by Misty Wright
He gave her a grin and moved his hands soothingly over her back. "I said, I hope you're on the pill, because I didn't use protection."
Horror filled her. "I'm not. Oh, god, Mark, what if-"
"Shh," he said, interrupting her. "It's okay." He framed her face in his hands. "It was one time."
"But what if-" She trembled, unable to finish.
"Then we'll be parents." He said it as easily as ordering coffee.
She couldn't help herself and started to weep. Why hadn't she thought about that?
"Hey, Evangeline, don't cry. It's not that bad." He moved her hair off her wet cheeks and made her look at him.
"For you," she said. "You can easily leave and I'll be alone."
"Never." He kissed her slowly. "I'll never leave you." He moved her onto her back and covered her body with his while moving his mouth over her face, kissing her eyes, her nose, and finally capturing her mouth again with his as he moved up and adjusted himself in her.
She moaned sweetly and he began to move again.
He was wrong. It wasn't one time. By the time the night was over, it was twice and not once did he bother with protection. Evangeline lay half on him while he slept. He was flat on his back with one arm behind his head and the other beneath her waist resting on her hip. She loved the feel of his body next to hers and decided that she would never feel sorry for giving herself to him. She wasn't stupid, but her heart ruled her body and despite what he said, she knew not to hold him to it. Julie had told her that men like him don't stay with women after they get what they want. As soon as a baby comes in the picture, they run. In Mark's defense, Julie didn't know him. When he told her that, she wanted to believe him. Then again, she may not be pregnant.
Her hand went down to her flat abdomen and she wondered what it would be like to carry a child of his. It would definitely be a handsome one, whether it was male or female. Her mind reflected on Jennifer and Janine's son and how beautiful he was.
She lifted her head and looked down at Mark. He was so incredibly gorgeous. His thick black lashes rested on his upper cheeks. She lifted her hand and ran her finger down his slightly crooked nose. He didn't even wake. She smiled to herself thinking that he was obviously used to sleeping sound anywhere because of the enormous amount of travel he did every year. She wasn't. She bit her lip. How often did he find companionship when he was away from home? It was crazy for her to think like that, but she couldn't help it. She was very naïve, but she knew what he looked like to women and she saw how they threw themselves at him. How long would it be before he got bored of her? She felt an edge of panic rise and she quickly squashed it, thinking it would ruin this whole weekend for her if she let it take over.
Her eyes went to his muscular chest. It rose and fell with the slow rhythm of his breathing. Slowly, she guided her eyes down his body visible above the thin sheet they both wore. It covered to just below his navel. They were both so warm that they didn't need anything else. It was easy to see the outline of his manhood beneath the fabric, and she had the incredible urge to lift the sheet and look, but this was still all too new to her. It was amazing what he could do to her and make her forget herself. It was almost as if she was someone else when he made love to her. She loved it! She felt herself heat up just from remembering.
He was really good to her in every way she could possible imagine. He treated her like a lady and even together like they were earlier, he was generous with her. He had brought her to that exquisite peak over and over again until she was reduced to a boneless blob. It didn't sound too graceful when she thought it, but it was the closest thing she could compare it to.
She leaned down and kissed his cheek tenderly before whispering that she loved him. Then she laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes. Mark opened his and stared at the ceiling in thought. He'd heard her. It was something he was waiting to hear from her, but again, she wasn't so forthcoming with her feelings. He was hoping that since they'd been together that she'd finally let go and trust him, but he was wrong. Could he possibly stay with someone who was so closed up all of the time? He was honest with her about everything, and she'd yet to let him in. She was already deep in his heart, and he hoped to hell that what he had planned tomorrow finally made her realize that she could trust him. If not, he couldn't keep being with her.
*
"What on earth is that noise?" Evangeline said. Then she looked beside her and the bed was empty.
"Mark?" The noise came again and she realized it was someone knocking at the door.
"It's breakfast," she heard him call from the other room. Then she heard a muffle of voices as he spoke to someone obviously delivering the meal.
Relief went through her over her initial fear that he'd gotten up and left. But why would he? She chastised herself for being so insecure around him. She was never so unsure of herself except around him, and she kept acting stupid because of it.
Moments later, Mark came in the bedroom with a tray and set it on her lap before sitting beside her. His hair was wet as if he had had a shower, and he was wearing one of the complimentary black robes of the hotel with the hotel name embroidered on the chest.
"You really are spoiling me," she said as he lifted the lid to show a lovely display of fruit, toast and eggs.
"Me?" he said with mock surprise. "Sweetheart, after last night, I think I'm spoiled." She blushed and he reached up and caressed her cheek while meeting her eyes. "It was amazing."
"You have to say that," she said.
He shook his head. "No, I don't," he said seriously.
She averted her gaze.
"Oh, no you don't." He nudged her face so she'd look at him. "I meant it."
"Thank you," she said a little weakly, not knowing what else to say.
He chuckled. "That's better. Now I have some news. My parents are due here this afternoon. I want you to meet them and my sister."
"You want me to meet your family?" she said, unable to keep the shock out of her voice and out of her expression.
