Page 44 of Bound to the Daddy

Mom should be here. She should be by my side as I get ready for today. But she’s not. She never will be. I can only hope she’s looking down on me, happy that I’m finally going to be taken care of. It’s what she always wanted for me. A kind mate who can make sure I’m okay.

Granted, Brody has a lot of growing up to do before he can even hope to match the level of care and concern his father has. Shaking that thought out of my mind, I do my best to focus on Brody and what our future can look like. Even though our marriage is only mandatory for six months, I’d like to think he’ll want to continue on and be my husband.

With a heavy sigh, I push the doors open and meet my fate. All around me, women rush in from all sides, their warm smiles and happy demeanor putting me a bit more at ease. I may not have my mother, but these women will have to do.

“Right this way, Miss Taylor. We’ve been expecting you. Was the drive over, okay?”

“As well as can be expected.” Especially since it wasn’t my car taking me here.

They shuffle me into a room filled with gowns in every color imaginable. Most of them are the typical white, but off to the side, a rainbow of hues greets my gaze. As much as I want to try on something green to match my eyes, I make myself be content with the white.

It’s what Mother would have wanted. It’s what a Rothsbourne would demand. I dare not disappoint either.

CHAPTER 15

STEPHANIE

The dress is simply gorgeous. I stare at my reflection, looking for any flaws, but find none. The quality seems to be top-notch too. Definitely more than I could afford by myself.

Glancing down at the ring I picked out for my soon-to-be husband, I resist the urge to chew on my thumbnail. Not that there’s much left to chew on. I probably should have asked for acrylics, so everything looked polished and put together. As it is, I think this is the best I can do.

Off to the side, a woman walks in, her steps brusque and abrupt. Each clack of her heels against the tiled floor pounds against my skull, bringing up that hint of nausea. My pill shouldn’t be wearing off this quickly. Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I concentrate on my breathing.

Unfortunately, the only thing popping up in my mind is Mr. Rothsbourne. I should be thinking of Brody. Instead, all I can do is mourn the loss of the man I never had, could never have. It’s a sick insanity; one he kept stoking with all his spankings and such.

But then, it was probably just another day for him. At least he didn’t make me pay. There’s a small mercy there.

Besides, there’s no way he can know just how utterly devastating his touch is. How my mind fractures at just the smallest hint of a purr. How my body burns as if it’s on fire from just one fierce frown. Even now, heat climbs up my face and down my neck, traveling the length of my body until my clit pulses.

I ache. I need. I so desperately want relief from these sensations tormenting me.

“Miss Taylor?” The voice calls out to me, muffled, as if underwater.

“Miss Taylor?” It goes higher in pitch, almost frantic.

“Miss Taylor!” A hand grabs my shoulder, shattering the thoughts in my mind like a mirror fractured against hot pavement.

I blink over at the stranger, my vision swimming for a moment until her face clears. “I’m sorry. I think I kinda spaced out.”

“But you’re okay? Do you need water? Do you think you’re going to faint?”

“I don’t know how I feel, to be honest. How am I supposed to feel right now? How do the other brides feel?” The strangers gather in on me, their expression varying from slight concern to outright pity.

“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It happens! Just breathe through all the emotions and you’ll do fine. I’m sure your Alpha will be such an amazing man for you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

She holds out a box, her lips widening into a large grin. “This was delivered for you by him.”

A gasp catches in my throat as I take the gift from her. “But he doesn’t know who I am. Right?”

“He does not. From my understanding, he bought this as a gesture of goodwill. Something to ease the meeting between thetwo of you. It also came with this card.” My fingers tremble as I take the letter from her.

My Dearest Bride to Be,

It is my hope that this token of my affection will be the first of many I can bestow upon you. I know things are scary for you right now. You have no idea who you’re meeting at the end of the aisle, and that can be rather frightening. Trust the process and breathe for me. If we are a genetic match, then there’s no way we’re not going to be compatible. I cannot wait to turn around and see you standing there in your bridal finery. But I’m sure all of it will pale in comparison to your beauty.

Please wear this bracelet as your something new. As an added bonus, it has lots of things to fiddle with on there in case you need to expend your nerves before meeting me. Underneath the lining, I’ve included something of mine that I’m letting you borrow. After the ceremony, I’ll be asking for it back. I’m sure you already have the old and blue already well in hand. I can’t wait to start the first day of forever with you. I can only hope your excitement is as great as mine.

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