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 think I 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’d 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 kicked 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 was tough but I appreciate how protective he is of you.”
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 say things you don’t mean.” 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 rubbed against her clit, making her instantly wet. He licked his lips. “And this, this is all mine.”
His fingers continued to tease 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 her wetness. “You are all mine, Sophie. No one else is to touch you.” He squeezed her nipple through her shirt and her pleasure almost dropped her to her knees. Mark smiled. “Now that we’re 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’ve been having nightmares. Is it always like that? 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’m not sure how much time I’m 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’re with me.”
Sophie smiled. “I’m with you. I’m not going anywhere. I know your job can get crazy. I’ll be here if you have any time. But if you’re 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’m 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’re gorgeous.” Sophie laughed. “You are way out of my league.”
“Don’t say that. You’re 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.”
“What do you want baby?” He brushed his fingers across her nipple and tugged the pink puckered flesh.
“You. Now. Please don’t make me wait.” Sophie grabbed his shirt and yanked it over his head and made quick work of the button on his jeans. Pushing his pants and boxers down in one fluid movement, she wrapped her hand around his erection and he grit his teeth.
“Baby, this is going to be quick.” He entered her and began pumping into her recklessly. His eyes were glassy and almost feral.
She felt the
familiar tightening in her belly and dug her heels into his back. She threw her head back as her release hit her. Her body clenched and shuttered. She bit his shoulder and he pumped even harder. “I’m never going to be able to let you go.”
She held him tightly. “I don’t want to go anywhere.”
Chapter Thirteen
Mark paced his kitchen. Her flight was delayed and he was getting anxious. The appointment with Neil Lane was today and he smiled. She would know exactly what Sophie would like. He wanted Sophie to be surprised. To be knocked off her feet. He wanted this to be perfect. The knock on the door brought him out of his daze. Show time.
“Layla?" Mark locked eyes with the woman at his door. She was taller than Sophie but had the same big chocolate eyes and pouty lips. Her hair was dark brown and fell to her mid back with shiny curls. She wore skinny jeans, a halter top and red lipstick and had a tattoo on her right arm.
She pushed past him into his suite. “You have got to be kidding me. You’re Mark? Way to go Soph.” She laughed and wrapped him into a loose hug. “You are hot. Wow.”
Mark laughed. She wasn’t shy or timid like his Sophie. His laugh grew harder when she tightened her grip on him. “I’m not sure I want to let you go. I haven’t hugged a beefy man in awhile.”
Mark swatted her arms away and motioned to his living room. “Welcome. Thank you for being here. I want all of this to be perfect for your sister.”
Layla Barringer stood in his suite, looking around and shaking her head. “My sister hit the jackpot with you buddy. Get my bags and show me around already.”
Mark’s smile grew bigger. “You got it. Please make yourself at home. Help yourself to anything. The bathroom is on the right and your room is right next door. I’ll bring your bag in and we need to get going. We have an appointment.”
“Yes sir. Please don’t let me sit down after that long flight. That would be too kind.” She teased back over her shoulder and walked down the hall to find her room. “I still think it’s crazy you needed me here. But now that I see you are eye candy, I think I’ll stay the week. Way to go Soph.”
“You are too kind.” He tossed her a helmet and jingled his keys. “Let’s roll Kid.”
“What are we rolling in exactly?” Layla looked at the helmet and smiled. “You have a bike? You don’t look like a bike guy, pretty boy.”
“Don’t let these good looks fool you. I happen to have a Ducati that just arrived yesterday from my place on the East Coast and I am dying to ride it. Get your ass in gear, let’s go.”
Mark led Layla down to the garage. He strapped his helmet on and straddled the bike.
Layla squealed. “Oh my God. I have to drive this. Can I drive? Please pretty boy. This is amazing. I have a bike but it is nothing like this.”
Mark couldn’t help but laugh at her. She was nothing like Sophie. His heart squeezed at the thought of her. She was in love. And if everything went his way, Layla would be his sister very soon.
She jumped up and down begging to drive. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll drive us there, you help me with this and I will let you drive it. Now stop jumping and get on.”
She wrapped her arms around him and they sped out of the parking garage. She leaned into the turns with him and loosened her grip on his waist. He was worried he would never get Sophie on his bike. Layla was a natural. It was a short drive to the appointment and she huffed her disappointment when they stopped.
Her eyes widened at she took off her helmet and noticed the name on the store. “Why are we here?”
Mark climbed off his bike and smiled down at her. “Layla, I need to ask you a question.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I love your sister. I never thought I would love anyone but she’s amazing. Sophie means everything to me. You’re here because you mean everything to her. I know she really only has you. I want to ask your permission to marry your sister.”
Layla launched herself off the bike and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes. Yes. I am so excited for her. She deserves this so much. She needs some good in her life. Does she know?”
Mark shook his head and took her hand as they walked into Neil Lane’s store. “She has no idea.”
****
“Ryan, come here man.” Caleb slowed the treadmill from his run and yelled over the crowd to Ryan. He had been doing a training session but Caleb didn’t care. This was important.
