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Not wanting to dismiss her point of view off hand, I nod and make a counteroffer.
"How about I take it from your next paycheck?" I suggest, knowing there’s not a chance in Hell, I'll be doing that. I'm a thirty-year-old single man with no kids. I run a successful business, living rent free and eating in the packhouse. What else am I going to spend my money on, if not the most important person in the world?
Her pack is barely getting by. I’ve sat in on meetings with Cooper and all the Alphas of the territory. I’ve heard enough to know that being cut off from the outside world for so long has limited their earnings significantly. Dean is bringing things back, expanding, creating new opportunities for individuals and the pack as a whole, but it's going to take him some time to rebuild.
“Go.”
Not giving her the chance to argue again, I give her a kiss on the cheek and a gentle pat on the ass, nudging her toward the shop with an encouraging smile.
“I’ll come back down, and we’ll go for food when you’re done.”
As she leaves, I watch, enthralled. She gives me a wink over her shoulder and a saucy little wave. She’s already far more relaxed away from the prying eyes of the pack and I know I’m doing the right thing, taking mating and marking off the agenda for now. I can’t blame her for fearing a lifelong bond between us, given all she’s been through. I need to do everything I can to make sure she has no doubts before we do it. And we will. I can already tell how perfect a match we are.
After depositing the bags, I return to the shop, keen to make sure she’s charging her purchases rather than paying for them herself. I invited her here. I don’t want her to stress about money.
“There you are, I…”
Maya turns at the sound of my voice, holding up a few small triangles of white material held together by flimsy strings. I’m stunned into silence and swallow hard, imagining her petite little body wearing only those scraps. Fuck me, I’ll have a hard-on the entire time we’re here if she’s going to walk around dressed like that every day. We should have gone skiing.
As I approach her, equally intrigued and terrified by her choice of bathing suit, I scent another wolf in the shop and turn to get a good look at him. My senses are on high alert with my unmarked mate nearby to protect. Being outside my pack, surrounded by unfamiliar shifters, is going to have my nerves frayed. Especially when I can't be at her side twenty-four-seven. Ross might come in useful after all.
A growl rumbles deep in my chest when I see the hungry way he’s looking at Maya, grinning at the tiny bikini she’s admiring. His eyes hold mine, not backing away from my challenge. He's no submissive wolf, but he's no alpha. Beta maybe. But he’s outgunned here, and he knows it. With a last lingering look at my gorgeous mate, he disappears down one aisle and out the door, thankfully without causing a scene.The realisation that I’m not the only one who’s going to see her dressed in these purchases’ tips me over the edge.
“No. No fucking way! Absolutely not.”
Snatching it out of her hands, I scowl at the offending item and spin, scanning the racks quickly, before yanking a long sleeve rash vest off a hanger and thrusting it at her.
“Where are the burkinis?” I mutter, scanning the rails again.
“Nathan…” Maya chides, amusement clear in her tone as she keeps her hands behind her back, refusing to accept my offer. Slowly, she leans over and takes the white bikini back from me. “You can't make me wear that. Being able to go to a place like this is a dream come true. I'm going to enjoy it. I’m not hiding away.”
“Once we’re ma-,” I stop myself before I say the words, and Maya smirks as I backtrack, nearly slipping up already on my earlier promise not to push mating and marking while we’re here.
“I’ll bring you anywhere you want to go. This isn’t going to be your only opportunity to lie on the beach. But I’m going to be working most days. I don’t think I’ll be able to cope knowing you’re out there, dressed in that, around men with eyes.”
She smiles at me sympathetically, like she’s trying to reason with a toddler throwing a tantrum. She takes my hand and rubs her thumb across my palm to comfort me.
“I do actually plan to spend at least some of the time here working with you. That is what I'm supposed to be doing, after all. And Ross will be with me all day if that makes you feel any better.”
“Not even a tiny bit.”
Groaning loudly, I run a hand across the back of my neck. The man I saw carrying my mate over his shoulder is going to spend every day with her, while she parades around practically naked.
Goddess, help me. You’ve proved your point. I get it. I should have waited for my mate, but this just seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
Sighing, and maybe even sulking a little, I carry the pathetic excuse for a swimsuit up to the till along with the basket of other items she has gathered. As the cashier lifts and folds each one, I grumble and curse. Each item is flimsier and more see-through than the next. Maya laughs at my pouting face as I hold up a sheer wrap and shake it at her in disbelief.
“You’re enjoying this way too much. I think you should keep these for sunbathing on our terrace.”
Her eyes light up and she clutches her hands to her chest.
“We have a terrace?” she exclaims. My wolf puffs up with pride at how delighted she seems, and I must admit, it’s making me feel pretty good to spoil her and show her some new things. I’d give her anything she asked for to see that smile. “Can I see it now!”
“You can do whatever you want, baby. You're on holiday.”
MAYA
Nathan pushes open the door to our suite and stands back, letting me walk in first. I open my mouth to thank him, but then the crystal blue water outside catches my eye and distracts me. I drift across the enormous room to take in the beautiful view outside.
