Yes! I've made my own chapter deadline! Talk about waiting until the eleventh hour! Actually, I have 10:45. But I still made it within two weeks. So, for those of you that were craving some more Detta/Marko interaction, here it is! And I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that read this and review it. I appreciate what you have to say and I'm glad you like it so much! Thanks!
"Girl, you need to get out more," Maria said as she walked into the office and saw Detta sitting with her head in her hand, tapping a pen on the desk. "How often do you get out?"
Detta looked up at her, a half-lucid look on her face. She sighed. "Not often enough. This switch that I've had to make in my column is putting more pressure on me than I thought. My editor calls me when something doesn't sound right and keeps me on the phone until it does, calls me all hours of the night about my article, tells me to read more women's magazines. I can't stand it."
"You know what? I'm not taking no for an answer. I'm taking you out. I know this great club just off the Boardwalk. We'll have a few drinks, get you some fun."
Detta smiled at her. "Thanks, Maria. Sounds good."
Maria scurried off back to work when Max walked in. Not that he would have minded their conversation; Maria just didn't want to give Max the wrong impressions of her. He walked into the office and quietly shut the door behind him. He dragged the spare chair over next to Detta and sat down, looking at her with a concerned expression. Detta watched him, trying to read his expression, guess what he was going to tell her but she was coming up with nothing. She almost feared that he was going to fire her.
"Talk to me, Detta. How have you been?" She was taken aback and caught quite off guard. She stumbled around her words, unsure of what to say. Max read her face clearly. "It's just, you've seemed so busy and the accident, I just wanted to know you're doing ok." She let out an audible sigh of relief and Max chuckled. "What? Afraid that I was going to fire you?"
Detta laughed nervously. "Me and my pessimistic mind…you never know."
Max shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm not letting you go anytime soon. So, how are you? This is the first time we've been able to sit and talk in a while. Rap with me."
Detta laughed heartily at Max's attempt to be cool and couldn't help but be endeared. "I'm doing ok. I'm pretty much healed, the job here's going good, wish I could say the same for the paper but you can't have everything, right?" Detta absently touched the small scar that had formed at her temple. The large bruise was now gone but she always gravitated to that one spot whenever she became anxious. She guessed it was a point of weakness. The scar on her leg she could cover, but not this. It was there for everyone to see, screaming that she had been battered.
"Have the police found anything on the guy?"
"Mmm, no. They found the truck a couple weeks later but they couldn't trace it to anyone and no one that was nearby remembers seeing anything. It's strange. You would think someone would have seen the guy charging out of there."
"Maybe not that early, or late, I should say. Those nightmares, did they stop?"
"Oh, yeah. Those didn't last very long at all. The first couple nights following it but that's about it. I think I've blocked a lot of it out. Not really willing to unblock it either."
Max nodded in agreement. "I don't blame you. What about your editor—"
Detta put up her hand to stop him. "I've had to deal with that man enough lately. I really don't want to rehash it, if you don't mind. I'm on a bit of an up and I don't really want to come down."
"No problem. So, show me what you've got."
Maria and Detta left the video store around midnight and made their way to the Boardwalk, dodging around people, Maria holding steady to Detta's wrist, making sure she wouldn't lose her. The club itself was set back in a side alley parallel to the Boardwalk. It looked like nothing more than a hole in the wall with a guard outside. Maria saw the look of apprehension on Detta's face and pushed her forward.
"Trust me, you'll like it. Don't let the outside fool you."
The presented their IDs at the door and the bouncer pushed it open after verifying their ages. Loud thumping and ambient noise greeted them as they walked into a darkened hallway. When they emerged in what Detta took to be the dance and bar area, her senses were affronted with strobe lights, black lights, lights of all different colors, what she could only guess were hundreds of people murmuring over the music, and the smell of cigarette smoke. The girls headed straight for the bar and Detta was pleased that here she was able to order her dirty martini, extra dirt with two olives.
"Fancy drink!" Maria yelled over the music, taking her beer from the bartender. "Over here!"
Maria grabbed her hand and pulled her over to an empty table set along the wall. They were booths situated in a half circle and looked to be stuffed with clouds. Detta sank into the cushion as she sat, trying to make herself comfortable. She people-watched while she consumed her drink. There was no one in this club over Detta's age. If there were, they certainly didn't look it. There were quite a few Madonna girls, some valley girls, guys with their Members Only jackets. Some with Mohawks and others looking like they were just dragged off of the beach. Her and Maria chatted until Maria noticed something that Detta did not.
"Look who just showed up," she said, a sly smirk spread across her face as she nodded in the direction of the bar.
It took Detta a few seconds to actually find what Maria was talking about but once she did, her heart stopped. The boys had just walked in, looking cool and suave, scoping the scene and getting their drinks. For Detta, it was bittersweet to see them. She enjoyed the company of Dwayne and Paul, and especially Marko, but she could do without David. Every time he looked at her, he seemed to be penetrating her soul, looking for something, some kind of weakness that he could use to his advantage. She was always on edge around him, constantly feeling the need to look over her shoulder for fear that he would sooner run a knife through her back than be nice to her.
It wasn't long before they were spotted, by David of all people. He gave Detta a smug look before leaning on the bar to alert the other boys.
"Looks like someone's being stalked," Maria had leaned over to Detta.
She looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"They're drawn to you, aren't they? They like to harass you in the store."
"I could say the same for you! I'm not the only one that works there."
"Yeah, but they don't come to see me in the hospital."
Detta blushed and drank the last of her martini and watched as the group walked over to them. "When was the last time you were there?"
Maria gave her a sarcastic look before mumbling, "Dark-haired one's mine."
