Awakening (A Dangerous Man, #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to get a
marriage license in the town of Ashford?”

Chapter Five
    T he next few hours pass in a blur. I am happy and excited,
but I’m also afraid in a way that I cannot explain. Maybe I am afraid of
change, or maybe I am afraid of David Preston. I don’t really know.
    First, he goes with me to the shop, where I haltingly tell
Stacey that I’m getting married and going to Seattle with David. I ask her to witness
the ceremony, and she agrees, even though I can see from her face that she is
worried about me and sure that I am making a mistake.
    Am I making a mistake? I am happy, I always dreamed
of falling in love, maybe this is it, but even if it is not, I am sure that if David
leaves for Seattle without me, I would not be able to bear it.
    Back in my apartment, after his shocking proposal, he called
his assistant in Seattle, Linda Mays. She arrives a few hours later, while we
are at the shop, a glamorous looking black haired vision, in a pencil
skirt and an incredibly tailored jacket. She takes one look at me and tries not
to show her surprise. I try not to show how cowed I am by her obvious sophistication,
as I give her the documents she needs to get us a marriage license from the
courthouse.
    After she leaves, he seems reluctant to leave me alone with
Stacey. After a while, he leaves for the Fairview, where he’s staying, and where
I will join him for lunch.
    As soon as he’s gone, Stacey sits me down for a talk.
    “Are you sure of what you are doing?” Her face is a study in
worry. In fact, she looks more worried than she did yesterday. “Marriage is not
something to jump into, especially with someone you hardly know, you only met
him yesterday you said.”
    I nod, how do I explain to her that I understand her fears,
but I am more afraid of not leaving with him than of anything else?
    “You don’t have to do that, you know,” She says. “I spoke
with Trevor Beak.” Trevor Beak is the manager at the local grocery store, and I
wonder what this will have to do with me. “He says there may be a position for
you as an assistant trainee manager,” She continues, “You may not have to leave
town after all.”
    I smile and nod. “I’m glad you’re looking out for me,” I
say, touched by her concern, “but I’ll be fine, I promise.”
    She nods, and there are tears in her eyes. She draws me into
her arms and hugs me tightly, surprising me. I want to cry because for a moment
I think I can feel what it may have been like to have a mother.
    At lunchtime, the black sedan comes for me. The driver, a strong
looking but clean-cut man who tells me that his name is Steve, looks pleasant
but barely says a word to me. At the Fairview, David is waiting for me in the
restaurant. Even though in the morning I tried to make an effort with my
clothes, wearing a gray skirt and a white blouse, I still feel out of place,
like a schoolgirl.
    He is sitting alone at a table close to the windows, and
when I enter he turns to look at me, and my stomach twists. The memories of
last night engulf me and I want him in a way that surprises me.
    He smiles and stands, he is wearing a dark blue suit, and he
looks so beautiful I can’t catch my breath. “Hello Sophie.” He says as he pulls
the chair out for me.
    “Hello.” I reply, breathing in the scent of him. I can’t believe
that he will soon be mine.
    The waiter comes, and he orders for both of us, looking at
me for approval. I nod, I am not hungry at all, at least what I want cannot be
served on a plate.
    When the waiter leaves, his eyes hold mine, and there is a
teasing glint in their depths.
    “You have to stop looking at me like that.” He sounds
amused, “or else I will have to take you up to my suite right now, and have you
for lunch”
    I sigh at the image, “Why don’t you?” I whisper. It’s
exactly what I want.
    He leans back in his chair and smiles. I stare at him, I
don’t think I’ll ever get used to how incredible he is to look at. “Linda will
be here to