Somniphobia

Chapter 8. Shopping spree

Aria POV
Once we woke up, we had breakfast, and I got dressed in a pair of clothes his servant Synthia picked out for me. He was currently driving to the mall so I could go shopping for clothes and other things.

I stared out the window curiously while holding his hand tightly in my lap. I felt nervous about going somewhere new, because I've never been anywhere except home and the small grocery store near my parents' house.

They never let me go anywhere else. My palms grew sweaty, so I let go of his hand so I wouldn't disgust him. I wiped my palms on my pants, trying to calm my nerves.

Anxiety crawled up my stomach as I saw all the cars in the huge parking lot and the crowds of people walking into the massive building. I wasn't sure I was fit to go in there; I felt like I was about to have a panic attack just from looking at all the people.

When the car came to a stop, I looked over at him with a nervous expression.
"What's wrong, little one?" he asked, concerned.
"N-nothing," I answered quietly.

He unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me over the middle console, settling me on his lap in the driver's seat. I looked up at him worriedly as he searched my face.

"Tell me what's wrong, princess. Don't lie to me. I can tell you're nervous."
"I-I'm n-nervous, d-daddy," I finally admitted.

"Don't be nervous. I'll be with you the whole time," he reassured.
"P-promise?" I held out my pinky.
"I promise, princess." He wrapped his pinky around mine and kissed my thumb to seal it.

He tilted my head up and kissed my lips softly. I blushed. I still wasn't used to being kissed by him, but I was slowly learning—loving it even more each time. His lips felt so nice against mine, sending shockwaves and a fluttering feeling deep in my belly that made a soft moan escape me before I could stop it.

He pulled away, leaving me breathless and flustered. I hid my face in his chest, embarrassed by how shy I got from a simple kiss.

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"Relax, princess. I won't kiss you anymore if it makes you this shy."
That made me pout.
"N-no, I l-like it. P-please d-don't s-stop," I begged.
He laughed and kissed my nose. "I'm just teasing, love."

"Y-you're r-really m-mean," I mumbled.
"You'll have to get used to it, princess." He kissed my forehead. "You ready to go shopping?"

I looked out the window again at all the people. Then I looked back at him nervously.
"You'll be okay. I'll be right next to you the whole time. You can even hold my hand," he reassured.

"Are you okay with that, or do you want to go another day? It's completely fine if you don't want to go today."

"N-no, w-we c-can g-go. I-I'm j-just s-scared," I admitted.

"There's no need to be scared, princess. I'll be right by your side."
"O-okay."
"You sure?"
"Mhm."
"Use your words, princess."
"I-I'm sure, d-daddy."

"Good girl." He kissed my cheek. "Let's go, beautiful."

He opened my door and let me step out before getting out beside me. He shut the door and grabbed my hand as we walked toward the huge building.

"W-where a-are w-we, d-daddy?" I asked, staring up at it.
"The mall. There are all kinds of stores here. You can choose whichever ones you want."

"W-will I n-need m-money? I d-don't h-have a-any..." I whispered, embarrassed.

"You don't need to worry about that, princess. I have it covered. Just pick what you want. Don't worry about the prices."

"O-okay."
"You're gonna be okay," he whispered soothingly, kissing my cheek.