by Sadie Grubor
He moved quickly, sitting on the bed with me straddled over him.
Once I coaxed him to scoot back, I planted my feet flat on either side of his hips. Hands braced on his chest, I rode him hard and fast. The sound of our dampened skin slapping was so erotic. I rode until my body was on the verge of a second explosion.
"Christ Sophia, I'm so…Oh fuck yes, baby," he inched up onto his forearms.
I opened my clenched eyes in anticipation of release and found his eyes focused on our connected bodies. Licking his lips, he watched as I drove him in and out of me. I couldn't believe how hot it made me that he wanted to see us, watch us.
His eyes snapped to mine. Pushing up until we were almost chest to chest, our eyes never leaving the others, he palmed my ass and guided me. A small crooked grin formed on his lips. Without a thought I licked his mouth and pulled back to stare into the intense green eyes that once sent a chill of fear down my spine.
Desire burned deeper and he guided me faster. The tension burst again. I screamed out for him and God, burying my head forward onto his shoulder. My legs wanted to give out from the force of the orgasm, but Collin kept me going until he wrapped his arms around me tightly and growled out my name.
Our chests were rising and falling against each other while attempting to catch our breath. My head was still on his shoulder and his arms were still around me tightly.
"Look at me," he kissed my shoulder before pulling back from the embrace.
I sat back and was surprised by the emotion in his face.
"What's wrong?"
My right hand went to his face. He covered it with his hand.
"Nothing's wrong. Everything is right and it's because of you, of us." He kissed me softly and then looked back into my eyes. "Marry me, Sophia."
I opened my mouth, but his finger covered my mouth.
"I don't need months or years to know I want to be with you." He dropped his finger. "Marry me this summer."
I furrowed my brow. His face was full of hope, yet worry. I shifted to move from his lap. We were still connected. He held me in place.
"I love you Sophia Ashwood, become my wife." He kissed me again. A sweet loving kiss that left me breathless, so breathless I could barely respond.
So I nodded, with a whispered, "Yes."
Chapter Thirty Two
Half of the night and most of the morning I waited for my cell phone to ring. Waited for my dad or Carla to call me and tell me Victoria wanted us. It never came. My wakeup call this morning was his firm hand on my hip, his hard length sliding into me, and unbelievably sexy words being whispered into my ear from behind.
After showering and dressing I called to check on Victoria. Turns out she was thrilled to have spent the night with pawpaw and Grandma Carla. Pawpaw was making her his famous bear paw pancakes while grandma was making bacon. Once the invitation was extended I rushed Collin to get us back to my father's for breakfast. I love those bear paws.
Breakfast was easy conversation except for the knowing wink Carla gave me as we cleaned up breakfast. I eyed her curiously.
"So, any possibility I'll be getting more grandchildren…soon?"
I gasped.
"Why is everyone on uterus watch?" I tossed a dishtowel down on the counter.
She laughed lightly and shook her head.
"I'm just really enjoying it. I've been bugging my kids to get my babies over here, but I still want more."
"I just got engaged. Can I get married first?" I teased.
"If you promise you'll return with a full uterus," she giggled back.
"You are unbelievable." I grinned.
"Damn straight." She winked and left the kitchen.
We spent a few more hours visiting with my dad and Carla before loading back into Collin's car to begin the drive back to Seattle. Victoria dozed off after a half hour of driving. Collin held my hand in his. Bringing the back of my hand to his lips, I turned to him.
"So, what date would you like?" A large grin spread over his lips. I shrugged.
"I haven't really thought about a date."
He dropped our entwined hands to his lap and tension filled his body.
"I just haven't really had that much time between last night and this morning, now have I?"
He smirked.
"You've thought about it already?" I asked with curiosity.
"Of course," he smiled, keeping his eyes on the road stretched out before us. "I've been thinking May would be nice and not unreasonable."
"Isn't May considered spring? I thought you said summer?" A teasing smile spread on my lips.
