Saving Sophie: Book Seven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series
Page 38
“He was a disgusting human being who hurt you. If there’s a hell, I’m sure he’s burning in it.”
She nodded. “I guess that sums it up.”
He locked his arms tighter around her. “I don’t want to talk about him. He doesn’t have anything to do with you and me anymore.”
She smiled and snagged his lip. “Consider the topic dropped.”
“I love you, Soph.”
“I love you too.” She straightened the hem along the neck of his shirt. “Do you want to pick something up for dinner tonight?”
“Sure.”
“What do you want?”
“You.”
She grinned. He always said that. “I was thinking we could grill—maybe salmon.”
“Sounds good to me. Then I’ll have you for dessert.” He nibbled her ear. “Maybe for an appetizer too.”
She shivered with the anticipation. “I could handle that, especially since I won’t see you tomorrow night.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Can’t have the bride and groom seeing each other before the wedding.”
“Even though we’re already married.”
“Don’t piss on tradition, Soph.”
She laughed, and he grinned. “Got it.” She brushed her fingers along the back of his neck. “So I talked to Lily this morning about the donation we want to make to the Escape and Freedom lines next year. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“As far as I’m concerned it can’t happen soon enough. That trust has bad juju connected to it. Let’s make good things happen with the money.”
“Do you know how lucky I am?”
“About as lucky as me.”
She smiled, loving her husband desperately. “Lily wants us to meet her at her office at five to sign some paperwork.”
“I’ll be there.”
“She said she wants to grab a picture of us too.”
He frowned. “Why?”
She shrugged. “She didn’t say, but I’m assuming it won’t be a big deal.”
“If you’re not worried, I won’t be either.”
She smiled. “I’m not.”
The shop door opened, and she pulled away as two women came in, staring at Stone with naked lust shining bright in their eyes. She smiled again, so thankful that he was hers. “Good afternoon, Ladies. Welcome to McCabe Jewelry.”
“I’ll let you get back to it. See you in a couple hours.” He kissed her again with a bit of heat. “My wife will take good care of you,” he said to the women and walked out the door.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Stone’s white shirt and khakis billowed in the warm winds as the parade of pretty little girls started down the sand path in their flower girl dresses. Emma, Kylee, and Olivia held hands, except for when they stopped occasionally to toss petals from the baskets hanging on their arms as they passed chunky cream-colored candles lit in delicate glass vases along the way. Abby came next in a pale-blue, sleeveless, above-the-knee getup, stopping at the flower-filled arbor facing the waves. He looked down at Murphy by his side when the pup’s tail started to wag and lost his breath when Sophie appeared by the last row of chairs in her simple, open-back, A-line gown. She was stunning, walking his way, smiling as small wisps escaped her fancy up-do and her dangled earrings caught the light of the setting sun. She stopped next to him, handing off her pink hydrangea bouquet with one yellow tulip nestled among the blooms to her Matron of Honor.
“You look beautiful, Soph,” he murmured.
“Thank you.”
“Stone. Sophie. Please join hands,” the judge who married them at the courthouse said, leading them through their vows for the second time as they stared in each other’s eyes. Turning to Shane standing next to him, Stone took the ring he originally put on Sophie’s finger and slid the simple silver back in place. She did the same, swearing the identical promises they had only months ago, but this time when he spoke to her he meant what he said, knowing he would love her for all the days of his life.
“I now pronounce you man and wife…again. Stone, you may kiss your bride.”
He stepped closer, sliding his thumb along her cheek, stroking her soft skin while the surf pounded on the coast. “I love you, Soph. So much.”
She smiled, blinking back tears. “I love you too.”
He captured her mouth in a long, warm kiss as their friends clapped. Easing away, he laced their fingers. “Looks like you’re mine for good.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Should we go party?”
She grinned. “Absolutely.”
They walked arm in arm past their guests, making their way over the walking bridge to the tent on the cliffs above.
~~~~
Delicious meals had been eaten and cake served. Sophie rested her head against Stone’s shoulder as he turned her around the dance floor, surrounded by the people they loved most. Everything about the night had been perfect. The stars and moon shone bright, and the lights in their house glowed warm while the man she adored held her close.
“Are you ready for Hawaii?” He said quietly next to her ear.
“Mmm.” She lifted her cheek from his chest. “I wish we could’ve taken the whole two weeks Ethan offered you.”
He shrugged. “Ten days is good enough for me. I know how important the fashion show is.”
