Текст книги "Love Dies Hard"

Автор книги: C. C. Cartwright

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Chapter 7

 

Marcus

Tonight we hit the club where Belgravia Underground is playing.

We head backstage afterwards and hang with Richie and the boys in the band for a while then go to check on Sophie. We find her talking with Julia and some of her friends.

Introductions are made. One of Julia’s friends named Vanessa is a very attractive blonde. She is totally my man Christopher’s type. Let’s see if I’m right.

“Hey beautiful,” I say, approaching Sophie.

“Hi Marcus,” she says, giving me a kiss on the lips as I wrap my arms around her.

“Fifty bucks says Christopher will like this girl Vanessa,” I whisper in Sophie’s ear. “She looks his type don’t you think?”

“Oh my God, I was thinking the same thing. Like minds think alike,” my girl says as we laugh.

Sure enough, Christopher sidles up next to her and is turning on his charm. She seems to be enjoying the attention as she smiles and laughs at his jokes. That’s always a good sign.

“I would like to see him end it with that Cassie Long, she’s bad news,” I tell Sophie.

“You know how I loathe her. She’s not right for him, she’s a gold digger,” Sophie says in her direct way.

I know she hated the way Cassie would come onto me and try to belittle our relationship. Can’t say I blame Sophie for disliking the girl. It’s getting late and we decide to call it a night. But not before we see Christopher getting Vanessa’s phone number.

“So, did you score a number?”

“Of course I did, the girl is gorgeous. I want to take her out tomorrow night. Any suggestions where I should take her?”

“Let me think about it,” Sophie says with a twinkle in her eye. She will make sure it’s someplace romantic. “I know, dinner at a Gordon Ramsey restaurant and then take her to the London Eye at night, it’s so beautiful and romantic to see London lit up at night,” Sophie gushes adorably.

“Do you want to go solo or double?” I ask Christopher.

“Maybe solo.”

“Alright, suit yourself. She seemed really nice. English girls are sweeter that American girls,” Sophie says. I have to agree with her, but I don’t dare say a single word.

Chapter 8

 

Sophie

Marcus is in the wedding of a good friend of his from college, Kyle Townsend, from Harvard. The wedding is in Hawaii next weekend.

I have mixed emotions about going to Hawaii with Marcus. Guilt clouds my mind, that’s where John proposed to me. I think about John now and then and wonder how he is doing. I know I broke his heart; it’s not something I’m proud of. It plagues me on my bad days, whenever I am filled with self-doubt about Marcus and I making it for the long haul.

We will be visiting the Island of Oahu, the wedding will be at the Kahala Resort and it’s where we are staying.

This evening we are gathering for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. It’s a gorgeous setting. The ceremony will be right on the water. I feel the cool breeze on my face and watch the breath-taking sunset.

There’s a girl in the wedding party, and I don’t like the way she looks at him. A girl from his days at Harvard, no doubt. They’ve probably slept together, judging by the way she looks at him. She came hoping to rekindle whatever they once had would be my guess from my over active imagination. I can become such the jealous lover now days. I always imagine other women are eyeing my Marcus. Unfortunately, it’s more than just my imagination, it’s usually true.

Of all things, this girl is his partner down the aisle, lovely. She looks thrilled to be on his arm, it bother’s me to no end.

After the rehearsal, the wedding party and out of town guest head into the restaurant in the hotel for dinner. As we are getting seated Marcus introduces us.

“Krista, this is my fiancée, Sophie Shawn,” Marcus says by way of introduction.

“Unbelievable. I never thought I would see the day when Marcus Hunter settles down,” she says with laughter in her eyes.

“No one was more surprised than I when he proposed,” I say right back at her. Her comment irritates be beyond belief, but I try and play it off. I refuse to let this girl, mock me or mock us.

Marcus wraps his arm around me. He can tell I’m getting heated as I give her an icy smile. She has the nerve to eye me from head to toe and then lets out a small awkward laugh.

“Yes, well, lets take our seats, shall we?” Marcus says, trying to ease the tension and moves me towards the other end of the long table. He doesn’t want us sitting near Krista. “Easy girl,” he whispers into my ear.

Dinner was delicious and we sat near the bride and groom and ended up having a good time, in spite of Krista Fairbanks comment.

