“You aren’t going to screw it up. Don’t be such a pansy. She’s perfect for you. And she is obviously bright because she is falling for you too. Although, she is meeting Ryan for lunch today. You may have some competition.”
Mark’s face went blank. “Ryan? Why?”
Molly shook her head. “Stop worrying. They are talking about his birthday party. Caleb was supposed to go too but his book deadline is next week and there’s no way he can get away from the office.”
“Thanks, Molls. That makes me feel so much better. I think I would have liked it better if Caleb were going. Ryan is a player.”
Laughter from the doorway drew their attention away from the conservation. “Did Mark Moretti just call someone a player?” Rich’s laughter was contagious and Molly followed suit. “I was worried since you were taking so long. I didn’t realize Mark was telling jokes. Let me have a seat. Tell me another one.”
“Nice to see you too Bro.”
“No seriously. I heard you calling Ryan a player and I wondered if maybe you had amnesia or something terrible like that.” Rich kicked his feet up onto the desk.
“You guys think you are really funny don’t you.” He pressed the buzzer on his desk. “Mary, can you make me an appointment with Neil Lane for Monday?” Staring at his shocked friends, Mark laughed. “Who’s laughing now?”
Molly covered her mouth and a tear slipped down her cheek. “Are you serious? Are you doing what I think you are doing?”
Mark sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Is it a bad idea? Am I crazy?”
“Marco, what are you doing?” Rich sat up straight. “I was joking. Don’t do anything drastic just to be a jackass.”
“I don’t think it’s drastic. I think it’s romantic.” Molly jumped from her chair and landed on his lap. “This is the best news. Are you seriously going to ask her? Oh my God, mom is going to have a heart attack.”
“Molls, you can’t tell anyone. You need to promise me. You too Dickerman. If I am really going to do this, I am only going to do it once. It needs to be in my own time. Got it?”
Rich stood up and shook his hand. “I am shocked man. But your secret is safe with us. Now don’t screw it up.”
As Molly and Rich headed for the door, Mary entered his office. “You have an appointment with Mr. Lane at 3:00 on Monday. I have already cleared your schedule.”
“Thank you Mary. Now if you will show my guests to the elevator I can get some work done.” Mark laughed as Rich flipped him the bird. Was he crazy for doing this? Possibly. Could he imagine even one day without Sophie? Absolutely not.
Chapter 12
“Thanks for picking me up.” Sophie climbed into the front seat of Caleb’s car. “Mark is going to try to get by but if he doesn’t, will you be my hero and take me home?”
Caleb laughed. “I’m surprised Mr. Perfect is letting me pick you up. Considering it’s Ryan’s birthday and he knows Ryan so well, I am sure he will show up. He’s not going to let him get anywhere near you.”
Sophie punched Caleb in the arm and settled in. “Very funny. Ryan is harmless.”
Caleb raised one eyebrow at her. She was so lucky that he still wanted to remain a big part of her life despite the crash and burn in Jamaica. “Keep telling yourself that.” His laugh made her smile.
They rode in silence the rest of the way. Caleb breathed her in. Her perfume awakened every part of him. He knew she would never be his. But in that single moment in time, it felt right to be with her. They pulled into a parking spot. He looked over at her and leaned his head back on the headrest. “You look good, Soph. I guess whatever this is with Mark agrees with you.”
Ryan yelled for them as they entered the nightclub. There were several tables reserved and as Caleb went to get their drinks, Sophie had a seat. She fished through her purse in search of her phone to send Mark a message.
“Well, don’t you look good enough to eat.” The familiar voice made her drop her phone.
“Holy shit. What are you doing here?” Sophie shifted in the booth and looked Shawn right in the eyes.
“Work thing,” He took a sip of his beer and reached out to touch her hand. “I’m serious Sophie. You look great.”
Caleb cleared his throat and Sophie’s panicked look hit him like a ton of bricks. He set her drink down in front of her and faced Shawn. “Caleb Allen. And you are?”
Shawn shook his hand but his eyes didn’t leave Sophie’s. “Shawn.”
