How To Lose Your Billionaire Alpha Husband In 365 Days (Or Less)!-Chapter 92: Shopping Gone Wet...

~JASMINE’S POV~

Sophia dove into the aisles like she’d been training for this her entire life. I lingered at the entrance for a moment, scanning fabrics and cuts.

A sales associate materialised beside me, smiling politely. "Looking for something specific?"

"Yes," Sophia replied before I could respond. "We need something that’s black, sharp, and clearly commands respect. And definitely nothing too fancy; she’s not here to play the princess."

The associate’s smile widened. "I think I have just the thing."

While they flitted off, Sophia shoved a sequined gown into my arms. "Try it. Humour me."

"I’m not wearing sequins to a Council event," I deadpanned.

"You’re right. Sequins scream, please take me seriously," Lyra snorted.

"Exactly."

We ended up in a dressing room big enough to be an apartment, surrounded by piles of gowns and cocktail dresses. Sophia sat cross-legged on the plush bench while I tried on a fitted black gown with a slit that could cause accidents in traffic.

"Turn," she ordered.

I did.

"Hmm. You look lethal. I like it."

I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right spots. The neckline was bold, without being vulgar. It felt elegant and strong.

"This one," I said.

Sophia grinned like she’d just won a prize. "Perfect. Shoes?"

"Not six-inch heels," I warned.

She made a noncommittal sound that I didn’t trust.

—

We drifted toward the shoe section next, and Sophia was already pulling boxes off the shelves like she owned the place. "You need something with edge," she said, holding up a pair of black stilettos with razor-thin heels and silver studs down the back.

"I said not six inches," I reminded her.

"These are only five and a half," she countered.

Lyra purred in my head. "They’re murder weapons. I approve."

I eventually settled on a pair of sleek black heels... tall enough to give me presence, but not so high that I’d end up in the ER if someone jostled me.

Then came accessories: a cuff bracelet in brushed silver, a pair of dagger-shaped earrings, and a clutch just big enough to hold a phone, a dagger, and a few other "essentials."

We’d barely finished stacking the haul in the dressing room when my phone buzzed. Aiden’s name lit the screen, and before I could answer, Sophia’s grin turned wicked. "Put it on video."

I rolled my eyes but swiped to accept, propping the phone up against the mirror as I shimmied out of one dress and into another.

Aiden’s face filled the screen, his gaze instantly sweeping over me. "And what exactly are you doing?" His tone was lazy, but his eyes weren’t.

"Shopping," I said, smoothing the gown over my hips. "You told me to have fun."

His gaze sharpened. "I didn’t think that meant you’d be changing on camera."

"It’s a dressing room," I pointed out. "And technically, you called me."

His smirk was slow. "If I’d known this is what I’d get, I’d have called sooner. Keep going."

Sophia snorted from the bench. "I’m right here, Frost. Don’t get too hot and bothered."

Aiden’s eyes flicked in her direction. "Sophia... could you give us a minute?"

She blinked, then grinned like she’d just been handed front-row tickets to a scandal. "Ohhh... sure. I’ll go check on accessories." She hopped off the bench, winked at me, and slipped out, shutting the door behind her.

The dressing room felt instantly smaller.

I turned back to the mirror, pretending to fuss with the zipper, but his voice came low through the speaker. "You’re stalling."

"I’m changing," I countered.

"I know. That’s why I’m still on this call."

I shot him a look over my shoulder, but he wasn’t even pretending to be innocent. He was leaning back in his chair, elbows braced on the armrests like a king surveying his prize, gaze following every movement I made.

"You could end the call," I said.

"I could," he agreed, "but then I wouldn’t get to watch you slide out of that dress."

The way he said slide made my pulse trip. I told myself it was just the warm lighting in here, but my cheeks heated anyway.

I moved slower than I needed to, tugging the gown over my head. The silk brushed lightly against my skin, and Aiden’s eyes seemed to focus more intensely, as if he could sense the sound it made.

"You like this way too much," I muttered, folding the dress.

"You have no idea," he said, his voice dipping low, the kind of tone that curled down my spine.

Deep down, I hated how much the idea of him watching... really watching, sent a ripple of heat through me. My heart thudded against my ribs, and Lyra’s purr was a smug hum in my head.

