Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 25071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
“Ten with the hairbrush, baby girl. Then your punishment is all done.”
She tried to stay relaxed, but it was nearly impossible. The hairbrush landed with a smack against each cheek and she let out a cry.
“Good girl. Eight more.”
Each whack of the hairbrush felt harder than the last. By the time he finished, it felt like her bottom was on fire and she was in tears again.
Duke set the hairbrush on the counter and then turned her, drawing her into his arms. “That’s it. All done. You did so well. What a good girl you are.”
“I’m s-sorry, Daddy,” she told him.
“I know, baby girl. I just want you to be safe. I know I can be overprotective, but you’re the most important person in my life. And I will do whatever it takes to look after you.”
8
Wedding Day
“Are you ready, Sunny?”
Sunny glanced over at Betsy and Jewel. They looked stunning in their dresses. She’d told them to pick whatever they felt comfortable in. Betsy was wearing a simple pale gray dress that had three-quarter sleeves and flowed out from the waist. Elegant and beautiful.
Jewel had gone for something edgier. Her gown was emerald green and fitted on the top. The long skirt had a high split at the side.
“You both look so beautiful,” she told them.
“Pretty sure that’s meant to be our line,” Jewel replied. “Damn, Sunny. You look amazing.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the two of you. Thank you for everything. For being my friends, my family.”
“You don’t ever have to thank us for that, Sunny,” Betsy told her.
Sunny held out her arms and they both moved in for a hug.
“Enough of this,” Jewel said, drawing back. “You’ll ruin your hair and make-up.”
Sunny grinned at her. She knew the other woman had been close to tears.
“Are you ready to go out now?” Betsy asked. “It’s time.”
There was a knock on the door and Livvy poked her head in, looking slightly flustered. Sunny’s heart started racing in worry. What was going on?
“Hi, um, oh my gosh, Sunny! You look incredible.”
“Thanks. Everything all right?” she asked.
“Yes, there’s just a slight bunny situation.”
“Bunny situation?” Jewel asked.
“Yes. Sunny, maybe you could just stay up here for another five, no, ten minutes?”
Sunny’s lips twitched, relief filling her. Bunny emergencies she could handle. “Did Buster bring Cinnabun as his plus one?”
Livvy sighed. “I promise I will sort this. He said he didn’t bring her. Somehow, she escaped from her cage on her own. Ten minutes?”
“No problem. And if Cinnabun wants to attend the ceremony, that’s fine by me.”
“Thank you.” Livvy disappeared.
“Maybe we should go help,” Jewel said to Betsy. “I’ll go, you stay here with Sunny.”
“Why don’t both of you go?” Sunny suggested. “I wouldn’t mind having a few minutes to myself.”
“You’re sure?” Betsy asked. “Because I’m certain the twins will be able to find that rabbit.”
“I’m sure.”
“All right, we’ll come back when everything is sorted,” Jewel told her.
Sunny peeked through the closed curtain, grinning as she saw everyone racing around the backyard, obviously trying to find Cinnabun. Moving away from the window, she walked over to the full-length mirror.
This was it.
Her wedding day.
She twirled back and forth, the clear rhinestones sewn into the bodice of her pale pink gown glistened under the light, making her smile. She looked like a princess. The top part of the dress was tight and sparkly, while the bottom puffed out with miles of tulle.
Her hair was lightly curled and pulled back on one side with the most gorgeous vintage hair clip that Millie had lent her for the day.
She turned with a smile as the door opened again behind her. “Did they find Cinnabun . . .?” Her voice trailed off as she took in the older man walking into the room.
He looked nondescript, with mousy brown hair and mud-colored eyes. He was dressed in a cheap-looking shirt and pants.
She’d never seen him before.
And yet she knew exactly who he was.
“Fox.”
He held up a finger to his lips, a smile crossing his mouth as he took her in.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered. “It’s not safe for you. If one of the guys sees you . . .”
He snorted. “I’m not worried about that. They’re all busy chasing a rabbit around the gardens.”
“Did you let Cinnabun out?”
“What fun is a caged bunny? Poor thing was just begging to be liberated. If it’s smart, it won’t go far. Then again, rabbits aren’t known for their smarts, are they?”
“Fox,” she growled at him. “Everyone is upset with you. They think you betrayed Markovich.”
“And what do you think?” he asked.
“I . . . I think . . . I think that there’s stuff going on I don’t know about. And I think you never do anything by chance. Duke’s mad about you paying the balance on those invoices.”