The name made him cringe. Sophie had been a wreck for months after she had found him in bed with his secretary. Here he was, in the flesh, touching her like he still owned her. Caleb sat down next to Sophie and put his arm around her. “Well, Shawn, I wouldn’t mind if you took your hand off my girlfriend.” He pulled Sophie closer and kissed her forehead.
She let out the breath she was holding and moved her hand to Caleb’s leg. She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with thanks. “Don’t get jealous honey. There’s nothing left there.”
Ryan walked over smiling. “Is it finally swap night?” He laughed and pointed to Caleb.
Sophie’s eyes pleaded with him and he swallowed hard. “Ryan, this is Shawn. Shawn, Ryan.” Sophie kissed Caleb’s neck and snuggled in.
Understanding dawned on Ryan’s face and he sat down. “Dude, I don’t know how you let such a hot piece of ass get away. I’ve been trying to get her to leave Caleb and give me a shot but she won’t.” Long chug of beer and wink. “Anyway, Marco just came in and I thought I would stop by and say hello. I guess I will leave you to it.”
Caleb turned and watched Ryan meet Mark at the door. His eyes were on them and if looks could kill, Caleb would be saying his goodbyes. Ryan held his arm and pointed. Mark’s face shifted to Shawn and his jaw clenched as Shawn stared at Sophie. Ryan shook his arm to get his attention and started talking more frantically. Mark laughed and walked toward the table.
Caleb’s body stiffened and Shawn looked up at Mark. “How’s my favorite couple?” Mark laughed as he plopped down next to Shawn. As he loosened his tie, his eyes roamed Sophie and looked back at Caleb. “Caleb.” He nodded.
Sophie fidgeted in the seat. “Mark, this is Shawn. My ex.” Her voice was higher than normal and she cleared her throat.
“Well, this must suck for you.” Mark smiled at Shawn. Shawn was wedged between him and the wall. He wasn’t getting up any time soon. “She looks great, doesn’t she?” Shawn cleared his throat and took a long chug of beer. “You should have seen her last week. Topless in Jamaica and having the time of her life. Those tan legs wrapped all around this guy here. It was a sight to see.”
Shawn looked at Sophie. “There is no way you went topless.” His voice was almost a growl.
She smiled. “I did. Guess I just needed the right people around me so I could really find myself.” She snuggled so close to Caleb that he blushed.
“They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Constant sex and it hasn’t stopped yet.” Mark didn’t take his eyes off Sophie.
“And it’s incredible,” Sophie smiled at Mark.
Shawn finished his beer and moved to get up. “I’ll get it man, stay.” Mark waved the waitress over. “It is incredible. She might even be in love with him. What do you think Caleb?”
Caleb’s face was bright red and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Shawn looked at Mark with his brows raised. “And you would know this how?”
“Get up Allen,” Mark stood and waited for Caleb to move. When he did, Mark sat down and gave her a deep kiss and Sophie melted into his arms. Caleb laughed as Shawn’s jaw dropped. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Soph. I can’t get enough of you.”
“I do love you,” Sophie shook as his hand ran down her back.
“I love you too, Soph.” Mark brushed the hair out of her face. “Let’s go home.” As Mark stood up and took Sophie’s hand, he noticed his line of friends staring at him. He smiled at the shock on everyone’s face. He looked at Shawn. “Thank you for being a douche bag. I honestly don’t know where I would be without her.” Sophie laughed and hurried out the front door with Mark.
****
As Mark put his Audi in park outside his building, he looked at Sophie. She had been quiet the whole ride. He cleared his throat and she jumped. “Everything ok there champ?”
She smiled at him. “Sorry about the Caleb thing. I panicked.”
Mark laughed. “It’s fine. At least it was Caleb. Shawn’s a jackass. If he would have touched you again, I would have beat his ass.”
Sophie laughed. “Were you there the whole time?”
He smiled a tight smile. “I walked in when he sat down but Caleb beat me to the table. Seeing him touch you wasn’t much better. I do appreciate how protective he is over you though.”
