Page 16 of Rejected Forced Mate
That stung. "We've got shampoo at the house."
"Did you ever stop to think that I have preferences? I hate your cheap shampoo and harsh soap. It dries out my hair and skin. There is no lotion in the entire house, and I miss having my own hairbrush, toothpaste, face wash… I could go on. I'm out here spending what little money I had on me when you kidnapped me because I need these things."
Sage crossed her arms, and I realized she was right. We'd been back in Silvervine for two weeks, and other than the food I had bought, there was almost nothing else she could use. No wonder she was angry and upset, not to mention anxious, if she had to rely on me and my lackluster attempts at making her comfortable.
"You're right. I didn't think of that. I'm sorry."
Her eyebrows rose, like she wasn't sure whether or not she believed me. "I'll pay for the rest of it," I insisted. "To make up for not paying attention."
Sage continued to examine my expression, but finally she sighed, picking her bags back up. "I'm done now, actually. But thanks anyway."
I was reeling. First, I'd accused her of trying to sneak away, and then she threw it in my face that I was so unobservant about her needs that she'd been forced to come into town on her own and spend her own money. It was all too clear that I hadn't ever lived with a woman before, and it was more humbling than I expected.
I struggled to think of something to make up for what had just happened, settling on, "Let me take you out for lunch, then. Anywhere you want."
She looked suspicious, but I was sure she was going to say no before she looked around thoughtfully at the shops. "Actually, I'd love a burger. Is there a place around here that has good ones?"
I felt a smile tug at the corners of my lips, but I tried not to let my hope show. "Yeah. I know a place. Come on."
***
Sage ordered a burger just like she said she would, and I did the same. The diner wasn't much to look at, but it had the best junk food in town as far as I was concerned, and it had the added benefit of being pretty empty when we arrived. We both knew that everything we did was being watched by pack members who were still curious and somewhat antagonistic about their new Luna, and that had the potential to become a problem.
As I ate my burger and watched Sage, I noticed the way she was holding her body, tense, like she was ready for someone to approach us. It made me think about how brave she'd been to go shopping on her own, but it also hurt to see. I wanted her to feel comfortable in her new role and safe. She was my mate, and the person I was meant to protect and cherish.
But I had a sinking feeling, there were a lot of things I needed to apologize for before Sage would start to feel safe around me.
No matter how hard I tried, the conversation was stilted. Sage shared her favorite shops, which ones she avoided, and that was about it.
Still, I remained persistent in trying to break down her barriers. We had been friends once. Surely that connection was still there, somewhere.
The only thing that really got her out of her shell was teasing, and only because she was so driven to defend herself. "You could have told me you were so picky about soap and shampoo, princess. I would have given you money to pick some out days ago."
Sage looked offended, but there was a hint of humor to it. "Well, you weren't making much of an effort to get to know the new me."
"I could say the same about you. At least I'm not as standoffish as you."
She barked a laugh, her words full of sarcasm. "Oh, is that so? Noah, I just married a guy I haven't seen in five years. How else am I supposed to act?"
She had a point, but it didn't mean that I was going to give up. "Okay, well, how about this? Tell me one thing about yourself."
"That's vague."
"Come on. Humor me." "Fine. But then it's your turn."
I nodded. "That's fair. What do you want to tell me?"
She tapped her full lips with her finger, thinking, before finally telling me, "I took up knitting as a hobby. I'm actually pretty good at it."
"That's unexpected."
"Yeah, well, life is full of surprises. Now, it's your turn."
"My turn," I agreed. "Okay, one thing...I used to have a vegetable garden in the back yard of my old home that I really enjoyed. But since I became Alpha, there's just never been time."
"Really? I thought you hated vegetables."
"Not when I was growing them myself," I replied, and the two of us smiled at each other. "Alright, now you ask."
