The Matchmaker Bride (The Bride Series) (11 page)

 
“I see. So that’s why you were so desperate to have a wife to prove you can be an effective guardian.
To dispel the rumours of you being unsuitable as a guardian.”
Sophie bit down on her lip. She hated that society placed pressure on guardians to be the perfect family to prove their worth.
The perfect family being mom, dad and child.
It didn’t always work that way in the real world. There were wonderful two-parent families out there and she’d also known some fabulous one-parent families whether by their choice or due to circumstances, loss of a spouse to death or divorce.

“So, your stepmother was really a surrogate mother. She was paid to give birth and stay married for a year to your father?” Sophie had to clarify that part to be sure she heard correctly before she proceeded. She wanted to make sure that
Bria’s
mother really didn’t want to have anything to do with her, though she’d known some surrogates change their minds after.

“You got it. It was part of the deal. And when the old man died, she reluctantly took on the child but then neighbours complained about
Bria
being neglected so I took her on and hired a series of part time nannies to figure out what I was going to do. That’s when I noticed that she’d seemed withdrawn. I thought she just wasn’t used to me but then she didn’t have eye-contact and would constantly line up her dolls and do other gestures consistent with the autism.

“You were very quick in your assessment. The earlier it is detected the better, Carlos. Good going on your part.
Bria
is really lucky to have you.”

“She’s also very lucky to have you as her therapist.”

“Volunteer,” Sophie corrected as she felt heat rush to her cheeks.

“I want to help. I…I’ll do it.”

“You will? Are you sure about this Sophie? I really don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“I want to.
For
Bria
.”
And for us.

He reached over and hugged her gently. “I really do appreciate this, Sophie.” His aroma was irresistible as he held her from behind. They both looked out at the view from the window. He reached down and brushed his lips on her neck. She tingled inside and thought she’d go insane if she didn’t have him now but she reminded herself this was for
Bria
.
Nothing more.
Oh, who was she kidding? She was terrified of opening up her heart to Carlos. What if he got tired of her and broke her
  heart
just like her ex? She didn’t
  want
to raise  her hopes up too high.

“Right, well we should get down to business. When is the mediation?”

“Well, it’s coming up soon.” He pointed to his agenda on the desk at the date in question.

“Well that doesn’t leave us much time. Luckily in Ontario you can download the marriage licence form online and fill it out, bring
all your
ID to City Hall and receive the marriage licence on the same day.” She knew this because she’d read up on getting married for those clients who wanted a quickie wedding for the agency.

“Good. I trust that one can marry the same day the licence is received.”

“What?” Her heart pounded hard and fast. This was happening all too sudden.

“Relax. We don’t have to do it today. But I do have a connection in Niagara Falls. He’s a JP. We can go tomorrow and be married on Wednesday.”

“Wednesday?”
She felt the lump climb higher in her throat. “Niagara Falls?”

“Is that too soon for you? Or does the location frighten you?” He teased.

She could not believe she was having this conversation. She could not believe the most deliciously handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on wanted to marry her—even
  if
it were for convenience.

Never mind just that, he was taking her to one of the most romantic cities on the planet to get married.
The breathtaking natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls.
The beautiful, powerful waterfalls with all the glowing different coloured lights at night.
She felt surreal.

Her legs felt oddly weak for the moment. She was in love with him and he wanted to make an honest woman of her. She could not believe this was real. Everything seemed surreal. She must be dreaming. Her stomach squeezed when he went over the details and her requirement. It would only
  be
temporary. Deep down in her soul, she desired to have him permanently. There was nothing she didn’t like about him. His aura, his
  presence
, even his mood that could flip like a switch when the situation called for it.

Later that afternoon, after filling out Form 3 of the Marriage Act and both signing it, she obtained the licence from City Hall within an hour. The current licence fee in the City of Toronto was $140 paid by Carlos. The marriage licence would be valid for three months and would if expire if a marriage did not take place. Blood tests and medical certificates were not required to obtain a marriage licence in Ontario. That would be no problem. They would wed in less than three days. She’d overheard Carlos giving his secretary instructions to cancel all business meetings for the week and next week and to book the presidential suite at one of the most luxurious 5-star hotels in Niagara Falls. He made arrangements for
Bria
who was attending a special one week camp with her ABA therapist and the nanny where she’d be safe and in good hands interacting with other children. There would be sensory friendly showings of children’s movies and tons of activities and therapy to keep her good for the week while he was away.   