"I'll take you as soon as you'll let me." He brought the back of my hand to his lips once more. I laughed, but quieted when I remembered Victoria was sleeping in the back.
"We could just take a trip to the JP next weekend if that's the case. Or wait, I guess it would depend on if we could get the marriage license in time. Maybe two weeks is a better…" My sentence drifted to silence when I saw the look on his face.
"An elopement, that's what you want?" His brow furrowed. "You don't want a real wedding?"
"I don't need some big white dress or a large crowded room full of guests to marry you." Trying to explain, it was a little more complicated than I thought it would.
"But it would be a first marriage for both of us, I would like to commemorate the day with family and friends. Would you object?"
"Collin, you know so many people, people who expect a certain level when it comes to these types of things. I don't think I can agree to be the subject of the scrutinizing and calculating eyes."
"Don't be absurd. No one will dare look at you with anything unpleasant. How about we only invite family and keep it to close friends?"
"Won't that lead to you being black listed or something?" A feeling of surrealism fell over me. Never in my life did I foresee having to hold this conversation about my wedding.
He chuckled. "So no big white dress?"
I opened my mouth, but someone else spoke from the back seat.
"You have to get the dress," Victoria exclaimed, shocking both Collin and I. "It's the most important part, and you said I could be your flower girl?"
Did I tell her she could be a flower girl? I didn't remember making that promise.
"Sweetheart," I spun in my seat, "It's just not my style to have some big to-do."
She unleashed the puppy dog eyes. "Please, I want to pick out dresses with you." Then she unleashed the pout lip and prayer hands, "Pretty please?"
"You are unbelievable." I giggled. With a sigh I continued. "Okay, a wedding, but a small wedding. Not some big elaborate three ring circus."
My eyes shifted sternly between Victoria and Collin. He reclaimed my hand and kissed it again.
"Whatever you desire," a mischievous look crossed his face.
For the rest of the trip Victoria continued to go on and on about wedding colors, flowers, dresses, cakes, etc. I swore when we got home I was going to search her room for copies of bridal magazines.
I was thankful when we arrived to the house. We were a little surprised to see Ilene's car in the driveway. I looked at Collin who sighed and carried the suitcases into the house. Victoria and I followed him in.
"Mother," he called out while setting the luggage near the steps.
"You're finally home," she approached from the kitchen. "Did you have a nice visit?"
"Mommy and Daddy are getting married, Grandma," Victoria exclaimed with a bounce in her step.
"Oh, they are?" Ilene looked between the both of us with a curios look.
"Yes, in May." Collin confirmed. I cringed on the inside, waiting for her disapproval.
"That's lovely. I know some wonderful planners that could really get this event underway." Ilene wrapped arms with me and pulled me toward the kitchen.
I glanced over my shoulder at Collin and gave him pleading look.
"Mother, we are keeping the wedding small. Family and close friends." His voice was familiarly firm and final
.
"Of course," she waved him off and continued to pull me to the kitchen. Victoria breezed past me and sat at the kitchen table.
"We should start with colors, oh, did you have a place in mind? Our family church is quite lovely and I'm sure –"
"Mrs. Bishop, I appreciate you wanting to help, but," I paused because I didn't know how I was going to get out of this, but then inspiration struck. "I really want to focus on Victoria's birthday party first. You know, before I get wrapped up in wedding plans."
A confused look was sitting on her face and didn't seem to be going anywhere.
"We hold a birthday tea for Victoria every year. Why would that change?" She eyed me. I fidgeted under her stare.
"Well, I uh, plan a party with her school friends for her. She still enjoys the tea, so she gets two parties. Will you, Larissa and Allison still be having it the Sunday after her birthday?"
She stiffened.
"I'm, well, to be honest I guess I'm not sure about Allison." She swallowed hard.
"Well, I'm sure Victoria would still like to have tea with you." Smiling warmly, I hoped she would be reassured. A large smile spread on her face.
