Chapter 49 Expensive tastes
Malia's pov
“Where are we going?"
Aiden’s hand is warm in mine as he escorts me across the parking lot to his car – another sleek black one that no doubt cost more than my whole scholarship.
“It’s a surprise,” he says, that familiar smirk playing at his lips.
“I have homework—”
“They can wait.” He opens the passenger door for me. “Get in.”
I hesitate, but the look he’s giving me, as if I’m something precious he’s resolved to take care of makes me want to resist.
I get in.
The trip to the city takes 40 minutes. Aiden plays music softly, his hand on my thigh the whole time, thumb moving in absent circles that make it hard to concentrate.
“You’ve been quiet since the mess hall incident,” he says eventually.
“Just thinking.”
"About?"
“About how the whole school thinks I’m some kind of hybrid succubus who’s slept with three alpha heirs.”
His hand tightens slightly on my leg. “Let them think whatever they want. Their opinions don’t matter.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one they’re calling a—”
“Don’t.” His voice becomes hot. “Don’t say whatever poison they’re spreading. It’s not true and I’m not going to let you take it in.”
I look at him—jaw tight, blue eyes fixed on the road, protective fury radiating from every line of his body.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. "For earlier. For defending me."
"Always." He looks over at me for a moment. "I meant what I said. You are mine. I take what’s mine, and I defend what’s mine.”
That wanting-to-cry feeling should bother me.
Instead, it makes me feel safe.
We park in front of a boutique that could have been plucked from the pages of a magazine—floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcasing stylish dresses, warm lighting, a place where I’m certain everything costs more than I make in a year.
"Aiden, what are we doing here?"
"Shopping." He’s out the car before I even can get the door crunch open. “You need more clothes.”
“I’ve got clothes—”
“You have three outfits you rotate through and one designer dress that I bought you.” His voice is matter-of-fact. “It’s not enough.”
“I’m on scholarship. I can’t afford—"
“I can.” He leads me by the hand, at first slow then a bit faster towards the entrance. "Let me do this. Please."
The please disarms my reserve.
Inside, a raven-haired saleswoman, flawless in every way, is on hand to meet us immediately.
“Mr. Moonfall.” She recognizes him. Of course she knows him. “ Is there anything we can do for you, today?”
"She needs an entire wardrobe," Aiden says, nodding in my direction. "Casual, formal, all the way through. Price isn’t an issue."
The woman’s eyes glaze over like she just won the lottery.
For what seems like the next two hours, I am caught in a maelstrom of trying on clothes—soft sweaters, designer jeans, beautiful dresses, casual tops that somehow still look expensive. Aiden sits in a chair outside the dressing room, giving opinions on everything.
"That color looks beautiful on you."
"Too conservative. Try the other one."
"Perfect. We're taking that one.”
When we're finished there are at least 15 bags piled on the counter.
“Aiden this is too- ”
“It's not even close to enough.” He’s already handing a black card. “But it’s a start.”
The sum makes me feel sick to my stomach.
5,000 dollars. For clothes!
As he load the bags into the car, I whisper, “I can’t accept this.”
He stops and he turns to me suddenly.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s… it’s too much. I don’t deserve—”
“Stop.” His palms cup my cheeks, and his to eyes; “You deserve everything. Nice clothes, good food, someone to take care of you. You’ve spent your entire life being told you’re less than. Let me show you that’s a lie.”
Tears sting in my eyes. “You don’t need to buy me stuff for me to know that you care.”
“I know” His thumb caresses my cheek. “But I want to. Let me show you what you deserve. Please."
The raw sincerity in his voice tears down the last wall of defense I have.
“Okay,” I whisper.
He kisses me—soft and sweet—right there in the parking lot. “Thank you,” he murmurs his lips against mine.
But we’re not done.
He steers us toward the downtown shopping district and pulls up in front of a jewelry store whose name I’ve seen in magazines.
“Aiden—”
“Just one more stop.” He’s already outside, opening my door. “I promise.”
Inside, it’s all sparkling — cases teeming with diamonds, gold, precious stones that sparkle.
A salesman comes immediately.
“Mr. Moonfall, it's always a pleasure.”
He’s known here, too. How often does he purchase jewelry?
"I'm looking for something special," says Aiden, with his hand on small of my back. "For her."
The salesman smiles. "Yes, sir. What would you like?"
“Let her choose.”
Suddenly, all eyes are on me.
“I...I don’t need jewelry” I protest feebly.
“But you want one,” Aiden says, “I know you. I can tell by looking at you. Take whatever you like."
I reluctantly look around and pretend I’m not aware that Aiden is watching my every move.
The majority of this is too exuberant — giant diamonds, crazy settings, stuff that screams money.
But then I see it. A fine silver bracelet with a small moonstone charm.
Simple, stunning, understated and pretty.
“That one,” I say softly.
The salesman brings it out, and Aiden circles it around my wrist.
"Perfect," he says.
“Just this one?” the salesman inquires, his voice full of disillusionment.
“And those,” Aiden says, gesturing towards a pair of diamond studs behind me.
“Aiden, no—”
“For special occasions,” he says, already nodding to the salesman. “Both of them.”
The earrings are more than the whole trip to buy clothes costs. “It’s crazy,” I mutter as we walk out.
“This is me taking care of you,” he says, correcting me. “Get used to it.”
—----
Back in the suite, I’m surrounded by shopping bags and the reality of how much Aiden just threw down on me.
"I don't know how to thank you," I say.
He’s leaning on his desk, studying me with such intensity that the heat from my skin rises.
"I have an idea."
He makes his way over to me at a creeping pace, attentive and calculated, allowing me enough time to halt his momentum.
His hands cup my face and lift my chin.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. "Especially when you don't hide behind your own worth when you're scared of it."
Then he’s kissing me—strong and possessive and everything we’ve been building toward, and I’m shaking with want and need against his mouth, and it’s making the world spin out of control.
I respond with equal enthusiasm, my hands rising up his chest and up his head, weaving through his hair.
He backs me up until my legs bump against his bed, and we fall onto it in unison.
His weight presses me into the mattress, familiar and perfect.
"Malia…” he breathes between kisses.
His hands wander — one slipping under the layers of my shirt, and the other cradling the nape of my neck.
I arch into him, hungry for more, he groans against my mouth.
We find ourselves lost in each other—kissing till our lips are all puffed up, feeling till we tremble, and the energy between us radiates with contentment. His lips travel from my mouth to my jaw and then down to the vulnerable place under my ear. I gasp, my hands in his hair tightening.
He lets out a low hum of approval, his teeth just grazing my pulse point before his tongue rolls over it, soothing the sting. My hips raise on their own, and he traps them with his, the pressure making me whimper.
"So responsive," he murmurs against my throat, his hand moving upward under my shirt, his thumb grazing beneath my breast.
Heat pools low in my belly. His lips go back to mine—only slower, deeper, more rhythmical now as our tongues slide around each other in a dance that promises everything.
After a while, he withdraws, and we both pant.
He tumbles off of me, instead dragging me close to his side. We lie there, snug in one another, those tote bags left forgotten on the floor.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For today. For everything.”
“You’ve said that for like a thousand times
already.” His arms tighten around me. “You're mine to spoil, Malia. Get used to it.”
I smile against his chest.
Maybe being spoiled by Aiden Moonfall isn’t such a bad thing after all.