“You sounded like you needed me,” Mark said.
He pulled the car onto the street, occasionally glancing down at the navigation panel.
“Did something happen to your car?” he asked.
“You could say that,” Tara said, hugging her handbag. She hated feeling so helpless. “It got keyed.”
“What? Are you serious? Do you know who did it?”
“I have a good idea,” Tara said. Taking a deep breath, she recounted what had happened with Jack, from the first visit to her office to today's events.
“When Abbie told me he had told a bunch of people I lied to get him fired, I knew he wanted to hurt me, but to scratch a message into my car... I mean, he's really angry, Mark. He hates me.” She almost choked on the word “hate.” Even when she was her most vile in high school no one had ever done anything like this.
“What was the message?” Mark asked.
Tara could barely choke the words out, “Die bitch.”
“Oh my god,” Mark said.
“I was so scared,” Tara said. “I still am.”
“We need to go to the police,” Mark said.
“I reported it and they said they'd come take a look,” Tara said. “I just want to go home, take a hot shower and try to forget everything that happened today.”
“Are you sure?” Mark asked. “This guy might be dangerous.”
“Jack? I don't know. People do stuff like this all the time and never take it any further, but...”
“If you're worried, I'm here,” Mark said. “You don't have to be alone if you're not up to it.”
“Noted,” Tara said, not wanting to talk about it anymore. “How's the apartment coming along?”
“That was a subtle subject change.” He laughed. “Pretty good. I'm about 80% unpacked. There's still a couple pieces of furniture I need to put together, but I have a bed to sleep in and as of this morning clean sheets to sleep on.”
“You've been sleeping on dirty sheets?”
“I've been sleeping at my parents. Tonight I can stay at my new place for the first time.”
“Cool,” Tara said. “You looking forward to it?”
“Sure. I haven't lived with them since I was eighteen,” Mark said. “It's been fun, but I can't wait to stretch out on my own sofa with a beer and not have to stare my mother down whenever I put my feet on the furniture.”
“I always wondered why you never came back to visit,” Tara said.
“I've been back. I came for the holidays when I was in college and for spring break. You were just never around.”
“You spent spring break with your parents?” Tara asked, giving him a dubious look.
“Yeah,” Mark said. “I'm guessing you went somewhere with a bit more of a party atmosphere?”
“Yeah. Lake Havasu, Cabo,” Tara said. “It was crazy every year. Nudity and drunkenness.”
“What are the chances I'll see you in a 'Girls Gone Wild' video?”
“None,” Tara said. “There isn't enough alcohol in the world to get me to sign a release.”
“So you're saying you flashed strangers?” His tone was light and teasing.
“It's none of your business, Mark,” Tara snapped. What was wrong with her? She wasn't mad at Mark. “I'm sorry. I don't think I'm going to be good company right now.”
“That's okay,” Mark said. “Anybody would be in a bad mood after the day you've had.” He pulled up on the street next to her apartment building and tuned off the engine. Tara could barely mange a wan smile.
“Well, thanks for coming to get me,” Tara said, unclipping her seat belt. “I'll give you a call tomorrow.”
“Is it okay if I walk you up?” Mark asked. “If you don't mind being seen with a bum.”
Tara looked over at his handsome face in the dim light from the streetlamp. Bum would never be a fair description of Mark, no matter how dusty and sweaty he was. She was tempted to say no, but the concern on his face won her over.
“Sure,” Tara said.
They went up the elevator in silence. When she opened the door to her apartment Mark followed her in, taking the heavy laptop bag from her shoulder and putting it on her desk. Tara didn't argue, though she had to bite her tongue.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, when she just hovered in the kitchen, holding her handbag.
“Ah, not really,” she said. What was on Mark's mind? Every other time they'd been in her apartment they'd had sex. It was hard to see him standing there without imagining him naked and bossy. She was really not in the mood for romance or whatever you wanted to call this physical thing between them, though. She just wanted to rest.
“I think I'm going to order takeout anyway. Maybe you'll change your mind.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “Or maybe you could go home and order from there.” She put her bag down and ran her hands through her hair. Why did he have to be so annoying?
“You don't like my company?” he teased. “I've been hoping to hang out with you all week. I'll be a good boy, I promise.”
Tara didn't have the energy to argue.
“Fine,” she said, “just no Chinese. I had that yesterday.”
She left him buried in his phone and went to take a shower, hoping to wash away the icky feeling from everything that had happened to her that day, but as the water rushed over her she just felt overwhelmed. She had done the right thing going to her boss about Jack, but she felt helpless now. What if Jack was dangerous? Tears started to leak from her eyes. Tara squeezed them shut to try to stop it, but it just got worse and worse. In a minute she was sobbing, her whole body shaking. Her efforts to stifle the sound failed.
“Are you okay?” Mark asked, from outside the door.
“I'm fine,” she choked out.
She heard the door open, then the curtain rings scraping against the pole as he pulled it back. She couldn't look at him. She didn't want him to see her this way. She felt gentle hands touch her shoulders. It was like a dam breaking. She was bawling like a baby and hated herself for it. She was too weak.