Sophie glanced at his passport picture. He must be one of the few men who looked sexy even when he was posing without a smile. And there was that bad-boy stubble on his face to give him a rough but sexy look.  God, he fired up all kinds of pleasant emotions in her. Her heart
pitter
pattered in her chest. She was getting married. This was for real.

She was going to be Mrs. Carlos Bradley III on Wednesday.

Unbelievable.

15

The view of Niagara Falls was breathtaking! The thunderous roar of the force of water spilling over the
Falls
was an awesome spectacle.

“You know there’s over 600,000 gallons of water every second spilling over the
Falls
. Awesome isn’t it?” he said holding her from behind and watching her gape at nature’s wonder.

“Wow! How much is that in litres?”

“Oh, I guess over two million litres a second.”

“Holy cow,
mother nature
is…just…wow!”

“First time at the
Falls
, eh?”

“Yes it is. And
How
do you know so much about Niagara Falls? I’m impressed.” She was also impressed at how close they’d become in the last few days.
Physically.
One minute there were standing apart and the next he was cuddling her and it felt so…right.
So comfortable.
It was as if they were made for each other. As if they’d known each other forever.

“I use to come here a lot to gamble at the casino.” He grinned as he watched her expression fall like a ton of water hitting the bottom of a reservoir.

“Relax,” he continued. “I’m just playing with you. I like to learn about places I visit, the history,
the
people of a location.
That kind of stuff.”

“Of course,” she said, smiling sheepishly. When will she ever get used to his straight faced sense of humour? He was gorgeous when he grinned though. His dimpled smile melted her insides. He was tall and charming and it felt so good to just rest her head in his muscular chest. The
Falls
was not the only awesome view she got to enjoy that day. Carlos looked so sexy in his dress pants and shirt with open jacket, no tie. No matter what he wore, he made the clothes look good not the other way around. 

The mist of the mighty water fall moistened the air around them.

“I love it here,” she sighed, forgetting all the cares of the world as the waterfall roared in the background. It was just this past Monday that she was fired and one wouldn’t be able to tell by the expression on her face. Carlos knew how to pick romantic, breathtaking locations. Of course, he always loved to be close to nature. Nature had a calming effect on them both. She knew a lot about him thanks to the matchmaking screening process. She tried to quiet the tinges of guilt that surfaced as she remembered the agency. Enjoy the moment, she thought to herself. It’s over and done now.

“The view is…spectacular,” she continued, caught by the awesomeness of the scenery. There were other couples there taking pictures. They, too, had taken pictures earlier on their smart phones but now they were taking mental pictures to store in their memory of their time there. It was picture perfect.

“You’re right, the view is beautiful,” Carlos agreed, his silky, deep voice slid into her heart.

When she turned slightly, she caught him gazing lovingly at her hips, not the
Falls
.

After a good time enjoying the view of one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, Carlos said it was time for them to enjoy the cuisine of one of the finest restaurants in the area near the plush five-star hotel where they had booked.

“You ready, future Mrs. Bradley?” he said raising a brow.

The moment struck her. This was going to happen, wasn’t it? Tomorrow she would become his wife.
Regardless of the circumstances.
It both thrilled her and terrified her at the same time.
The change.
The vows.

She drew in a deep breath. She loved him to death but could she really go through with the vows knowing it was not supposed to last?

16

Later that evening, the eve before their nuptials, Sophie spent time in the luxurious bathroom with the Jacuzzi tub. She was nervous. The presidential suite was housed with a huge king size bed, a cosy fireplace in the living area of the suite, a two-person whirlpool tub and tall ceiling to floor windows capturing a breathtaking view from the 23
^rd
floor of both the Canadian and American Falls. It was impressive!

Earlier while overlooking the waterfalls they had enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of lobster, roasted shrimps and mixed vegetables topped off with a glass of expensive red wine to wash their palette.

So why was her heart thundering a mile a minute? Why was heat rushing to every area of her body? Carlos.

The large beautiful tub was filled with inviting bubbles yet she was nervous to undress and be naked in front of him. It was a good thing she’d bought new lingerie just in case. Let’s face
it,
the chemistry between them was unstoppable. The likelihood of having a passionate week was high. Carlos was no doubt physically toned from top to bottom.

“You know, I could bathe after you.” Carlos watched her gaze at the whirlpool tub filled with bubbly white bubbles.

“No, that’s silly. It’s a tub for two. We’re both adults (on the verge of marriage). Besides, it’s better for the environment. Why run two baths?”

Carlos lips curved into one of his sexy grins.