Page 43 of Her Stepbrother Master
Indeed, his mother stood there, twisting her fingers, a sheen of tears glistening in her eyes. She threw her arms around him as if they’d been estranged for years and not a week.
LuAnn released his hand and he turned to see her offering a kiss to her father, who looked awkward, but not angry, this time.
Her father cleared his throat, but no words emerged from his mouth.
Instead, it was Brian who spoke. “Sally made a cake. Would you all like to come over to my place to celebrate?”
Actually, he’d rather carry his wife home and show her all the ways she belonged to him, but he flashed a smile. “We would love to. Thank you, Sally, that was so thoughtful of you.”
Sally beamed and he wondered how long it would be before he and LuAnn attended her wedding to Brian. He turned an inquisitive look on their parents, who agreed to meet them there as well. As they walked to the car, his stepfather pulled him aside.
“I wanted to apologize, Brad. The news of your relationship with LuAnn came as a shock, but upon reflection, I don’t think you two are unsuited.” He spoke stiffly, as if he’d rehearsed the words.
He handed him an envelope. “I know you’ve always been too proud to accept my help, but I hope you will take this wedding gift,” he said. “I want you two to buy a house with it, and a car. I don’t want you driving LuAnn around on that?—”
“I sold the Ducati,” he cut in. He forced himself to take a breath and accept the overture. “I appreciate the gift. I’d like to design a custom house for LuAnn, and I didn’t know how I’d be able to with starting my own firm.”
“Your own firm?” He braced himself for criticism, but instead, his stepfather smiled and visibly relaxed. “Well, that sounds wonderful.” He stopped and shook Brad’s hand. “Will you let me know if I can help?”
“Of course, sir,”
“And you’ll take good care of her?”
He smiled. “I will take her happiness and care as the most important duty in my life.” He shook hands with his stepfather and returned to LuAnn.
He wrapped an arm around his beautiful bride, pulling her against his side and kissing the top of her head. “Are you ready for some cake, Mrs. Stanford?”
She beamed up at him, love shining in her eyes. “Say it again.”
“Mrs. Stanford.”
“Yes. Again.”
He wrapped her up in both arms. “I love you, Mrs. Stanford.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
* * *
LuAnn couldn’t believe she had actually followed Brad’s orders as she stood cooking over the stove in their new rental house in nothing but an apron, garters and stockings, and stiletto heels. If one of their new neighbors happened to come to the door to borrow a cup of sugar, she would have to hide under the bed and pretend no one was home. And pray they hadn’t seen her through the windows.
Still, the naughtiness of it all had her heart fluttering about in her chest.
Her husband had an utterly filthy, wicked mind and she adored him for it. Becoming Mrs. Brad Stanford was more than a dream come true. Every day had become a discovery—of her own true nature, of passion, of exploring her inner child, and of course, of submission to her very dominant husband.
His new business had steady enough work that she could stay at home as his housewife, a job she simply adored. Brad had designed a house just for her and was having it built with the money her father had given them. He said she could decorate it any way she pleased.
She heard the door click open and purposely did not turn from the stove, since the best view of her outfit was from behind.
Brad gave a soft groan. “Oh, Lulu, you’re killing me.”
She twisted to smile over her shoulder with her best innocent look. She lifted one high heel in the air. “Whatever do you mean? I’m just preparing your dinner, Daddy.”
He walked up behind her and grasped her naked buttocks, his fingers sinking into her flesh with a possessive firmness. “You look good enough to eat.”
“Hmm,” she said smugly. “Yes, that was sort of the idea.”
