The Mane Attraction Read Free Page A

better. And most women would be annoyed, wondering why their fathers didn’t see them as adults who could manage their own lives. That wasn’t her father, though. Sissy never felt like he thought less of her. He’d trusted her to handle most things when everyone else still treated her like a kid. So no matter where she went or how far away she was, she was Bubba Smith’s baby girl, and she always would be. It didn’t bother her because she didn’t doubt herself as a woman or a She-wolf. You couldn’t when you were Alpha. You couldn’t afford to.
    “I was real worried you’d stay over there in Asia, and then I didn’t know what I’d do without my baby girl.”
    Because God forbid the man would actually leave the country.
    “What’s outside of America that’s all that interesting?” he’d grumble. The fact he was taking an actual vacation starting tomorrow still amazed her. Her mother must have had to work some major Lewis Mojo to make that happen.
    “Do your old man a favor, Shug,” he said, taking her hand.
    “Anything, Daddy.”
    “Don’t get into it with your momma today. Promise me.”
    “But—”
    “Promise me, Sissy Mae.” Okay. He’d pulled out the full name. Not Shug or darlin’ girl or any of his other nicknames. So he was serious.
    To Sissy’s surprise—and especially to her brother’s surprise—this wedding meant a lot to Daddy, and she wouldn’t ruin it for him. She’d simply avoid the heifer. Hell, she’d been doing it since grade school, what was one more day?
    “I promise, Daddy.”
    He leaned in close and kissed her forehead. “That’s my Shug.”
     
     
    “Your tits will fall out.”
    Jess blinked big, brown dog eyes at him. “What are you talking about?” She looked down at the sleeveless ivory dress she had on. Her ceremony dress had cost a small fortune. This one, specifically for the reception, cost a lot less. Like a mini fortune.
    “I’ve seen you dance, Jess. Your tits are going to fall out.”
    Jess took a step back and stretched her arms out. “Nipple check.”
    The She-dogs surged forward and stared intently at the dress.
    “I see nothing,” Sabina stated as if her word was the only one that counted. Sabina was Russian, Jess’s second in command and the one whom the pack had been named after, and she had the sexiest accent Mitch had heard in a while. “You are wrong,” she told Mitch.
    “I’m not wrong.” He moved behind Jess, placing his hands on her sides. He lifted her up and shook her around for a few seconds. As he knew she would, Jess giggled like a six-year-old.
    When he put her back down on the ground, the wild dogs took another look.
    “Nipples, my friends,” May announced. Maylin was Mitch’s other favorite wild dog. Originally from somewhere in Alabama, she was cute, Asian, and thought he was “just a darlin’ sweetie!” Unfortunately both females were thoroughly mated. And they had a ton of kids each to prove it. What did one do with so many children? It’s not like you could put them to work in a factory to earn their pay—some considered that wrong.
    “We have nipples,” May finished.
    Mitch rested his chin on Jess’s shoulder and looked down. “How bad is it? I should examine the area closely. It’s all right, sweetie. I’m a cop.”
    Jess reached back and slapped at his face. “You’re disgusting,” she laughed.
    The dressmaker, who they had at the wedding for just such situations— who can afford that?— was summoned to the bride’s suite.
    Mitch sat in a chair and watched them add matching satin straps to her dress so that it would stay up. Still sleeveless but much safer.
    “Better?” Jess asked while she stood in front of him.
    He leaned up and put his face right against her breasts. “Give me a moment to investigate.”
    “Or,” a really angry voice snarled next to him, “I could tear your throat out now, and we can have a wedding and a funeral.”
    Without actually moving away, Mitch turned his head