Love Dies Hard 4 - Book 4 (Billionaire Romance Series) (Hard to Love) (6 page)

Sophie

Marcus and I are dining at a fine restaurant in Beverly Hills tonight and while we’re waiting for dinner to arrive, I find myself opening up to him.

“I just want to find my bliss with you, no more drama. We’ve had enough drama, and I do realize that I have been the cause of most of it,” I share.

“I know babe, I agree.”

“No more bull shit, no more games. Just the truth from here on in. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“I thought we would go to dinner with Christopher and his girlfriend and then hit a club afterwards tomorrow night.” Marcus informs me.

“That sounds fun, who is Christopher seeing now?”

“He’s with Cassie Long from Hunter, you remember her right?”

“Yes, I remember Cassie. How long have they been together?”

“A few months.”

“Interesting. What do you think of her?” I ask and Marcus doesn’t give me a response. “Come on, I can take it if you think she’s attractive, because I think she is.” I volunteer and see if I can get an honest answer out of  him.

“I find you much more attractive and oh so sexy,” he replies dragging his tongue across his lip and I’m melting in my panties.

“Okay I get the message. Stop looking so sexy or we will have to go home right now so you can take care of an itch I need you to scratch. You’re one smart boyfriend, you know that?” I tease. It feels strange calling him my boyfriend. How long have I tried not to label what we have together as anything other than a temporary ‘arrangement’ at best. We’ve or at least I’ve got some mental adjusting to do. This is a whole new playing field for Marcus and I and it will take me some time to navigate and get used to the fact that Marcus and I are officially together, a real couple. I really just need to stop thinking about it all and just let myself feel. Feel the love.

Marcus takes me to new heights tonight, if that’s possible. Maybe I feel it more because I love him and have admitted and come to terms with the fact that I love him. But when he fills me, I feel so incredibly close to him, so one with him. I let him into my body and into my heart now, for as long as he will have me, until I am no longer his flavor of the month. Yes, I am still nagged by my doubts about him, doubts about us for the long haul, as Christopher warned me long ago. It literally scares me how vulnerable I let myself become with Marcus. But no bull shit this time, no hiding our feelings, we agreed. Now that I’ve told him I love him, where is the challenge for the player now? Let’s see how much longer he sticks around before he leaves me for some other skirt that has caught the player’s eye like a BSO, bright shiny object. I think I know how he has operated in the past. I will admit, he does seem sincere every time he tells me he loves me. Let me think a minute though, has he ever told me he loves me when he was not between my legs or my lips weren’t wrapped around him? Good question, maybe once or twice over dinner.

*****

We are getting ready together tonight to meet Christopher and Cassie for dinner and then hitting a club. I get my sexy on in a skintight burnt orange dress with cut outs along the waist and neckline. Showing some skin, but it’s tasteful.

“Damn girl, you look scorching. I don’t know if I will let you out of here in that dress.” Marcus says perusing me with his eyes as his hands roam my curves before he plants a passionate kiss on my lips. He grabs my behind and pulls me into his rigid manhood.

“Come on Marcus, we’ll be late,” I chide.

“So let them wait,” he says biting my neck.

“Marcus,” I scold, pressing my hand onto his chest.

“Alright, later I will have you every which way but lose.” He taps me on my rear and we head out the door.

We arrive at Sur and Christopher and Cassie are already seated at a great table by the window where we can see and be seen. Sur is a happening West Hollywood dining establishment. I love the elegant but hip vibe going on here. Let me just tell you, I find Cassie annoying. I never knew her that well when we both worked at Hunter together. I still remember her flirting mercilessly with Marcus. She’s even eyeing him tonight as he sits across from her. In the back of my mind I remembered all of this, that’s why I turned my sexy up a notch tonight. I wanted to out sexy Cassie. She is a very attractive blonde. Christopher seems to have a thing for blondes, a lot of men do. It may be true that blondes have more fun, I have no idea because I’m a brunette. All I know is that I have my share of fun. I think Marcus prefers brunettes. Jade was a brunette like me with the same long bedroom hair thing going on. I know Marcus’s type. Marcus is very attentive to me in spite of the fact that Cassie keeps trying to flirt with him. Even Christopher notices and gives me a look across the table. I feel bad for him. Marcus reaches down and rests his hand on my thigh then leans over and kisses me. Maybe he wants to show Cassie that he’s definitely with me and to stop flirting. She cools it a little after she witnesses our intimate kiss. Yes Cassie, he’s mine so back off, I think to myself, although I would have no trouble telling her to her face. Don’t mess with me girl.

