Bastard's Bride (Loftry University Playthings 4)

I wakeat five like normal, but I’m far too excited, too tense, too nervous. Since I’ve never fucked a virgin before, I’ve never had to worry about anything. Most girls were just grateful that I tended to fingerbang them first, thus making them orgasm before I took my pleasure. But this situation is new in so many ways. For the first time, I feel like there’s something riding on this, some nameless pressure that forces me to perform.

I know I’m good, but will I meet and exceed her desires? With the others, I didn’t really care. I used the accolades and moans as a way to boost my ego, to give me the pat on the back I didn’t get anywhere else. But with Shelaine, I want more than just good. I want to be great, excellent, and mind-blowing. Many people say the first time sucks, and I don’t want that for her. I want to be her sexual god, the one she looks to for any and all pleasure.

If the oral I gave her last night was any indication, she’s primed and ready, nearly salivating for tonight, but there’s still so much to do. Granted, to my understanding, the space will already be prepped and ready to go. All they need is for us to show up.

Still, even though they’ll provide her with a leather band showing that she’s mine, I want something else, something more fitting for the angel that’s about to bind herself to the devil.

Slipping on my shoes, I start my morning run, but this time, I head in the opposite direction of the campus. I only have vague memories of getting to the small castle locked away in the maze, but I think I can remember just enough to get me there.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of a medium-paced run, I see the bits of shrubbery that are used for the maze portion. That part is going to be the hardest for me to remember. I was too angry, too amped up to really retain how to navigate it.

God. Was it really only a week ago that I was initiated? It feels like an eternity has passed between now and then. Slowing down for a walk, I try to remember where the easy entrance is. If I recall, it was just a straight walk once they found the right path.

I try my luck with the first path, muttering under my breath to keep from getting lost. This one isn’t it. Backtracking, I go to the next and then the next until I finally find the right one.

All it takes is one move to the left and a turn to the right. From there, the path is clear, leading me straight to the large doors. Jogging up to the steps, I tug on the enormous handle and walk in.

It feels so different now that I’m entering as a Dominant instead of an initiate. Everything feels so much warmer somehow. Heading to the other set of double doors, I walk inside, half expecting to see some other hapless chap up on the dais. But it’s not even there.

In the middle, where it should have been, is a bed. The linens are a bright white, a stark contrast to all the dark woods and reds. Walking over, I glide my fingers over the metal bed posts and slats, tugging on them for a moment to test how strong they are. They don’t even budge.

“Getting a lay of the land?”

My heart climbs into my throat as my fingers drift down to where my knife is lodged in my pocket. Turning, I let myself relax just a little as I spy Dean Anderson making his way toward me.

“Just seeing how everything was going to be set up.”

“Well. This is it. Is there anything else you’ll require? Normally, it’s just a fuck on the bed in front of everyone. Most of the time, it seems like a punishment is in order beforehand, but I can’t see Shelaine needing it.”

He pauses and turns to me, his eyes moving up and down as if assessing me. “I don’t know what hold you have over her, but I care very much about her. She hasn’t had the easiest life. If it were any other Dominant -.”

“But it’s not,” I cut him off, enraged at his line of thinking. “You’re stuck with me. The other Dominants had their chance but refused to see what a paragon she was. And so now, she’s mine.”

“You do have a point. I’ve often wondered why no one ever approached her. But then, I was probably to blame for that. I found her wandering around Florida while I was away on business. She was terrified, beside herself, so of course, I took her in.”

His eyes turn a little misty as he looks off in the distance. Both of them have made it clear that their relationship wasn’t sexual, but I still don’t like the fondness he shows for Shelaine whenever her name comes up.

“Yes. And from what I can see, you did an admirable job with her. But now, it’s my turn.”

Once more, he pins me with a studious glare. “Don’t think I don’t know who you are, Luke Lannister. I have enough contacts in Florida, more specifically, Ashen Springs, to know more than I probably want to know. Once you claim her, she’s yours, but if she feels threatened in any way, she has full authority to have me break it. And I will. In a heartbeat.”

“You know nothing,” I spit out, anger coiling in my gut like a water moccasin about to strike.

“Then prove me wrong. Prove all of us wrong. You take care of Shelaine. She’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a daughter, and I protect my own.”

Part of me should be grateful. With someone like the dean looking after her, Shelaine has been kept safe, treasured, but like some twisted wedding ceremony, we’re at the part where the minister asks who gives her away. Hopefully, when that time comes tonight, he’ll let her go.

“Shelaine is mine. Nothing any of you do or say will change that.”

A heavy sigh leaves his lips as he claps his hand on my shoulder. “In that case. Is everything set for how you like it?”

A smile curves my lips as I take note of the various implements. “Not quite. I’ll need a basin for water and a straight razor. I’ll take care of the rest.”