Chapter 7

Her eyes closed as Caressa's hair flew behind her, the warm Houston night air flowing against her face. She gently placed her hands on his sides, a smile on her face while her amber eyes took in the surroundings. She didn't care where they were going. Caressa felt safe with Mark and she didn't understand why. She'd only met him the previous night and already she felt this connection that was almost blinding and crumbling. She laughed out when he picked up speed, enjoying the adrenaline rush that coursed throughout her body.

Mark pushed the Harley to its limits, roaring down the open stretch of road, knowing it was highly unlikely they'd be pulled over. He could hear Caressa laughing behind him and his smile broadened, loving a woman with a spirit to match his own. Reluctantly he brought the motorcycle to a halt, shifting in his seat to look down at her.

"You wanna drive it, darlin'?" He asked, seeing her eyes widening.

"A-Are you serious?" She stuttered out, blinking, and seen him hand the keys over to her. Caressa's hunger shined in her eyes as she took them, their fingertips brushing together and looked back into his green eyes with wonder. "You actually trust a complete stranger to ride this prize?" Caressa knew she was already falling for this man and felt her heart thundering against her chest, not able to tear amber from green.

"Darlin'," Mark chuckled at some joke only he was privy too, his eyes sparkling with good-natured humor. "Take my word for it, there ain't a damn thing you can do to hurt this bike." He dismounted easily, scooting her forward with his large hands before settling behind her, his body lightly pressing against hers. "Come on then, Caressa." He murmured in her ear. "You know ya want too."

She shivered against him, his warm breath on her ear, and slowly reached down to slide the key in the ignition, moaning as the bike purred to life once more. "Beautiful sound in the world." She looked over her shoulder at Mark, a smirk forming on her lips, and revved the engine before taking off. His warm body pressed against hers was enough to drive her senses wild, but Caressa knew she had to focus on the road so she wouldn't crash this beautiful motorcycle. When his arms wrapped around her waist, her insides melted a little more as her hair flew up all over the place.

Chuckling softly, he leaned down to rest his chin lightly against her shoulder, effectively keeping her beautiful, blood red hair from blinding him. His body leaned with hers when she took a curve, knowing this was probably one of the happiest moments he'd ever experienced simply because of her. The odd thing being they really didn't know each other. It was strangely comforting how things turned out sometimes.

When Caressa finally stopped the bike, they were farther on the outskirts of the city, causing her to inhale a deep breath. "Wow, what a rush." She whispered and shivered again, not minding his arms wrapped around her. It felt so nice being held by someone again that wasn't her family. "Thank you, Mark. I will never forget that." She promised, looking over her shoulder at him, those green eyes capturing her full attention. What was it about this man that was making her blood run like hot lava through her body, driving her senses mad? She did not know and at the moment she didn't care.

"I would hope not." He drawled, his breath hot on her ear. He straightened up, looking around where they were and smiled sadly. "We're a long way from your shop, Caressa. You need a ride there or would you like me to take you home?" He asked, not wanting this night to end, but also knowing it had to eventually.

"Well, if I leave my truck at the shop, then I won't have a ride there tomorrow. My brother works at the gym every other day and tomorrow is, unfortunately, his day." She explained softly and turned to stare straight ahead, wondering why he wanted to get away from her so suddenly.

So what if it was late? It's not like she had a curfew and John was probably staying at Lizzie's tonight. Sighing, she slowly dismounted the bike and waited for him to scoot forward, really not wanting this night, this time with him, to end. Still, she knew it had too and cursed mentally before straddling it again, placing her hands on his sides and smiled when the bike roared to life for the third time.

Reluctantly, he drove her back to her shop, this time going the speed limit, prolonging the inevitable. When they finally pulled into the parking lot, he helped his off the motorcycle, his hands lingering on her hips for a few seconds. "Thank you fer ridin' with me." He said quietly, staring down at her in the dim light.

"Thank you for inviting me, Mark." She replied softly and seen a single strand of black hair feather against his face, gently reaching out to brush it away, her fingertips lingering on his face before pulling back. "Where are you from?" She asked softly, searching his eyes, seeing all the mystery that she wanted to solve spiraling through them. "I'm sorry, I'm just so curious about you. You're unlike any man I've ever met." Caressa meant what she said and wanted to reach out to touch his face, his warm skin, but refrained.

As if sensing her hesitation, Mark reached out to take her hand, gently resting it against the side of his face, sighing softly and closed his eyes leaning into the touch. "I'm from around here originally." He said slowly, his deep voice coming from his chest, rumbling almost. "I moved away a year or so back, sometimes I lose track of the time." He snorted, opening his eyes to stare down at her.

