Her Shield (The Uncut Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  “Yes, I know.”

  “I want this to be the best day of your life, until we spend the next best day of your life together,” he told her softly.

  She smiled and opened her eyes meeting his in the mirror. “This is the best day of my life. It's just as I imagined it.”

  “You imagined marrying me?” he asked skeptically.

  Isis nodded. “I imagined marrying my hero and that's what you are.”

  Marc caressed her waist and slowly moved upward. “I better get out of here before I get us both in trouble,” he said kissing her exposed neck.

  “We have tonight,” she said smiling.

  He nodded. “Yeah, you can gain that Pro Status.”

  She laughed. “Get out! I'll see you in a little while.”

  Marc turned her to him and looked down at her. “I won't kiss you, because I won't stop.”

  Isis nodded. “Okay.”

  He continued to stare down at her. “You're so beautiful Isis.”

  “I think you're going to kiss me.”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  She touched his face. “Just once, then you have to go.”

  “I'd better make it count then.”

  He lowered his head and their tongues began their dance.

  Outside, the hundreds of guests were being seated at the elaborate setting on the water. The Graham/Martin wedding was the wedding of the year and everyone who was anyone, was in attendance.

  Isabelle and Alice Graham looked around for Marcus, noticing that he was not standing at his station to wait for his bride. They waited five more minutes before turning to each other.

  “We should be starting,” Isabelle told her.

  Alice sighed. “I'll get him.” She turned and walked away as Ray joined Isabelle's side.

  He smiled down at his wife. “Marc is MIA huh?”

  “We know where he is,” Isabelle answered.

  Ray laughed. “Can't blame him, the Martin women are irresistible.” He kissed his wife.

  “We're the Parker and Graham women now,” she told him.

  He smiled at her and rubbed her belly. “This little Parker will be irresistible too.”

  “We should take our places as the Matron and Best Man,” Isabelle said taking his hand. “Alice should be back shortly with Marc.”

  Together they walked to their assigned places to await the groom. When Marc finally arrived five minutes later, Ray turned to him.

  “Really Bruh?” he asked lifted a brow.

  Marc shrugged. “She's beautiful.”

  Ray shook his head and watched as the ceremony began.

  The bridesmaids and groomsmen included Trent and Callie, a few of Isis' acting and college friends, along with some of agents who worked with Marc and of course, Tasha and Jeremiah. Altogether there were eight couples who strolled down the aisle before the main event.

  When it was time for the bride to appear all the guests stood, anxious to see the beauty and they were not disappointed when Isis appeared. Her dress was pure white and made of lace. The sweetheart neckline cradled her soft bosom before the rest of the dress hugged her hourglass figure.

  Marc ran a hand down his face as she approached with his father. The smile on her face touched his heart and he lost his breath for a moment. She reached the front, and his father handed her over to him. Marc felt the slight tremor in her hand and he took it in his.

  Isis looked up at Marc as he took her hand. She felt him give a little squeeze and returned the gesture. Together they moved to the spot in front of the official who began the process of making them man and wife.

  The ceremony continued as the sun began to set in the distance. When the official announced that Marc and Isis had decided to act out their vows, Jordan turned to his wife Sage and frowned.

  “Be nice Jordan,” she whispered while holding their son.

  He rolled his eyes and focused back on the couple at the front as they began their scene. Isis turned her back to Marc and dramatically lowered her head while he did the same.

  “I shouldn't fall for him. He's not the one. He's arrogant and rude. I don't even really like him.” She folded her arms.

  Marc began with his back to her and arms folded. “I won't let her get to me. She's spoiled and naive. She's not my type at all.”

  Isis lifted her head. “But... he's also very handsome and very brave. He makes me feels safe and shielded from harm.”

  Marc lifted his head. “But... she's beautiful and strong. She's smart and funny. She makes me feel...happy.”

  Isis turned to Marc's back. “Maybe...”

