31. Snow
Chapter thirty-one
Snow
I hurry from Prince’s office, totally bereft as I can still feel his violent tongue between my legs. I am such a fool.
I let him take pleasure in my body, and worse… I enjoyed it.
Even when that person was listening on the phone, I felt no shame. What is wrong with me?
I am turning into Regina.
I acted like a whore…
In my haste, I bump into Saint. He steadies my shoulders as I almost go toppling backwards.
“Whoa, you okay?”
I meet his ice-blue eyes.
Maybe he does care. He and the others all vouched for me and demanded that Prince treat me like a human being for once, but I’m too embarrassed to talk with him right now as I try to get past him.
But he stops my progress. “Snow?”
He goes to grip my face but then thinks better of it as he steps back. “What happened?”
I shake my head, trying to move past him, and he lets me go as I rush away.
But then his voice reaches me as he whispers. “It was Prince, wasn’t it?”
I freeze, squeezing my eyes. “It’s not what you think… but I still don’t want to talk about it…”
Prince didn’t hurt me.
No, he just used my body against me.
That was the first sexual experience I had ever had, and it didn’t even mean anything to him. I run down the hall, just wanting to get away.
I don’t resume my chores. I make a beeline for my room at the other end of the hall, locking my own door.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but when I hear a thin rap on the door, I lift my head.
“Snow? It’s Hunter.”
Hunter?
Of course. Our shopping trip.
I’m too embarrassed to see anyone right now.
No doubt everyone has found out what Prince did to me.
Now they will all think I’m a whore.
“Snow?”
Still, I was really looking forward to that shopping trip, and I refuse to let Prince take my joy away.
So, I get up, opening the door.
I find Hunter’s wide smile on the other side. Maybe he doesn’t know.
Perhaps Saint just kept it to himself.
Hunter’s face falls as he spies the tear streaks down my face. “Snow… are you okay?”
Shoot. How do I cover this one up?
“I… I’m fine…” I whisper.
“No, you are not. Come here.”
Hunter takes me by surprise, pulling me into one of the biggest hugs I have ever had. I freeze in his arms.
Soon I close my eyes, savoring his warmth and closeness as I let him hold me.
How long has it been since someone held me like this?
Not since Daddy died.
Hunter doesn’t pry. He just continues to hug me until after a few minutes, he lifts my chin. I meet those green eyes.
“Come on. It’s time we went shopping!”
My heart rake spikes.
I can’t wait.
Finally, away to get out of Prince’s clothes.
Casper joins us on our shopping trip, and I can barely contain my excitement as the two men lead me through endless aisles of clothes.
I never knew there were this many clothes in the world. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.
Sure, I got everything I ever wanted growing up, but nothing I had was ever my choice.
Daddy decided what clothes I wore, and I always wore frilly dresses and sweet things.
Now, I don’t even know what my style is.
Hunter took me to various stores, and nothing caught my eye.
Well, until my eyes landed on a leather jacket.
A girl who wears such a garment must be bad ass. Especially as the one I have my eyes on has metal studs.
In fact, my eyes find everything black.
Like ripped denim jeans, black shirts, and a choker with a skull pendant.
So, I have a thing for skulls.
Hunter was more than pleased, and he bought me anything that caught my eye.
Now I try on my new ripped skinny jeans, loving how they bring out the shape of my ass.
Then I throw on a black shirt and slip on the choker with the skull pendant.
All there is to do now is don the leather jacket, and when I do, a stranger stares back at me in the mirror.
Now, this girl means business.
She could take on anyone.
Even Regina…
“You all right, sweetness?”
That was Hunter as his voice comes from behind the curtain, and in a hurry, I search for my shoes.
I opted for a pair of combat boots.
There was no way I was going to be able to walk in heels.
I haven’t worn heels in years.
The last time I did was at Daddy’s funeral.
But that was never really me. Not really.
With a deep breath, I step out from behind the curtain, spying Hunter and Casper at the end of the changing room where they sit on a pair of velvet-upholstered chairs.
Hunter’s grinning at something Casper just said, but then when his gaze lifts up, his expression goes completely slack.
When Casper follows his gaze, finding me at the other end of the changing room, his face flushes red, and he looks away.
Hunter gets to his feet. “Snow…”
I smile shyly, tucking my black hair behind my ear. “So, do I look good?”
Hunter shakes his head. “Good? You look fucking hot!”
My heart pumps.
Hot?
I have never looked hot in my life. Sweet and innocent, perhaps, but never fucking hot.
With another timid smile, I look at Casper. “What do you think, Casper?”
He still can’t look at me. Instead, he keeps his head bowed, and I glance at his hands.
He's white-knuckling the rolled arms of the chair, digging his nails into the soft velvet. What is wrong with him?
I peer at Hunter for reassurance. The green-eyed male just smirks at his cousin, shaking his head as he threads his fingers with mine.
“He likes the new look too, Snow. Trust me.”
“He does?”
I glance at Casper again.
He’s still having a mini-existential crisis.
Hunter regards him a little longer. Then he says, “Of course. Casper is just a little bashful, Snow. He has a hard time expressing himself.
Well, not when it comes to song.
I still get thrills when I remember him singing in his wing, and how embarrassed he was straight after.
It was rather adorable.
Hunter tuts, peering down at me. “So, what now?”
There’s nothing more. I already have two bags of clothes, all of them some variation of black, and lace lingerie.
Both men left the store assistant to help me with that one, and Victoria had been a real bitch.
Just… what the hell had been her secret?
She wouldn’t tell me…
My eyes find my chipped fingernails.
Victoria’s nails had been beautiful. Long and French tipped, and they even scratched my breasts as she helped me with the clasp at the front of the bra.
I had no idea bras could even clasp at the front.
Her makeup had been sensational, too, and when was the last time I even wore lipstick, let alone a tube of lip gloss?
Again, Daddy’s funeral.
The last pivotal moment in my life.
I look at Hunter’s eager green eyes. “Can I get a manicure?”
A wide grin spreads across his face. “Anything for you, sweetness.”
I chew my lips. “And makeup, too?”
He smiles, reaching down to grip my chin. His thumb caresses my jawbone. “Of course. Whatever you want...”
My heart pounds. This is surreal; I have to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.
Turns out I’m not dreaming.
This is real.