"I do. They heard I was going to be here and decided to come and meet you."
"Mark, we're sharing a room." She was appalled. They would think she was a tramp.
He burst into laughter. She frowned at him. He saw her expression and did his best to get his humor under control.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure they don't think I'm a virgin."
"That's not what I meant," she scolded.
He kissed her. "I know that. I'm only teasing," he said. "You need to relax." He pulled back and looked at her.
"I know I do." She was nervous about meeting his parents because she was raised with strong morals, and here she was sharing a room with a man she'd only met a few months ago. Would they think less of her because of it?
Mark picked up a strawberry and rubbed the tip of it against her lips, causing her to look at him. "Quit worrying. My mother and father are very open-minded."
She smiled and slowly sank her teeth into the end of the berry.
"You little tease," he said with barely contained desire as he watched her mouth.
"You taught me everything I know," she said sulkily while tilting her head slightly, causing her hair to fall forward.
Fuck me, he thought. This woman could practically get him hard with a few choice words. His eyes narrowed. "But not everything I know."
That was possibly the most seductive tone she'd ever heard. She couldn't possibly out-seduce this man, and her eyes widened. "You little minx. Well, screw breakfast!" He said, practically leaping on her, sending the tray flying followed by her screech.
Several hours later, the phone rang and Mark reached over to answer it, forgetting that Evangeline was passed out on top of him.
"Hey," he said, patting her bare bottom. His hand was resting on one of those deliciously curved cheeks. She really did have a great ass!
She lifted her head and the phone rang again.
"I'm sure it's Mom and Dad," he said, grinning down at her. "We slept the aft
ernoon away."
"Oh," she said. Evangeline rolled off him so he could answer the phone. Then she laughed as he said something rather racy about her body on top of his before she got out of bed. She found a robe and went to the bathroom to get washed up.
She turned her face up to the spray of water from the shower and ran her hands up and over her hair to rinse it out. Again, her thoughts turned to what could be a result of this weekend. She would be 20 tomorrow and it was still really young to have a child. Although she knew she could handle it, she didn't want to be a single mother. She really wanted to talk about this with Mark, but just couldn't find it in her to bring it up.
When she stepped out of the shower, Mark was standing there naked. She gasped and jumped at the surprise. "What are you doing?"
"My turn," he said as she reached for a towel to cover herself.
"Can't a girl have privacy?" she said. She was still very shy about her body and Mark wasn't the least bit shy about his. He didn't have to be.
"Are you kidding?" He bent and kissed her as she struggled with the towel. "I could look at you all day long. You're exquisite!"
How could she possibly stay mad at him? "I thought you showered already," she said suspiciously, "and I think you just came in here to ogle me."
"I did for that reason, too, but I'm all sweaty again." He grinned.
"Oh, lord." She rolled her eyes and turned away, causing him to laugh.
After she combed out her hair, she went out to find something elegant to wear. She was doing her best to hide her nervousness at meeting his parents but it wasn't doing any good. Why couldn't she adopt his carefree attitude when he met her father? She already knew the answer to that.
She felt completely out of her league even though Mark did his best to make her feel like she fit in. It couldn't change who she was. She was a girl from a middle-class family. Mark was born into wealth, made his own fortune, and played a game for a living.
"This sucks," she said to herself as she continued to get ready. She already had a precognition of his parents thinking she was not good enough for him.
Twenty minutes later she was still frowning in the vanity mirror when he came up behind her.
"Leave your hair down for me, okay babe?" he said.
She looked at him in the mirror. "You like it down?"
He nodded, but his expression was serious. If she didn't know better, he actually seemed a little uncomfortable, too. Then he stepped up behind her bent down and moved his hands around her to cup her breasts.
"You look beautiful, Evangeline."
She looked down at his large hands on her chest. "Mark, my goodness can't you go five minutes without-"
"No," he interrupted, bending his head and moving his mouth over her neck. "Never."
She laughed and turned her face to his, getting a kiss for her efforts. "I don't want this to end."
"You're enjoying yourself and we haven't even left our room yet," said Mark.
"You make me feel like a princess."
"You are." He kissed her once more before standing up straight. "I like that black dress," he said, staring at her reflection. As usual, it wasn't too revealing, but it definitely indicated to how curvaceous she was. He reached into the pocket of his suit.
"What? This old thing?" She smirked at his reflection again. She had actually bought it for this weekend.
"It's missing something," he said.
She looked down the front of her. "What?"
He put a closed fist in front of her face, and then opened it. A dainty gold necklace with a heart shaped pendant dangled from his fingers. "This."
Her sharp intake of breath was audible. "Oh, Mark, it's beautiful!" She felt her eyes moisten, and she said, "No one has ever bought anything like this for me."
"Happy birthday." He fastened the necklace around her neck.
She sniffed, trying to stop the tears.
Only Evangeline would accept such an inexpensive gift with overwhelming gratefulness. Well, it wasn't cheap, but it wasn't gaudy, either. He could definitely afford something else, but he was hoping he knew her enough. He didn't say it, but it took him three bloody days to pick this out. He had had Eric with him, who told him to buy the large sapphire necklace that he was considering. At the last minute, he chose the heart-shaped pendant. By the look on her face, he chose correctly.
