His Marriage Demand

by Fiona Murphy

  Drake keeps moving harder now, and I’m shaking over every inch of my body. I know if it weren’t for his hands on my hips I would be sinking into the mattress. He’s moving faster and harder, pain begins to mingle with pleasure. My climax is building higher and higher, and I feel like I’m coming apart at the seams of my body. His fingers move into me, and stroking my clitoris sends me over the edge. The orgasm is explosive, I’m breaking into a million little pieces, then I feel Drake fill me full again. The feeling is hot and has me melting until I’m boneless. My pussy is clenching for what it’s missing, my ass is clenching in appreciation of how amazing he feels.

  When he pulls out, he hugs me into the curve of his body. I feel we’re both covered in sweat. The smell of him is so good it has me licking his chest and he shudders.

  “Dear god, Ria, you are killing me inch by beautiful fucking inch. Lay still, I can’t hold up my damned head.”

  Laughing, I snuggle into his side. Awe that I’m here, in his room and his bed with his arms around me, fills me. The dreams I’ve had of this moment don’t even come close. Looking up at the cathedral ceiling, there is a charming scene of day turning into night and fairies cavorting happily. “How pretty and surprising, I imagined mirrors above your bed. Was this your parent’s room. Tell me about them, Drake.”

  A hand runs through my hair. “Yes, this was my parent’s room, my mother loved that scene. It was inspired by some painting she’d seen and my father had it done for her as a surprise. My parents were quite the pair. My father loved making money. He grew up wealthy, in this house. My mother was a poor working class girl from the south side of Chicago. They met in Marshall Field’s. She told him the tie he was wearing was ugly, to come with her, she could pick out a better tie blind-folded. He swears he fell in love with her at first sight. She thought he was a jerk, toying with her. She turned down his daily request for a date until finally he showed up with a ring. She said fine, but a year engagement. He laughed, they were in Vegas by sundown.

  I think the year would have done them both good. She didn’t feel comfortable in his world. He married her and went right back into the office without making sure she was settled in. They loved each other, it was clear, but if you think I’m bad, I have nothing on my father. Tyrant, he fit the word completely, money would fix everything except with my mother. I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t come along they would have been divorced before the year was out. My mother finally had someone who wouldn’t walk away when she wanted to talk, someone she could shower her love on. My father wasn’t much for holding hands, let alone any public display of affection. He was happy enough I was a boy when I came along. Except he wanted a nanny and he got one.

  My mother fell a little less in love with him every time he threw money at a problem, problems being me and my mother. His argument was he was in the office making money to keep us in the lifestyle we deserved, which was a lie. The family trust will keep our grandchildren living well. The only difference between what my father and I put in the bank and the trust is that the trust is set at a dollar amount, only to be paid monthly. My mother found out how much the trust was paying out a month. She didn’t forgive him for lying. Enough was never enough for him.

  Gradually, he came to resent my mother not being there in the few hours he wanted her. In his mind, I was to blame. He wanted to ship me off to private school and it all went downhill after that fight. My mother won the fight, but at the cost of her marriage. It was painful, because the love was there, they had simply forgotten how to show it. When I was ten they divorced, both died a little that day. They tried pretending otherwise, I knew what you had gone through with Justin, I watched my mother try to date. The men ran when they saw me. My father tried dating and the women resented my presence. Only now, my father didn’t resent me anymore. With me as the only focus, he found out how smart I was and I guess saw me as my own person. It wasn’t long after that the governess was hired and the school fired.

  As each day passed, my mother seemed to fade away. Only two years after they were divorced, she died of a heart attack. The doctors were mystified, my dad and I knew though, she died of a broken heart. My father never stopped saying he was sorry for it. After that, he really became involved with me. He cut his hours back and was really there. He would sit in on my lessons, taking me into the office, not just to show it and me off, but for me to learn about what he would be giving me when I was old enough.

