CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

SCARLETT'S POV

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"I invited them here." A voice called out from behind.

I turned to look at who spoke. It was Maria.

Why would she call them?

"But Badima...." Xander was going to speak but Maria cut her in between.

"Xander, they are professional photographers that I've hired. I want to your photos to be absolutely perfect. You both look so cute together. I want your babies to adore you when they look back at your wedding pictures." She said grinning widely. Her eyes shone so much happiness.

But her words made me blush. Thanks to my a little tanned skin, it wasn't showing much but still I felt my cheeks warm up.

Palming both of my cheeks, I looked towards Maria and shook my head with a shy smile.

Xander on the other hand, shocked me, by actually smiling at me on Maria's remark. He looked......I don't know what to call that but ....maybe pleased.

My mouth remained open for the second time today.

I didn't see him coming to stand in front of me until he tipped my chin to close my mouth and whispered in a deep, husky voice, standing really close to me,

"Close your eyes sweetheart, our future babies won't appreciate you doing that in our photos."

His hands were rubbing circles on my bare waist. His warm touch sent shivers down my spine.

I closed my eyes for a moment to feel his touch.

"I'm sure they won't appreciate us in this position too." I whispered back.

His hot breath tickling the skin of my neck.

"How would you know?" I looked at him on this.

"What?" I breathed.

"How would you know they won't appreciate? We need to make them first, my Triantáfyllo." He whispered huskily. His deep and velvety voice doing things to my body.

His lips grazing the skin on the base of my neck, going upwards leaving little pecks on the way top.

I closed my eyes. What must Maria and those photographers must be thinking of us?

He has no shame. Oh god!!!

He shamelessly touches me whenever he wants.

Don't say as if you don't like it. You enjoy his touches equally. Admit it. You love how his touch makes you feel.

My inner voice said back.

Why must she always interrupt me?

Although, she might be a bit right.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sting on the bare skin of my waist.

It didn't take me long to realise he just pinched me on the waist.

I was right, so shameless.

I looked at him with accusation in my eyes.

His eyes shone with amusement on watching me.

"Don't get lost in that pretty little head of yours so often, Triantáfyllo. I need your time."

"and attention." He whispered in a low voice as if he didn't almost want me to hear it but I did.

And this made a warm feeling erupt in my chest. I wanted to spend a whole day with him, exploring his depths, his beautiful eyes, his melodic chuckle, his blinding smile.

His velvety textured voice that always left me breathless.

On gazing my eyes around, I saw no one was there with us. They must have left to give us some privacy.

But suddenly, my mother entered the scene.

With a sweet smile on her face, she came towards us.

"Come, it's almost time. You guys go sit there. Maria and I'll bring the rings.

Also, sit closely okay. You guys are in love. No need to hesitate in front of us, okay."

Oh, mother. That was what was left, she also telling us this.

"Mumma, I want some water. I'll be back in a few." Saying this, I got up, trying to save myself from the awkwardness that was set to come to me of I stayed for a few more minutes.

But Naah, she's my mother. She cares for me so much. ( Note the sarcasm)

"No, beta. You sit here with him. You shouldn't leave Xander alone. I'll go get a glass of water for you." She told me pushing me back to sit in on the sofa.

"Sit a little close beta, right Xander?" She asked with a smile so sweet one would actually think her to be innocent.

I know what she was doing. Making me sit with him.

But according to her, she was doing right. She thinks we are already lovers and we are shying away because of her.

She's right at her point.

"More closer Scarlett." She again

"Mooooommmmm" I groaned.

"Okay, okay. I'm going." Saying this she walked away.

I slumped back.

"Your mom is really nice." He commented.

I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Of course you think that, you shameless creature." I said pointing my finger at him.

His face clearly showed how much amused he was by everything happening.

Pursing his lips, he said," I'm not shameless. Why would you say so?"

He said it so "innocently".

Ughh!!

He caught my finger with his hand and pulled me towards him.

My chest collided with his hard one and I felt my body shivering. His touch always does this.

"Tell me the reason." He whispered in my ear.

He grabbed the left side of my face with his right hand and pulled it upwards.

Kissing me below my left eye, "Tell me."

I closed my eyes on feeling him.

Opening them again, I said, "this."

He raised his left eyebrow.

"This...is the reason. You ... you do this...you ..." I stammered.

I couldn't possibly say,

Because you kiss me whenever you want, you touch me in front of so many people, you never care how your touch leaves me breathless, even now, while talking, you are you are leaving kisses on my neck.

So I resorted to getting up and going to see why mumma is taking so much time in bringing a glass of water.

But Naah, things never go the way I want them to.

As soon as I got up, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back which made me land on his lap with my back touching his suit clad chest.

"Where do you think you were going?" He asked ,again nuzzling his nose in my hair.

"To....to see why mom is taking so much time." I answered.

He hummed in response.

"But your mom told you not to leave me, right?"

"Yeah, she did but ....." I tried to reason but he cut me in between.

"No buts, she told you and you should do that only." He said swiping my hair to the other side and again leaving feather like kisses on my neck.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't like those.

I liked the affection he was showing me.

I loved the attention he was giving me.

"So, now that you are going to listen to your mom and not leave me, please continue."

"What?" I questioned.

"Your reason, I couldn't quite get it before." He explained.

I knew what he was talking about but I don't know why I still decided to play dumb.

"What reason?" I tried to laugh it off.

"Oh, my sweet Triantáfyllo, you forgot?"

Putting his arms around my waist, he spoke again, "Don't worry , I'll remind you."

He put his hand on my chin and turned my face to look at him.

"How am I a shameless creature?" He asked with a sweet mocking smile on his face.

"Ohh... that, I ... remember that.. yeah....I do ...I do remember." I stuttered.

What the heck? What should I tell him.

"You... you have no shame." I lamely said.

I internally facepalmed myself.

"I guess I know the meaning of the word "shameless" my Triantáfyllo, what I want to know is the reason why you think that?" He very calmly explained as if he was talking to a child.

"You to...touch.." I started.

"Yes...I do touch but what do I touch?" He smirked at me.

Ughhhh!! This stupid Mr. Silencer.

That's what I meant when I said he works opposite.

Always speaking when I don't want him to and leaving me an awkward mess.

Thankfully I was saved from explaining more when mom came back with my much awaited glass of water.

On seeing her entering, I immediately got up from his lap and went towards her.

"Thank you." I said taking the glass from her.

"What took you so long?" I asked her sipping on my water.

"Ohh, that actually, Maria's sister's daughter, Molly was late, so her phone call came saying she's here and you know we all just gathered there to receive her." She explained.

"Oh ...okay." I murmured.

"Anyhow, it's time now.

So I'll be bringing everyone here, okay, my child?" She further added.

I just nodded my head.

She smiled at me, kissing my forehead, she said "I'm so happy for you."

I just smiled at her. I know she was happy for me, she has to be.

She was going towards the door before she turned and said the words which made me want the ground to swallow me in embarrassment.