Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 79

''So, where do you want to go?'' I say with half a mouthful of steak in me and top up Sophie's wine glass at dinner in the kitchen the next day.

Wide eyes stare back at me as if they've seen a ghost. She finishes chewing her piece of Filet Mignon before swallowing it and answering my question.

''Go where? You weren't serious yesterday, were you?'' she says back to me as I sit back with my glass of red sitting nimbly between my fingers.

''Why wouldn't I be serious? I could do with a break if I'm honest. Even just for a few days. The last couple of months have been pretty full on'' I smile back at her before taking another sip of the dark red liquid.

Chuckling softly, her head dips slightly before she flashes a full smile with a perfect set of pearl-whites. Her eyes dazzle me momentarily and, not for the first time, I find myself lost in them for a few moments.

''I don't think I'll ever get used to this if I'm honest, Gary'' she says almost in a whisper.

Sitting up straight in my chair, she suddenly has my full, FULL attention now. What does she mean by that?

''What do you mean? Is everything alright, Sophie?'' I say as I feel my heartbeat momentarily speed up a little bit.

''Oh, Gary. No, no it's not what you might think at all! Please, stop worrying. Okay? It's...it's just I've always had to plan and save a bit for a holiday and when you say let's go and get away, I know in my mind that you could be thinking of L.A or Dubai for a week and that is just so alien to me, babe. That's all''

Her words hit me loud and clear. I know exactly what she means when she says this. Her independence is very important to her and I am fully aware of this and appreciative of just how hard she works. I could not be in more admiration of this woman if I tried.

''I'm sorry. I don't mean to shove it all in your face, babe. I'll try to be better'' I say to her quietly as my head drops a little.

I really do need to learn to reign it in a little bit. It's just, this is what I've become accustomed to and I know that I am more than fortunate to be able to, pretty much, go here and there whenever I feel like it. However, Sophie is different. She works really hard and has a great career which affords her a great life, but we are still worlds apart. I want her to come into my world. Only if she will let me that is.

''Gary? Gary Barlow, you look at me now'' she says sternly making my head fly up so that my eyes meet hers once more.

''Listen, babe. You don't need to stop anything or change anything at all. This is just who you are. You've worked so hard for the last 25 years and you've fortunately been able to accustom yourself to a certain lifestyle. One that I am slowly getting to see and get used too''

She chuckles the last bit as if she still doesn't believe that we have been together now for the last 7 months or so.

''However, it's just going to take me a while to get used to it fully. I've been very independent my entire life. Even more so when I was in previous relationships because I see relationships are fifty-fifty, you know?''

Nodding my head, I keep silent as I know she is not finished yet.

''That does not mean that I am not beyond appreciative because words cannot express how thankful I am for what you have done for me already in this relationship. I just want to be able to chip in here and there, Gary. Will you let me do that? Please?''

When she asks like that, it would take a cruel and heartless man to not say yes to her.

''Fine, you can help out but I will do the majority though. It's only right and gentlemanly at the end of the day'' I wink at her as I reach for her hand and she comes and joins me on my chair and curls up in my lap.

''Okay, if you feel you must'' she sarcastically moans at me as she cuddles closer to my chest and my arms instinctively wrap themselves around her slender frame.

''Finally, you understand, woman. I just want to give you the world as best I can. You're making me fall in love with you even more and more each day when you show just how incredibly strong and independent you are. I love you so much, Sophie'' I say softly before leaning forward and capturing her lips with mine.

Her lips are soft and tender but comforting and authoritative at the same time. Momentum soon comes into play and before we know what is happening, she has swung her leg over the other side of me so that she is straddling me fully on the dining room chair. I kick myself further away from the table to give us some more room as my hands begin to roam across her legs while hers slide through my hair.

''Shit, Soph. Fuck me...'' I grin as her lips move from mine to just below my ear which she knows drives me insane.

''Aarggh'' I grunt lowly when she takes my earlobe between her teeth and pulls roughly on it.

''Gaz, take me to the sofa. I want to give you a treat tonight'' she whispers in my ear as she grazes my now very evident bulge with her hand making my breathing hitch immediately.

''Abso..absolutely'' I say back in a hoarse voice as I step up from the chair with Sophie in my arms and make our way to the lounge to get this 'treat'.

'This could be an absolute corker of a night in!'