Page 178 of The Alpha

“Just do it, Flower.”

Shona rolled her eyes. “You’re getting looked at again, aren’t you?” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

His shoulders slumped in relief. “That ought to do it.” His eyes flicked here and there, catching more than a few disappointed looks. He smiled at Shona and noticed the pink bag in her hand. “Ye like that one, Flower?”

“I do,” she said with a sigh.

“Then I’ll buy it for ye.”

She gasped in delight, wrapped an arm around him, and kissed him again.

Melvale gave him a satisfied smirk before returning his attention to Pari. With any luck, Dallan thought, he’d get a kiss too.

Melvale hadn’t beenthis nervous since he outfitted the queen for the first time. “Black is a neutral color,” he advised.

Pari was holding a red and black plaid handbag. “Oh,” she said, disappointment in her voice.

Melvale blanched. “But if you like that one, then by all means, get it.”

She looked at him with wide eyes. “I don’t know, it’s awful expensive.”

Melvale made a scoffing sound and looked at the price tag. “It’s fine. Do you want it?”

She stared at him, and he heard her heartbeat pick up. She stood perfectly still, like a frightened doe in a meadow about to take flight into the nearby forest.

“You can get whatever your heart desires,” he said gently. “You don’t have to feel guilty; you don’t owe me anything. I want you to get things you would never get for yourself.”

She sucked in a breath. “I… I don’t…”

“You deserve it,” he said, looking her in the eyes.

Melvale watched the pain flash across her face. “Oh, stab me,” he said softly. “Pari, why do you not think you deserve such things?”

She shook her head, her mouth moving but no sound coming out.

He put his arm around her as she tried to put the bag back. He took it from her and handed it off to Archer. “You deserve so much, little one.” He stopped and faced her. “You are a beautiful young woman deserving of only the finest.” He drew closer. “Say it.”

She gasped again. “I…I can’t.”

He nodded. “I know.”

“Then why did you ask me to repeat it?”

“Because I wanted you to admit that you can’t say it.” He winked at her. “Yet.” Melvale smiled, straightened, then surveyed the wares around them.

A saleswoman approached; her eyes glued to him. “May I help you find something?”

He flashed her a brilliant smile. “Why yes, my girlfriend needs a wallet to go with her bag.” He reached over and took the bag from Archer who was starting to look like a handbag display. Kitty and Shona were hanging bags off his other arm and had another slung over his shoulder. Dallan stood off to one side, chuckling in amusement.

Pari ignored it all and stared at the saleswoman. “I’m not his… I mean…”

The woman’s eyes darted between them before she took the bag from Melvale. “We do have matching wallets for this. They’re right over here.” She headed for a glass display case.

“It makes you uncomfortable when I call you, my girlfriend?” he asked.

Pari blushed a deep red. “Yes. This is technically only our second date, remember?”

“Ah, yes. Forgive me.” He gave her a heartfelt look. “It won’t happen again. Now get your wallet.” He shooed her toward the saleswoman.

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