I ask him about her later when we are back in our ocean view suite, and sitting on our lanai, enjoying a nightcap.

“Who does she think she is? Who was she to you?” I ask, letting my insecurities get the best of me.

“Krista Fairbanks? I love seeing you jealous,” Marcus says with a devilish grin, trying to make light of my jealousy.

“Don’t make me even madder. Was she at Harvard with you?”

“Yes,” he replies, as his eyes shift down to his glass of scotch.

“Who was she to you?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I could tell there was something between you two, she was thrilled to be on your arm.”

“Krista and I were a lifetime ago. It was nothing.”

“I see she is still single. Nothing to you, I’m sure. What about her?”

“Why does it even matter? I’m marrying you, sweetheart,” he says, nuzzling into my neck and pulling me in closer. I know he’s right, but tell that to my heart.

“Look we dated briefly when we were at Harvard. End of story.”

“Then why does she act so possessive of you, like she still knows you so intimately. When was the last time you saw her?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer me for what feels like an eternity.

“She came to London for business and looked me up when I was alone and we weren’t together,” he finally admits, adding the we weren’t together for good measure.

“Oh I see. So you have seen her fairly recently, within the last year?”

“Yes.”

This doesn’t sit well with me. My stomach is in knots and I can sense my pulse picking up, and my heart sinks to my knees. I just sit there and stare out at the ocean in the darkness, and watch the palm trees sway with the wind.

“Sophie, you have no reason to be jealous. All those women are history, I only want you.”

I don’t have anything to say, as I sit here and wallow in self-pity, paying the price for being with a player. My thoughts are obsessing over Marcus’s womanizing past and it’s eating at me. Will he really manage to stay faithful to me for as long as we both shall live?  Especially someone like him who is so used to ‘variety’. I know I never felt these emotions when I was with John.

“Sophie, what are you thinking?” he asks and I don’t answer him.

“Tell me,” he commands softly.

Do I tell him, should I tell him?

“Marcus, how can someone like you, who has grown so accustomed to ‘variety’, really promise to be faithful until death do us part?” Heck, those words even scare me, now that I have said them out loud. “Forget I even asked.”

We both get quiet and gaze at the stars in a deafening silence.

“Sophie, look at me?” he says, turning my chin towards him, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

“I love you and I want you to be my wife. We’ve been through so much to finally be together,” he pleads softly.

I look at my handsome man, his eyes filled with what I believe to be sincerity, what I hope to be sincerity. I know in my heart I am still taking a huge chance with him.

“Sometimes, I’m still afraid to love you too much,” I whisper.

He moves to kiss me tenderly.

“Just know that I love you with all of my heart and only you,” he murmurs into my ear seductively. I’m addicted to his kisses; they still make my pulse race and my heart flutter.

“Let’s go to bed,” he whispers as he pulls away and stands up, taking my hand in his and leading us back into the room.

We leave the lanai doors wide open as the tropical breeze blows into our room filled with moonlight. We stop at the foot of the bed and he slides the straps of my dress down and it pools on the floor. I don’t have a bra on and he cups them gently in the palms of his hands, dipping down to take a nipple in his mouth as he gazes at me with the most seductive look on his face I moan out as my sex clenches in anticipation of his loving me.

He pulls his shirt over his head and drops his shorts onto the floor and I feast my eyes on my sexy man. I slide my hands into the waistband of his briefs and tug them off. He springs forth, hard and ready for me. I drop to my knees before him, and look up at him, returning the seductive gaze he gave me earlier as I take him between my lips.

“God, you kill me babe,” he murmurs, looking down at me. I love the taste of him.

“Mmmmmm,” I moan, sending vibrations along his shaft.

“Yeah, babe. I love you on your knees,” he says like the naughty boy he is.

We move to the bed and I sprawl out for him, I want him to take me hard tonight, but he seems tenderer tonight.

Chapter 9

 

Marcus

“Nothing worth having comes easy. What scares us challenges us, what frightens us strengthens us. That’s what our love is to me. Worth having, challenging us and strengthening our bond each and every single day.”

“When did you develop such a philosophical view on love?” I ask, enjoying this sensitive and caring side of Marcus.

