could burn and he wouldn’t care as long as we were together.
Like I was enough, just as I was.
Taking a deep breath, I pointed to a soft sweater in a pale blue. “That one’s pretty,” I said softly.
Dimitri’s answering smile resembled the sun breaking through clouds. “Then it’s yours.”
For the first time in a long time, my lips curved genuinely. “We don’t even know if it’ll fit properly or look good on me.”
“Oh, Kitten. It’ll look good. You’ll look amazing in anything you put on that beautiful body.”
Another blush, and I dipped my head, hiding behind the curtain of my hair. Dimitri wove through the racks, grabbing the sweater I wanted. “What size?”
“I, um…” I floundered, not really sure.
“Here, let me,” Jennica slithered through the aisles like a graceful serpent and flicked through the sweaters until she found one she thought would fit. Smiling up at Dimitri, she cooed, “You have excellent taste. This is brand new, from Maison’s latest line.”
He ignored her completely, brushing past her and returning to my side. “What else do you see that you want to try on?”
I bit my lip, overwhelmed by the sea of luxurious fabrics and stylish designs surrounding us. My fingers traced over a peplum top, marveling at its softness while it still maintained its structure. Could I even pull something like that off? “I... I’m not sure. It’s all so beautiful.”
Dimitri’s warm hand settled on the small of my back, grounding me. “Take your time, Kitten. There’s no rush.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jennica’s gaze dart between us, her lips pursing in barely concealed irritation. She turned abruptly, snatching items off nearby racks. “These would suit her particular figure,” she said, her tone dripping with false sweetness as she angled toward Giovanni and Tommas, showing them the armful of garments she’d chosen by holding them up to her own body—a body that was nothing like mine. “The colors are lovely, aren’t they?”
Gio barely spared her a glance, his hazel eyes fixed on me instead. “What do you think of this one, beautiful?” He held up a pretty sundress in various shades of blue that made my breath catch. It was feminine and wistful, something I would’ve envied when I saw it on other women who had more money and means than I did and could spend frivolously on things like fashion.
“It’s gorgeous,” I whispered, reaching out to touch the fabric.
Tommas grinned, dimples flashing. “Try it on! I bet it’ll bring out your eyes.”
I nodded, a tiny smile tugging at my lips. I had no idea where I’d wear such a dress, but I couldn’t resist his enthusiasm.
As we moved through the store, I found myself relaxing incrementally. Dimitri’s presence at my back was a constant comfort, his body heat seeping into me, chasing away the chill of anxiety.
“Oh!” I exclaimed softly, spotting a cozy-looking cardigan. “That looks so warm.”
Before I could reach for it, Dimitri had already plucked it from the rack, adding it to the growing collection draped over his arm.
I blinked in surprise. “You don’t have to carry everything,” I protested weakly.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I want to. Let me take care of you, Kitten.”
Those words sent a tremor of excitement and apprehension rippling through me in equal measure. It was hard to rely on anyone else when I’d been the only one I could count on, the only one I could trust, for longer than I could remember.
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to clutch the nearest clothing rack like a lifeline. Instead, I forced myself to keep moving, trailing my fingers over soft knits and sleek denim.
“See anything else?” Dimitri murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
I hesitated, then pointed to a pair of jeans. “Maybe those?”