by Misty Wright
After a long moment of silence, he finally nodded. "I just want to make sure. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."
She could have wept at that, because she really believed him. "I'd better go." She turned to leave, but felt a strong hand on her arm causing her to turn back to him.
Without a word, he bent over and kissed her. It was hard, sinful and completely seductive. She was breathless when he finally lifted his head and stared down at her. "I can't wait to get you alone in Vegas."
Her heart started pounding rapidly in her chest at that promise.
"Baby, you'll be lucky to leave our room in one piece."
She blushed furiously now, but after last night with him, she couldn't stop the thrill that went through her.
"I'll see you later," he said, dropping his gaze to her mouth.
She nodded and got out of the car before he could help her. It was that, or she was going to have to crawl over the middle consol and sit on his lap. He had no idea what was going on in her mind and she wanted to keep it that way. She was already way too vulnerable toward him.
*
When Mark arrived for practice, he was back to his easy-going self. Janine just grinned, but didn't say a word. He knew better. It was obvious to him that Mark was no longer "wound up." Something had happened.
"How's Jennifer feel about Vegas?" he asked Janine after they were in the dressing rooms.
"Ecstatic and elated." He laughed. "She's been preparing for two weeks." Janine was so relieved to see his friend almost back to normal for the first time in months. He knew this was uncharted territory for him, but he had to admit, it looked good on him.
"Women." Mark chuckled.
"Hey, you asked."
"I did," he said.
"How's the oldest brother after the other day? You never said what he wanted."
Mark shrugged. "We squared it out."
"That's good to hear, because I have a feeling you should be more worried about him than the other one you told me about."
He cast him a sideways glance. "You're right. He reminds me of Lance."
"Wow, now that you mention it, I can see that." Janine only got a brief glimpse of him, but just from the way he stood, he could almost see Mark's uncle having that same confident pose. Lance was a lawyer and a damn good one. He'd gotten them all out of scrapes more than once in their lives.
Mark glanced at his watch and said, "I have to leave. I want to take Emily to the airport. She said she was sorry she didn't get to see you guys, but she misses her kids."
"Understandable. We'll see her soon, anyway." Janine said.
CHAPTER 7 - Just so Beautiful.
Emily eyed her younger brother with a look of amusement as he carried her luggage to the check-in at the airport. He had left practice and went directly to his condo to drive her to the airport. She had said she would take a cab, but he had insisted. She was glad he did, because she loved him and hardly saw him at all anymore except in the off season.
"Quit looking at me like that, sis," he said without looking back at her. He could feel the mischievous look in her eyes from where he was. He wasn't sure what it was about, but he already knew she would tell him.
"Just curious about the girl you left with this morning," Emily finally said, knowing why he wouldn't look at her.
He stood up and rubbed his fingers through his ebony hair, finally returning her gaze. "Christ, you heard that?" Honestly, he didn't expect that. If it were any other circumstance, he wouldn't give a shit what his sister heard, but this was Evangeline. He thought maybe she had noticed the change in him like Janine did and that that's what she was going to ask him about. This threw him a little. His condominium was well-built and the walls were solid, as far as he knew.
She held her hands up. "I only heard you leave with her this morning. I didn't hear anything else, I swear. I didn't get in until three in the morning anyway, so you can relax."
She laughed at his worried expression, "I just thought it was surprising because I was there." Mark never paraded his women around them, ever. It was really surprising that he'd brought one home when she was in the same apartment.
"Don't get the wrong idea about her, Emily."
"Oh, no? I've met a few of your acquaintances," She said, thinking of the all-body-and-no-brains women he usually dated.
"This one is different. She's not… how do I say it?" He pursed his lips in thought before he continued. The only way to explain it to his sister was the same way that Glen explained it to him. "She's a good Catholic girl." He actually winced a little when he said it, as if it was said in front of Evangeline, embarrassing her.
Emily's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh?"
"I'm asking you to be respectful, Emily. I know my history isn't anything to go by, but you'll like her."
"I think I will." She agreed because of his admission.
"Jennifer adores her," he said awkwardly. He felt as if he'd betrayed her by telling his sister that Evangeline was a virgin, well, basically until last night. "I've been seeing her for several months now. You'll meet her soon."
Her brows popped up. "Really?" That was a first. Mark had never introduced family to his female companions before. "You really like her, I see."
"I do."
"How serious is this?" asked Emily.
He shrugged and reached into his inside jacket pocket for an envelope. "Can you give this to Mom and Dad when you get back?"
"What is it?" she said curiously, knowing he could just phone them.
"None of your business." He leaned down and kissed her cheek affectionately. "See you soon, sis."
"Next summer, you mean," she said to his receding back. He waved over his shoulder but didn't turn back. She smiled and shook her head before turning and going through the security gates.
*
Tito was standing in Evangeline's room with his hands on his hips, watching her pack.
