From my chest escapes a sound that’s wildly inappropriate, one usually sentby alphas toward omegas, or at least they’re the ones who usually start it. It’s what they call an ‘Appreciation’.
The second I realize this insanity, I cut it off with a fake cough.
But it’s too late now, it has echoed in the air like a sensual vibration…
Snow’s face shows barely contained amusement. He probably wants to laugh, but he doesn’t, maybe to spare me the humiliation.
It’s official, I’m acting insane. My emotions are completely out of control. It could put ideas into his head, I need to get a grip. How many times have I told myself this already?
And then, as if to soften my embarrassment, Snow leans toward me just a little and says in that low, deep voice of his,
"You’re stunning, Summer. Do you know that?"
Okay, maybe someone else would find that random, but not me. On some level, I know exactly why he does it.
To…empowerme.
To make me feel good about my messy self.
I’m still staring at him with wide eyes, probably looking nothing like ‘stunning’, hardly deserving such an elegant compliment.
Instead of answering, or even muttering thanks, or simply nodding, I just make an even bigger fool of myself. I grab a huge pile of pillows and dump them into the cart like some kind of wild maniac.
And the worst part? My hard-on keeps pressing uncomfortably against my underwear, and it’s just beyond comprehension.
Snow watches my frantic behavior with that faintly amused look, while I tug at the edge of a sash, shift from foot to foot, thenlet out a breath and grab the cart handle, pushing it toward the checkout.
My dear Fate, this is mortifying. Why did I even drag him into this supermarket? And worse, why did I accept his gift? Because in our society, that’s the same as accepting his interest. It’s practically a public signal that I’ve declared myselfHISomega.
And I’ve only met him what… five times? Gosh, I have to get my memory back, completely. I need to know who I really am, face my past, regain my confidence and the sense of identity I had before all this happened.
Because what if I throw myself recklessly into something with Snow, and later it turns out that before I was kidnapped, I had… a boyfriend?
What then? I’d drag two people into a mess. I need to keep every possible scenario in mind. I have to stay in control.
Thankfully, there’s no line at the registers.
When we pull up, a plump omega at the counter looks over the massive pile of pillows, then glances up at Snow as he swipes his card.
In the cashier’s eyes, I catch this odd amusement, and then he flashes Snow a broad smile. It only irritates me more. When his gaze flicks to me, I make sure my face stays cold and stony, like none of this touches me.
We wheel the cart outside together. Snow opens the trunk of his Jaguar, and we unload the mountain of pillows into it. As I start stuffing more and more pillows there, something at the bottom of the trunk catches my eye. It’s Snow’s light violet hoodie, lying there tossed carelessly. I glance at Snow, busy taking the carts back to their spot by the supermarket wall. Quick as lightning, I pull a pillowcase off one of the pillows, stuff the hoodie inside, and zip it up. I leave this one without acase tucked in with the rest, ignoring its glaring white color that doesn’t match anything else.
Why did I do it? Don't ask. Just don't.
Finally, it’s all packed in, and we both slide into the front seats.
The ride back is completely silent. I halfheartedly try to cling to my resolve: to be cautious around Snow, to avoid throwing myself into any kind of flirtation. But in a way, it’s already too late. I accepted his gift, didn’t I?
When we pull up to the Nolans’ house, I realize there’s a problem. How am I supposed to haul all this upstairs without possibly waking everyone inside?
For a moment I painfully bite my lip, and then I glance at Snow, who sits like nothing is going on, his head tilted, the whole aura casual, his eyes shifting over my face and even flickering to my lips?
What? Is it possible he’s considering kissing me?
After all, he bought me a gift and I accepted it. And it was I who emitted 'Appreciation'!
But the sheer idea of a kiss makes me even more skittish, so I jump in my seat and open the car door, basically running away, feeling like a reluctant teenager on his first date.
