David’s eyes are on my face. “Really?”
I stare at him, feeling uncertain, there is an edge to his voice that I don’t understand. “Really.” I reply.
“Really?” He’s moving towards me, I move back, but with just one step I’m already backed up against the wall. He tips my chin up until I’m looking up into his eyes, “because anybody can see that he’s in love with you.”
“Why would he be in love with me?”
“You really have no idea, do you?” He sighs. “Somebody should have told you how beautiful you are.” He says. “I promise you that as soon as I’m gone he’ll be back to offer you his ‘help’ again.”
“I don’t want his help.” I whisper.
His eyes hold mine, and I can’t look away. As I watch him, his hand moves into my robe, parting the thick material. His fingers stroke my thighs, moving up between my legs, he massages me softly, and I part my legs, letting him touch me.
I am so wet, his fingers stroke me easily, I moan softly, moving my hips to meet them. I grab hold of his shoulders, breathless. He doesn’t stop, a finger slides into me, slowly massaging me inside. He finds a spot and applies more pressure. I groan, and he puts another finger in my mouth. I start to suck on it, spreading my legs wider, opening myself to him. As he drives me crazy inside, his thumb plays with me outside. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. My body stiffens, and then I let out a thin scream as it shatters in different directions.
His lips descend on mine, swallowing my scream. I gasp, because the kiss is almost painful. It’s possessive, as if he is stamping me with his ownership, but I don’t care, I want to be owned.
He presses me against the wall, and I can feel the firm push of his arousal. I moan softly. His voice is harsh against my ear. “Don’t forget who made you feel like this.”
I’ll never forget. “Take me with you.” I don’t consciously form the words, they just come out from somewhere deep within me. Somewhere where there is no shame, only desperation.
He doesn’t reply. I wonder what he’s thinking. I feel a sense of shame at the thought of his rejection. His hands tighten around my waist, and he pulls me close. I relax against him as he kisses my hair. He is so tender, I brace myself for his refusal.
He chuckles suddenly. I wonder why, but I don’t want to leave his embrace. “There’s one way you can come with me to Seattle.” He sounds amused.
“How?” I’m ready to explore any options.
He considers for a moment. “How long does it take to get a marriage license in the town of Ashford?”
Chapter Five
The next few hours pass in a blur. I am happy and excited, but I’m also afraid in a way that I cannot explain. Maybe I am afraid of change, or maybe I am afraid of David Preston. I don’t really know.
First, he goes with me to the shop, where I haltingly tell Stacey that I’m getting married and going to Seattle with David. I ask her to witness the ceremony, and she agrees, even though I can see from her face that she is worried about me and sure that I am making a mistake.
Am I making a mistake? I am happy, I always dreamed of falling in love, maybe this is it, but even if it is not, I am sure that if David leaves for Seattle without me, I would not be able to bear it.
Back in my apartment, after his shocking proposal, he called his assistant in Seattle, Linda Mays. She arrives a few hours later, while we are at the shop, a glamorous looking black haired vision, in a pencil skirt and an incredibly tailored jacket. She takes one look at me and tries not to show her surprise. I try not to show how cowed I am by her obvious sophistication, as I give her the documents she needs to get us a marriage license from the courthouse.
After she leaves, he seems reluctant to leave me alone with Stacey. After a while, he leaves for the Fairview, where he’s staying, and where I will join him for lunch.
As soon as he’s gone, Stacey sits me down for a talk.
“Are you sure of what you are doing?” Her face is a study in worry. In fact, she looks more worried than she did yesterday. “Marriage is not something to jump into, especially with someone you hardly know, you only met him yesterday you said.”
I nod, how do I explain to her that I understand her fears, but I am more afraid of not leaving with him than of anything else?
“You don’t have to do that, you know,” She says. “I spoke with Trevor Beak.” Trevor Beak is the manager at the local grocery store, and I wonder what this will have to do with me. “He says there may be a position for you as an assistant trainee manager,” She continues, “You may not have to leave town after all.”
I smile and nod. “I’m glad you’re looking out for me,” I say, touched by her concern, “but I’ll be fine, I promise.”
She nods, and there are tears in her eyes. She draws me into her arms and hugs me tightly, surprising me. I want to cry because for a moment I think I can feel what it may have been like to have a mother.
At lunchtime, the black sedan comes for me. The driver, a strong looking but clean-cut man who tells me that his name is Steve, looks pleasant but barely says a word to me. At the Fairview, David is waiting for me in the restaurant. Even though in the morning I tried to make an effort with my clothes, wearing a gray skirt and a white blouse, I still feel out of place, like a schoolgirl.
He is sitting alone at a table close to the windows, and when I enter he turns to look at me, and my stomach twists. The memories of last night engulf me and I want him in a way that surprises me.
He smiles and stands, he is wearing a dark blue suit, and he looks so beautiful I can’t catch my breath. “Hello Sophie.” He says as he pulls the chair out for me.