“Why would you do something like that?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Mark, the look on your face was amazing. One of the girls went into the changing rooms and realised if she could see you, then you could see her. It was just a windup, but you were so upset, and I am so, so sorry.”
Her green eyes twinkled with mischief.
He stared at her, in the time he’d been working in the shop he’d picked up that she had a sense of humour but not realised just how cheeky she could be.
“You know Cassie, I should put you over my knee and spank you for such a prank. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
She laughed. “Promises, promises.”
Cassie grinned, and Mark held his breath when he saw her cheeks dimple. She could not have been any more attractive than at that moment.
“If you could please sort out the plywood, and I promise I won’t scare you like that again.”
“It’s a deal.”
He chuckled as she walked away. “That is one amazing lady,” he murmured to himself, “now how on earth do I convince her to be mine?”
The yoga class dragged after work, and Cassie wondered why she even bothered. Adam was polite but hadn’t said anything since their night at the movies, and she decided this would be her last class. She was frustrated as she wasn’t able to do everything she wanted to do and felt bad not being able to keep up with the class.
“Are you okay?” he asked after the class.
“I’m fine, just a bit over it.”
“Over what?”
“This, the whole restricted movement thing is annoying me. I don’t think I’ll be coming back.” Cassie tried not to meet his eye.
“Is this something to do with us?”
His eyes were sad as if the thought of her not being around caused him pain. “Not really, I’ve just had enough.”
“I still want to see you sometime, it’s just between classes and working during the day I’m not getting much time at the moment.”
“Oh.”
“So you’ll be here for the next class?”
“Of course I will, I’m just a bit frustrated right now.”
“Well, maybe next time we can take care of some of that frustration.” He winked.
Cassie was pretty sure she’d gone a shade of purple. “Yes, maybe,” she stammered.
He grinned at her as she left, winking again just before she walked through the door. Between him and Mark Burrows she was certainly hot under the collar.
CHAPTER TEN
Mark Burrows had never had any trouble getting laid. It was all the other stuff that didn’t interest him. Sometimes a woman would catch his eye, he would hang around for a while but 'never get serious' was his motto.
He had dropped out of school at fifteen, and found a friend and mentor in a local builder who had taught him the trade. Five years later his world had turned upside down when his parents had died in a car accident, leaving twenty year old Mark with his ten year old sister to care for.
Lauren was good at first but soon rebelled, and her brother kept a close watch on her, so she didn’t get completely out of control. It had worked, but Lauren was as restless as her brother, and by the time she was old enough to care, she found it harder and harder to find a man to settle down with.
At thirty, she was attractive with a bubbly personality but attracted to men younger than her with whom there wasn’t much chance of a future. She was happy, and that was all Mark cared about now.
This redhead was different though. She wasn’t his usual type, he went for the ones who only cared about one thing, and he was happy to provide, but there was something unique about Cassandra Warren. He was determined to scratch that itch.
He had made it as far as her home and discovered she was a single mum which was right up his alley. Most of the time, they were lonely, and it was easy to get them into bed. Cassie didn’t seem like that. Her and her daughter made a formidable team, and in the short time he’d been working at the house, little Sophie had gotten under his skin too.
“What are you doing?” she asked one day out in the garden.
“I’m making sure this wall is safe love, reinforcing it so nothing breaks.”
She nodded. “That’s good.” She smiled slyly at him. “Do you think Mummy will let me have a swing and slide out here then?”
“You need to talk to your mother about that.”
“I don’t want to ask her, she doesn’t have much money.”
“You don’t know if you don’t ask, Sophie. She might surprise you.”
Cassie appeared through the back door with a tray holding coffee and biscuits. “There’s a hot chocolate here for you, Soph, and you can have a couple of biscuits.”
“Thanks, Mummy.” The little girl beamed, and Mark felt the warmth of affection between the two.
“How’s it going?” Cassie asked.,”
“Not too bad, it’s in pretty good condition, but I can see what you mean about some parts needing reinforcement. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”
“Good. I should have done this a while ago but better late than never.”
“The whole place needs a bit of an overhaul. I’m happy to do it if you want me to.”
“I would appreciate it. My grandmother neglected the house towards the end, so it’s probably as good a time as any to do it.”
“I’ll check it out and tell you what needs doing.
“Sounds good.” She had no idea what effect those green eyes of hers had on him.
“Mark, you should stay for dinner,” said Sophie suddenly.
“I think that your mum needs to be the one to ask, Princess.”
“You’re more than welcome. I always make extra for lunches so there will be plenty to eat. Someone has taken a bit of a shine to you.”
“I’ve taken a bit of a shine to her, and her mother.”
Cassie blushed, and Mark’s eyes followed the flush down to the top of her breasts, neatly compacted into her shirt. He wondered how far down that red colour went.
After dinner, Mark sorted out the dishes while Cassie tucked Sophie into bed. “That’s me for the night,” he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”
“Thanks for staying, Mark, Sophie really enjoyed it.”