“Let go,” Mark said, pulling her into his arms. She turned into him, burying her face in his dirty T-shirt that was rapidly getting soaked from the spray of the shower head. He didn't seem to care. He just hugged her and made soothing noises, kissing the top of her head. She felt less alone, suddenly. If nothing else, he was here. His arms were strong and comforting. Was it foolish to feel protected and safe just because he held her? She didn't care, because the ache in her chest started to ease, the knots in her stomach loosen. Somehow she knew that Mark would never let anything happen to her. He wasn't a superhero, but something about the way he touched her gave her confidence that he would keep her safe. After a few minutes, the tears dried up. She felt better, as if all the fear had drained out of her. She looked up at his face. He looked worried.
“I'm okay,” she said, pulling away. “I'm sorry. You're all wet.”
“It's okay,” he said. “My clothes will dry out.”
She felt self-conscious standing in front of him naked. He was still wearing all his clothes, except for the shoes he'd kicked off next to the shower. Water had sprayed all over the floor.
“I'll clean up,” he said, following her gaze. “Why don't you go lie down. You've had a rough day.”
“No,” Tara said, “I'm fine.” It was true. She felt like she had her second wind. She was even glad he'd ordered dinner because it was as if all the appetite that deserted her throughout the day was coming back at once. She was starving. She grabbed a towel and dried off while he undressed and rinsed off.
“I think I have a T-shirt and some shorts that might fit you,” she said. She put on pajamas and brought the items to the bathroom. He had found some rags and a bucket and was wiping up. He was still naked. Only Mark would clean the floors in the buff, and be so unselfconscious doing it. It almost made her smile.
“Thank you, Mark,” she said.
“Don't mention it,” Mark said, getting on his knees to reach behi
nd the sink. Tara had to suppress a grin this time. He looked hilarious with his naked butt sticking up in the air. It was a very nice, very perfectly toned butt at that. She wondered what he did for exercise. Not weightlifting – he was too sleek – but something, for sure. You didn't look like that just sitting behind a desk all week.
“How soon will the food get here?” Tara asked.
“Twenty minutes,” Mark said.
Tara wandered out into the living room and set the table. Had it only been six days since he took her on top of this table? It almost seemed like a lifetime. So much had changed between them. She couldn't imagine “Alpha” getting down on all floors and mopping up water from her bathroom floor.
A few minutes later Mark came into the living room wearing the clothes she had given him. They fit, but not very well.
“You look good in pink,” she teased. “You can keep that shirt if you want.”
He laughed. “I think I'm good.”
“Where's the stuff you took off?”
“I hung it over the shower bar,” he said.
“Over my fabric shower curtain? Men!” Tara shook her head and went to get the clothes down. Like she'd expected her shower curtain was half soaked with dirty water from his clothes. She took the curtain down too and tossed it and shirt into the washer in the alcove across from the bathroom. The pants were dark, so she'd have to wash them later. She grabbed a few other pieces of laundry to make a full load, and started the machine. By the time she was done the food had arrived.
“I hope you still like pizza,” Mark said. He was sitting on the couch holding a half-eaten slice and a piece of paper towel. So much for eating at the table. And waiting for her.
“You must be pretty hungry,” she said, joining him on the couch. He passed her a “napkin” and flipped the box open. He'd ordered half cheese and half pepperoni.
“I'm starving,” he said. “I hardly ate anything all day.”
She grabbed a slice of cheese and closed the box. It was delicious.
“Don't make that sound,” Mark said, grabbing another slice.
“What sound?”
“That little moan in the back of your throat.”
“What's the matter?” Tara asked, deliberately biting her lip. “Too sexy for you?”
“Don't do that either,” Mark said, his tone more serious this time. “Don't send mixed signals.”
“I'm sending mixed signals?” Tara teased. “I thought I was just eating pizza.”
“You've been keeping me at arms length all week,” Mark pointed out. “Are you saying that's over and you want to have sex tonight, because I would be so down for that.”
Tara's facial expression must have given her away. She was in a better mood that earlier, but she wasn't in that good a mood. Anyway, she knew they needed to take some more time before they had sex again.
“I figured,” Mark said, just a trace of disappointment in his voice. “It's totally okay, Tara. I can wait, but don't torture me with sexy little sounds and suggestive words. I'm only human, and with the things we've done in this room...”
“I get it,” Tara said. “I'll be good.”
“Anyway,” Mark said. “I thought we'd watch a movie.”
“Okay,” Tara said. “Let's see what's on pay-per-view.”
“Or maybe something from your library,” Mark suggested.
“I don't have much of a library,” Tara said.
“I think I see something I want to watch.”
Mark wiped his hands on a piece of paper towel, grabbed a movie from the bookshelf next to the TV and put it in the DVD player. Tara laughed out loud when the movie started. It was Toy Story.
“Oh, wow,” she said. “Good choice.”
“I was kinda surprised you had it,” Mark commented.