  Marc turned to face her. “Maybe...”

  They joined hands and recited in unison while staring into each other's eyes. “Maybe our differences make us perfect for one another. Maybe our weaknesses make us strong together. Maybe our love could last forever... if we tried.”

  Marc pulled her closer, “Maybe I'll take her...” he whispered looking down into her face.

  Isis looked up at him. “Maybe I'll let him...”

  He kissed her cheek softly. “I think I love her.”

  “I know I've fallen.” She touched his face.

  “I want to spend the rest of my life with you...” they finished together before Marc kissed her lips softly.

  The entire crowd stood and clapped for the beautiful and talented couple. The official continued and rings were exchanged before he pronounced them husband and wife. Marc kissed his wife before lifting her off her feet into his arms. He carried her down the aisle and everyone could see the bright red bottoms of their shoes as they strode away.

  Isis was laughing as Marc carried her inside the building. He sat on a sofa with her on his lap.

  “You're mine now Princess,” he told her.

  “Mmmm...I was always yours Marcus,” she said kissing him.

  He returned her kiss. “Jamaica, here we come.”

  “Yeah, Mon!” Isis said in a Jamaican accent.

  Marc laughed. “I love you so much sweetheart. I never knew I could love someone this way.”

  “I know. I never thought so either.”

  He looked at her. “Are you happy Isis?”

  She smiled her brightest smile. “Yes babe, I'm so happy.”

  “Me too.” He stood to his feet. “Let's get this reception done so I can take you...”

  *********

  The reception was filled with food and music. The bride and groom danced the night away in each other's arms much to the delight of Isabelle and Alice, who stood watching the pair.

  “Mission accomplished huh?” Ray asked the two beaming women.

  Isabelle smiled at him. “I handled that.”

  Ray laughed and hugged her. “Yes, you did goddess. You handled that.”

  “Well I've got two more to marry off. Marc was going to be the challenge so I've gotten a lot of practice in with him,” Alice told them.

  “You two are dangerous,” Ray told them.

  The women laughed and Alice excused herself to find her husband before Ray looked down at his wife.

  “I think we should be taking off. It's been a long day for you Belle.”

  Isabelle agreed. “Yes, okay. I know that Sage and Lily left awhile ago with the babies.”

  “Are you feeling okay?” Ray asked.

  She laughed. “I'm not about to have this baby Ray, so relax.”

  Ray frowned. “You ladies like to cause pandemonium at any and all events.”

  “The ladies?” Isabelle shook her head. “I think it's those Black Diamonds that cause the pandemonium.”

  “Well, we're going home where you can cause all the pandemonium you'd like.”

  Isabelle watched the happiness on her sister's face as she gazed up at Marc. “I'm ready. My job is done here.”

  Ray and Isabelle passed Trent and Callie as they headed for the exit.

  “Hey Ray, you guys leaving?” Trent asked.

  Ray nodded. “Yeah, glad you could make it back for the wedding.”


  Trent looked down at Callie. “Yeah, me too.”

  “How are things over there?” Ray asked.

  “Good. We've started the initial process,” Trent told him.

  “Okay, you know if you need anything,” Ray said lifting a brow.

  Trent smiled. “I'm cool. Thanks.”

  Ray escorted his wife out the door and Trent turned to Callie. “Ready to go sexy girl?”

  She smiled at him. “Yes, I don't want to spend all my time with you at somebody else's wedding.”

  “Pretty soon it will be our wedding.” He winked at her.

  The pair left the facility hand in hand. They drove to Trent's apartment and he went to shower while Callie kicked off her shoes and plopped on the sofa. She was tired and told him she'd join him later. Trent had come home for a few days, since he and Callie were both asked to be a part of Isis and Marc's wedding after both Trent and Callie had apologized to Marc for pulling a gun on him. Trent was scheduled to leave tomorrow to go back to Africa.

