Cinderella's Guardian

by Khloe Wren

  Wife to Conner White.

  She turned to watch her husband as the entrees were served. She'd selected the menu with great care and now waited for her husband's reaction. He looked down then straight over to her.

  "Is this quail?"

  Tina picked up the menu and read the description, "Rannoch Farm quail half, pistachio nut and veal farce, wrapped with mild pancetta and served with nashi pear chutney. Why? I thought cats liked to eat small birds."

  Just like she wanted, Conner roared out a laugh and moved to kiss her. "I love your sense of humor, baby doll. Although, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to see what's coming for main course."

  "Personally I can't wait."

  They continued their lighthearted banter as they ate their meal. Once she was finished, she cast a look over all their guests. She nudged Conner when she saw Remi feed her mum from his fork.

  "Oh, that is too adorable."

  "It is pretty sweet. You weren't around when Remi first came here. He'd been searching for Adele for over twenty years. He was a shell of a man, but within days of finding his long lost daughter, he'd packed up and moved from France to here. He began to live life again as he got to know Adele and Kelly but your mum has been the one to truly make him smile. Huh, looks like your dad is getting lucky in love too. Must be something in the air."

  He turned to nuzzle her neck as she glanced over to where her dad sat with his arm draped around Jennifer's shoulders as they both ate and chatted to each other with a soft look in their eyes.

  "I've been wondering about something."

  "It seems I've managed to keep you wondering about a few things tonight."

  Tina felt rather proud of herself. She'd managed to keep so many things a surprise for her new husband.

  "Indeed you have. And I'm really looking forward to finding out each and every one. But this second, it's the name holders that have me puzzled. Why a glass slipper?"

  "You do recall the whole Cinderella thing don't you?"

  Conner briefly closed his eyes as he shook his head with a chuckle. "Yeah, I remember. So, tonight, am I your prince charming or your knight in shining armor?"

  "Well, it is our wedding. I certainly hope you don't need to do any rescuing here. So you're wholly my prince charming tonight."

  Dominic suddenly rose to his feet, tapping his glass to get everyone's attention.

  "I do believe it's that time of the evening for me to say my bit. And I can't listen to them get mushy with each other any longer. So best man speech it is!"

  Everybody had a good chuckle as Dominic no doubt planned before he continued on with his speech.

  "Let me begin by saying just how stunning Tina looks tonight. To see her walk down that aisle was amazing. Some of you might not realize that before today Tina's been in a wheelchair recovering from a badly injured leg. She's been rather sneaky, and I'm not ashamed to admit, I helped in her attempts to pull the wool over my little brother's eyes. You see, Tina's been walking with sticks for a while now. But she wanted to keep it as a wedding surprise for Conner. A special gift from her to him on this special day."

  "You were in on it too? How many people did you recruit, baby doll?"

  "As many as I needed. I wanted to see your face as I walked down the aisle to you. It was worth every moment."

  Conner held her gaze with his as Dominic continued with his speech. Conner didn't say a word but the look in his eyes said it all. She could see he was filled with love for her. She'd never tire from seeing that look.

  The sound of everyone applauding snapped them from their intimate moment and she blushed at having missed Dominic's speech. She was sure he'd tease her about it later.

  "Well, c'mon, get out on the dance floor. First dance time."

  Tina squealed in surprise as Conner scooped her up out of her chair and headed to the dance floor to the sound of laughter and applause. He slid her down his body as the first notes of Savage Garden's 'I knew I loved you' came over the speakers. Holding her close to him, he held her weight so they easily glided around the floor as the lyrics rolled out through the room.

  "Hmm, so you 'dreamed me into life' did you?"

  Conner whispered close to her ear and she felt warmth spread throughout her body.

  "I thought the lyrics were perfect for us."

  "They certainly are. I definitely loved you before I met you."

  Tina sung a couple lines quietly so only Conner could hear her.

  "A thousand angels dance around you, I am complete now that I've found you."

  She saw the gleam of tears in his eyes as she blinked back her own. He was so beautiful. She put a palm to his face and caressed his cheek. "I love you, my husband."

