Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 51: Shopping Spree

“No, Liam, this is way too expensive.” I held up the price tag of the dress he’d picked out, my eyes widening at the numbers.

Liam snatched the tag from my fingers with a playful smile. “Price doesn’t matter, Hazel. You deserve nice things.”

We stood in the middle of Luxe Boutique, the fanciest store in Emberfang Mall. All around us were clothes that cost more than I made in months as the Sullivan family’s maid. The glossy marble floors and crystal chandeliers made me feel even more out of place.

“But I can find something nice at a different store,” I protested. “Something more reasonable.”

Liam shook his head, his dark brown hair falling across his forehead. Those green eyes with golden flecks—identical to his brothers’—fixed on me with determination.

“This isn’t just any party, Hazel. It’s your first time attending as our future Luna.” His voice softened. “I want everyone to see you the way I do.”

My heart fluttered. Among the triplets, Liam had always been the kinder one, but this new attentiveness still took some getting used to.

“And how’s that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Beautiful.” He said it simply, without the teasing edge Levi would have added or the commanding tone Lucas might have used. “Stunning. Perfect.”

My cheeks warmed. “Fine. But I’m trying on the less expensive pieces first.”

“Deal,” he agreed, though his grin told me he had no intention of letting me leave without several high-end outfits.

Thirty minutes later, I’d tried on five dresses, three pairs of jeans, and countless tops. Liam insisted on seeing each outfit, offering sincere compliments that made my insides melt. The pile of “approved” clothes grew larger than I was comfortable with.

“You need to try this one too,” Liam said, appearing at the fitting room door with yet another hanger. “I think it’ll be perfect for the party.”

I peeked out from behind the door, reaching for what I assumed was another dress. Instead, my fingers closed around silky fabric that was decidedly not a dress. When I pulled it into the fitting room, I realized it was a bikini—a very small, very revealing navy blue bikini with gold accents.

“Liam!” I opened the door a crack to see him standing there with a mischievous smile. “Why would I need this for the party?”

“Sophia has a pool,” he replied innocently, though his eyes gleamed. “Her parties usually end up with everyone swimming. Trust me, it’ll be fun.”

“But this is...” I held up the triangle top that would barely cover anything.

“Perfect for you,” he finished, leaning against the wall outside my fitting room. “At least try it on? For me?”

I sighed, closing the door. “The things I do for you Sullivans,” I muttered, knowing full well he could hear me with his wolf senses.

His chuckle from the other side sent warmth spreading through me.

I slipped out of the sundress I’d been modeling and carefully put on the bikini, adjusting the pieces as best I could. Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The navy fabric contrasted beautifully with my fair skin, and the cut accentuated curves I didn’t know I had.

Still, it was so revealing. The bottoms sat low on my hips, and the top...well, it left little to the imagination.

“Are you done yet?” Liam called.

“I don’t think this is appropriate,” I called back, still studying my reflection. “It’s too...small.”

“Let me see,” he insisted.

I cracked open the door, intending to just peek out and tell him no way. But before I could speak, his eyes widened, taking in what little of me was visible through the gap.

“Hazel,” he breathed, his voice suddenly lower.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and I opened it slightly wider, planning to explain why I couldn’t possibly wear this in public. Instead, Liam slipped inside the small fitting room, closing the door behind him. novelbuddy.cσ๓

“What are you doing?” I whispered frantically, pointing to the sign on the door. “It says one person per fitting room!”

Liam stepped closer, his tall frame making the small space seem even tinier. “They’ll never know,” he said with a shrug. “And even if they did, they wouldn’t stop me.”

His eyes traveled slowly over my body, and I resisted the urge to cover myself. The heat in his gaze made me feel powerful in a way I’d never experienced before.

“You’re beautiful, Hazel,” he said softly, sincerity ringing in every word. “So damn beautiful it hurts to look at you sometimes.”

Unlike when Levi complimented me with flirty remarks or when Lucas praised me with intense focus, Liam’s admiration felt like warm sunshine—genuine and life-giving.

“You really think so?” I asked, surprised by the boldness in my own voice.

“I know so.” He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the bare skin at my waist. “Everyone at that party will be looking at you. But you’ll only be mine—ours.”

The possessive edge to his words sent a thrill through me. I noticed his breathing growing heavier, his pupils dilating as he looked at me. The front of his jeans tightened visibly, and I felt my lower stomach clench in anticipation.

Feeling braver than I’d ever been, I looped my arms around his neck and leaned in until our bodies were almost touching.

“Is something wrong, Alpha?” I asked with a coy smile. “You seem awfully red.”

Liam growled low in his throat, a sound that vibrated through my entire body. His hands moved to my hips, gripping them firmly as he backed me against the fitting room wall.

“You’re playing with fire,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear.

“Maybe I want to get burned,” I whispered back.

That was all it took. His mouth crashed down on mine, hungry and demanding. My fingers tangled in his dark hair as his hands explored the bare skin of my back, my waist, my thighs. Every touch left a trail of heat that pooled low in my belly.

He broke the kiss to trail his lips down my neck, and I bit my lip to keep from moaning out loud. We were still in a public place, after all.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” Liam confessed against my skin. “Wanted you.”

His hand slipped under the edge of my bikini top, and I gasped at the sensation of his fingers against my sensitive skin. My head fell back against the wall as he continued his exploration, his other hand moving dangerously high on my thigh.

“We shouldn’t,” I breathed, even as my body arched into his touch. “Not here.”

“Just say the word, and I’ll stop,” he whispered, his fingers pausing their movement.

But I didn’t want him to stop. Not now, not when every cell in my body was crying out for more of him.

Instead of answering, I pulled his face back to mine and kissed him deeply.