"I have a wonderful idea." She pulled me tighter to her side and moved us to the table. "Victoria, you and I will have tea together. It will be lovely."
"That's perfect," Victoria smiled at me. "Please say you will come with us."
I forced a large grin and did the only thing I could. I agreed.
"Wonderful, now let's talk about this wedding." Ilene sat down and pulled me down with her.
"Really, I need to plan Victoria's birthday before anything else." I was sure this would delay the wedding talk and planning with Ilene for at least a week.
"Oh, of course," She sat a little stiffer, but then relaxed. "What kind of party are you planning?"
I shrugged. "Whatever she wants." I turned to Victoria. "So?"
"Hmmm…can we do a swimming party?" Her eyes were filled with excitement.
I bit my lip. "It is too cold for the pool and I'll have to check with some local pools to see –" Ilene jumped right in.
"I'll make a call to Stephanie, she can get the pool and the banquet hall reserved at the Four Seasons in downtown." Ilene patted Victoria's hand.
"Don't you think that's a bit much? Can't we just contact the YMCA or –"
The look of horror on Ilene's face made it quite clear the YMCA was out of the question. She turned back to Victoria.
"So, did you have a theme in mind or is it just swimming?"
"Hmmm…maybe a carnival?" Her eyes lit up. Ilene turned back to me.
"I can call the party center we use tomorrow and get them to send and set up Carnival games and such, perhaps we could even hire clowns do that balloon thing." She turned back to Victoria. "We had a benefit once where they made these balloon animals. It was very entertaining for the children."
"That would be amazing." Victoria was grinning ear to ear.
"Victoria, I think that's a bit much for a birthday party. Don't you?"
"Non-sense, my granddaughter only turns eight once." Ilene smiled proudly. "I've never gotten to plan a child's birthday party like this before. It's quite fun."
I sighed and fought the urge to burry my head in hands.
"Now, where should we get the cake? There is this amazing cake place, I believe it is called Harlow Cakes, or something like that. She has been on those TV specials about weddings and cake creations. A carnival inspired cake would probably be nothing for her."
The extensive planning went on for another half hour before I excused myself to make dinner. It was a dinner Ilene had decided to stay for.
I pulled out the ingredients to begin preparing the marinara sauce. Once it was simmering on the stove, I pulled out the chicken breast, angel hair pasta, parmesan cheese and the other things needed for chicken parmesan. I also pulled out some bread loafs and began to prepare some garlic bread.
"That smells heavenly." Ilene's voice caused me to turn from the stove, "Though we should really get you a cook so that you won't have to do this all the time."
I furrowed my brow. "I really don't mind cooking."
"Oh, my dear, with the schedule you will have to keep, you will want a cook."
"Schedule?" What the heck was she talking about?
"Well, Victoria told me about your book, so you'll be traveling I'm sure." I shrugged a little and then gave a small nod. "Then you'll have your social engagements that will fill your day. Have you thought about a nanny for Victoria?"
"A what?" I choked.
"You don't plan to still do everything you do now, and keep up with everything else, do you? You simply won't have the time. Not with being the wife of a prominent surgeon and a published author."
Now crazy as it seems, Ilene suddenly made me think of so much I hadn't. Would I really have to give up so much to have what I desired most? Was it still what I desired most? Could I have Collin and Victoria, be the published author I have worked so hard to be, and fit into this 'position of wife'? Suddenly, I didn't know if I could and it scared me.
Worry plagued my mind as I finished, served, and ate dinner. I was distracted during the dinner conversation. When Ilene left for the night, and as I helped Victoria get ready for bed her words swirled around my mind. Collin eyed me curiously a couple of times, but didn't say anything until I stepped into our room for the night.
"Is there something the matter?" I turned away from my bathroom destination. Collin sat on the other side of the room in a sitting chair, his laptop in front of him on the coffee table.
"No," I spoke a little too fast. His eyebrow rose.
"Did my mother do or say something?" he stood and began to walk toward me.
