Page 20 of Rejected By the Alpha

“Oh!” she suddenly exclaimed. “I was so wrapped up in trying things on, I forgot to ask about payment.”

“Don’t worry about that,” I replied. “I’m taking care of it.”

Leah frowned, a crease appearing between her eyes. It looked like she was trying to be stern with me, but her expression was so cute, I couldn’t take it seriously.

“I can’t let you do that,” she said. “As soon as I find a job and have the means to take care of it, I’ll cover my own expenses. I insist.”

“You can insist as much as you like,” I replied with a shrug. “That doesn’t mean you’re going to get to pay for them.”

“Stop being so difficult,” she said with a huff.

“Only if you will,” I teased.

After a few moments of browsing, I noticed that Leah had looked at one particular necklace multiple times but hadn’t picked it up yet. Clearly, it had caught her eye. I was about to suggest that she try it on when I saw her sneaking back toward where Kay was working.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.

“I just wanted to chat with Kay again.”

She was trying to be nonchalant, but I could guess her motives. “You aren’t paying for the dresses, Leah. I’m your husband. Providing for you is my responsibility,” I said.

“Yes, I am,” she said stubbornly. She started to walk more confidently toward the back to inform Kay of her plans, but I prevented her by grabbing her arm gently.

“Alright, alright,” I said, admitting defeat. “I’ll make you a deal. If you let me buy you this necklace that you keep eyeing, I’ll let you buy the dresses.”

She looked between me and the necklace, gauging whether I was serious or not before relenting. “Fine, it’s a deal.”

I grinned and called out for Kay to unlock the display case for us.

“Here you are,” Kay said after a moment. “Would you like me to wrap it up for you?”

“No,” I replied. “I want her to wear it.”

Kay placed the pendant in my hand, and I marveled at how the pattern of the moss agate swirled and flowed throughthe stone. I stood behind Leah and fastened the clasp. As she turned around, I admired the way it looked on her.

“It suits you,” I said.

True to my word, I paid for the necklace and informed Kay that Leah would be handling the expenses from the dresses once they were completed. The seamstress cocked an eyebrow at me, but I shrugged.

“Whatever the lady wants to happen is what happens,” I explained.

Kay chuckled at my response, but I knew my reasons went far deeper than what I had just said.

From what I could tell, Leah had spent most of her life being controlled by others. Never again would she be restricted or forced to do what others wanted. She deserved to have her independence now.

It was the least I could do.

Chapter 10 - Leah

I woke up to the sound of birds singing outside the window and took a deep, contented breath at how warm and comfortable I felt. My eyes were still closed, but I could tell something was different this morning. I concentrated on my surroundings and suddenly realized why I felt so warm.

My eyes snapped open, and I saw an arm resting across my torso and a large hand resting on the bed in front of my stomach. I remembered the pillows had been between us when we went to bed last night, but at some point, they had disappeared. My back was pressed up against Killian’s chest, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his breath as he slept.

As annoyed as I was that I had found myself unsuspectingly sleeping in his arms, I couldn’t help but be turned on by how it felt to be wrapped so securely in his embrace. It had been a long time since I had been in such close contact with a man. I had nearly forgotten what it was like to feel their muscles as they held you tightly and to feel the rough warmth of their skin.

Slowly, I rolled onto my back. If I could move away without waking him up, I could put the pillows back between us. He would be none the wiser.

But as I moved to lift his arm, his eyes popped open. “What are you doing?” he asked sleepily.

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