  When I went off to school, with his hours empty he fell into a relationship. At first, I was five-year-old angry, until gradually I saw Debbie made him happy when he was so lonely. She wasn’t a bad woman, she just wasn’t my mom. Thankfully, she never tried to be. My father wasn’t stingy when he died, but she didn’t come out as far ahead as I think she thought she would. She left Chicago a very pissed off woman and settled in Los Angeles.

  Time for a soak and then bed, I think. I don’t want you too tired tomorrow.” With ease he picks me up, walking me into the bathroom and setting me down.

  I smile as he settles me down on the edge of the large jetted bathtub that is big enough for the both of us and maybe even two more people.

  “Okay, yes, I like carrying you around. You’re so damned little and I love that I have the freedom to do it. Touching you and holding you in all the ways forbidden to us for so long.”

  Laughing, I kiss him. “I’m not complaining. I need to put my hair up so I don’t get it wet.”

  He’s up and goes to the vanity and opens a drawer. Pulling out a hair tie, he brings it back and hands it to me. Pulling my hair into a bun, I shiver from the cool air coming in from the vents. “It’s not full, but step in and I’ll keep you warm. I promise.”

  Drake keeps his promise. I get more out of him about his mother and their trip to Switzerland. I find out he speaks three other languages. He whispers French into my ear with what I’m sure is a flawless accent. Then Italian flows out against my throat and he slips inside me. We both stop talking until we’re back in bed. Without allowing me even a pair of panties, he drags me into his arms and orders me to sleep, and I do.

  Chapter Eight

  Norman drives us into the city and we pull up outside one of Chicago’s most exclusive restaurants. It’s been written up not just in the local papers, but in newspapers in New York and Miami and it’s agonizingly hard to get into.

  “Drake, this place is going to cater a wedding? Our wedding?”

  Jane is the one who answers. “I was stunned too. Drake told me to call and when I did and mentioned Drake, I was talking to the chef in less than a minute.”

  The door opens and it’s the chef, smiling and hugging Drake. I can only stand and watch as they clap each other on the back. They’re greeting each other and then Drake pulls me close and introduces me.

  “Fernando, this is my fiancée, Ria. Ria, this is an old friend of mine, Fernando.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ria. I have to tell you, sitting up late and drinking into the early hours of the morning, listening Drake talk about you was getting weary. I’m glad you are finally putting us both out of our misery, I don’t think my liver could take much more.”

  Drake nods and smiles, “It’s called payback for having to hear you go on and on about Marie. At least it was only two years of Ria, I had five years to hear about Marie.”

  A woman comes out from the kitchen bearing a plate and gives Drake a hug, “The both of you still piss me off to this day, Drake Hawthorne. You knew I was crazy about him. You knew he loved me and you kept your mouth shut. Sit, all of you. I have three different menus for us to enjoy.

  It’s nice to meet you Ria, I’m Marie. Married to idiot one for not nearly long enough, and known idiot two for longer than I care to count. Idiot two told idiot one don’t throw four years at Harvard away for a restaurant. For long hours he went on and on about how restaurants fail, and it was the stupidest thing he can do. Then what does he do? When idiot one ignores him and does it anyway, he invests way too much with no re
turn for three years. Then the returns start coming but not enough to support a family, so idiot one still won’t ask me to marry him because he can’t support a family. So what does idiot two do? He invests even more money in this place, in this address. Now, I get to hear them up until all hours of the night drinking fine wine like it’s water, drowning their sorrows like teenagers.”

  Both men are looking at her with affection. I’m not jealous. I’m really not, I tell myself as I lean into Drake. Drake looks down, smiles, and kisses me on the temple as he pulls me close.

  Marie sighs at us, “I like you, the other one, ick. Her eyes roamed everywhere, your eyes only on Drake, that’s good. I’m glad for you both, now I’m going to proceed to be bitchy again because I’m having the worst morning sickness with this baby. Eat.” She orders, it’s said so fiercely, I pick up a fork immediately.

  The time flies until Jane is urging us into movement to make it to the cake tasting. I’m slightly tipsy from the wine, and feeling very loved and indulged as Drake helps me to the car. He presses a bottle of water into my hand.