She walked into the elevator behind him and Mark pushed the penthouse button. She looked up at him and he laughed. “It’s our corporate suite. It’s not mine. I have narrowed the house search down though.”
She shifted uncomfortably. “Thanks for what you said at the club.” She played with her earring and wouldn’t meet his gaze. “It was nice to see Shawn a little shocked.”
Mark stared at her. “Look at me.” Sophie blushed and met his gaze. “I meant what I said.”
“Mark, don’t..” Sophie took a step back. The pulse at her neck went crazy.
He grabbed her hand and put it on his chest. “Do you feel this? You do this to me. No one else ever has.” He lowered her hand to his pants. “And you do this to me. You, Sophie. No one else.”
She gasped as he pushed her back against the wall of the elevator. He bit her bottom lip and tugged it. His hand ran up her thigh and pushed her panties aside. His fingers plunged into her core, instantly slick with wetness. He licked his lips. “And this, this is all mine.”
His fingers continued to pump in and out of her as the elevator door opened to the penthouse suite. He kicked his foot out to hold the door open and continued his fast pace. She clung to his shoulders and shook. He ran his thumb through the wetness and swiped it across the hard nub that made him so happy. “You are all mine, Sophie. No one else is to touch you.” He squeezed her nipple through her shirt and her pleasure dropped her to her knees. Mark pulled her up. “Now that we are clear, get in here and let me make love to you.”
****
Mark flipped the eggs in the frying pan and looked over at the bacon on the skillet. Sophie had spent the night with him and despite a change in scenery, the same dream had jolted him awake. He had dressed quickly in a pair of sweatpants and gone for a run to clear his head. Sophie was still asleep when he arrived back home so he showered and dressed for the day. He had told her he loved her and spent half the night showing her. His nerves were shot. Tomorrow he would be picking out a ring, and possibly putting an offer on a house. He prayed she felt the same way he did.
“The coffee smells delicious.” Sophie yawned and leaned in to hug him. He smelled of mint and man and she grasped a handful of his black t-shirt. Her eyes met his and he smiled a half smile. “Why are you up so early? It’s Sunday. Come back to bed.”
Mark wrapped his arms around her, her body melting into his. She rubbed her hands up the back of his shirt, memorizing each muscle. His strong shoulders met his perfect back and she touched him freely. Pulling back, she rubbed her hands down his chest, to his sculpted abs and her favorite V that dipped into his loose fitting jeans. He was perfection. She leaned in to kiss his chest and sighed. “I love you Mark. Please don’t pull away from me. I know you have been having nightmares. Please talk to me.”
Mark pulled her tighter. “I’m afraid to lose you. I’ve never felt like this before.”
Sophie smiled at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You aren’t going to lose me. I’m afraid too. But I would rather be afraid and have you than lose you because of fear.”
Mark scooped some eggs onto her plate and poured some juice in a glass. “Sit down. I need to talk to you. I have a crazy week coming up. Work is going to be really busy and I am not sure how much time I am going to have. I just want to know that you won’t run from me. The wedding is in less than a week and I need to know you are with me.”
Sophie smiled. “I am with you. I know your job can get crazy. I will be here for whatever time you have. But if you are disappearing for a week, I’m going to need a little reminder of what I am waiting for.” She walked to him and took his baseball cap off.
Mark smiled and lifted her onto the kitchen counter. She wrapped her legs around him and he growled low in his throat. “You are the most beautiful woman in the whole world. And I am so lucky because I am the one that gets to touch you.” He pulled her t-shirt off and sucked in a breath when he realized she wasn’t wearing anything else. Gently, he kissed her collar bone, up her neck and behind her right ear.
“No, you have it wrong. I’m the lucky one. You are gorgeous. Such a hunk.” She laughed. “You are way out of my league.”
“Don’t say that. You are the most amazing person in the world.” His eyes flashed with anger. “I never expected to feel anything like this for anyone. And I can’t believe I found you. Don’t ever say that again.”
He tangled his hands into her hair and tugged her head back. His mouth attacked hers, making her gasp. His hips ground against her and she moaned. Digging her nails into his t-shirt, she begged. “Please Mark.”