Chapter Two

Sitting on my bed I let my tears flow without making a sound. I'm to be married today to a man I've never met and know nothing about. My heart beats rapidly against my chest as I try to calm down. I shuffle through my jewelry drawer and find my Mom's pendant I hadn't thought much about ever wearing it but I at least thought that when I did, I would be marrying the man of my dreams. “Definitely not a stranger”, there's a knock at my door and my face twist in confusion dad never knocks he does the one two three walk in and that's always been ok with me. Walking to the door I pull it open and there stands a man with a big bag and some boxes.

Standing there shell shocked a little I forget my manners. “ Mame these are for you these are the things my boss wished for me to bring over for this evening's ceremony. He places the bags and boxes on the bed and exits the room again, turning to face me. “Looking at his watch, then back to me,  you have an hr to get ready. We have an hr drive ahead of us and traffic can be a little crazy”. Nodding I close my door and turn and stare at the things here, the bag looks so expensive. Walking over I unzip the bag and in it I see a beautiful white chiffon dress sparkling with crystal-like pieces.

In awe I pull the dress from the bag and place it on my top half looking down, I sigh out “this is really happening”. I remove the items from the bag and go clean up shaving, giving myself a facial. Doing all the things that make me feel a little better. A half hr later I'm dressed and looking in my vanity mirror, wearing a dress that girls would literally kill for. Looking into the mirror one last time I pull my door open stepping out into the front room.  At the door awaits the guy who delivered the dress and all those other lavish things.

My Dad's on the phone so I stand there quietly and wait for him to finish his call. Turning he sees me and I watch as pride shines in his eyes. “ Beautiful just simply beautiful” he responds and my eyes shimmer a little with tears. Blinking them away I look back at him and cover my frown with a big bright fake smile, thanks just something I had lying around and we both laugh after we're done he comes to me and pulls me into a gentle hug. “  So I take it that everything went well have you spoken to..... I  stop realizing I don't even know the name of the man I'm about to marry. He sees the confusion etched on my face and answers my unasked question. I have, and it is all figured out no need to worry he kept his end of the deal.

That was the bank I was on the phone with and everything is Ok he straightened it all out after he left as if he knew you would agree. My brows furrow as I listen in disbelief, it was done before I agreed.  Could I change my mind? The thought flickers through my head once or twice, and then my eyes land on the mysterious man by the door. He looks at his watch as I approach him and then peers back up to me. What should I call you I ask sensing his eyes on me. My name is Gideon “mame”  with that I pull the door open looking back at my father are you giving me away today. I watch as his eyed grow sad and weary, “ no” was his soft reply. And I close the door and shut down my emotions.

Gideon leads me to the car pulling open the back door allowing me to enter closing the door and hoping in, I watch as my small home disappear. “Gideon is my father allowed to come to the wedding I ask the question that now racking my brain. I’m sorry Ms. Taylor no one is allowed to the wedding. I'm to only drop you at the door. Looking at his eyes in the rearview mirror he looks straight ahead telling me he won't give me anything more. I sit back in the seat with dread filling my heart he has to be a wicked man.

An hr later we pulled into a small church and he parks the car directly in front of the stairs. He comes and pulls my door open and I exit the vehicle. Looking up at the small church my body dripping with nerves and my hands are sweating like clay. Gideon held out his arm and stepped to the side. He leads me up the stairs and into the door which closes tightly behind me. Holding my breath I turn and face the altar as the music begins to play. Pulling the small veil over my face it covers just to my chin. My heart throbs hard in my chest as I see two men at the end of the alter while the bridal march plays.

I walk slowly down the aisle trying to steady my breathing, as I step onto the alter to  frightened to look at the man beside me I keep my eyes cast down. The pastor places a piece of paper before us which reads marriage licenses. No words exchanged nothing said between the two of us reaching for the pin our hands accidentally touch and a few sparks shoot through me at his warmth and I  quickly sign my name "Rose Taylor" on the dotted line and wait to see what his name is. He begins to write his name in neat cursive and confusion crosses my features, "DeShawn White" it reads and the name sounds so familiar but I can‘t remember where I've heard it before.

After we both sign the pastor turns the paper over and signs his signature next, he looks back up at us and announces " Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. White you are now married you may kiss your bride. What wait kiss me I hadn't planned for that. How could I have been so stupid, of course, I'm expected to kiss him he is my husband now. Turning to face him I put on my big girl panties and pucker my lips closing my eyes tightly I wait for his lips to meet mine. But what happens next shocks me still in place. He drops one single forehead kiss, a tender soft kiss filled with another emotion I can't describe. It makes me blink open my eyes and his holds me mesmerized at the sight of him. Oh God he's  gorgeous.

Six foot three or four inches with broad shoulders and a slim muscular build that goes on and on. He has beautiful bright blue eyes that shimmer with a hint of green around his irises. Full succulent lips that we're just on me! My breath hitches when I see him taking in my features as well, his eyes slowly glazing over my entire body making me feel as if I'm undressed. When his eyes lock on mine again a smile stretches across his face and if I'm not reading him wrong it was almost excitement I see in his eyes.

“Are you ready for an adventure he asks leaning down close to my ears”. Baffled I look back up into his and for some reason, I'm not afraid anymore looking at his offered hand I place mine in his and a zap is shared between us looking around there's no one else here besides us two and Gideon pulls the door open and bows congratulations sir he says with a smile shining in his voice with pride. He nods and pulls me into him. My reflexes want to push him off but my better judgment decides against it. Pulling open the back door we both slide in and he leaves no room for space between us.

Swinging his arms around my body he holds me into him, Gideon climbs in and asks where to boss? DeShawn peers at him through the rearview mirror, take us home and with that, we speed off into the sunset far away from the inner city bustle where I've always stayed. A little anxious I look at him quickly and grab his hand quite tightly. “ I need to go to my house to check on my father and get my things,” I ask with my head held down knowing I didn't have the right. What is it you need to retrieve from there?  Whatever it is I can replace it! you don't need to go there his husky voice echoes as he pulls my chin raising my head for our gazes to meet.

What about my father? I ask feeling the tears build in the corner of my eyes waiting for his answer. With patience in his eyes, his eyes searched mine and he sighs.” Gideon” he calls and he quickly responds yes sir. To the Taylor residence, my eyes flickered up and the car stops and hits a u-turn going back towards the city. Thank you I whisper ever so softly not knowing if he heard me, then his soft hand squeezes mine and I'm certain he did we continue our car ride in silence until my house comes into view. He looks at me sternly as he repeats, you have ten minutes love make it quick, and don't take off the dress I want to have the pleasure of doing that. 

I shutter and nod in agreement and Gideon comes to open the back door. Sliding out I walk up the stairs and into the house with Gideon on my tail not entering but guarding the door. I will be waiting here mame for your things, please call me Rose I don't think I'm old enough to be a mame yet I murmur and his ears turn a little red. Yes, then well Mrs. Rose I will wait for you to call me, I smile and enter inside the house.