“The day I came home to find out you lost the baby, it brought me even closer to you. It’s a loss and a challenge we share together and made me love you even more. I know in my heart nothing would make me happier than to make babies with you, that’s how I know this is forever for me. Like I told you before, way back when we were just dating, I have never felt this close to a woman before, let a woman hold my heart in the palm of her hand. But I let you hold my heart every day,” I say, taking her tiny delicate hand in mine and place it gently on my bare chest. I need to convince her and reassure her, quiet those doubts that are obviously still floating around in her head and in her heart. Those doubts have been with her since day one. I had to put up a fight at every turn for her love since day one, because I knew after the first night with her that there was something different about her and about us, together.

I literally did feel the earth move that first night.

I have to admit, I was slowly falling for Sophie, even before I got her into bed and had my way with her.

She intrigued me with her intelligence, wicked wit and killer business instinct. Then add that sweet and sassy personality of hers and I became immensely turned on by her. I would fantasize about her in the office.

She may not scream sexy siren outwardly. But she has class, a sense of sophistication about her and is extremely sensual, especially when the bedroom door closes. I have to brace myself for what she has in store for me. She completely satisfies me in every possible way.

“Hey, I really like Lauren. You did well for yourself man,” I say to Kyle as we walk ahead of the group.

“Thanks, same with you. I like Sophie. Looks like you have met your match with her.”

“I know, right? She completes me.”

“We are two whipped guys aren’t we?”

“Never thought I’d see the day when you would settle down,” I say with a grin.

“Same with you Marcus. I thought you would be a confirmed bachelor.”

“I know, I thought I would be too. But Sophie, what can I say. She does it all for me,” I reply.

“I bet she does,” Kyle laughs.

“Tread lightly there, we’re talking about my future wife.”

“Hey, Krista keeps circling around.”

“I know. She was hoping to rekindle the flame. Especially after you two hooked up again in London last year,” Kyle says a little too loudly. I glance over at Sophie and she’s talking with Lauren.

“Keep it down. Sophie asked about her and got a little jealous.”

“For good reason. You were pretty into her at one time if I recall.”

“Yeah, I know. But that’s ancient history my friend. Let’s keep it that way. I have worked long and hard to get to where I am with Sophie and I don’t intend to blow it.”

Talking about Krista and I makes me uncomfortable, plus I don’t want to get Sophie started again.

Krista Fairbanks is part of the reason why I swore off relationships, off attachment, and off love. We were embroiled in a passionate love affair our sophomore year at Harvard. I thought the sun rose and set around her. She represented everything that was perfect to me. But some other guy came along and stole her away from me. She dropped me so fast, my head spun. After that I swore I would never let a girl get that close to my heart again.

Fast forward ten years later and I meet Sophie Shawn. Normally, I wouldn’t give a girl like Sophie the time of day; I had learned my lesson about dipping into the office pool. Day in and day out, I grew to admire Sophie. I had come to genuinely love and respect the ball-busting Sophie Shawn. She was my equal in so many ways and really kept me on my toes. The fact that she didn’t press me for anything more than friends with benefits, made her a challenge I could not pass on. She had me wrapped around her finger from day one without even trying. She acted like she couldn’t care less if our arrangement continued or not. The thrill of the chase was it for me.

The time Krista and I spent reuniting in London was good, she was a nice physical distraction for a while, but my heart was still with Sophie. Krista had now become the one who wanted more. Her love life hadn’t turned out like she had planned for herself and she was hoping to rekindle the flame with me. At thirty-one, she wasn’t married with 2 kids and the white picket fence like I’m sure she had imagined she would be by now. Who could feel sorry for her, certainly not me?

The rest of the wedding party catches up with Kyle and I and we are all about to sit down to dine.

I look over at my Sophie, laughing with Lauren about something. She looks radiant in a Hawaiian print sundress she bought earlier today. She is breathtaking in its vibrant colors. Her eyes meet mine from across the room and she offers me a small smile. Oh how I have fallen in love this girl, hook, line and sinker. All she had to do was reel me in. I walk up to her and wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into me and press my lips to her softly.

“Where are we sitting?” she asks, looking up at me with those exotic almond eyes of hers.

“Let’s sit at the end near Lauren and Kyle.” We take our seats.

“You could pass for one of the island girls,” I tease Sophie.

“Really? I think some of them are so beautiful.”