"Just because you're there like a Roman general doesn't mean I'm changing my mind," Evangeline said without looking at him.
"What makes you think that I want you to change your mind?"
"Because you have a problem with Mark."
"Not anymore; he did bring me a dog."
She stopped and looked at him. "My dog."
He grinned. "Whatever. I named her Daisy."
She rolled her eyes. "You are so difficult to predict, Tito," she said, returning to her packing.
"He's okay," he admitted reluctantly.
She stopped and stared at him in disbelief. "You do realize that I'm going away with him for the weekend."
"I do."
"And you're not feeling like killing him?"
He shrugged.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine, Evangeline," he said, getting a little irritated.
"Did Glen talk to you?"
"Glen doesn't tell me what to do, Evangeline."
"I know, but he's very persuasive."
He clenched his jaw. "Come say goodbye before you leave," he said, walking out of her room.
She stood there gaping. Never in all of her life had she seen him so calm about something. The only thing she could think of was that it was because of Glen, but Tito was right. No one told him how to behave or what to do. He wasn't one to have an instant shift in his opinion, either.
"Whoa." Glen said as he looked out the front window.
"What is it?" Julie asked as she came into the living room. Her brother was standing transfixed on something outside. Glen nodded toward the front of the house.
"You've got to be kidding me," Julie said under her breath as she stood beside him. A long, black, sleek limousine pulled up in front and a chauffeur got out, opening the door for no other than Mark. He was dressed to kill. He stood and straightened the sleeves of his dark suit before walking up the sidewalk toward the front door.
"That's just so unfair," Julie muttered.
Glen looked down at his sister. "There's no reason why you can't have that
either, Julie, but you refuse to hold out for the best."
She scoffed. "Yeah, like I'd have a chance to get a man like Mark."
Glen lifted his brows. "Do you honestly think that?"
"I can't compete with Evangeline, she's gorgeous."
"You're no ugly duckling Julie." That was a shocking admission. Julie was very self-assured and not once had she given anyone any indication that she thought she wasn't attractive. It was true that Evangeline was very beautiful, but Julie certainly wasn't any less beautiful than her younger sister. Glen always thought his family was very attractive, and that included Julie. She wore her hair short and did wear glasses, which he knew she hated, but she had their mother's looks also, except for maybe her nose and her eyes.
She took a deep breath and averted her gaze to the handsome man walking up to the front door.
"Julie," Glen repeated.
"I'm going to go get the door," she said, turning and walking toward the front door just as Mark knocked.
Mark stepped in and greeted the three of them, shaking Tito's and Glen's hands. "Is she ready?"
"Julie, did you want to go help Evangeline?" Glen said without taking his eyes off Mark.
"Sure," she said in a tone that meant the opposite. Why not? she thought sarcastically.
"Who's going?" Glen asked when Julie left.
"The team is flying down tomorrow afternoon. My parents will be there in the evening. We'll be having dinner with them."
Glen grinned. "So much for a simple birthday trip to Vegas, huh?"
Mark's took a deep breath. "Yeah, it seems like everyone is going to be there as soon as they found out we were going."
"Good luck on having her to yourself, then," Tito said with the same amusement his brother held.
Just then, Evangeline appeared with her bag. Mark looked her over slowly. She was wearing a pale yellow dress with embroidered flowers across the bodice. Again, it was a simple design that made her look very beautiful. He told her so, causing her to blush and Tito to grunt under his breath.
"I'll take that," Mark said, reaching over and taking the bag from her.
"Take care of my baby sister," Tito added as Mark opened the door so Evangeline could step out ahead of him.
"I will." He nodded to both the brothers and placed his hand on Evangeline's lower back as they walked toward the car. The chauffer stepped forward and took the bag to the trunk.
"Mark, are you trying to spoil me?" she said, seeing the car.
"Yes," he answered easily, "It's your birthday."
"Not until Sunday."
"Well, my presents start now." He lowered his voice and said, "And tonight, you'll get something extra special."
She flushed bright red and cast a look past her shoulder to the house. Her family wasn't visible at all, which was weird. Why had they seemed so relaxed in letting her go? She figured that blowup she had with them over this trip must've jarred something loose in them. Still, it didn't make sense. They never gave up without a fight.
"Something wrong?" asked Mark.
"I don't know. My family is acting weird," she said as he helped her in the car.
He sat beside her and said, "Maybe they're finally letting you grow up."
She shrugged. "You don't know them. Nothing is that easy."
When they reached the hotel, he reached up and turned her face toward him. His eyes roved over it and a smile formed on his handsome face. "You look stunning."
"Mark, don't embarrass me." The only way he could was to compliment her, and he did it a lot. It didn't just embarrass her, it made her feel adored. She couldn't remember a time in her life that she'd felt like that, except with him.
He bent his head and kissed her. It was long, tender and she completely forgot about her family. Evangeline watched as Mark tipped the bellhop, shut the door, engaged the interior lock and turned to her with a devilish grin on his face. She tilted her head in question.