I shook my head. "No, I mean, not really."
"Not really?"
"She just, well, she mentioned some things I hadn't really thought about and I, I just, it scares me."
He moved quicker and cupped my face.
"What scared you?"
"I don't know if I can do it." I blurted.
He froze and anger began to distort his handsome face.
"What did she say to you?" he demanded.
"Calm down, that didn't come out the way I meant it to." I tried to move away, but he pulled me back to him.
"Tell me Sophia," his voice was stern and only the full explanation would do. I told him everything she said.
"You are not expected to do anything you don't want to do." He reassured.
"That's not it. Do I really have to give up my time with Victoria and you to fulfill my desire to be published? I don't know if I can be the social wife you need and it would crush me to push a nanny onto Victoria."
His arms enveloped me in a tight embrace.
"I don't need, desire, or wish for a social wife. I want you. You're all I have ever needed." He pulled back, cupped my face with his right hand and kissed my forehead.
"But you deserve to have –"
"What I want and need?" he finished for me. I nodded and dropped my eyes. "That is you, only you. You have to know that."
A tear slipped over my cheek. He wiped it away.
"There will be no other nanny, unless you desire there to be one and or any other children we have." I looked up to his face. His eyes were serious and sure, more sure than I felt at the moment.
"You desire to publish your book and your hard work deserves it. We'll work it out. Even if I don't wish you to leave on a book tour, I'll work to support it."
My lips crashed to his. His words meant so much, his reassurance meant more, and the feel of his hands and lips on my body only confirmed what he just said.
Pushing onto the bed, I climbed over his body and attacked him feverishly. Ripping away his clothing, a deep rumble escaped his mouth. He flipped me to my back and kissed my neck as he tore my t-shirt, collar to hem.
The feel of his hands grabbing onto my body brought forth moans of anticipation from my lips. Again, I flipped him onto his back r
emoving his pants and underwear in rough tugs. My jeans met his on the floor and the immediate need to grind onto the hard length became my immediate goal.
I straddled him again and ground down onto him. The feel of the smooth, hard shaft between my swollen wet lips made both of us groan with need. I was flipped onto my back once again in our battle for domination. His hands gripped my hips and he slid into me fast and hard.
"Oh yes," I growled, grasping onto his biceps.
Pulling his head down so I could conquer his mouth, I flipped him onto his back again. I shifted my hips back and forth against him, producing moans and profanities from his beautiful mouth.
He sat up and wrapped his arms around my torso. I lifted and descended his hard swollen shaft, grinding my clit against his pubic bone with each motion. The burn began and just when I got close he flipped us.
"Not yet," he smirked before taking my mouth with his and pumping into me ferociously.
My legs wrapped around his waist and sought the release he denied me.
"Not yet," he groaned against my neck. "I want to cum together."
I growled in frustration.
"Be patient my beautiful bride to be." He licked my left nipple and pinched the right.
My body was flushed with heat and the sexual frustration was bringing out my impatience and animalistic side. With a small shift of my body, I gained ground and flipped him over again. The flip caused us to slide from the bed onto the floor – me on top.
Neither of us stopped our desire for dominance. I grabbed his arms before he could wrap them around me and pushed them down to the floor. My fingers dug into his skin as I dragged them from his wrists, down his arms, and over his chest.
He grabbed my hips as I rose and fell above him. Sitting upright, my hands cupped my breasts before I massaged my nipples and tossed my head back.
"Fuck baby," he growled, placing his hands on top of mine. "You are so sexy." He gasped as I slid our hand down my stomach to the spot I desired to be touched.
When our fingers pressed on the swollen bundle between my parted lips, I convulsed with pleasure.
"I'm going to come," I heaved out from my lungs, continuing to rub where our bodies were joined.
Collin grabbed my hips and pulled me onto him harder. I screamed his name and tightened around him. My body lurched forward onto his chest. White dots burst behind my clenched eyelids as I came around his hardness.
