Claiming His Bride

“Thank you,” I say before she leaves the bedroom where we set up for the day. Mikael didn’t want people coming and going from our bedroom. I agreed. There have been a handful of people that have been here helping me get ready.

I’m not sure I’ll need her to come out to the house again. I think this was only because of the wedding. Mikael had given me a credit card but he’d asked that I stay on the property until after the wedding. I think it's because of Edward. Mikael wants to make sure I remain safe until after the wedding. Once I’m married, there is no point in Edward coming after me.

“You look stunning,” Ruby says, entering the bedroom. “It’s about that time.”

“Really?” I suddenly grow nervous. I’m getting married.

“Yep, I thought you might need help with the dress.”

“I do.” Two women had come yesterday with a million dresses for me to try on. The plan had been for me to pick one and they would do any last-minute alterations to it. However, the dress that I ended up picking fit me like it was made for me. Both ladies were so surprised. I hadn’t been.

When it comes to Mikael, fate and I suppose destiny has stepped in. I was sure that heroes and love at first sight were things that only existed inside the romance books that I love to read so much. My dad had told me that he’d known the second he’d seen my mom that she’d be his wife. The woman who would give him a child. That might be why Mikael reminds me of my father a bit. The way he speaks of us getting married makes me think that he might have those same feelings.

“Then let’s get you dressed. I think Mikael’s patience is quickly fading.”

“Why? Is something wrong?” Is she saying that if I don’t hurry, he might change his mind? Last night, he was a bit different.

After the pleasure he’d given me, I thought that maybe we might do something again when we went to bed. I’d never actually felt him come to bed, though. It was the first time since I arrived. This morning he’d been sweet, bringing me breakfast, but again, the kiss he gave me before he left so the lady doing my nails could get started was quick.

“I just—”

“You think he doesn’t want to marry me now? When he kissed me this morning, it was different.”

“Aurora.” Ruby’s voice is soft, and I know she is about to try to calm me down.

“I can’t.” I turn, bolting toward the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

My stepmother’s words from over the years start to flood my thoughts. Why would someone ever want to marry me? I have nothing going for me. I’d be a burden. That’s what I always am.

I spin around toward the door when the lock pops before it swings open. Mikael stands there in his black suit, looking as handsome as could be. He steps into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. His expression is hard to read, but I think he’s mad.

“You don’t want to marry me?” He clears the rest of the space between us. His hands come down on the counter, caging me in between them.

“I didn’t say that.” He lets out a low breath and seems to relax.

“Ruby said you mentioned our kiss this morning.” Heat rushes to my face. I hate that I blush over talking about a kiss. It’s silly. “Aurora.” Mikael grips my chin to tilt my head back to look up at him.

“You didn’t come to bed last night,” I say. “Then you kissed me so quickly like you wanted to get away from me.”

“You’re right.” My stomach drops. He releases his hold on my chin to pull on the tie of my robe, making it fall open. He gets a glimpse at the panties and bra I’d taken my time picking out yesterday. I know he’d said he would wait if I wasn’t ready for the next step after our wedding, but I want a real marriage. “I didn’t trust myself to be in bed with you last night. Nor did I this morning.”

“What do you mean?” I stare up at him, confused.

“So innocent.” His hand slips inside the robe, going to my hip. “Did you pick this out for me?”

“Yes, I don’t want to wait. I know you said you would, but I don’t want you to.” He grips my hip, his fingers digging in.

“If I would have gotten into that bed with you, there is no way I would have been able to control myself. I would have had you.” His words wash away my worry and doubt.

“I wouldn’t have said no.” He groans as he takes my mouth in a deep, hard kiss. My feet leave the ground, and he sits me on the counter. He steps in closer, causing my legs to spread to make room for him. He rips his mouth from mine, the sounds of our heavy breathing filling the room.