  His smile was both breathtaking and heart breaking as he lifted her up in the air and kissed her. "And I love you, my wife."

  The song finished and Dominic's voice announced the father daughter dance. Her dad swaggered up to her and spoke in a voice rough with emotion, "may I have this dance?"

  The first notes of 'I loved her first' by Heartland came on as her Dad took her hand and pulled her into his arms. He'd asked for this song. Aside from the beautiful pearls she wore, it had been his only request so naturally she'd given it to him. Now as the lyrics played through her mind she couldn't stop the tears that flowed. Just as she'd done with Conner, her father leaned close to her ear and softly sung a few lines, "and a place in my heart will always be hers, from the first breath she breathed."

  Tina enjoyed holding her father close as they twirled around the dance floor for the rest of the country song. Memories of good times she'd had as a child with her dad flooded her mind. Him pushing her on the swing in their backyard, the same swing Conner had sat on with her. Taking her swimming at the beach in the summer, and the way he'd played in the surf with her, making sure she laughed for the best part of the day. Then newer memories surged forward, him rushing into her Sydney hospital room, panic written clearly in his features. He'd crumpled beside her bed as he clutched her hand to his mouth. He'd been heartbroken for her. His love for her obvious, even though they hadn't seen each other for so long. She tightened her arms around him as the song ended.

  "Thank you, Dad. For everything, but mostly, for always loving me."

  "Oh, sweet pea, keep that up and you'll have me in tears. You'll always be my girl, and I'll always love you. Now, your man's looking edgy, and you'd best reassure him you're crying happy tears."

  Carefully wiping her eyes with a tissue her dad pressed into her hand, Tina allowed her dad to help her walk over to Conner. Tucked into her husband's warm hard body, they danced away until Dominic announced it was time for dinner to be served. Connor again swept her off her feet and carried her to their seats.

  "You realize I can walk now?"

  "And do you realize I will always want to carry you?"

  As they reached their table, plates were set down before their seats. Tina felt the laugh begin in Conner's tummy before it rumbled up his throat and he threw his head back as the sound escaped his mouth.

  "Whole baked trout? Let me guess, because all cats like fish?"

  "That may have had something to do with it."

  She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment as she realized everyone was watching them. She looked out over all their guests. It was easy to pick who knew about the shifters. Those who didn't were looking confused while everyone else had a knowing smile.

  "I'm not sure I want to know what you have planned for dessert, sweetheart."

  She chuckled as he lowered her into her seat. "Well, I couldn't think of anything dessert wise so we just have chocolate soufflé—but it is going to be served with cream."

  "Well, you do know how much this cat likes his cream."

  Conner had whispered directly in her ear and heat settled between her thighs. Oh yeah, she knew… Conner took a sharp intake of breath, before groaning. She smiled as she knew he could smell her arousal.

  "Some days having a really good sense of smell can be
a curse. How long until we can leave?"

  ~ * ~

  Conner looked down at his mate and wife. Tina had her arms around his neck as she laughed. He held her against his bare chest. She looked resplendent in her emerald green bikini. He'd searched online for hours to find one that looked just like the one she'd worn in their first dream.

  "I should have known we'd end up at Bondi Beach for our honeymoon, especially after you gave me my bikini this morning."

  "You're not the only one full of surprises, baby doll."

  Conner thought back to their wedding night. He'd watched as she unzipped her dress and allowed it to fall free from her body. He just about swallowed his tongue when he saw what was revealed. White stockings held up by a lacy garter belt covered her legs. A stunning white corset wrapped her torso and pushed up her breasts. Unable to resist, he'd pulled her to him, intent on getting her naked but she'd had different ideas. With a seductive smile she shook her head and moved to undo his pants. After pushing them over his hips, she pressed his shoulders until he sat on the edge of the bed. Naked from the waist down to his ankles, where his pants remained bunched above his shoes. He'd watched in awe as she gracefully lowered herself to kneel between his thighs. She'd then held his gaze as she lowered until the head of his steel hard erection was surrounded by the soft wet heat of her mouth. The things she'd done with her tongue had driven him to the edge of sanity. Feeling himself stiffen and lengthen at the memories, he pulled himself free and focused on Tina. She now had a red hue to her cheeks, as if she had been remembering the same thing.

