“My mom just doesn’t know you like I do. She hasn’t had a chance to see the Marcus I see,” Sophie says.
To be honest, very few people see the Marcus I become when Sophie and I are alone, only then do I let all my defenses down. I’m sweet and sensitive towards no one but Sophie. She is my every thing, and I won’t let her get away from me again. No one will spoil it for us, including her mother. I won’t let her.
“It’s probably better that she is an ocean away. I won’t let her spoil what we have. Don’t you want a wedding? I know I do, but lets just keep it small and intimate. That’s doable, right sweetheart?” I practically beg her. I’m freaking pathetic. I should be slamming my fist down and be pissed that she doesn’t want a big wedding to announce us to the world. But Sophie is so different from any other woman I’ve ever known and that’s what makes her so special to me.
“We’re going to the Savoy to book our wedding date, agreed?”
“Alright, you know best I suppose,” she says, snuggling into the warmth of my body.
“Do you love me?” I can’t believe I have to ask, but I need her reassurance, right now, at this moment. I’m feeling so vulnerable.
“Of course I do. With all of my heart,” she says, pulling my face to hers and planting a big kiss on my lips.
“Why don’t you show me how much?” I say, with a wicked smile playing across my face. I roll onto my back inviting Sophie to do all of the work. I want her to start with her ruby red lips wrapped around my steely shaft that has risen to the occasion.
Chapter 16
Sophie
The next few months are a world wind of wedding planning and I think we have just about covered everything. The Savoy took care of almost everything, from the flowers, to the cake, to the wedding photography to the live band. I’m now beyond thrilled that Marcus pushed to have it there. Denise Carter, their wedding planner, made it so easy for me to not feel overwhelmed. I can’t help but feel Marcus said something to her because she was so accommodating at every turn. Goes to show you what his money buys, impeccable service.
I can breathe easier now that all the arrangements have been made, all I have to do is go in for another wedding dress fitting and start addressing the wedding invitations. I need to get those out early since most of our guests will have to make long distance travel plans.
We’re going out tonight with Julia and Richie, meeting them for dinner at an Italian Restaurant in Belgravia they seem to like.
“The food here is so good. The pasta melts in your mouth,” I remark to Julia, as Richie and Marcus are engaged in a business conversation.
“So is everything all set, wedding wise?”
“Yes, I just need to go in for one more fitting and start addressing the wedding invitations.”
“Do you need any help with anything?”
“How is your cursive handwriting?”
“Pretty decent.”
“Do you want to come over and help me address wedding invitations?”
“Sure, I would be happy to,” Julia says eagerly. She has really become such a good friend. I miss my girlfriends from home. My best friend can’t make it out for the wedding this summer because she will be way too pregnant to fly such a long distance. Her doctor already told her she couldn’t.
I’ve actually asked Julia to be my maid of honor, and she gladly accepted because that’s the kind of friend she has become to me. Even though we haven’t known each other all that long, we clicked immediately and have really bonded over the last few months. We are alike in so many ways. Independent and driven career girls who don’t expect a man to take care of us. We are self-sufficient on our own and our men are crazy about us! We’re both sickeningly in love, so we don’t make each other jealous. You know how that can be? When one friend gushes over her lover and the other friend has no one in her life, it gets awkward after awhile.
“Hey sweetheart, do you want to go hit a club tonight and go dancing?” Marcus leans over and asks, then gives me a loving peck on the lips.
“You know I would love to,” I squeal. I love to go dancing and he knows it.
*****
We’re getting down to the wire; the wedding is less than two weeks away. I have my dress hanging in the extra room. The honeymoon is booked to the South of France, pretty exotic and romantic wouldn’t you say? Marcus surprised me with it. I’ve always wanted to visit the Cote d’Azur and Saint Tropez. I have to pinch myself sometimes, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. But it’s not because of the trappings or the international travel I get to enjoy. It’s because I have the love and devotion of Marcus Hunter, that’s why I feel so lucky.
My Mom is due to fly in at the end of the week and a part of me is dreading it. Why can’t she be happy for me? Look, I know she loved John, but she has to get over it and learn to love Marcus too. He will be my husband, to have and to hold, like it or lump it Mom. In case you are wondering where my father is, he past away a few years ago, right after I graduated from college. Maybe that’s why my Mom wanted someone more like my father for me, someone loyal, devoted, decent and faithful. John was all those things. But I think Marcus is capable of those same qualities. He has shown them to me, time and time again since we have been engaged, right? I won’t think about it too long, yes, yes he has. Either that, or else I have been blinded by love. I am determined to follow my heart this time and not listen to any noise in the background of my head that says otherwise. My life took that route for too long.
“What time is your mother landing tomorrow?” Marcus asks.
“At around 12 noon,” I reply. Waiting to see if he offers to go and pick her up from Heathrow or if he is just going to send a car for her.
“I will have Carlton drive us down to greet her,” Marcus says, restoring my faith in him that he will make the effort with my mother.
“That would be perfect. Thank you for coming with me to pick her up and welcome her to London,” I say, walking over to him and giving him a kiss.
“I want your mother to like me and see how much I love her daughter,” Marcus says and my heart melts from his words.
“When she gets to know you, she will see why I’am so crazy about you,” I say encouragingly, but I’m really not sure she will ever get over losing John. Pathetic isn’t it. Like I said, I think John reminded her of my Dad.
Chapter 17
Marcus
There’s an awkward silence in the town car as we head back to our flat after picking up Sophie’s mother. She’s a cold and reserved woman. When I think back to how Sophie was in the beginning, I can see where she got her cold and reserved attitude from, Mrs. Shawn is not giving me an inch. Try as hard as I may to charm her.
Once we get to our posh flat, she doesn’t make a single comment, like, You have a beautiful home. And you know me; we have a very posh flat that Sophie has made to look like something out of Architectural Digest.
“Mom, this will be your room,” I overhear Sophie say, as she walks her mom to the spare bedroom. I carry her suitcases into the room and place them down under the window.
“I hope you will be comfortable here Mrs. Shawn,” I say.
“Yes, Marcus, this should be fine,” she says, actually calling me by my name.
Sophie and I leave her to freshen up.
“She will just have to get used to you, Marcus,” Sophie says to me once we are in the kitchen. She’s already making excuses for her mother’s cool behavior.