Peter's expression grew more sympathetic at her words though it would be hard to see as he was sitting behind her. Instead he took the reins into one hand and used the other to gently rub her upper arm. "I'm sure it's been quite the challenge. I'll remember that," he said. He was weary of marriage anyway and her words were certainly working in making him even more hesitant about the idea. He liked the bachelor life with no responsibility to another person. Sure, one day his reputation would be harmed if he never did but if he had enough influence in other ways then maybe he could work around that...food for thought at least.

They soon reached the shop and Peter dismounted first and then held out his hand for her to help her down off of the horse.

Though perhaps her intention had been the opposite, it was the refusal to take his hand that only peaked Peter's interest. Maybe it was the idea of her being hard to get that made her even more appealing. Not as a wife of course, they had just finished talking about how marriage wasn't all it was cracked up to be and Peter was definitely not father material either. Yet Annabeth as a person, as herself, as the beautiful woman that she was...what man wouldn't be tempted by that?

"It was my pleasure. I can wait for you out here while you shop, give you a ride back? I'd hate to leave you stranded without a ride and carrying bundles of fabric."

Peter didn't understand her motivation behind her request to pay him or he might have quickly agreed. Instead he brushed her off. "That's silly, it's really no burden on me and I enjoy your company. That is payment enough," he replied.

Peter watched her enter the shop with a smile. He made no move to follow her but moved back over to the stallion and stroked his muzzle. "Yes, yes, I know she's quite pretty, Grey," he spoke quietly to the horse. "But I really ought not to let that win me over, you know?" he said with a grin. The horse, of course, didn't make an action of even listening, just enjoying the nose scratches.

It wasn't a long wait before she returned and Peter moved to the saddle bags to open them up. "Here, we'll put those away so they don't get accidentally dirty on the way back," he said. If she let him he'd take the purchased fabrics and tuck them safely into the saddlebags. "Shall we?" he then said, motioning back up towards the saddle.

Peter smiled as she took the time to rub the horses nose, something he knew Grey always enjoyed. He climbed up into the saddle himself and then offered her a hand so he could help her settle in behind him this time. "You good?" he asked over his shoulder and would wait until she confirmed before they were back on the road again. Peter was all too aware of the warmth of her body against his back but tried not to draw notice to it.