“You’re just as beautiful. I love you,” I say smoothly. She looks contented until her eyes scan down the table and see Krista staring daggers at her.

“What is her problem? I know there is something more that you’re not telling me,” Sophie says accusingly.

“Babe, don’t let her get you.”

Sophie says nothing more while she peruses the menu.

Krista is not making this easy for me. Actually, she is going out of her way to make it rough for me. She is purposely trying to make Sophie jealous, or drive a wedge between us. I’m going to have to tell her in no uncertain terms that we are through and to knock it off.

I excuse myself to go to the gent’s room.

When I come out, Krista is lying in wait for me in the corridor.

“Marcus, you can’t tell me little Sophie is satisfying all of your needs like I can,” Krista says seductively, rubbing her hand up and down my thigh.

“Krista, stop,” I say, grabbing her hand.

“Don’t be such a prude Marcus, it doesn’t suit you.”

“What is up with you Krista? We’re done, through, finito. I am marrying Sophie. I told you that the last time we spoke on the phone.”

“I still find it hard to believe you’re actually settling down,” she says, leaning into me.

Just then Sophie walks by us on the way to the Ladies room and she is seething.

“Don’t let me interrupt you two. You really should get a room,” Sophie spats out at us and walks into the Ladies room.

Fuck.

“Krista, stay away from me,” I growl, extricating myself from her and heading back to the table.

I’m going to have to explain myself out of this one tonight and it’s not going to be easy.

Chapter 10

Sophie

Jealousy isn’t an emotion I usual do. I don’t like the way it makes me feel, out of control with my feelings. I like to be calm, cool and collected, but I do have a hard time keeping it together when it comes to Marcus and his endless string of other women.

I should’ve known better than to go for and settle down with a player.

Caught him in a somewhat compromising situation earlier tonight.

I saw them in the corridor and I could’ve turned around and high tailed it out of there. But I had to use the ladies room and I wasn’t going to let them stop me.

Plus, I wanted him to know I caught him getting cozy with her again. Made me sick. He is sleeping in his own room tonight, that much I know.

When I return to our table, I give him a cool stare as I take my seat next to him.

“Sophie, it wasn’t what you think. She was coming onto me.”

“I’m sure.”

“It’s true.”

“I know how irresistible you are Mr. Hunter, I believe you. However, you are sleeping alone tonight.”

“Babe, don’t be like that,” Marcus says, as he wraps his arm around me and kisses me on the cheek.

I glance in Krista’s direction and she’s staring at us with a scowl on her pretty little face. Girl looks like a freaking model, which bothers me even more. A tall, model thin blonde, Gisele Bundchen comes to mind.

Marcus’s scent makes me tingle between my thighs, as difficult as I want to make it for him tonight, I may not be able to resist my intoxicating fiancée.

“If you let Krista make you angry than she’s winning. Don’t let someone like her win.”

“Love your psychology, you clever, clever man. But it’s not going to work on me,” I reply.

“Let’s go for a walk along the beach tonight,” Marcus suggests as he stands and reaches for my hand. I can’t be rude in front of everyone so I place my hand is his and stand up.

“We’re going to call it a night, we’ll see you bright and early,” Marcus says to Kyle and we all say our goodnights.

We stroll through the lobby and hear the piano playing, on our way out the double doors to the lagoon where the dolphins swim.

It’s a beautiful night, warm with a tropical breeze blowing. You can see the stars and the swaying palm trees rustle from the wind.

“Sophie, do you know how much I love you?” Marcus says, pulling my hand up to his lips.

“Sometimes I’m uncertain about it all,” I say, giving him my most honest answer.

“What, uncertain about us?” Marcus says, stopping in his tracks and looking straight at me.

“Look, if you want to be with Krista again or have any doubts about our future together, I would appreciate you speaking up now rather than later. I’m a big girl, I can take it.”

“I don’t have a single doubt in my mind about spending the rest of my life with you.”

“Are you sure?” I whisper, hearing the vulnerability in my voice bothers me. Marcus has me wrapped around his finger, but I don’t want him to know that, although he probably does.

“Let’s go up to our room and I will show you how sure I am.”

“I told you that you are sleeping alone tonight. Didn’t I make myself clear earlier?” I try to say as firmly as I can.