  Recalling the reason he'd brought her here; that first dream they'd shared. He gave her a sly smile before he ran for the water. She squealed and clung tighter as they plunged into the cool ocean. It was mid afternoon on the twenty-sixth of December and the cool water was a welcome treat on the hot Australian summer day. He refused to release her until he was in deeper water. When he was waist deep, he halted and lowered her to her feet. Returning his sly smile, she stepped away from him. Laughing loudly, she fell back sinking below the surface. Diverting from the dream, he dived in next to her and came up with her back in his arms. He wasn't sure she'd be able to push herself up like she'd done in the dream. He spun her around before lowering his mouth to hers. "I believe I promised I'd never stop doing this."

  The water was crowded so Conner moved to the shore and headed toward the lifeguard tower. He had a plan. He found a spot at the rear of the tower and lowered to the sand with her still in his grip.

  "You remember."

  "Yeah, I remember everything about our dreams, baby doll."

  Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry. So sorry I didn't believe you."

  "It's okay, Tina. You were dealing with so much and I threw in snow leopard shifters and dreams that are real—no wonder you didn't believe it all. That's not why we're here. I brought you to this spot to focus on what we have now. To close the door on all that pain and to move forward with me and our baby." He put a palm over her tummy. There was a slight bump there now, a tangible sign of the life growing within.

  Tina took his face in her palms, bringing his gaze to hers. "I already shut that door, Conner. Mating with you, finding out about our baby then getting married—that door is welded shut. It's not ever opening again. My depression is completely gone now. But I will keep seeing Jennifer for a while, professionally, to make sure I stay well with the pregnancy hormones. Although, I suspect I'll be seeing her personally for a very long time."

  Conner chuckled. "Yeah, I think you might be right there. Jennifer and Dale look rather settled with each other."

  "And Mum and Remi equally so."

  "Yep."

  He allowed her to pull him down to her parted lips where he delved in to taste his wife and mate. He shuddered as her scent intensified with her arousal. After devouring her mouth, he moved to feather kisses down her throat. She moaned in response before whispering the plea he'd been waiting for.

  "I really think we should head back to the hotel."

  Scooping her back up in his arms, he strode off toward their hotel as fast as he could without giving away he wasn't fully human. "I couldn't agree more, baby doll."

  The End

  Acknowledgments

  I can’t thank my wonderful husband enough. He not only puts up with me hanging out with all my imaginary friends but helped me proof read and research this one too. My two beautiful girls who keep me grounded and remind me to have fun. My parents who love and accept me even with all my quirks, no matter how bizarre they get.

  My author friends, Imogene Nix, Tamsin Baker, Angela Castle and Danielle Sevenwaters, who critique my words and support my craziness.

  The ladies and men of Erotic Writers Australia. I couldn’t have finished this book without Maggie’s nursing knowledge or Kate’s Buddhist expertise. The support you all give me, and hopefully I return to you, is so special to me.

  Very grateful to Eden Summers, Danielle Sevenwaters, Sam Pope and my dad for help with the firefighting aspects.

  And finally, a massive thank you to the team at Rogue Phoenix Press. You guys are great and make this road to publishing enjoyable.

  Xo

  Khloe

  Also by Khloe Wren

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  Her Guardian Angel

  The last thing Snow Leopard Shifter Dominic expects to find at an accident scene is his mate, the beautiful Adele. But after four years of dreaming of her, there she is, right in front of him. However, winning the heart of his lonely, grieving mate is no simple task. Just as their relationship begins to heat up, a gravely injured child, Kelly, stumbles into their lives after escaping and fleeing her abuser. Will Dominic and Adele's bond grow stronger as they nurture and protect Kelly? Will their relationship be able to survive all that fate plans on throwing their way?

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