"That's why you were so familiar with my shop." She murmured thoughtfully, not removing her hand, loving to feel the warmth of his skin against her palm. It ignited something within her that Caressa had long forgotten. "Where did you move too?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the side, and seen the hesitation in his eyes before sighing. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me to ask." The sadness in his green eyes was too much to bare as she slowly moved forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly against her. "You are sad. I wish I could do something to help you." She whispered against his ear.

He inhaled deeply, breathing in the crisp night air as well as the scent of her shampoo and perfume, all three causing him a rush of headiness. "No, not sad...just..." He trailed off, his eyes focusing on something behind her and shook his head. "Don't worry bout me darlin', I'm just in a mood tonight." He cupped her chin in his massive hand, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Thanks for ridin' with me Caressa, but it's really time I be on my way."

Now it was her turn as the sadness crept into her amber eyes, not wanting him to leave. "Alright." She whispered, having to force that word out, but she couldn't pull away from him no matter how much she tried. "Will I see you again?" She asked softly, staring into those green orbs, searching them, begging, hoping, praying, pleading with him to just say that three letter word. Even if he didn't mean it, just to give her hope that they would cross paths again.

He appeared to consider it, stroking his chin thoughtfully, laughing when her face fell. "I was teasin' darlin', you'll see me again. I think." Mark added as an afterthought, frowning a little. His head shot up, eyes straying towards the moon. "I gotta go." He grunted. "Time to head home." He reached out to trace her cheek with his thumb. "I'll be back, Caressa, promise." He whispered before straddling the Harley again, glancing at her one last time before roaring out of the lot, leaving her there alone.

Closing her eyes and inhaling the air, Caressa smiled and knew she would before turning and getting in her truck. That ride had been the most exhilarating she'd ever experienced in her life as she fired her car up, John having the truck tonight, and pulled out of there, heading down the highway. The warm wind blew through her hair as she thought back to Mark, wondering what his last name was, if he had family that lived in Houston. He'd said he used to be from around here long ago. Caressa sighed and turned on the dirt road before speeding toward her house, knowing no cops resided out here. She wanted to feel that adrenaline rush again and already missed Mark's presence.

John was home early, Lizzie having an early day the following morning and was sitting on the couch, watching ESPN when he heard her pull into the drive. Glancing at the clock, John was mildly curious just why Caressa was getting home so late, considering it didn't take that damn long to do the books. He walked over to open the front door, leaning in the doorway to stare at her.

"What?" Caressa demanded, walking past him inside the house, taking her shoes off before going into the kitchen.

If John knew what was good for him, he would not question her about why she was home so damn late. She was an adult and if she wanted to stay out late at night with a gorgeous man than she was going to do it! Taking a deep breath, Caressa proceeded to warm her up some leftovers, though she didn't feel hungry. If anything, she just wanted to sleep and dream of that motorcycle ride, a small smile of the memory crossing her lips.

"What kept you?" He asked curiously, watching her, having ate with Lizzie. He wasn't angry, just curious. He hoped she was getting a bit of a social life because quite frankly, if all she did was work, she was eventually going to drive both herself and him insane. "Whoa, not trying to be all protective." He said when she scowled at him. "I was just asking, Care, jeez."

"I...met someone." She finally admitted, that smile widening a bit more as she looked up at him with a dreamy look in her amber eyes. "Someone very special. We went out for awhile to get to know each other." That was as far as she was going as she brought her bowl into the living room area, curling up on the couch, and leaned back against it. She smiled when John joined her and proceeded to tell him about the bike ride and the gorgeous man she'd met the other night on their opening day. Though it was at night. Caressa had never in her life talked so much about a man as she did with Mark and it lit her soul on fire. "Well I'm heading to bed, what a night!" She laughed softly, heading into the kitchen to do her dishes.

John sat there in stunned silence, replaying his sister's words in his mind. Sounded like she had found someone who was completely compatible with her, so miracles did happen after all. He was afraid that after her loser ex-boyfriend she would shy away from dating, he was pleased to find he was wrong. He stood up, gently catching Caressa by the wrist. "Can I meet him?" He asked softly.

"If things progress and I see him again." She said with a smile, kissing his forehead and patted his shoulder. "Good night, John." She then walked out of the living room and upstairs, twirling down the hallway on her way to her room, her heart lifted like never before.

Once her door was closed, Caressa took the amulet out of her nightstand drawer and unwrapped it, her eyes loving how it glowed black in the center of the dark purple, running her fingertips over it. "You are my good luck charm." She murmured, pressing a soft kiss to it before wrapping it back up and set it back in her drawer. She then undressed and went to take a much needed shower.

The amulet glowed brightly, it's tiny heartbeat thudding erratically for a moment before dulling.

John could only shake his head, wondering if this mystery man had given his sister some spiked punch or something because he honestly could not recall the last time he had seen Caressa so...purely happy. He had seen her in a good mood with a smile on her face, but he didn't believe she was truly happy. He was seeing that now.