“I’m going to wear down your defenses,” he breathes close to my ear, his warm breath enticing me, as his hand gently cups my breast through my thin silky dress. He lightly brushes his thumb over my hardening nipple.

He grazes his lips against mine, as if teasing me.

“Don’t you want me?” He knows I always want him. The animal magnetism between us is so strong; I’ve never been able to fight it.

My hand grabs his crotch and sure enough he’s ready for me.

“Make love to me on the beach,” I murmur.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“I never took you for an exhibitionist.”

“It’s perfect here, it’s secluded and dark over there in the alcove where the beach ends. Come on,” I say, tugging at his hand. I start laughing at Marcus’s shocked expression. What is it about Marcus that has me losing all of my inhibitions with him? He brings out the sexy minx in me, although he too can be such an animal in the bedroom.

“Do you really want to get sand all over your body? I thought you were a bed sex kind of girl. I love making love to you in our suite, with the lanai doors wide open, it’s almost like we are outside with the breeze blowing on our heated skin,” Marcus says, trying to talk me out of being an exhibitionist.

As we near the alcove, someone else has already beaten us there.

“It looks like Kyle and Lauren beats us here,” I giggle.

“Come on, let’s leave before they see us. I want to take you to our suite and ravish you sweetheart,” Marcus says.

*****

The lanai doors are wide open and the warm summer trade winds are blowing into our room. I’m riding Marcus hard and my nipples are pert from the cool breeze caressing them. Marcus is gazing up at me as he cups each one in his rough hand. I sit upright; I want him in as deep as he will go. I grind my swollen bud onto him, enjoying the sweet bliss I’m feeling between my legs and it vibrates through my entire being.

“Ah, yes, ah, yes,” I moan, rocking back and forth along his manhood. Then I do my bounce move, which really turns my man on every time. He groans loudly. I love knowing I’m the one that incites that low groan from Marcus Hunter.

He grips a cheek in each palm, and pulls me hard onto him.

“God, Sophie you feel amazing wrapped around my shaft and rocking us into ecstasy.”

“Yeah, you like it big boy?” I ask seductively, letting my long hair tickle his chiseled abs.

“You know I do,” he says, abruptly turning me over so he can piston into me hard. He loves to bang me hard, show me whose boss. He has his Alpha Male moments in the bedroom and who am I to object? I love it any way he will give it to me. Sometimes he will give me a playful slap and tickle. Bring it on baby.

“Hey, you weren’t supposed to sleep in my bed with me tonight,” I say.

“Who said anything about sleep?” Marcus growls. We are so close to losing it.

After our lovemaking, which was amazing by the way. I can’t help but speak my mind, you know me. “Marcus, if you have any doubt in your mind, if you still have any feelings for this girl Krista, speak now. I would be cool with it. I would only want you walking to the altar with me if you’re 100 percent sure, I’m a big girl, I can take it. I see the way she looks at you. There was obviously something between you two at one time.”

Marcus doesn’t say a word for the longest time. As if he’s thinking about it and I wait with baited breathe. Will he do to me what I did to John? Karma may be rearing its ugly head. I would deserve it if he did.

“Sophie, sweetheart,” he starts to say. Oh no, here it comes. I close my eyes shut, bracing myself.

“Open your eyes, babe.”

I look deep into his penetrating eyes and my heart still skips a beat, that’s how much I love him.

“Babe, I thought long and hard before I asked you to marry me. I know deep in my heart that I want forever with you. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind. Now what about you? That’s the big question. You don’t think I worry about it. Why do you think I’m pressing for the wedding as soon as possible? You’re the one I worry about bolting, you’ve done it once before. I know how skittish you can be about love and relationships. Some might say I’m the one taking a chance on you.”

I let his words sink in. I never looked at it that way, in my heart I’ve always felt like I was the one taking a chance on the player. I suppose I see his point, as much as his words sting, he’s right about me. He’s always been right about me. He seems to know me so well because we’re so similar.

“I never thought of it that way, but I suppose you’re right. I’ve just always thought I was the one taking a chance on the player,” I say, as I trace a finger along his luscious and kissable lips.

“I love you, Sophie,” Marcus murmurs as I watch those words roll off his lips.

“I love you too.” I can’t believe how easily I can say those words now. It took me a lifetime to say them and mean them once I followed my heart back to Marcus.