And Marcus—Marcus would listen, quiet and thoughtful, then tell her what he always told her. She would know what to do.
The problem was she had no idea.
TWO
Annie Sullivan leaned against the windowsill, staring at the view their hotel room offered of the town’s waterfront stores. Rain dumped on the usual bustle of lively locals and bug-eyed day trippers. Buckets of rain. She let out a sigh. “Okay—whose idea was it to come to England in March?”
Her fiancé, Eric Malone, moved behind her and wrapped both arms around her waist. “That would be you, blondie. Wanting to get away from everything familiar, seeing another country, new scenery, blah blah—”
“Keep going, handsome, and see who doesn’t get any tonight.” He leaned in, kissed the scar where her right earlobe used to be, knowing how sensitive it was. Annie sucked in her breath, and turned around to face him. “That is not fair play.”
“And neither is this.” With a smile he leaned in and kissed her until her knees refused to hold her up. Eric just tightened his grip on her, whispered against her lips. “Surrendering already?”
“I’m just getting started.” She twisted her hands into the front of his sweater, then slowly kissed her way down his throat, tasting him at every stop. The low moan he let out had her smiling.
“God—Annie, you’re killing me here.”
“Then I guess I should stop.” He hauled her back when she started to move away. She let out a burst of laughter. “Or not.”
Eric kept moving until the big bed caught them. They fell, sinking into the thick feather duvet, and rolled until Eric was on top of her. With a tenderness that caught in her throat, he framed her face.
“I love you, Annie. I never thought, or hoped I would feel like this, about anyone.” He laid his forehead against hers. “You saved me, when I didn’t deserve it. Have I ever thanked you?”
“Every time you smile, handsome.” She brushed his lips with her fingers, traced the lines of his face. That beautiful face. “Marry me, Eric.”
He smiled. “I asked you first.”
“I mean here. Here, in this place, where magic is so alive I feel like I can touch it.”
He leaned back, studying her. “You never mention magic to me. In fact, you avoid it, like you’re ashamed.”
“I know it’s something you’d rather not—”
“You’re wrong.” She blinked at him, startled by the intensity of his voice. “It’s a big part of the reason I’m attracted to you. I thought you were uncomfortable talking about it, especially after Claire gave hers up to Zach.” Eric rolled off her and sat, taking her with him. “I will be happy to listen to every detail, whenever you need an ear.”
She let out her breath, the weight on her heart she’d ignored for so long falling away. “Okay.”
“Good.” His smile told her he knew she was shell shocked by his announcement. “Now—where were we?”
“What?”
“The wedding. Here.”
“Right.” She shook her head. “You really threw me with the whole magic thing. So, what do you think? Claire and Zach will already be here. I talked her into coming, and that was not an easy argument to win, especially by email. Marcus can come, if he makes an issue of it.” She pushed wild blonde curls off her face, a horrible thought flaring in her mind. “If you think I’m the big wedding, poufy dress kind of girl, get that image out of your head. Immediately. Please.”
That produced a smile. “I never—well, the wedding part, yes. I figured you would want friends—”
“Claire’s my best friend, my family. They’re all I need. Except you—I’ll need you there. For the whole groom thing.” She jumped off the bed, energized by the idea. “I need to talk to Claire—what time is it in California—”
“Annie.” Eric caught her as she ran past the bed again, pulled her down. “Take a minute.”
“I want to—”
“This is a big day, for both of us.” He touched her sapphire engagement ring, and blue light coiled around his finger. “That never gets old.” Annie studied him as he watched her power dance over his skin, still surprised by his easy acceptance. “Now, back to our regularly scheduled attempt at a conversation. I don’t want you to rush this, Annie. I know how you get when an idea jumps you. This time, sit, take a minute, talk to me.”
She took a deep breath, never thinking about how he would feel—or if he’d even want to marry her here. Hell, anywhere, the way she had been running over his life, demanding it be all about her. “I never asked what you want. It’s your day as much as mine.” Taking his hand, she twined their fingers together. “Tell me what you want.”