  “Drink, sweetheart, you had more wine then I think you’re used to. The cake will help soak up some of that. I don’t want you getting dehydrated.”

  I lean into him and drink the water, “I love you,” I whisper into his ear and am thrilled to feel him shiver at the words, “I love that you love me, too, and the way you take care of me. This day already feels like it’s taking forever to be over.”

  Drake’s arms tighten to the edge of pain, “Definitely, too much wine. Drink your water and behave or we’ll have Jane running for the door.”

  “Tell me about Fernando and Marie.” I beg.

  “I’ve known Marie for what feels like my whole life. Her mother was my father’s secretary. She came to work for me when she got out of school, she’s always been there. I met Fernando at Harvard, he was a nice guy who was miserable, going through the motions of family expectations. He was third generation Harvard and I was fourth. We commiserated, he was a genuinely nice guy and we became friends.

  When he left New York and came to Chicago to work for me, I knew he was edging away from his old life. Then when he got here, he went on and on about what he really wanted. His love was obvious when he met Marie and I said fuck it, if I could help him I would. He loved her but he felt he needed to be able to support her and a family. I don’t regret it at all, not even not telling her for years, she had some growing up to do. Her mother had indulged her, it was good for the both of them for her to learn she couldn’t get what she wanted as soon as she wanted it.”

  I love him a little bit more hearing what he had done for his friend. I finish the bottle as we pull up to the cake shop. Once we get there, he tells me that he doesn’t care if it was mango, chocolate chunk with pistachio, all he cares about was it was buttercream icing, as fondant is disgusting. I nod and agree and watch as the cake maker goes pale then smiles at the challenge and pulls out cakes done in buttercream. While I go through the books, Drake teases me below the table. I had worn a long skirt, he’d picked out the sheer panty and bra set edged in lace I was wearing. He’s driving me crazy. Finally, I wonder aloud if maybe fondant wasn’t so bad and he gets the hint and behaves. We pick out a two tier basic square, with a slightly smaller top in vanilla cream on a larger square of red velvet at the bottom.

  Jane had brought the invitation for the wedding, the artistic one of the two cake makers drew a sketch that both Drake and I shrug at, it was okay. Once we finish picking the flavors the artist came back with another sketch. It was beautiful, parrot tulips and peonies in dark shades of purple going lighter all the way into white up the side of the cake. It was a lot like the centerpieces that would have a mix of parrot tulips and peonies. My bouquet would be classic tulips in white and varying shades of purple. I can’t hold back my smile as I say it’s the one.

  My happiness disappears when Jane comes back from taking a phone call outside. “Drake, Graham caved. He’ll do the pictures but at four, not two.”

  Drake says nothing, simply holds out his hand for the phone. With a few movements he finds the number and hits send. “Graham, this is Drake Hawthorne. Four won’t work, it’s after twelve and before three or it’s nothing. The pictures need to be ready to go into the Tribune. I spoke with the newspaper and the latest they can hold printing is until five. If those times aren’t agreeable to you, we’ll go to New York. Jack Tate has already agreed if you aren’t available at the time I need. I need to know now so my pilot can file the log. What’s it going to be?”

  There’s silence for only about two seconds. Then the man is giving in, his words short and terse. “Two it is. We look forward to seeing you then.”

  Everyone in the room, including me is staring at him in awe. I have no doubt he’s speaking to Graham Nathaniel, a man who had shot more Vogue covers than anyone else in the last ten years. Graham moved to Chicago a year ago to be near his ailing mother, he still took jobs but was very selective. Jack Tate had stepped into the vacuum Graham Nathaniel had created by leaving. There had been a war of words among the gossip columns between the two men. How did he do that so easily? How was he able to bend others to his will without even raising his voice? Drake is the first to speak. “Jane, what is next on the agenda? We have only another hour. I want to get Ria into the stores picking out clothes for the pictures.”

  “Yes, of course. The favors, I have a large selection in my office. It’s actually in walking distance from here, three blocks up.”

  The moment we step out of the cake shop, I cling to him. “Drake, about the pictures and announcement. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “You don’t think, you let me do the thinking.”

