"Well, a request and a question. I request that you allow me to spoil you now and then with surprises and gifts. And my question is—will you marry me?"
"I agree to be spoiled unless I have already voiced my own intentions, but I won't deny the thrill it gives me to be so cherished by you." She pulled her hands out of his grip to cup his face and leaned close so their noses touched. "And I will be honoured to be your wife, Sinclair Montgomery." She kissed his full lips softly to seal her answer.
Sin pulled them both to their feet, placing one arm around her waist and the other at her nape and dipped her slightly with his lips still pressed to hers. He coaxed open her lips with a sweep of his tongue and kissed her slowly but fiercely, setting her aflame right to the core with the erotic promise of their future. Sophie splayed her hands across his broad chest, clutching at his shirt as her legs started to turn to mush.
"Sophie, I am tempted to take you right here and now," he panted against her mouth as he pulled them both upright. Their chests were still pressed against each other, both their hearts pounding wildly.
"Ahem. Let us make haste to Gretna Green to get you lovebirds wedded and bedded?" Daniel said in an amused tone.
Sophie jumped at the intrusion and turned to find a smiling Daniel and Margot watching them.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea, Daniel. Ready yourselves and meet me down the road at mine. I will invite my father and get ready." Sin halted and turned to Sophie. "If that is fine with you, Sophie?" He looked stricken that he had not asked her already.
"Of course. This is what I want, to be wedded so we can start our lives together. In this, you and I are on the same page, mydarling," she said as she kissed him. "Before we go, I will write to Mr Welles and make an offer on the Ming bowl."
Their little group scattered and Sophie took a moment of silence back in her room to reflect on all that had just taken place. Looking at herself in the mirror, she ran her hands over her body. She started at her breasts, swept to the dips at her waist and across her derrière. She felt each bump, angle, and lump and sighed happily. In a short few weeks, she had embraced her true self, her wants and needs, and her curves. She had shaken herself free of the status quo, dressing for flattering suitability and not ill-fitting trends. She knew the sensual touch of a man and the climactic heights her body could soar to. She moved to find her stationery, taking her first step towards the successful purchase of a piece of history. From here on out, she would live life unapologetically, boldly, and curvaceously with a surname she chose—she was Sophie Montgomery. And she chose Sin.
They travelled for hours with minimal stops; she and Sin were so eager to reach that blacksmith’s anvil. They had taken two carriages, swapping company at each stop. When Sophie found herself with Sin’s father she was a little nervous, but then he smiled that charming Montgomery smile and she instantly felt at ease.
“I am so delighted to meet you, Sophie. The first time Sinclair spoke of you, I had a feeling you would become my daughter-in-law.”
“I was unsure how much you knew of me before this. I am pleased to know that not only was I not a surprise, but that he talked of me.” She blushed and felt silly.
“Do not feel embarrassed. Love is grand and it is a joy to be around. My son tells me you are also a lover of the arts. My boys grew up with Montgomery artefacts that date back to William the Conqueror and they were never impressed by them, so I am excited to share them with you.”
Sophie tensed at the word ‘love.’ She knew that that was what she was feeling but could not bring herself to yet say it. In her experience, marriage and love did not go hand in hand. But she refused to allow the past to ruin her present.
“I would be delighted! It thrills me to know I will be in a family with such rich history.”
“And better yet, if it interests you, many pieces need to be catalogued as they have not been tended to for an age.”
Now this truly excited Sophie.
“That is the most wonderful wedding present I could ever expect,” Sophie exclaimed. “Now tell me about Sin when he was young. I am certain he got up to all kinds of mischief.”
“Luckily, we have a ways to go. That will give me enough time to cover his childhood before we move into his years at Eton.”
Chapter Twenty
And just as quick as the strike of the anvil, they were married. Sin would be the first to admit that he was feeling very much the blushing bride, besotted as he was with his wife. He recalled the huskiness of her voice as she said yes to becoming his bride. Her words were sure and spoken without falter as she held his gaze. Those tiny details spoke volumes to him; they told him she was making the decision confidently and without doubts.
Sophie had just finished dressing and was ready to go downstairs to meet his father, Margot, and Daniel for a celebratory evening meal. She hummed softly to herself as he walked over and embraced her from behind.
“I adore you, Sophie. I look at you and wonder at how unbelievably fortuitous it was that I laid my eyes on you the very first day I returned home. Not a single moment was wasted on not being enthralled by you.”
“Sin, that is incredibly touching. I want to pinch myself as a reminder that this is real. These few weeks you have showered me with more love than I received in all the years of my first marriage.”
“There is a simple reason for that.”
“Oh. Do tell?” she teased, as she turned around to give him a sweet kiss.
“I fell in lust the moment I laid my eyes on you but when you stood by that Botticelli —beautiful and challenging my thoughts—I am adamant that is the moment when I fell in love with you. Even if I did not know it at the time.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She did not respond with words but captured his mouth in a searing kiss. He returned it ardently, the emotion between them only intensifying the moment.
He felt her groan in his mouth, the vibration a gentle purr as she placed her hands at the back of his head and pulled him in closer. Unable to restrain himself, he roughly grabbed at the flesh of her curves. He loved how her breast spilled over his hand and the plumpness of her buttocks.
“Sin, you are turning me into a wild woman,” she panted hotly into the curve of his neck as she ground against him. Their clothes only added to the friction between them. He was rock hard again, straining against his trousers. He lifted her up and clutched those perfectly rounded cheeks so he could rub his cock against her mound. But it was not enough.