  Callie leaned back and closed her eyes. It was good to have her baby back home, even if for just a little while. She'd missed him the last two months, but he had been true to his word and called her everyday. She smiled as she thought about him in the shower. Maybe she would join him after all.

  Callie stood from the sofa as Trent's phone began to ring on the table. She glanced down and saw the name Elle before picking it up.

  “Hello?” she asked raising a brow.

  “Hi! Is Trent available?” the perky voice asked.

  Callie paused. “Who's calling?”

  “Elle.”

  She took a deep breath. “What do you want with Trent, Elle?” Callie asked slowly.

  “Oh, I'm with him on the project in Africa. I missed him and was just calling to see how the wedding went?”

  Callie reared back. “Look Elle, I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but you don't want this.”

  “Want what?” Elle asked confused.

  “Want me to whip your ass! That's what!” Callie yelled.

  “Ummm...tell Trent I'll just see him when he gets back tomorrow.” She quickly disconnected the call and Callie threw the phone on the sofa before heading to the bathroom. She yanked back the curtain and Trent turned to her.

  “Who the fuck is Elle?” she demanded.

  “What?” Trent asked confused.

  Callie shook her head. “Trent I swear, I'm about to kick your ass!”

  Trent shut the water with soap still on his body. “Wait, what? What the hell is going on?”

  Stepping out of the shower he grabbed a towel and followed a livid Callie out to the living room where she was grabbing her bag.

  “Callie, what is going on?” he demanded as she began to walk past him. He stopped her and held her rigid body.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “Who is Elle?”

  Trent frowned. “She's on the project with me.”

  “Why is she calling you talking about she misses you and asking if you had a good time at the wedding?” Callie asked turning her head.

  “What? I don't know.” Trent shrugged. “Everyone knew I was coming for a wedding, that wasn't a secret, but she doesn't have any reason to be calling me.”

  Callie nodded. “One question, you been with her?”

  “What? No! Why would you say something like that?”

  “Because she was too damn comfortable calling you Trent and she knows all your damn business!”

  “I haven't been with her Callie. I haven't been with anybody!”

  Callie felt something wasn't right and her instincts rarely let her down. “Have you touched her?” she asked.

  “No!”

  She watched his face. “You kissed her?” Trent flinched and Callie caught it.

  “You bastard!” Callie screamed. “You asked me to wait two years for your ass, and you go and kiss another girl in two damn months!”

  “I didn't kiss her Callie. She kissed me!”

  Callie threw her hand up. “Shut the hell up Trent! I don't want to hear that!”

  “She did! I wouldn't kiss her.”

  Callie put her hand on her hip. “So tell me Trent, how the hell did your lips get close enough to hers for her ass to kiss you? Huh? Tell...me...that!”

  Trent lowered his head and blew out a breath. “We had all gone out as a group one night, Elle got drunk and she was stumbling around. I went to help her and she kissed me. It was like two seconds.”

  Callie nodded. “Two seconds too got damn long.”

  Trent reached for her. “Callie, I don't want Elle.”

  “Clearly, Elle wants you Trent,” Callie pointed out.

  He looked down into her angry face. “It was nothing Callie.”

  “So what's next Trent? Elle accidentally has sex with you and it means nothing?” she asked tilting her head.

  Trent lowered his head and stepped away. “I'm not having sex with Elle, Callie. I told you it was nothing.”

  “What if you came back and I told you that Kyle had accidentally kissed me. How would you like that Trent?” she demanded.

  “I wouldn't.” Trent eyes narrowed before he turned and walked into his bedroom leaving Callie standing in the same spot.

  Callie grabbed his phone and memorized Elle's number. She went in her bag and grabbed her phone, programming the number in her contacts.

  When Trent returned, she was sitting on the sofa. “So what's up?” he asked standing in shorts and T-shirt.

  “You tell me baby, what's up?” she asked swinging her leg with her arms folded.

  “What's up is that I have one more day here with you and I don't want to fight with you over some girl who means nothing,” he told her.