“Dude, do you not see that babe I’m training?”
“I don’t care. Does Moretti have a bike?” Caleb pointed out the front window of the gym at the Ducati sitting in front of the jewelry store. “I swear to God I just saw him with some brunette. She was hugging him and then they walked in there holding hands.”
Ryan looked out the window stunned. “No way man. It couldn’t have been. Besides, what would he be doing over there? And not with Sophie?”
The men stood in the window staring at the bike for a few minutes. When they didn’t come right back out, Ryan went back to his training session and Caleb picked up his pace on the treadmill. He would run five more miles and call it a day. He had taken a half day from work to spend some time with Ryan at the gym. He had been promising to come by for months and he needed to blow off some steam.
Movement across the street caught his attention. “Um, Ryan?”
Ryan moved to the window and his jaw dropped. Mark was coming out of the store, walking next to the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His heart raced and he shook his head. “Who is that?”
Caleb reached for his cell phone. “I have no idea man.”
Ryan grabbed his hand. “Leave it alone Allen. Or at least ask Mark about it before you go blowing this out of proportion. You owe it to him to ask. And you owe it to Soph.” He looked back out the window and his eyes locked with hers. His breath caught in his throat. She smiled at him and he froze. Her gaze returned to Mark and she hugged him, holding tightly to a little jewelry bag. “What the hell just happened?”
****
Layla was star struck. She had just met Neil Lane and helped pick out the most gorgeous engagement ring she had ever seen. Sophie was a lucky girl. Mark was gorgeous, adventurous and very rich. She held his hand and dragged him to the bike. “I can’t believe I get to drive this. Thank you.” She jumped up and down. “You are the best brother in law in the world.” She looked across the street and noticed two men in the gym staring at them. She smiled at them before Mark cleared his throat.
“Are you sure you want to drive this?” He dangled the key in front of her and pulled it back when she grabbed for it.
He fastened her chinstrap and grabbed the bag with the ring. When she was seated, he eased in behind her and put his hands on hers on the handlebars. “Layla, I am going to let you drive, but first, I am going to hold on for dear life.”
Layla elbowed him and started the bike. “Oh pretty boy, if you weren’t taken…” Her sentence died as they launched into traffic.
****
Caleb arrived at the office late the next morning and slammed his office door. He had tried to call Mark the night before and left a voice mail that had yet to be returned. His texts had been ignored. He ran his hand through his hair and put his head on his desk. His brain was at war with his heart and his heart was winning. He still loved Sophie and more than anything, he wanted to be with her. But at what cost? His head told him that there must be a logical explanation for what he had seen. But as she entered his office with a timid smile, his heart leaped and overpowered his thoughts.
“Caleb? You ok?” She was so beautiful. Her soft yellow dress showed off her tan and her blond hair was pulled into a loose pony tail, showing off her long neck.
He shivered. “I will be. I need to ask you something.”
“Ok.” She sat down in the chair opposite him and smiled.
“Did you talk to Mark last night?” Caleb shifted papers on his desk, not making eye contact.
“No. He has a really busy week at work. He told me we wouldn’t talk too much this week. Why
?”
Caleb flinched. “Soph.” His voice was quiet.
She sat up straighter. “Why Caleb? What’s happening?”
Clearing his throat, he leaned across the desk and took her hand. “I saw him yesterday. He was with some woman. Ryan says it’s probably nothing. And it probably is. But it didn’t look like nothing to me. And I tried to call him last night to ask him about it but he never returned my call.”
Sophie’s face was blank. Her eyes remained locked on his. “Who was she and what exactly did it look like Caleb?”
He hung his head. He should have ignored his heart. He felt like the worst friend in the world. “I don’t know. They seemed pretty friendly. God, I shouldn’t have said anything. I feel like shit. I’m sorry Soph. It’s probably nothing. I’m going to call him again.”
Caleb hit the speaker button on his phone and called Mark’s office. “Mr. Moretti’s office. This is Mary. May I help you?”
“Hey Mary, Caleb Allen. Is Mark in?” Sweat broke out across his forehead.
“I’m sorry Mr. Allen. Mr. Moretti is off this week. Can I give him a message for you?”
Caleb froze as Sophie’s face fell. He had broken her heart. He was an asshole. “No thank you Mary. I will try his cell phone.” He hung up and took Sophie’s hand again. “Shit, Soph. I’m sorry. I’m still jealous and I’m sure my mind is making things up. Maybe you should try his cell?”
A tear rolled down her face and she whispered. “I can’t. What if he’s cheating on me? Oh God.”
“Then he would be a fool. Want me to try?”
As Sophie nodded her head, Caleb hit the speaker button again and dialed the number he knew so well. Was he setting their relationship up to fail so he would win Sophie? He wasn’t sure. He prayed he wasn’t but as the phone began to ring, dread settled into his bones. He was hurting her and assuming the worst about his best friend.
Exposed: An Anthology Page 55