“Shall we head out?” Christopher says after the men settle the bill. Once our car is pulled out up front, Marcus helps me in and closes my car door, always the gentleman. We cruise over to Club 21 in Hollywood in Marcus’s Bentley Continental. Of course he drives the ultimate luxury automobile, he is Marcus Hunter after all. Even though I’m not into cars, I must admit, this is a very nice car. Cassie watches us drive off with a look of pure envy across her face. She is a gold digger type, Christopher better watch out.  We valet at Club 21 and I told Tasha to meet us here, so I send her a text letting her know we have arrived and will be sitting in the back at a VIP Table. Cassie approaches me and asks where the ladies room is.

“I’ll go with you, follow me,” I say and she trails behind me. We weave our way through the dark and crowded club and a hand grabs my behind. Lovely. Cassie laughs. We stumble into the ladies room laughing. “Hey did someone grab you too?”

“Yes!”

“Oh well, boys will be boys. No harm, no foul.”

“It’s that dress you have on, it screams siren,” Cassie comments as we primp in front of the vanity mirror. “So, you and Marcus are back together?” she asks with a hint of sarcasm that I don’t appreciate.

“Yes we are,” I say confidently.

“The word on the street is that you broke off your engagement for him and that’s why he came home.”

“Hmmm, that sounds like a fairly accurate statement,” I reply calmly.

“Do you really think the office player will marry you?” she says cuttingly. Now I am getting pissed.

“I have absolutely no idea. All I know is that I’m enjoying the ride,” I say looking at myself one last time before I turn on my heel and walk straight out of the ladies room. Oh how she steams me. She’s just jealous that’s all. Marcus and Christopher are sitting with Tasha and her friend Jessica, who I have met before.

“Hi Tasha. Hi Jessica,” I say in greeting.

“Hey Sophie, you look smoking hot in that killer dress,” Tasha calls out.

“Why thank you,” I reply glancing over at my man. His eyes are on me with a look of admiration. He loves me, I can see it in his eyes, or at least he is in lust with me. I give him a knowing smile. He takes a drink from his glass and I take note of his hands, how his hands and skilled fingers cause me to think dirty thoughts. Whew, is it hot in here? Marcus stands up and comes up behind me and wraps his arm tightly around my waist.

“Would you like to dance?” he whispers and I feel his warm breath tickle my ear.

“I thought you would never ask.” He takes my hand and leads me to the crowded dance floor.  A slow song starts and Marcus draws me in close to his warm hard body. He envelops me in his arms. I gaze up at him for a kiss as our lips lock, it’s like we’re in our own little world of bliss, it feels to good to be true. I can’t believe how happy I am right now, at this moment in time with him. I worry that this all may be fleeting, especially after Cassie’s mean spirited comment. She took some joy away from me tonight. I honestly try and never think that far ahead, marriage and all with Marcus. Even I scoff at the idea, deep down I know Cassie may be right.

Marcus

We are going to London together next week, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m planning on pulling out that sapphire ring I was going to give her months ago. I’m driven by the overwhelming and urgent need to make her mine, permanently. Prove to her that I truly love her, that I’m invested in us for the long haul, forever. I can tell she still wonders if I’m going to bolt, move on and prove her right, that I will always be a player. But I’m actually nervous as hell to ask her the big question. What if she turns me down, or worse, puts me off or scoffs at me like she did when I asked her to move in with me. I have asked her to move in with me a few times since I’ve been back in LA and she always finds a different way to say no. There is a good chance I may chicken out here, back down. I will bring the ring with me to London and play it by ear.

We board our Virgin Atlantic red-eye to London and settle into our Upper Class seats. First, Sophie sits down across from me and the stewards roll out dinner served on white tablecloths. We dine together on Filet Mignon, my Sophie’s favorite, steak. Followed by Haagen Daz Ice Cream for dessert.

“God, why do I feel so queasy,” Sophie says holding her stomach.

“You ok babe?” I ask, leaning forward and rubbing her arm.

“Yeah, must just be from the turbulence. I’m going to my seat and listen to some music before I go to sleep,” she says standing and bending over to give me a kiss.

*****

The Savoy sends a car to retrieve us from Heathrow and we are immediately whisked to our usual suite with full butler service this time around. I want everything to be extra special. Flowers fill the suite upon our arrival and we enjoy the view of the River Thames from our sitting room.

After we have dinner downstairs tonight and have come back up to our room, Sophie excuses herself and goes into the bathroom. When she comes out, she takes my breath away in the most sizzling purple lace lingerie ensemble I have ever laid eyes on. I let out a long whistle. My girl knows how to bring on the sexy and drive me wild with lust for her and only her. I seriously need to make my little minx mine. Put a ring on her finger and call it done. Never thought I would feel this way about any girl, any woman for that matter. It still floors me when I stop and really think about it. How did this all happen? But I am determined to take the plunge now and make it happen.

