The Mate Mistake(The Woolven Secret 3)(27)

"Why not?" Randi asked. "I really prefer the idea of them exploding."

"Yes, because we want random self-immolation caught on camera at your wedding. That's supposed to be a fairy tale happy ever after." She quirked a brow.

Belle said, "Well, in the real versions of fairy tales, not those watered down kid's stories, bad things happen to bad people."

"Not helping," Eleanor answered.

Belle sighed. "You're right. I just like to be contrary."

"You're going to fit in so well here." Eleanor put an arm around her shoulder. "Okay, one last check." She eyed them both up and down. "You both look perfect. Are you ready?"

"No, it's dumb. But I think I'm going to cry again," Belle sniffed.

Both women hugged her and that made it worse.

"Well, we can't have that. A bloody-eyed Woolven bride." She snapped her fingers. "There. All fixed. It'll wear off in about six hours though. You should be in private with the family by then."

"That's convenient. I like this magic thing."

"I can teach you this. In fact, I already should have." Westwood shook her head. "I'm getting old and falling down on the job."

Randi snorted. "As if."

"Now, I think we're ready," Eleanor said.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door and a brick dropped in Belle's gut. This was a done deal, she was just playing the part they'd asked of her. She and Parker were technically already married.

This was just a dog and pony show for his company and her protection.

But when Eleanor Westwood opened the door and Randi's father stood there in his tuxedo, looking every bit the proud Papa, she knew it meant more to her than that. More to her than she should let it.

Something bright shone in David's eyes and the smile he had for Randi encompassed so much. She could see the emotions play on his face. The pride. The love. The joy. The sorrow that his little girl wasn't his anymore. A woman grown. Or maybe that was all in her imagination?

Randi took his arm. "I love you, Dad."

"I am so proud of the woman you've become." He kissed her cheek. "I love you more than I can say."

"You say it all the time, Dad. With everything you do." She leaned her head on his shoulder.

David held out his hand for Belle. "Coming?"

She took his other arm and with a shaking hand. "I suppose I should."

"Too late for cold feet now, you're already married," Randi teased.

She walked in a fugue toward the long, red carpet that led to Parker.

He was such a beautiful creature, she thought with a sigh. Every time she looked at him, it made her think of the sun. Of warmth. Of beautiful things that didn't have to end.

The expression on his hard sculpted face was intense, but when he saw her, he smiled. Again, like the sun, he made her insides melt and she felt warm all over. That perfect bright smile was just for her. How had that happened?

She gave him a shy smile in return, careful not to show any fang.

He watched her, and only her, on the entirety of her descent down the red-carpeted aisle. For a moment, it was as if it was only the two of them in the room. There was no press hounding them, no business associates, not even David beside her, was real. They were all ethereal and fey, the only thing solid, the only thing real, was Parker Woolven waiting for her at the end of the gauntlet in all of his golden, shining glory.

She realized they did make a beautiful couple. She'd chosen a blue Cinderella reproduction, mostly because the image consultant said it would market well, as Parker was in costume as well--Prince Charming.

Randi and Blake had chosen Sleeping Beauty, and Randi's dress was a glorious shade of pink that instead of clashing with her fiery hair, made her look all the more beautiful.

Yeah, this was a fairy tale.

Up to and including the evil waiting to strike.

But the voice that warned her of such things was faded and seemed so far away, because Parker was waiting for her.

Golden Parker, with his heart on his sleeve and the intensity in his eyes. He was a Werewolf Ken doll, and it was just her luck she was no Barbie.





Chapter 9





Parker hadn't expected to feel this wedding.

He hadn't expected it to all be so real. Logically, in the back of his mind, he knew it was all a farce. That didn't stop his chest from swelling at the sight of her in that dress. Or his heart from racing while she walked down the aisle toward him.

He kept thinking about his mark on her inner thigh. He wanted to know if it was still there. Needed it to be.

She moved toward him, a dream.

Belle seemed to be as caught up in the moment as he was. The contrast of the pale blue dress against her dusky skin made her seem to almost glow. Or maybe that was just her.