“Not as important as you.”
“Yeah, but I think I’m going to like watching my wife walk the runway from the front row.”
She grinned. “It is pretty fun.”
He wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her closer. “I’m just glad things will finally start settling down around here after you, Abby, and Lily finish up with this final round of publicity. With Shane heading off to the mountains and a few of the newer guys handling the out-of-town duties, I won’t have to travel as much.”
“Mmm.” She was thrilled with the idea of having Stone here in LA most of the time. “It’ll be nice getting back to the way things used to be…sort of.” She smiled. “I’m pretty sure I forgot to tell you Carolyn’s willing to take on a few more hours, and I’m thinking about bringing on another sales person part-time, which means I can work from home more often.”
“Sounds like a perfect time to think about starting our family.” He kissed her. “I want to make a baby with you, Soph.”
She looked across the tent at Sarah’s large belly while she and Ethan danced, then at Hailey and Austin cooing and smiling down at their growing son. There was nothing she wanted more than to carry Stone’s child. “We could try tonight.”
He grinned. “You’ve got a deal.”
She laughed. “You’re going to be such a great daddy.”
The song ended and Lily approached. “Hey, guys. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have to head out.”
Sophie broke away from Stone to hug her boss. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” Lily handed over a thin box. “I wanted you to see this now. I had them put a rush on it.”
“Oh. Sure.” Sophie took the box, tearing at the paper when Stone nodded for her to go ahead. She pulled free next month’s issue of Trendy, gasping. “Lily, look at this. It’s beautiful.” She touched the gorgeous image of Stone staring into her eyes, kissing her knuckles among the headlines on the cover.
Lily had convinced them to pose for several shots after their meeting Thursday evening, saying she and the fashion editor of Trendy wanted to pull something together for an upcoming article.
“I thought so too. You’re both stunning.”
But that wasn’t it. The page exuded love and tenderness.
“The media seems to be fascinated with you right now, so we’re capitalizing on it.” Lily took the issue from Sophie and flipped to a two-page spread showcasing half a dozen pictures of the worst of her bruises Dylan had captured with her camera. Next to it was an article discussing the statistics of domestic violence, then on the opposite page, she and Stone walk
ed together in the ocean surf, snuggled close while they talked and smiled. The crazy photographer had yelled and demanded for over an hour, but he’d also captured a photograph of genuine affection and kindness in the aftermath of a nightmare.
“Thank you so much, Lily.”
Stone stepped closer, angling the page his way. “I wasn’t thrilled with Zenn or whatever the hell his name is, but this is actually great.”
“I want women to see this. Everyone deserves what you two have.” Lily kissed Sophie’s cheek, then Stone’s “Have fun on your trip. I’ll see you next week. Stone, take good care of her.”
“You know I will.”
“I love this,” she said as Lily walked off, still admiring the page. “I love that everyone will get a chance to see the way you love me.”
“It’s nice.”
She shook her head, touching his cheek. “It’s amazing. You’re amazing, Stone. You gave me a chance to escape and find myself again.”
He closed the magazine and pulled her against him. “I decided a long time ago that the night you missed your bus and got into my car was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
A fork tinged against glass, then another and another.
He smiled. “I guess I should probably kiss you.”
She grinned. “I definitely think you should.”
He pulled her closer, and she happily closed her eyes, accepting the warmth of his embrace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cate Beauman is the author of the best selling series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
www.catebeauman.com
www.facebook.com/CateBeauman
www.goodreads.com/catebeauman
Follow Cate on Twitter: @CateBeauman
THE BODYGUARDS OF L.A. COUNTY
Morgan’s Hunter
Book One: The story of Morgan and Hunter
ISBN: 978-0989569606
Falling For Sarah
Book Two: The story of Sarah and Ethan
ISBN: 978-0989569613
Hailey’s Truth
Book Three: The story of Hailey and Austin
ISBN: 978-0989569620
Forever Alexa
Book Four: The story of Alexa and Jackson
ISBN: 978-0989569637
Waiting For Wren
Book Five: The story of Wren and Tucker
ISBN: 978-0989569644
Justice For Abby
Book Six: The story of Abby and Jared
ISBN: 978-0989569651
Saving Sophie
Book Seven: The story of Sophie and Stone
ISBN: 978-0989569668
Coming Spring of 2015
Reagan’s Redemption
Book Eight: The story of Reagan and Shane
ISBN: 978-0989569675