The Mating Game (14 page)

“Damn. Why couldn’t I have worn my jeans, Mar? I’d be so much more comfortable in them.”

“Bridesmaids
don’t
wear jeans.”

Chloe grumbled under her breath and pushed the napkin into the cup of her bra.

“If I ever get married, which I never will, remind me of how uncomfortable these damn shoes are and how much I hate dresses. I promise
you
can wear jeans to my wedding.”

Mary laughed, forgetting for a moment how nauseous she felt. Surely the time for bridal jitters was over? When would her stomach settle down?

“Mar? Are you okay? You look like you’re about to puke.”

Mary vaguely felt Chloe place a worried hand to her forehead. “Mar? You okay?”

Swallowing down the nausea, she nodded.

“What is it? You can’t possibly be having doubts?”

“No. I’m not, it’s just my stomach.”

Chloe crunched her head in thought. “Hey, when was your last period?”

Mary blinked. The dots in her mind connected, and she felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders. Strange how Chloe was often one of the most perceptive people she knew. How could she have
not
worked something so simple out?

“Oh, man. He’s going to flip. We’ve been trying for months now.”

Matthew cleared his throat, obviously not wanting to butt in, but taking his duties rather seriously. He had become far more mature in the short time working for the Rutledges’. Both Mary and Chloe were happy but surprised at the changes in their little relative.

“Much as this is amusing and exciting, I really should point out Dominic is probably pacing a hole in the floor in there. Chloe, set up her skirts, or whatever it is you should do. Let’s get moving.”

Mary felt so relieved she was in a daze. As if floating on clouds, she completely ignored her slight nausea and followed her cousin into the foyer of the small chapel. Happily holding Matthew’s arm, she smiled as the theme to
St. Elmo’s Fire
started and with an enthusiastic wink and thumbs-up, Chloe began to tread down the aisle in front.

Mary tried not to snicker at the ginger way Chloe placed one foot solidly in front of the other. Except for her senior prom, she had never worn heels before, and even then she had removed her shoes on the dance floor.

Mary had warned her to practice in the new shoes, but if the waver in her ankles and tender way she placed each foot in front of the other, she’d bet money on her cousin not practicing at all.

Then again, Chloe had ducked out of all but two of her supposed “fittings”, insisting only the bride needed to be in the form-fitting dress. It had taken bribes, threats, and finally tearful pleadings to get Chloe to fall in line. Even if the tears had been fake, Mary was glad they had worked. Chloe looked fantastic.

There were only a handful of guests, whom she smiled at as she began to walk down the aisle with Matthew carefully counting the beats of the music under his breath.

Zachariah was seated between Christiana and Edward—both waving merrily and throwing rose petals already. Mary grinned at a few of her work buddies and extended family members she recognized.

The flowers decorating the pews were wild and gorgeous, Mary felt glad she had left the wildlife parts to Dom. The sun shone through the small stained glass windows, and made the whole setting surreal and perfect.

Mary frowned slightly when she noticed Chloe had paused in her progression down the aisle. She only halted a moment, and then jerkily moved forward to her place near the priest. Mary looked around, wondering what had upset her cousin.

Dominic stood right there, beaming his pride and love. Only the electric feelings emanating from Chloe made Mary continue to look. Samuel stood next to Dominic, standing up for him as Chloe stood up for her.

For just a moment, Mary wondered…then cast aside all thoughts of her cousin. Chloe could wait a day or two.

She smiled as Matthew placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, and handed her proudly over to Dominic. He bent over, and only because she stood so close to them, she overheard her young cousin whisper, “
Now
she’s your problem—one down, one to go!” to her soon-to-be-husband.

Dominic grinned wickedly and winked.

Mary clutched her True Mate’s hands—his words, not hers, but the label strangely seemed to suit them. As the priest spoke the words to unite them forever, she stared into eyes as deep and blue as the ocean. She could feel his pulse burning though his wrist, feel the simmering lust and energy inside his body, waiting to spring free and consume her.

She knew her eyes twinkled with the secret knowledge she held inside her. Dominic had insisted on having a large family. They were still cajoling and bribing each other on exactly how many children they wanted. Mary wanted three; Dominic insisted on eight.

With number one safely tucked away inside her, she was sure they could reach some mutually satisfying arrangement.

Mary looked into the eyes she would always come home to. She couldn’t wait to get back to their cabin. She had a feeling this would be one night neither she nor Dominic would ever forget.

About the author:

Elizabeth Lapthorne is the eldest of four children. She grew up with lots of noise, fights and tale-telling. Her mother, a reporter and book reviewer, instilled in her a great appreciation of reading with the intrigues of a good plot.

Elizabeth studied Science at school, and whilst between jobs complained bitterly to a good friend about the lack of current literature to pass away the hours. While they both were looking up websites for new publishers, she stumbled onto Ellora’s Cave. Jumping head-first into this doubly new site (both the first e-book site she had ever visited, as well as her first taste of Romantica) they both devoured over half of EC’s titles in less than a month. While waiting for more titles to be published (as well as that ever-elusive science job) Elizabeth started dabbling again in her writing.

Elizabeth has always loved to read, it will always be her favorite pass-time, (she is constantly buying new books and bookshelves to fill), but she also loves going to the beach, sitting in the sun, having coffee (or better yet, CHOCOLATE and coffee) with her friends and generally enjoying life. She is extremely curious, which is why she studied science, and often tells “interesting” stories, loving a good laugh. She is a self-confessed email junkie, loving to read what other people on the EC board think and have to say, she laughs often at their tales and ideas. She recently has developed a taste for the gym. She’s sure she read somewhere it was good for her, but she is reserving judgment to see how long it lasts.

Elizabeth welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1337 Commerce Drive, #13, Stow, Ohio 44224.

Also by Elizabeth Lapthorne:

Lion In Love

Payback

Rutledge Werewolves 1: Scent of Passion

Rutledge Werewolves 2: Hide and Seek

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

www.ellorascave.com