Page 47 of Stalked By the Alphas
He grins, and I move to take the suitcase handle to wheel across the park, but he grips it tighter and still manages to make it look effortless with the hamper as well.
“Wait. Are you seriously going to go in the supermarket with my hamper?”
Carter grins mischievously. “Why not? I’m sure the other shoppers will be impressed by my multitasking skills.”
I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Thank you. I try,” he says with an exaggerated bow.
As we make our way through the park, I’m acutely aware of the curious glances we’re attracting. Carter, seemingly oblivious, strolls along with my suitcase inone hand and the laundry hamper in the other. I trail behind, clutching my handbag with the cam-bear peeking out.
We must look quite the sight.
The afternoon sun blazes down, and I realise I’m working up a sweat out here, but it feels nice to bask in it for a while. For a moment, I allow myself to relax, breathing in the scent of grass and wildflowers.
We reach the small Co-op, and I hesitate at the entrance, suddenly self-conscious. “Maybe I should wait out here with the hamper while you grab a few things?”
Carter shakes his head firmly. “Nope. You’re coming in. I have no idea what you’re in the mood for.”
Before I can protest further, he’s striding through the automatic doors, leaving me no choice but to follow. A few other shoppers give us odd looks as we make our way down the aisles, but Carter seems completely oblivious. Mind you, it’s not his knickers in the hamper, so what does he care?
I trail behind Carter, cheeks burning as we navigate the narrow aisles. I grab a basket, and he pauses now and again to toss items in seemingly at random - pasta, sauce, bread, eggs. I add a few things I know I’ll eat, trying to ignore the stares from other shoppers.
“Ooh, ice cream,” Carter says, pausing by the freezer section. “What’s your favourite flavour these days? Still mint choc chip?”
“Always,” I say with a smile that he remembered.
He grabs a tub and adds it to our increasingly fullbasket. “Excellent choice. Oh, and we can’t forget snacks.”
I follow Carter down the snack aisle, watching as he grabs bags of crisps and a packet of biscuits.
“Anything else you want?” Carter asks, glancing at me over his shoulder.
I shake my head, feeling overwhelmed. “This is plenty. More than enough, really.”
He nods and we head to the checkout. The cashier’s eyes widen slightly at the sight of Carter with my laundry hamper, but she says nothing as she rings up our items. I fumble for my wallet, but Carter waves me off.
“I’ve got this,” he says, pulling out his card.
I want to protest, but the words die in my throat. Everything is happening so fast, I feel like I’m caught in a whirlwind.
We exit the shop, laden with groceries in addition to my luggage.
“Not much further now,” Carter says cheerfully as we cross over the road.
I nod, suddenly nervous. What am I doing? Moving in with Carter, even temporarily, feels like crossing a line I can’t uncross. But as another wave of dizziness hits me, I know I don’t have much choice. I need help, and right now, Carter is offering it.
We stop at a grand old Victorian terraced house, and I gape at it. “Wow. I’ve always admired these. A little out of my price range, though.”
“The rent isn’t too bad. Probably would be a lot tobuy, though,” he agrees, even though I know he’s just making a comment. He could probably buy this entire village if he wanted to. He opens the door with a flourish and lets me go in ahead of him.
I step inside, taking in the high ceilings and wooden floors. The entryway opens up into a spacious living room, furnished, to my surprise, with second-hand pieces, which are about as mismatched as you can get. I smile and feel a sense of delight wash over me.
“I have a confession to make,” Carter says, taking my hamper into the kitchen and leaving me to trail behind him.
“What’s that?”
“I only have one bed. I didn’t expect company.” He shrugs and looks a little abashed by this admission.
