Page 8 of Family: Posy 4

"Adorable," he murmured and kissed the tip of my nose. "You're getting this pair. Leave them on."

"Thank you!" Grinning broadly, I threw my arms around his waist and squeezed him.

He chortled as he patted the top of my head, then encouraged me to keep looking.

So I did and soon found a charming strawberry-shaped water bottle I could take to school with me and a pair of teddy bear soap and lotion dispensers I wanted for my bathroom. Mason bought everything and stowed my prizes in the cloth bag.

"Now I want you to find some things for your special room," he said after refusing to let me carry the bag. "This next vendor has some unusual items that might appeal to you."

As we walked hand in hand, I saw things I didn't recognize or understand their purpose, and I bit my lip, hesitant to look stupid by asking him, especially after he had to explain what the word vendor meant, so I kept quiet and contented myself to look around.

A display of cute headbands caught my eye and I pulled Mason over to it. There were unicorn horns and cat eats in all colors and fabrics, even lace and flowers, and other animal ears including—

"Bunny!" I yelped.

Grabbing a pair of grayish-brown ones that almost matched Mr. Nibbles' fur, I held them up for Mason to see. With a smirk, he took them from my hands, swept my hat off, and put them on my head.

"Sir, you can't try them on unless you're buying them," the vendor said nervously as he took in Mason's heavy tattoos, muscular body, and intimidating height. "I'm sorry. It's for health and safety."

"We're buying this pair," Mason said with the blank voice and face he used in public, and the bald little man twitched a bit.

Even though I knew the man behind the mask, Mason's cold front still mademeshiver, so I felt bad for the guy. But my mate paid the man his full asking price and even added a dollar tip, and I figured it was all okay. Then the vendor gave me a smile that made me uncomfortable, although I didn't know why, and I wasn't sure he deserved a tip.

As we walked away, a flash of anger shot through our bond, and Garnet also stirred with a little growl.

"I don't like the way he looked at you," Mason scowled and grabbed my hand, towing me along with him. "Like you were prey or a meal on a menu. Males like that make me want to—

"What's unhealthy or unsafe about trying on headbands?" I asked to distract him.

He huffed and didn't answer, and I had to trot to keep up with his long legs. Only after I almost tripped trying to keep up with him did he realize what was happening. With a sigh, he stopped walking and gently squeezed my hand before releasing it and draping his dragon-inked arm across my shoulders.

"Sorry, Posy," he muttered and held up my hat in his other hand. "Do you want your hat back or keep your ears on?"

"Even though that guy was creepy, I like these ears," I said, "and I want to keep them on."

He nodded and slipped my hat back in our shopping bag, then finally answered my question.

"Lice, I'd guess. Do you know what that is?"

"Yep. I remember learning about it in elementary school. Don't share hats!" I chirped. Wanting to chase away this small gray cloud, I smiled up at him. "Hey, Mason, I have an idea for my special room, but I want you to guess what it is based on things I buy today. Are you up for the challenge?"

"Baby, I'm alwaysupfor anything with you. I thought I proved that last night, but if you need a reminder, we can go back to the hotel room and I'll prove it again."

When I realized what he meant, my cheeks lit on fire and I dug my fingers into his sides, tickling him, and he almost dropped the shopping bag.

"No! My treasures!" I wailed and stopped tickling him to grab it, but he was faster than me and moved the bag back into the crook of his elbow.

"A water bottle and two bear containers are treasures?" He slid his sunglasses down enough to stare at me over the tops of them.

"Yes, they are!" I folded my arms and glared at him.

His eyes fogged over for a second, then he got out his phone and pointed it at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking a picture of my little baby's cute pout. Oh, and the boys love your ears, by the way. Cole and Jay are determined to buy you a sexy outfit to match, and Ash and Wyatt want you to wear them the next time they make a Posy sandwich—"

Squeaking and red-faced, I punched him in the stomach, careful to keep my thumb on the outside like Landry had told me. It still hurt my hand, and Mason didn't even flinch. In fact, a smirk slowly curled up one side of his mouth.

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