"Get your clothes off, woman," he said sinfully as he lazily stripped off his jacket and tossed it on a nearby armchair while walking toward her. "I need to put my hands on you in the next few minutes or I'm going to come unglued."
Her eyes widened. He'd been cordial throughout the flight and the limo ride to the hotel. He hadn't touched her again since that kiss when he first got in the car with her, and she began to wonder if he felt as though he made a mistake taking her. Now she could see that she was completely wrong. He had been trying to control his urges; that is, until the bedroom door shut. His eyes darkened as they focused on her.
"I mean it. I've finally got you alone again, and I'm an impatient man. It's been too long."
She shook her head and started to back up. "It was last night."
"Forever ago." He slid a ravishing smile across his face. "I'm an athlete, darling. I need constant exercise to keep in shape." He kicked off his shoes.
He wasn't kidding! she thought as she soaked up his perfect physique. "Mark, we just got here." She hastened a glance to the large windows that overlooked the city and casino. It was still light outside and the room was well lit. Did he really expect to take her now? He seemed to sense her apprehension, but it didn't stop him from undressing or wiping that seductive grin off his face.
"Don't tell me my little gal suddenly became shy," he said, undoing the buttons of his shirt. He shook it off and tossed it carelessly on the carpet. He didn't slow down in approaching her at all.
Her eyes went down the length of his bared torso and she felt her mouth suddenly go dry. "Mark, you're just so beautiful," She finally managed, suddenly forgetting about her shyness.
Mark had everything arranged weeks ago. He had booked the suite that cost nearly three thousand a night. He'd actually stayed there before, but not with a woman. Yet, he didn't get it to impress her. He got it because he thought she was worth it. Everything he had planned this weekend was because he thought she was worth it.
He approached her, gathered her into his arms and moved his hands to the zipper of her dress at the back. She tilted her lovely face up to his and didn't say another word. She didn't stop him when he pulled the shoulder straps off, and with a slight tug at the skirt, dropped it to the floor around her feet. She stood there in her underwear while he took a step back and looked down her body.
"The light is on," she said.
"And it's going to stay that way," he whispered back, stepping up to her again.
"I'm shy, Mark."
"And I love that about you, but we'll be making love so often from now on that you won't care if we are on a public beach," he teased.
She felt some of her nervousness leave at his jest, and smiled. His hands circled around her waist and pulled her against him.
"Now, undress me," he said huskily.
Although she was unsure of herself, she moved her hands down his thick chest over his flat, muscular abdomen to the belt of his slacks. She fumbled a little and, feeling insecure, looked up at him, but only saw warmth and encouragement in his deep brown eyes. It gave her the confidence she needed. She steadied her hands and was able to undo the belt and his slacks. Then she felt his warm hands on hers. She looked up at him again. Mark bent his head to kiss her while moving one of her hands beneath the material against his skin. When it covered the heat of his groin, he hissed through his teeth.
She thought she'd be afraid at touching him so intimately, but it was the opposite. Her little bit of exploration made him react so quickly that she found herself feeling more brave. Her slender fingers circled around the length of him and he groaned. Suddenly, her insides started to burn and she moved closer to him, tilting her face up.
"Tell me how you feel," he said with his voice cracking, returning her intense gaze.
"Powerful," she murmured, going up on her toes to kiss him.
His restraint broke and with a growl of surrender he kissed her back, hard. Her hand contracted at the sudden passion and he groaned against her mouth this time, finally encircling her wrist with his hand.
She giggled against his mouth as he pulled her hand away from him and bent down to lift her in his arms and head to the bedroom. Not once did his mouth leave hers. It was a task to get the rest of their clothes off like that. He was impatient, and as soon as he had arranged her to his liking, he drove into her with the force of a runaway freight train.
Evangeline was nervous and frightened, but as soon as he entered her, she marched up to meet him. He smothered her body with his, creating heat between them from the friction of skin-to-skin contact. She loved his strength, his powerful body, and was sure she said something to that effect.
His response was another one of those downright sexy groans, and he sat up pulling her onto his lap without breaking contact between them.
"I just can't get close enough," he mouthed against her lips and placed his hands under her bottom, moving her up and against him. He loved her slender form. She was easy to adjust with barely any effort.
Later, she would wonder where she found the strength or the courage to do such a thing, but it seemed as natural as breathing when he encouraged her. His mouth moved to her breasts and she curved against him, throwing her head back, but with his help she didn't break rhythm, not once.
"Oh, Christ," he rasped out, "I'm going to come."
She was sure she said something along those lines, too, right before she felt herself tighten and what seemed like a thousand stars exploded in her head. She fell forward and buried her face in his neck while he held her tight to him.
He murmured something, but she was breathing so rapidly that she didn't hear him. Finally she lifted her head and looked at him.
"What was that?" asked Evangeline.