Page 5 of Rejected By My Stepbrother Alpha
Quickly, I hid the empty champagne bottle and glass so my mom wouldn’t comment on it.
“Oh my Goddess, even her knock is intense,” Maeve whispered.
I let out a loud giggle but clapped my hand over my mouth, not wanting my mother to hear. When I stood up, I swayed a little.
“That second glass of champagne was a mistake,” I murmured to myself, then hurried to open the door.
My mother stood in the doorway, looking beautiful in a silver floor-length gown. Her reddish-brown hair was in aslicked-back bun. Everyone said that I was the spitting image of my mother, and now that we were both dressed up, I could see it even more.
“Let me see you,” my mom said without preamble.
She scanned my hair, then my face, and finally my dress.
“Good, you’re presentable,” she said coldly and looked past me. “Thank you, Maeve. Here’s your compensation.” My mother held out a white envelope that was probably filled with hundreds.
I flushed.
Maeve was my oldest friend. Now that my mom was married to a billionaire, she was treating her like she was just another one of her employees. Although my mom had never treated Maeve well, even when we didn’t have much money.
“Thank you, Mrs. Callahan, but that isn’t necessary. I wanted to do Ivy’s makeup because she’s my friend. And it's good to see you, too,” Maeve said and smirked.
I had to bite my cheek to keep myself from smiling. Maeve had managed to point out my mother’s rudeness in a way that wasn’t blatant.
My mom frowned but chose not to comment. She turned back to me.
“Ivy, I expect you to be outside the ballroom in twenty minutes. We will need to make an entrance as a family.”
Of course. Isn't it always about appearances when it comes to my mom?
I swallowed and smoothed my dress.
“Uh, right,” I said.
I had to make an entrance with Asher? Excitement and fear shot through me.
“For the love of the Moon Goddess, don’t say ‘uh’ in front of any of Russell’s business associates. You will embarrass our family,” my mom snapped.
“Sorry,” I murmured and looked down.
My mom was gone before I glanced back up.
Without a word, Maeve walked over and shut the door. She pulled me into a hug.
“Don’t listen to your mom. Everyone’s going to love you. You lookstunning, but most importantly, you’re charming, and everyone will see that. Even if you say ‘uh’ once or twice,” Maeve said, then gathered her things to leave.
“Thank you, Maeve. You’re the best.”
“I know,” she teased and winked.
Maeve left after another long hug, and I spent the next five minutes trying to psych myself up in the mirror. The champagne had helped a little bit, but I was still anxious to see Asher. It didn’t help that my stepbrother was staying in the hotel room next to mine. The gala was being held in this fancy hotel, and Russell had booked rooms for the whole family. My mom and he were staying in the room down the hall from us.
After another deep breath, I opened up my door, ready to face the night. But the two glasses of champagne caught up to me, and I tripped over my feet. I let out a little squeak as I fell. Protective arms wrapped around my waist, and right before the back of my head hit the ground, the person who caught me pulled me up against their body until my breasts were pressed against their muscular chest.
I looked into the eyes of the person who had saved me, but my thank you got stuck in my throat. These were the same eyes that I saw in my wildest fantasies. This was the man whom I couldn't stop thinking about.
My stepbrother, Asher Callahan.
As I stared into his gorgeous hazel eyes, my mind, body, and soul sang with the need to never leave the safety of his arms.