Sophie

I’m late as in later than I’ve ever been. Even later than the last time we had that pregnancy scare. I think I could take a home pregnancy test at this point, but I’m scared to death to know. Going to give myself another week to start, it could just be stress that’s causing me to be late. I don’t dare breathe a word to Marcus. He acted so strange about it the last time.

We’re going to London in two weeks time. Marcus has to visit the London office and he asked me to join him. I fell in love with London, so I jumped at the chance.

*****

We check into our extravagant suite at the Savoy which holds wonderful memories for us, it’s our special place. Marcus arranged to have fresh flowers in the room upon or arrival.

“Their beautiful and smell so good,” I exclaim, breathing in the fragrant blooms. It is actually bright and sunny this afternoon in London and we have a breathtaking view of the River Thames from our lavish suite.

“I want to take you out to dinner somewhere special tomorrow night. But tonight, let’s just eat here in the Hotel at Gordon Ramsey’s, I’m tired.”

“That sounds perfect, I’m feeling jet lagged too.” I actually have been feeling a little queasy lately and have been trying to ignore it. Now that we are back on land and I have put some sumptuous food in my stomach, I feel back to my old self. When we return to our suite, I go and get sexy in the bathroom to seduce my man. I always want to keep it sizzling hot in the bedroom so he has no cause to have a wandering eye, ever. I need to always remember to keep my playboy satisfied.

*****

The next day Marcus goes into the office and I do some shopping on Bond Street. We meet back in our suite and get ready for dinner at a French restaurant Concierge recommended and made a reservation for us.

“How is the London office doing without you?” I ask Marcus over dinner.

“I don’t understand why John Holden has been having trouble keeping accounts. We have lost another large account last week.”

“So, do you think your Father will want you back here managing them again?”

“I don’t know, I hope not.”

“Has he said anything to you?”

“Actually he has hinted, but I have fought him on it.”

“Why, you need to do what’s best for Hunter Investments,” I reply.

“I won’t let an ocean split us apart again Sophie,” he says adamantly.

“Well, maybe I would consider moving here, if you asked me to, but no pressure.” I can’t believe I’m offering to uproot my whole life, but I would do anything to be with this man every night of every day. It still scares me.

“So you would be willing to finally quit Foster Financial?”

“I think I could be persuaded to,” I reply with a twinkle in my eye. He seems pleased at the idea. I would absolutely love to live in London for awhile. He reaches across the table for my hand.

“You would really do that for me?”

“I would like you to take me back to our suite and do your best to persuade me,” I say seductively.

“I think that can most definitely be arranged my little minx,” Marcus’s words leave me wet with anticipation.

We finish dinner and stroll back to the hotel. It’s a beautiful starlit night. I’m a little chilled and Marcus wraps his arm around me as we walk. Once we walk into the lobby, Marcus tells me he wants to take a night cruise along the River Thames. There’s a boat leaving from the Savoy’s private dock shortly.

We walk out of the Savoy to their private dock along the River Thames and board a private boat.

“Marcus, this is amazing, I love it,” I say turning to him for a kiss. All of London’s landmarks are lit up spectacularly. First we pass Big Ben, then the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

“This is so romantic Marcus,” I say turning around to him and see him getting down on his knees and I look around on the floor to see what he dropped, only he’s not looking at the ground, he’s looking up at me and takes my hand in his.

“Sophie, do you know how much I love you?” he asks.

“Yes,” I whisper in utter disbelief at what I think may be the next words off his lips.

“Will you marry me?” he asks, his gorgeous brown eyes staring up at me, waiting expectantly for my answer to the question I thought he would never ask me in a million years. A question I had never even dreamed about with him.

“Yes,” I cry out, pulling him up to me. He wraps me in an embrace so tight my ribs crack. I laugh and step back and we both have the biggest smiles on our faces. He pulls a ring out from his pocket and slides it on my finger.

“Marcus, it’s gorgeous. I love the sapphire, it’s such a beautiful blue,” I gush looking up at him for a kiss. And kiss me he does.

“I have a surprise for you,” I pull away from the kiss and say timidly.

“What is it babe?” he says with concern in his voice.

“I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant,” I smile tentatively up at him, knowing that he asked me to be his wife, before knowing this, gives me a tremendous sense of relief, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I would never ever want to trap him.

“You have made me the happiest man in the entire world,” he says taking my face in his hands before he gives me a tender kiss, filled with love.

I have found my bliss with Marcus Hunter.

~THE END~