Chapter 57

Erica

At first glance, the ring had a simple yet elegant design. I was only on the ride home when Erica saw how intricate the custom ring was.

Delicate thorns entwined between two rose-gold bands, curling into faint green leaves. Held by four tiny arms was a morganite stone, carved into the shape of a rose. In her opinion, lovelier than any diamond.

It looked like something from the twenties. Yet, it had a modern touch that kept it from being old-fashioned. Every time she looked at it, she fell more and more in love with it, and more in love with the man who had given it to her.

They were engaged!

Everything felt lighter tonight. The real world and its troubles could not touch her. The cab driver, muttering under his breath, did nothing to spoil her mood. Though the late-night traffic was unexpected, it couldn't dampen her spirits. Nor could the light mist of rain. It made everything look dreary.

None of it mattered.

Not with Marcus' arm securely around her shoulders as his lips brushed against her hair in the briefest of kisses. With his ring on her finger and the promise of forever in their future, the world could throw anything at her. She was ready for anything.

"That's gonna be thirty quid," the driver said as he pulled into the driveway. "The traffic, you know?"

"No problem," Marcus said as he untangled himself from her and grabbed his wallet. "Call it forty for braving the streets for us and being so delightful about it."

Erica stifled a giggle as she left the cab, heading to the front door to let them in the house. Everything looked different somehow as she punched in the security code for the alarm. Of course, nothing had changed. This was their same old house with the same old walls, but she was an engaged woman now, and that changed everything.

She giggled at herself. There had definitely been one too many glasses of champagne tonight.

"Everything good?" She asked as Marcus shut the door behind him. He nodded, hanging his jacket up on the rack.

"The boys have left a mess outside again," he said, shaking the rain from his hair. "I'm gonna have to have a word."

"Leave them alone," she replied. "Building an extension is messy, and they're doing a great job. Besides, I don't want them charging us more than they already are because you're being bossy."

Marcus smirked at her, pulling her into his arms. "And what if the future Mrs Crowe stepped on a nail or something because of their carelessness? I'd have to have their heads."

I'd like to think the future Mrs Crowe would have more sense. She wouldn't step into a construction zone without looking." Erica kissed him once. "Although I appreciate you thinking of me. It's looking good, hm?"

"It is," he agreed as he released her, checking the answering machine. Erica looked out of the small window towards the dark shape at the back of their property that was to become their new storage unit.

After the break-in at the old garage, they'd decided they wanted their tour buses closer to home. Once they got the cheque from the London Group, they had more than enough. They could transform their home to suit all of their needs.

"... wanting a second series. Call me back as soon as you can. I'll wait. Cheers."

"What was that?" Erica said as she kicked off her shoes. "Did he just say a second series?"

"I... think so?" Marcus said with a frown. "Hang on." As he replayed the message, Erica bit her lip and listened intently.

"Marcus, Erica! I hear congratulations are in order— "

"News travels fast," Marcus muttered, zipping his lips as Erica shushed him.

"I hope I get an invitation to the wedding. Anyway, I'm sorry to call so late, but I couldn't sit on this until the morning. The guys at the network love the show. They love you guys. They're already wanting a second series. Call me back as soon—"

"Wow," Erica breathed. "Did you hear that?

"A second series," Marcus said with a nod, his lip pressed into a thin line.

"Are you trying not to smile?" She asked, her own smile breaking across her face. Giggling, she moved into his arms at the same time he reached for her. She wrapped herself around him, squealing in excitement.

What a night!

Carrying her to the living room, Marcus lowered her onto the sofa, holding himself above her. His eyes roamed her body briefly before settling on her face, smiling softly.

"You're beautiful," he murmured. His head swooped, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. She sank into the sofa cushions, pulling him over her until he could settle between her legs. Heat radiated from his body as they kissed. His hands roamed her body in quick, purposeful caresses. Her back arched towards him as she offered herself to him.

He pulled her clothes off slowly, taking his time to kiss every inch of her skin as he revealed it. Her body felt chills. Her nipples tightened in anticipation of his touch.

Her eyes fluttered closed as his tongue flicked across the hardened bud before sucking it between his lips. His teeth grazed against her, holding her nipple as his tongue lavished attention against it.

Her groan filled the empty room, her fingers winding in his hair and holding him against her breast. All too soon, he released her nipple, only to give the same attention to the second, his fingers skimming across her waist and down across her hip.

"Marcus!" She breathed, tugging on his hair as she looked up at him. With one last tug on her nipple, he released her. He trailed kisses across her stomach before his lips brushed through the hair at the junction of her thighs. "Oh, Marcus!"

Separating her lips, he looked up at her from beneath his lashes as his tongue swept along her slit, swooping across her clit. She creased her forehead in pleasure as her head fell back, grabbing the back of the sofa.

In all their time together, Marcus had learned every inch of her body, and now she couldn't imagine anyone eating her pussy better than he did. His tongue worked its magic against her clit, quick darting licks swapped for long and slow sweeps. His fingers scratched at her inner thighs, encouraging her to part her legs wider until she had completely spread herself for him.