“I was kind of hoping she wasn’t the only one.”
Cassie blushed again, and Mark grinned. He wanted to grab hold of her and kiss her, but he had a feeling that would scare her away. Better to hang around and get her used to his presence, wait for the right opportunity.
She accepted his quote for the extra work that needed to be done, and he estimated he would have another two weeks with her and Sophie.
“Why on earth is there an invoice for a swing and slide set, Mark?” his sister Lauren asked. He felt sorry for her at times, she helped him out with his accounts and they were a mess at the best of times.
“It’s for a job.”
“It doesn’t match any of the quotes.”
“Well then I didn’t itemise it on the quote.”
“What job is it for?”
“Cassie Warren’s place. It’s for her kid.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal. The truth was that he couldn’t wait to assemble it in the back yard. The look on Sophie's face would be enough reward.
“It eats a big chunk of the profit on that job from what I can see.”
“I’m being a good Samaritan.”
“Let me guess, you’re trying to impress the mother.”
“Not just her. I can’t wait to see Sophie’s face when she sees it.”
“Mark Burrows, I think there’s more to this than work.”
Now the grin widened. “I like them. Sue me.”
Lauren shook her head. “You’re a worry, Mark.”
“You love me anyway.”
“I hope this pays off for you.”
Sophie’s eyes were like dinner plates the next day when she saw the swings, and she ran to hug Mark who laughed and hugged her back.
“What’
s this?” Cassie asked.
“Consider it a gift for the little one, she was telling me how much she wanted a set,” he replied.
“She knew if she behaved then I would get her one for Christmas. I was using it as an incentive,” she said, irritably.
His face fell. “Shit, Cassie. I’m sorry. Sophie told me she didn’t want to ask you for one because you couldn’t afford it.”
“Sophie? Is that what you told Mark?”
Sophie hid behind Mark, peeking out to nod towards her mother.
“You’ve been conned by a six year old.”
It was his turn to go red. “I thought it would be a nice surprise. I’m really sorry, Cassie, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset with you, I’m angry with my daughter who thought it was appropriate to lie. Come on, Sophie.”
“I want to play,” Sophie said.
“You’re not touching it for the rest of the week as punishment. Mark, let me know how much it cost, and I’ll add it onto my payment.” Sophie pouted, but Cassie wasn’t budging.
“Inside, Miss before I get Mark to dismantle it.”
“It’s not fair,” shouted Sophie.
“Do you know what’s not fair?” The big blue eyes stared up at him.
“What?”
“I’m trying to make a good impression on your mother, and you set me up. I thought we were a team.”
Sophie’s mouth turned down into a frown. “Sorry, Mark, sorry, Mum.”
Cassie sighed. “Let’s go inside, Sophie. Please let me know how much, Mark.” She walked inside, Sophie running behind her.
Mark’s stomach churned at what had happened. She said she wasn’t annoyed with him, but he had bought it without checking with her first. “Crap,” he said to himself before finishing up for the day and going home. Mark couldn’t sleep all night thinking about how annoyed she had been. It bugged him that he’d been the cause of it even though he had been trying to do the right thing. “Cassie. I’m really sorry about yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
“The swing set and Sophie. I should have checked with you first, you are her mother.”
“Mark I told you yesterday, it’s not you I’m angry with. Sophie knows better than that. She lied, and that’s what I hate.”
“OK, so you’re still likely to go out with me then?”
Cassie rolled her eyes and walked away laughing.
“That’s the way mate, hook her and then pull her in. She is so yours,” he said to himself. He had to make his move soon, there wasn’t much time left at all.
Mark came inside to clean up as he usually did, there was no way he could drag this job out for longer. He had completed Cassie’s renovations two days before, and not told her. Reluctant to lose contact with her, but knowing he had to move on to the next project in order to make some money.
As he came inside to say goodbye, he found her asleep on the couch. Sophie played with her dolls a short space away and he watched her playing happily. He had grown fond of her in the time he’d spent with them, and he would miss her too.
“Mummy’s asleep, she had a headache,” said Sophie, “she gets them sometimes.”
“Oh she does, does she?” asked Mark.
“Since she had her accident.”
“Her accident?”
“She fell and hurt her back, it was a long time ago before I was born. Is it time for dinner?”
He checked his watch. “Must be pretty close.”
“Mummy will be awake soon, I wish I knew how to cook.”
“If that’s not a hint, I don’t know what is,” Mark said with a laugh. “Would you like to help me cook dinner, Sophie?”
She nodded. “That would be a nice thing to do for Mummy.”
“It would be, wouldn’t it? Come on sweetheart.”
Sophie helped him find what he needed, and Cassie soon woke to a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. She yawned and made her way to the kitchen, smiling at the sight of him checking on his creation. “What’s that?” she asked.
“I made a cottage pie. Sophie helped me out,” he nodded towards her. “I figured seeing as you were sleeping with a headache that we should leave you there and get on with it. Sophie was getting hungry.”
“Is that right young lady?” Cassie asked.