"Admit it, you like putting on a show for him."

I ignored her, stepping into the next dress. Still, I felt Aiden’s eyes like a tangible touch as the fabric slid up my legs, over my hips, hugging close before I zipped it.

"That one," he said immediately, his voice rougher now.

I smirked at my reflection. "You can’t even see the whole thing."

"I can see enough."

I tilted my head toward the camera, lips curving just enough to be defiant. "You can see enough? That’s a shame. This one’s got a back that would make even you shut up for five seconds."

Aiden leaned forward slightly, the lazy arrogance in his posture unchanged, but his eyes... God, his eyes darkened to something almost predatory. "Turn around."

It wasn’t a request.

I swallowed, fingers brushing the zipper at my side, but I didn’t move. "Bossy."

His smirk was slow and lethal. "You knew that before you married me."

The heat in his voice tugged something low in my stomach, and Lyra purred in approval. "He wants the hunt. Give him a chase."

I ignored her, but my hands still found the zipper, drawing it down with deliberate slowness. The dress loosened, the silk sliding over my skin like it knew exactly where my nerves were frayed.

Aiden’s jaw flexed. "Jasmine." My name came out rough; his voice deep enough to vibrate through the speaker.

I let the dress slip off one shoulder. "Careful. You’re starting to sound like you actually want me."

His gaze dragged over me, unhurried, possessive. "Want isn’t the word."

The air between us... God, even through a screen, it felt electric. My pulse kicked hard.

I turned my back to the phone, letting the other sleeve fall. The fabric pooled at my waist before sliding to the floor in a soft whisper.

His inhale was sharp. "You’re playing a dangerous game."

"Good," I said, glancing at him over my shoulder. "I like danger."

Something in his expression shifted, less teasing, more intent. The kind of look that made my skin prickle with awareness. "Come closer."

I stepped toward the phone without meaning to, my body betraying me.

Aiden’s gaze locked with mine, and for a long, breathless second, neither of us spoke.

Then, in that low, commanding tone that both infuriated and thrilled me, he murmured, "If you were here right now, wifey, you wouldn’t be leaving my bed for days."

My pulse thundered. "Lucky for me, you’re not."

"Yet," he said, and ended the call before I could fire back.

The dressing room felt too warm, too close, and Lyra’s smug little hum echoed in my head. "You’re in trouble."

I already knew.

I bent to scoop up the dress from the floor, but the movement made me acutely aware of just how wound up I was.

Heat still coiled low in my belly, and the wetness between my thighs made my breath hitch. Seriously? From a video call?

Lyra’s purr slid through my head like velvet. "Not just a video call. From your mate. Your body knows what it wants, even if you don’t."

I scowled at my reflection. "Shut up."

"I’m just saying... if that was his reaction from a screen, imagine what it’d be like if he was here."

My cheeks burned hotter. "Not helping."

I grabbed the dress and ducked into the small adjoining bathroom. Cool water on my wrists, a splash to my face, then a quick but thorough wipe-down with one of those plush store towels.

I didn’t linger... if I thought too much about why I was in here, I might start pacing like a lunatic.

By the time I stepped out, I’d zipped myself into the black gown we’d chosen, heels in hand. My pulse had settled... mostly.

Sophia was perched on the bench again, scrolling her phone, but the way her gaze flicked to my face and then narrowed told me she hadn’t missed a thing.

"Don’t," I warned before she could open her mouth.

She smirked, all faux-innocence. "Didn’t say a word."

"Good."

We gathered our pile of chosen clothes, shoes, and accessories, making our way toward the register. I was just starting to feel like I had my composure back when a too-familiar voice drawled behind us.

"Well, well, well... who do we have here?" It was mocking, smug, and laced with something nastier.

My shoulders stiffened.

Sophia’s head tilted, brow furrowing in confusion, but I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. I’d recognise that tone anywhere.

I turned slowly, schooling my face into cool neutrality as my eyes landed on Daniel, my cousin.

His gaze flicked over the armful of shopping bags, lingering too long on the gown I wore. "Spending the family fortune, Jasmine? Or is this Frost’s black card I’m seeing in action?"