“Why?” Tara asked, setting back into the couch. She was on her third slice of pizza and already a warm relaxation was spreading through her body. “I love that movie.”
“I know,” Mark said. “But you seem like such a complete grown up, these days. I wouldn't think you would have held on to this. I like that you did.”
“Don't get all serious,” Tara said. “I need all my focus to remember my lines.”
Mark smiled. For the first thirty minutes of the movie it was like they were little kids again. They said the lines with the characters or before they said them. Mark stood up and did the Buzz Lightyear pose randomly before the character even showed up in the movie. Tara got a little nervous when Mark put his arm around her and pulled her close, but she relaxed when he didn't try to do anything else. He was warm and smelled good. She cuddled into his body, her limbs getting heavier. By the time he pulled a throw over her she was half asleep.
“How did I get so sleepy?” Mark mumbled.
“Shh,” Tara said, curling into his side. “Hush.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
When Tara woke up the next morning, Mark was propped up on one elbow watching her.
“Creepy much?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.
Mark smiled. “Only with you, baby,” he said, dropping a light kiss on her lips. The both laughed. He looked like hell, and Tara was sure she didn't look any better.
“You stayed all night,” Tara observed. She reached up and tried to push his hair back or down or something, but it just sprang back into a weird shape.
“I didn't want to leave you,” he said. “You passed out like a worn out toddler, and I wasn't far behind. And I like being with you.”
“Especially when I'm unconscious?”
“Well, it's the only time I don't have to put up with lip,” he joked.
Tara smiled. She was glad he was here. It felt right.
“You like my lip,” Tara teased. It was still early. Dim light came in through the living room blinds, making his gray eyes look almost silver.
“I do,” he said, touching her lips with his thumb. The featherlight caress sent shivers though her. She could see that he meant to kiss her, but she didn't stop him. One little kiss wouldn't hurt, would it?
The kiss, when it started, was barely a whisper, his touch light and gentle. She reached up and caressed his face, the light stubble on his jaw rough against her fingers. He pressed a bit more firmly and she returned the pressure. It was sweet, almost innocent except for the sharp desire uncurling in her belly. Tara wanted him as much as she ever had, covering her, consuming her, but as much as her body said now, her mind said wait. She would have wrapped her arms around him, reached down to stroke him, but she held back. She let the light kisses continue, sighing when he buried his face in her neck, his mouth open and hot. When his tongue and fingers teased her nipples she knew she was on thin ice. He felt perfect everywhere he touched her, his weight pressed against her, the tug of his lips on her flesh. If she didn't stop this now she'd be lost.
“You're so beautiful,” he said, resting his cheek against her breastbone. Tara's hand trembled when she raised it to his cheek. She could have said the same thing.
“Do you want some coffee,” Tara asked. If they stayed like this any longer she wasn't going to be able to keep herself from ripping her pink tee shirt off him.
“Sure,” Mark said, sitting up. He wasn't going to pushing things and she appreciated it.
Tara sat up and buttoned her pajama top. He'd gotten it undone almost to her navel. She didn't miss the way his eyes lingered on her hard nipples, poking out visibly even after she'd covered them. Since he wasn't wearing underwear she was getting quite a show as well.
She padded into the kitchen and started a pot. Mark cleaned up the pizza box, soda cans and paper towel they'd left strewn over the coffee table and in front of the couch. The smell of coffee spread through the apartment. While it brewed, Tara chucked last night's load in the dryer and started the darks going. There was still a chance Mark wouldn't have to go home in a pink tee shirt and women's jersey shorts. They sat at the table and drank their coffee in companionable silence.
“What's funny?” Mark aske
d, after a few minutes.
“Nothing,” Tara said. “Why?”
“You were smiling,” he said.
“So were you,” she pointed out. “What's funny?”
“Nothing,” he said. “I'm just enjoying this.”
“Drinking coffee?” Tara asked.
“Drinking coffee with you,” he said. “Waking up with you. The sound of the washer and dryer. It's very domestic. I like it.”
It felt right to Tara as well, but she didn't say it.
“Do you have plans today” he asked. “There's an exhibit at the science museum I wanted to check out, if you're interested.”
“Sure,” Tara said. “I'd love to go. When were you thinking?”
“Maybe around 1:00? I need to change and finish unpacking.”
“Should I meet you there?”
“I'll pick you up, if that's ok,” he said.
“That's fine with me,” Tara said. “I'll bring your clothes.” Mark winced.
“Am I going to have to go home looking like this?”
“Unless you can wait an hour or so till the load with your pants gets done,” Tara said.
Mark sighed. “You know what, I'm okay. The world won't end because I look ridiculous, even if the doorman at my building laughs every time he sees me for the rest of his life.”
“Good attitude,” Tara said, not trying to hide her amusement. No need to tell Mark how much his attitude impressed her. She been around the block enough to know that man who insisted on appearing macho all the time were often the ones who couldn't handle being threatened by a woman in any arena. Mark seemed to know that strength and masculinity had nothing to do with what color shirt he wore or never looking silly. Even if he did enjoying being Alpha.
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