Later that evening, Amelie and Katelyn returned from their shopping trip, their arms filled with bags.
"You barely bought anything for yourself," Katelyn pointed out as Amelie set the bags down on the table in Katelyn’s room.
"That’s because I went shopping not too long ago," Amelie replied, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Katelyn narrowed her eyes slightly, arms folding across her chest. "Still, don’t be so frugal. You’re about to become Gabriel’s wife, Amelie. You’re practically royalty now. You shouldn’t hesitate to treat yourself."
Amelie gave a soft chuckle but didn’t say anything. A small part of her still wasn’t used to the luxury, to being seen as someone who deserved more.
Katelyn noticed the distant look in her eyes and stepped closer. "You should embrace the love you get. I don’t know how’s your family and people around you to you. Well, omegas aren’t treated nicely, so maybe that’s what makes you to step back from enjoying yourself. But you should not do it anymore."
"Thank you, Kate. Your friendship alone makes me feel so special," Amelie said. "I go to my room. I’ll see you at dinner."
"Alright. This the bag you picked up for Gabriel and this one was for you," Katelyn pronounced, handing the shopping bags to Amelie, who thanked her before walking away.
Arriving upstairs, Amelie went to Gabriel’s room. She found the door was open and walked in. The usual musky scent had spread in the entire room.
However, upon not finding Gabriel there, she found it a good chance to give him a surprise. Placing the bag on the table, she shook her head and moved to bed. She placed the shopping bag on the mattress.
"I hope he likes it!" Amelie said and walked backward only to turn around to bump against Gabriel’s sturdy frame. His hand instinctively moved to her lower back, keeping her from stumbling.
"You should be more careful," he murmured, though the gentle concern in his eyes said otherwise.
"I bought a small gift for you," Amelie said quickly, a bit flustered. She pointed over her shoulder toward the bed, avoiding his gaze for a second as her cheeks warmed.
Gabriel pulled his hand back and strolled past her, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he picked up the shopping bag from the bed. He began to check its contents just as Amelie turned away.
"You can take your time. I’ll go to my room," she began.
"Wait!"
She stopped mid-step and turned back. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw what he held in his hand.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"What’s this, Amelie? I think you got the wrong gift for me," Gabriel said with a devilish grin, holding up a lacy lingerie set, dangling it from his fingers with feigned confusion.
"Oh my God!" Amelie gasped, rushing toward him in full panic. "That’s not—Gabriel, give it to me!"
He chuckled, effortlessly pulling his hand out of reach as she tried to snatch it away. "Now this is an interesting gift. Is this your subtle way of hinting what you’ll be wearing for our wedding night?" he teased, thoroughly enjoying her flustered state.
"Gabriel!" she cried, utterly mortified. "The-the bags, they’re both the same color! I got confused and picked up the wrong bag. This one, this is the one meant for you," she said, holding up the actual gift bag with a pout and flushed cheeks.
Gabriel’s eyes flicked to the new bag, then returned to her. "Mm-hmm. And this?" He twirled the lingerie in his fingers. "You sure this wasn’t for me too? I wouldn’t mind you modeling it."
"Stop it!" Amelie stammered, her embarrassment deepening as she lunged to the side, trying to catch him off guard. But Gabriel was faster, or so he thought.
As she finally grabbed his hand to wrest the lingerie set away, they both lost their balance and tumbled onto the bed, landing in a soft heap, her atop him.
For a moment, time stopped for them.
Gabriel looked up at her, a breath of amusement in his smile, while Amelie’s eyes widened in shock, face heating further at their sudden closeness. But before he could say anything, she snatched the lingerie set from his grip, ready to run away.
But Gabriel was quicker. Before Amelie could bolt from the bed, he caught her wrist and gently flipped her beneath him, pinning her softly against the mattress.
"Running away after doing this to me?" he murmured. "That’s not very responsible, Amelie."
His face was just inches from hers, his breath warm as it fanned across her lips and nose. Amelie swallowed hard, her eyes meeting his while her heart thundering in her chest.
"I, maybe you should check the original gift bag first," she whispered, hoping to shift the moment back to safer ground.
Gabriel didn’t even glance at the other bag. "Whatever you bought, I’ll love it," he replied, but his violet gaze remained locked on hers. "Right now... I’m more interested in something else."
Without warning, his lips descended to the slope of her neck, pressing a slow kiss against her skin before his mouth parted, drawing in her intoxicating scent.
His fingers moved to the first button of her shirt, now slightly creased from the fall, and carefully slipped it open, revealing a hint of her collarbone.
"Mmm..." A soft sound escaped Amelie’s lips before she could hold it back, and she instinctively pressed her hands against his shoulders, not with full intent to stop him, but to steady herself.
His lips brushed against her exposed skin again, this time letting his teeth graze it just enough to make her breath hitch. Then he nibbled gently, taking his time as if memorizing her reaction.
"Gabriel," she uttered his name in a low whisper.
"Shh... Enjoy this, Amelie," Gabriel said, lifting his face. She bit the inner side of her bottom lip, breathing heavily when he captured her lips for a kiss.