  Really? I’m so pissed I stop walking.

  With a sigh, he looks down at me. “Do you know how much I love you? Do you really think I would let anything or anyone hurt you?”

  His eyes are glowing with the truth of his words, with a sigh I give up and hug him close. Fine, he was right, I wouldn’t do any thinking. I love him and trust him. I’m actually shuddering at the idea of someone being stupid enough to try and go up against Drake.

  Drake’s arm goes around me and he’s careful to slow his pace to my much shorter legs. The walk is quick, I’m a little surprised to see how much Jane’s office looks like a tornado hit. She throws her purse on her desk, waving us down the hall to another room. Exploding in party favors, there are so many, it’s overwhelming. I’m shocked by the amount of serious bling on show. Of course, Drake isn’t.

  He looks down at me, “Ria, do you trust me on this?”

  “Please.” Is my answer as my brain struggles to take it all in.

  “None of this crap. A bottle of Krug Champagne 1985 and two Waterford flutes.” His fingers work his phone quickly, bringing up a page, and hands the phone to her. “These, nothing showy, they won’t work with us on etching with how quickly we need them. Just add the date of our wedding and our names and slap it on the back of the label of the Krug. As far as the bridesmaid, who are going to be your bridesmaids?”

  I’m stunned at the question. I don’t even have to think. “Latisha, she’s my only real friend from work and she helped get us together. Do I have to have more? I thought we were keeping it small. I could only come up with twelve names for the invitations and they’re all former coworkers except Justin’s sitter.”

  “We do what you want, it works for me. Latisha will be your maid of honor and Justin will be my best man. Fernando eloped to Cabo, this is payback, he’s fine with it.”

  Jane is writing down the item numbers on the flutes then looks back up at us. “That’s it then. We’ve picked out everything that needs to be done until the seating arrangements and we won’t know that until RSVPs come in. The invitations will be done and mailed out by Tuesday. They’ll likely come in at the seventy you wanted to keep it under. I’m highly doubting anyone will be a no, however it’s best to wait until we get closer to the wedding to do it.”
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  “Good, if anything comes up, call Ria.” Drake pushes me down the hall and out onto the street. “Now is the really fun part. We’ll go pick out the jewelry first, we can pick out Latisha’s maid of honor gift there. What do you think? Earrings or a necklace?”

  “Earrings, she has a thousand and is always buying more.” Norman has the door open for me and Drake slides in beside me. When he gives the address my eyes go big, Cartier.

  “Don’t even think about it, you aren’t looking at price tags either. There’s family jewelry but I want you to have some pieces of your own. They have some pieces set aside. We won’t be wasting much time. I want to pick out a few things for you to wear in the pictures.”

  When we pull up outside, Norman hops out and opens the door. He tells us he’ll circle the block until Drake calls him. Drake nods as he pushes me inside. The door isn’t even closed behind us when a man is at our side. A tall extremely thin Asian man, ever so slightly effeminate, without a trace of an accent. His diction is perfect. His smile is perfectly straight and blindingly white, I can’t help but smile back in a daze.

  “Mr. Hawthorne, I’m Michael. I’ll be assisting you and your fiancée today. I have a selection of chocolate diamonds per your request to match her ring you bought here. We also chose a large selection of our finest and flawless diamonds and rubies. There are a varying selection of rings, earrings and necklaces for your review. Why don’t you come to the back and look through what we have pulled. We can, of course, always pull more.”

  Two large display cases are covered in black velvet. I can’t hold back my gasp as the velvet is removed. Everything sparkles and glitters and everything is so large. I pull back in shock, stiffening at the idea of what they could cost.

  Drake chuckles, pulling me close. “If you don’t pick things out, then I will.”

  Michael hands me a flute of champagne and sets one for Drake beside the case. I sigh, giving Drake a look. He doesn’t see it because he’s already pointing and Michael is quick to do as he’s bid. Shrugging, I sip the champagne as I watch as piece after piece is laid out. I’m immediately drawn to a pair of diamond chandelier earrings; they’ll fit my wedding dress perfectly.