Sophie nodded. “I didn’t feel like that other stuff.”
“What other stuff?”
“I prepackage meals for when we’re in a hurry, there’s a lot of things in the freezer that Sophie knows how to heat in the microwave.”
Mark raised an eyebrow at Sophie. “You were going to tell me this when?”
Sophie giggled and pointed at the oven. “This is better than frozen stuff.”
“Little monkey. Nevermind at least I get you to sample my cooking now. I’ve finished up out there now, Cassie, I’ll be moving on after today.”
Cassie’s face fell, and Mark’s heart skipped a beat when he realised she was disappointed at the news. “Thank you. I appreciate everything that you’ve done.”
They sat to eat, and Sophie wolfed her portion down as if she hadn’t eaten for a week. “Do you get those headaches often?”
“No, just every so often,” said Cassie
“Sophie said you had an accident and hurt your back, what happened?”
“I jumped out of a second story window of a burning house, missed the grass underneath for the most part. Broke my back and both legs.”
“Ouch.”
“That’s how I ended up here, my grandmother took me in when my parents died, and I’ve been here ever since.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, about your parents I mean. Mine died when I was younger too, it was me and my younger sister for a long time.”
“I had my grandmother and Sophie. Sophie was a miracle, she survived through everything I went through, and we have been growing up together ever since.” She got up to collect the dishes, and as she reached for Mark’s plate he placed his hand on her arm. Mark met her gaze, his deep brown eyes drawing her in.
Blushing, she went back what she was doing. Mark grinned at the effect he had on Cassie, just by looking at her. He hoped she responded well to his request. “I’ll do the dishes love.”
“You cooked, I’ll wash.”
He moved behind her as she ran the water in the sink. “Cassie, I’d really like to do this again soon.”
“Mark this has been really lovely, thank you so much.”
“I’d like to start seeing you if that’s what you’d like too.” His face was so close to hers now, and his heart pounded as he leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were soft and warm, and he kissed her tenderly, not wanting to rush things.
When they broke apart, he saw her face, and not the expression he had hoped for. “What’s wrong love?” he asked.
“I’m already seeing someone.”
“Shit,” he murmured.
“It’s not that I don’t like you, Mark because I do. We could try being friends for a while?”
“Are you sure you want that? It would be easier if I walked away than watching you date someone else.”
“Don’t be like that. I would never have let you into my home if I didn’t like you around.”
“I think I’ll leave you to it, Cassie, you can call me if you’re ready for something with me.”
“If that’s the way you want to play it, fine. I’m here if you want a friend or you ever want to come for dinner. Sophie likes you too.”
“I’m glad she does, I’ll get out of here then. You have my number.”
“You could stay and watch a movie with us.”
“I think going is the best thing I can do right now.”
“I’m sorry, Mark.”
“I know.” Her words had slapped him down when he thought he would get somewhere with her.
"I hope this other guy is good to you, or I will sort him out."
Cassie watched as he walked out of the house, feeling regretful already.
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Thoughts of him still bugged her as she got ready for her date with Adam two days later.
“Does Mummy look OK?” Cassie asked Sophie.
The little girl jumped up to hug her mother. “You’re so pretty, Mummy,” she said and Cassie hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head.
“We’ll be fine, I’m sure,” said Mrs O’Leary. She had been a friend of Cassie’s grandmother and lived next door. “Is he picking you up?” asked Mrs O’Leary.
“No, I’m meeting him there. He was taking a class tonight, and the restaurant is closer to the gym than here.”
Mrs O’Leary raised an eyebrow. “Cassie, if he is that keen he should take the time to come and collect you.”
She grinned. “It’s fine, I don’t mind. I’m sure when he doesn’t have classes it won’t be a problem.”
Cassie took a deep breath before starting the car. This was scary territory. Apart from being afraid to give her heart away again she was self conscious about her weight, it was the reason she’d started going to the gym. It was slow progress though, she frequently battled the busy life of a working single mum.
Work and then coming home to Sophie was exhausting, and she’d often cheat her diet because she was too tired to make the effort. She pushed that to the back of her mind though, obviously Adam saw something he liked to have asked her out. The restaurant wasn’t too pricey, but she made sure she had enough in case they were splitting the bill. She’d been too nervous to ask about who was paying after he’d asked her out.
He was standing outside when she got there. “You look lovely, Cassie.”
Cassie blushed. “Thank you.”
As they entered the restaurant, she was taken aback to see Mark sitting with an attractive blonde.
“He didn’t take long to get over my turning him down,” she murmured.
“What was that?” asked Adam.
“Nothing, just thinking out loud.”
Mark nodded at her when they made eye contact, and she sat when Adam pulled out a chair for her. After some nervous conversation and initial drinks, the waiter came over to take their order. “I’d like the ribs with fries please.” Cassie said, smiling at Adam. “It’s a tradition my daughter and I have when we’ve been here.”
He raised an eyebrow at her and ordered something steamed with salad. “Does your daughter also have a weight problem?”
Another Chance Page 7