  “How long have you known that she wanted you?” Callie asked.

  He shrugged. “I don't know. I mean she would, like try to flirt with me in class but I just brushed that off.”

  “Do you think she's attractive?”

  Trent frowned. “Uh, let's just say I like cocoa...not milk.”

  Callie raised a brow. “Oh really? That's what up, huh?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.” Trent took a seat next to her. “Besides, mean ass girls from LA are beautiful and sexy to me.”

  “I was about to beat the hell out of you,” Callie told him.

  Trent smiled. “Callie you know you can't beat me up, and you can't beat me in basketball either, even though you still cheat like hell.”

  “I will beat the hell out of Elle though,” she told him.

  “Yeah, you probably would.” He looked at her. “But you have no reason to.”

  Callie stared at him. “She did that on purpose Trent. She's trouble, I can feel it.”

  “I gave her a pass because she was drunk,” he explained. “She hasn't tried that again.”

  “Does she call you like that all the time?”

  “No, but we all have one another's numbers. Everyone on the project is encouraged to stay in contact with one another since we're in a foreign country. I don't know why she called like that, but I'll check her about it when I get back.”

  He laid back against the couch and closed his eyes. “I see you really need to be tightened up.”

  “Boy, you gone make me kill somebody,” Callie told him.

  “You should take that dress off.” He didn't move.

  Callie looked over at him. “You think so?”

  “Yeah, cause in like ten seconds I'm about to be all over that ass.”

  She laughed. “What?”

  “Six, five, four...” he whispered.

  “Trent.”

  He sighed. “Three, two...”

  In a flash, he was off the sofa picking her up and striding toward the bedroom. Inside he dumped her on the bed before covering her body with his. Trent began kissing her and she responded immediately.

  He smiled down at her. “You are my Nubian queen, Callie. I love your dark eyes and brown skin. I love your wide nose and full lips.
I love your round hips and that sexy ass. I love your strength and your power. I love your thickness in all the right places and I love what it feels like when you love me.”

  Callie looked into his sexy eyes. “Damn boy...take this dress off.”

  Epilogue

  “Oh my god Babe, look at her!”

  Marc looked at the beautiful honey-toned baby girl with bright brown eyes and smiled. “She looks like you Princess. She's beautiful.”

  Isis smiled. “She's so beautiful. I can't wait to see her in person.”

  “She's going to fall in love with her Aunt Isis,” Marc told her.

  “I wish we would have been there. I told Isabelle to wait until we were back from our honeymoon,” Isis said pouting while staring at the screen on her phone.

  Marc laughed. “I don't think she had any control over that.”

  “Well they video taped the birth. You want to watch it?” Isis asked.

  He frowned. “No.”

  Isis looked at him. “It might be good practice.”

  “No.”

  She smiled and sat the phone down. “Okay babe, for now we'll just practice making one.”

  “That sounds like a plan,” he agreed taking her hand.

  “Isabelle said that the birth was very easy for her. She said that Skye practically delivered herself and Ray was like a doctor,” Isis explained. “I hope it's that easy for me when it's our time.”

  “Skye Parker? So you have the Sun God, his Moon and his Skye.”

  Isis laughed. “Yes, they're very cosmic.”

  Marc pulled her closer. “So we have Iron Man, his Mighty Isis and what will be the name our baby one day?”

  “Hmmm...I think our son should be named something dramatic,” Isis said leaning into him.

  “Dramatic?”

  She nodded. “Something that says strong, intelligent and fearless...”

  “Okay...” He waited.

  She looked at him. “Something like, Marcus Graham II.”

  Marc paused then looked at her. “You are the sweetest woman alive.”

  “Nope, I just love you.”

  He pulled her into his arms kissing her softly. “And I love you Princess.”

  After a minute, Isis turned in his arms and looked out over the water from the deck of their villa. “I can't believe Isabelle is a mommy. She's going to be so perfect.”