"You're delicious," he murmured. His hands moved under her, grabbing her backside and pulling her tighter against his face as he buried himself against her.

Gripping the sofa cushions, she surrendered herself to him, trusting him to get her to where she wanted to be. Within minutes, the familiar warmth filled her stomach. Starting as a tight knot of pleasure, it soon exploded, sending waves of ecstasy through her body.

She cried his name as his fingers pushed inside her writhing body, his tongue relentless against her clit. Her orgasm barely had time to end before he pushed her towards her second. Her pussy gripped his fingers as they flicked her deepest spots.

"Fuck, Marcus! Don't stop!"

Never one to disappoint her, his fingers moved faster, keeping the same intense pressure against the perfect spot while his tongue swirled around her clit, sending her eyes rolling to the back of her head.

"I'm going to cum!" She warned him, throwing her head back as she climaxed. She released around his fingers as he pushed her to her limits. Only stopping when she pushed his hand away, he straightened up with a grin, wiping his mouth.

There she was, a sweaty, naked mess, and he hadn't even lost a single item of clothing .

"You look so fucking hot right now," he said, his hands dropping to his belt. "But you'll look even better riding my dick."

She groaned at the thought, rousing herself. By the time she could focus, Marcus was ready for her, hard cock in hand as he stroked himself with a smirk, watching her recover.

"Having trouble, gorgeous?" He asked. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, straddling his waist and nipping his lip.

"I want you inside me," she purred, nibbling along his jaw. "I want to feel your cock fill me and completely own me."

He growled his approval, grabbing her hips and pulling her onto him. His cock moved and slid between her lips, nudging at her clit. She shifted until he caught her entrance and lowered herself onto him, groaning in unison with him as he filled her inch by delicious inch.

"God, I fucking love you," Marcus muttered, his head leaning against the back of the sofa.

"And I love fucking you," she teased, smirking against his ear as she rocked her hips against him. He smacked her ass, grabbing each cheek and forcing her into a deep grind.

She grabbed his shoulders for leverage as she rode him. She arched her back so her nipples would tease against his chest, making her breath catch with each stab of pleasure.

Tightening his grip on her, he moved to the edge of the sofa, giving him more movement to thrust up inside her. Moving together in sync, they lost themselves in each other, giving and taking pleasure in equal measure.

Marcus took the lead, only to surrender control to her moments later. He'd offer the sweetest of caresses, and then grip her tight as he growled his pleasure.

"You are mine," he muttered against her lips in between kisses.

"All yours," she promised, slamming herself down on him. Grabbing her hands, he held them behind her back with one hand, the other on her hips, guiding her movements as she rode his cock .

His gaze roamed her body, lingering on her bouncing tits with a smirk. He arched a harder thrust into her, growling as he clenched his teeth.

"You're so fucking wet," he panted. "I need to feel you tighten on my cock. Cum for me, Erica, so I can fill your sweet little pussy."

Releasing her arms, his hand moved between her legs, rubbing her clit in quick, small circles. Her toes curled as her head fell back, closing her eyes to focus solely on the pleasure he was giving her.

He was hard inside her, so fucking thick. He stretched her perfectly and his fingers made magic against her clit. She came with a scream, his name echoing around the room as she fell apart, his grip on her hip the only thing keeping her upright.

Marcus followed her seconds later, his fingers tightening on her hip as he tensed beneath her. His groans sent chills racing across her body. Never in her life had she heard anything sexier than her man losing himself in her body. His thighs shook with the intensity of his climax, holding her close against him as he came down from it.

They breathed heavily together. She listened to his pounding heart as she laid against him, positive her own heart was doing the same race. Saying nothing, they basked in the aftermath of their pleasure. As their breathing evened out, and the cool air settled against their sweaty skin, Marcus pulled away.

"There are worse ways to celebrate an engagement," he said. He pushed her hair out of her face.

"I can't think of a better one, to be honest," she replied, kissing his wrist. "You're so good at turning me into a puddle."

He chuckled, brushing his thumb over her lips. "Any time," he promised. "Now, let's get you to bed."

"What about the answering machine message?" She asked. "He said he was waiting for us to call back."

"He can wait a little longer," Marcus said, holding onto her as he stood. "We still have more celebrating to do."

Secure in his arms, Erica giggled as he carried her up the stairs to their bedroom .

Moonlight streamed through the window. It peaked through the curtains as he laid her down on the bed. His body sank against hers as their lips met in a gentle kiss.

"I love you, Marcus," she whispered, her fingers trailing down his spine.

"I love you, too," he murmured. "Thank you so much for agreeing to be my wife and promising me forever. I can't wait to spend my life with you, Erica."

"And what a life it'll be," she said, silencing the conversation with another kiss.

They could talk later. Now was the time to celebrate. It was the start of their happily ever after and a life neither knew they needed.