She turned around and looked up at him. "It's beautiful."
He brushed the tears off her cheeks. "Honey, stop it. You're killing me."
"I can't help it." She fingered the heart. "I love this."
"I thought you would."
She took a deep breath and looked up at him. There was no mistaking the emotion in her eyes now, and he must've seen it as clear as day because his expression altered and closed up before he turned away.
"Come on," said Mark. "My parents expected us downstairs five minutes ago."
She felt stupid throughout the whole ride down in the elevator. If he didn't know how she felt before, he certainly knew now. Mark wasn't someone to be tied down by one woman, no matter what he told her last night when they were making love. She kept her face averted so he wouldn't see her hurt.
Before the elevator doors opened, she felt his hand search out hers. She turned her face up to him and saw nothing but warmth in his eyes. Why couldn't she figure this man out?
"My parents will love you," he said.
Nothing was said about what happened in their room. She really wished she could tell him how she felt without worrying about being rejected. Obviously he misinterpreted her worry, or he just chose to ignore it.
"I really hope so," she said.
The restaurant was in the casino and it was very upscale. She kept expecting the hostess to not let her in because she didn't look like she belonged there at all. Again, being around him shot down what little confidence she had, but he carried enough for the both of them. The whole time she kept her eyes on her feet, becoming more and more nervous.
"Over here," he said, seeing his parents and sister. He grinned widely as Jacob and Tess Hartley came to their feet and hugged him. Then he stood back and introduced them to Evangeline.
"Oh you're lovely!" Tess said, giving her a hug. "I'm so happy to meet you."
"Me, too." Tess Hartley was blonde, green-eyed, and beautiful. She seemed really sincere in being pleased to meet her. In fact, she seemed really excited. Her eyes went to Jacob, Mark's father. He did look like Mark, but older and more distinguished. Jacob was a very handsome, middle-aged man.
"I think so," Mark said, squeezing her hand reassuringly over his mother's comment.
"Hi," Emily said, holding out her hand. "I'm Emily. Mark's sister."
"I think I talked to you on the phone," she reluctantly admitted, knowing that she had practically hung up on Emily.
"I think so," she said with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Mark said it's your birthday." Jacob spoke up as Mark pulled out the chair for Evangeline. She paused partway down and cast a look up at him before she took her seat.
"It is tomorrow," she said. Gosh, she was just so nervous!
"Happy birthday," Tess said. "I hope you've been having fun."
Yes, I've been introduced to the wonderful world of intimacy by your son, she thought. "I have," she said, clearing her throat.
"Is that from Mark?" Emily nodded toward the necklace.
"Yes," Mark said.
"That's sweet, Mark," Tess said, looking at her son with a flash of excitement in her green eyes.
He grinned.
Jacob waved at the waiter and ordered a bottle of the finest champagne. "We should celebrate."
"I shouldn't." She cast another look at Mark. She wasn't old enough to drink in this country. In Canada, where she was from, the legal limit was 19 in her province.
"No one will say anything," Tess said. "Besides, It's your birthday. One glass of wine won't hurt."
Just then, Jennifer and Janine came in and after greetings they sat down n
ext to Emily. Evangeline felt enormous relief that her friend was there and was able to drop some of the nervousness. The champagne came and Jacob made sure all of their glasses were filled. Evangeline lifted hers, thinking there was going to be a toast, but no one else did. She looked around the table and everyone was staring at her.
Dread filled her. It was as if she was having a bad dream where she should up to school with no clothes on and everyone stare at her before they burst into laughter. She started to tremble.
Suddenly, the whole restaurant seemed to become hushed and people started standing up. She started looking around thinking something had happened nearby. Then her eyes went to Mark, who was just staring at her with that expression that was loaded with confidence and didn't reveal anything else.
"What is going on?" He was the only one who remained seated besides her.
To her total shock, he slid out of the chair onto one knee in front of her as he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket.
Her hands slapped across her mouth as he opened it, revealing a beautiful, very expensive diamond engagement ring. She choked out tears as he started talking.
"Evangeline, I know there's no other woman for me. I don't know how I survived without you in my life. You have made me whole. Marry me." He removed the ring and took her hand, slipping it on her finger.
She sobbed and he leaned forward and held her. "Hey, baby, answer me."
"I thought you were going to dump me when this was over," she whispered hoarsely in his ear.
He was astonished at her admission. "Are you kidding?" He pulled her tighter against him. "I told you that I'd never give you up. I arranged this weeks ago. If you take a look around, the team is here, and so is your family." She lifted her tear-stained face, and sure enough, saw her brothers, sister and father standing beside Mark's parents. She was so nervous when she walked through the restaurant that she hadn't noticed the other diners.
"Honey, say yes, I'm beginning to get worried," he said, searching her eyes.
"Are you sure?" she hiccupped.
"Am I sure?" He grinned. "I meant every word I've said to you over the past few days. So say yes."
Finally, she nodded and the place erupted in cheers right before he kissed her.