"Dwayne," Detta whispered back.
Maria shot her an 'I told you so' look and was about to say something when the boys had reached their table. Dwayne slid into the booth next to Maria and placed a bottle of beer in front of her. She was watching as Maria giggled, turning into a rather blushing girl, something Detta hadn't seen before when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a glass being placed in front of her. Another martini, exactly the way she liked it. She removed the olives from the empty glass and placed them in the full one, looking up as she did. Marko was making his way next to her, a grin on his face. Detta mouthed the word 'hi' as he sat down, both kind of unsure as to whether the other wanted a kiss hello or not.
"This place had dirt," David said as he pulled up a chair, breaking the tension between Detta and Marko.
Detta raised her glass in a sort of mock toast to David and took a sip.
"They don't really put dirt in that, do they?" Paul asked as he sat on a backwards chair.
Detta nearly spit out her sip but managed it back down with a laugh. "No, Paul," she said, trying to catch her breath. "The dirt is olive juice."
Paul scrunched his face in disgust as he took a swig from his beer bottle. "Too much for me. I like it simple," he said, raising his glass to her.
Detta raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement and looked back over at Maria and Dwayne. Her momentary lapse into giddy-girl land had faded and she had returned to her normal tone of voice, talking animatedly to Dwayne about a movie she'd seen. He, of course, remained silent but looked involved in the conversation nonetheless.
"You really should stop disappearing like you do. You're going to force me to hunt you down and keep you where you can't run away," Marko whispered into her ear, his breath sending chills down her spine.
She looked over at him, his face only inches from her own. She could get lost in his eyes. His arm rested on the top of the booth behind her and he had a grin on his face. "Yell as my editor. He's the one that makes me disappear."
"He's causing you problems." It wasn't a question.
"Always has."
Detta smirked and tried to fight back a laugh. Marko noticed. "What?"
She waved her hand. "No, nothing. You probably wouldn't answer anyway."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. "I'll answer any question you ask."
Detta leaned back, closing in on his ear with her mouth. "Tell me a secret."
She expected him to laugh but he didn't. He just leaned in close enough for her to hear. "I love the night." Detta smiled. "It's the time of day I feel alive, strong, invincible. Darkness hides many things but in that mystery I thrive. I'm warmed by the night like the sun warms you during the day."
Detta's brow furrowed as Marko spoke. She had never heard him speak like that before. She wished she could say he was pouring his heart out to her but really it was nothing more than a drip. His words encapsulated her, wrapped around her like a barrier, shutting out everything except himself and her. She felt behind each word he spoke lay 1000 more just waiting to get out. This wasn't even a scratch on the surface for Marko. This was just a red mark on some dry skin that had already begun to fade. She stared at his mouth, watching the words flow out and when he was done, her eyes wandered up to meet his. They searched for more, craved it. He was elusive, she knew that but she wanted more.
Without even thinking, she muttered, "Tell me who you are."
She thought her words were lost on the bass of the club but he heard her. There was no doubt about that. The fingers of his free hand danced over her knee that lay bent underneath her while she fiddled with the hem of his jacket. Detta jumped as Marko's other hand reached up from behind her to brush some stray hair from her face. He smiled lightly at her reaction. Something was boiling underneath the surface. Detta could feel it rising. It emanated from him like a powerful emotion. Surely other people had to feel it.
Marko was about to say something when he was cut off by David. "Looks like you're healing," he said with a snide smirk spreading across his face.
"You know, if it weren't for that look of contempt I might be so inclined to think you actually give a shit."
David only smirked but stood up quickly. "We need to get going. You coming?" He raised his eyebrows in the direction of the girls.
"Damn it. I can't. I have somewhere to be in the morning," Maria replied
"Bummer," Detta heard Dwayne mumble.
Finding that odd, Detta took a look around at her surroundings and realized it was past last call. The lights on the dance floor had some on and half the club had cleared out. "I don't—"
"You're coming," David said, not a hint of a question in his voice.
"I am, am I?"
"Yes you are!" Maria chimed in next to her. "You need to spend more time away from that house of yours. She stood up after Dwayne and looked down at her. "You're going out. I won't take no for an answer."
"Listen to the girl," Paul chirped in, swigging back the remnants in his beer bottle.
"Yes Mom, Dad. If you insist," Detta said with a smirk.
Detta made to get up but Marko placed a hand on her knee, silently telling her to stay seated. She looked at him but he was looking up at David.
"We'll meet you up there."
David nodded and they headed out, Maria sticking closely to Dwayne.
"I'll see you tomorrow, girl," Maria called back to her.
Detta gave her a little wave and returned her look to Marko. He was still watching them walk out and didn't turn to look as her until they left. She waited for him to speak but when he didn't, she looked at him as if to say 'well?'
He stared at her, his hand resting against her neck. "I haven't seen you for days. I just wanted to look at you without—"
"Out. Come on, let's go."
"—interruptions." Marko looked disturbed and turned his glare up to the bartender that was trying to clear their table. Detta grabbed her drink, not finished with it just yet.
"Club's closing. You need to leave."
Detta gulped down the last bit of her martini, leaving the olives behind, and whispered into Marko's ear, "C'mon. Let's go."
He still looked angry but his face softened slightly when Detta spoke. He looked at her before sliding out of the booth, offering his hand to help her out.
The wind whipped through Detta's hair as she clung to Marko's body. The vibrations of his bike echoed through her, rippling tides through her skin. What would have hurt her damaged frame a few weeks ago no loner did so. They hurtled along the street, making hairpin turns and coming close to brushing cars. The closer they got to Hudson's Bluff, the more Detta felt herself start to change. Her worries and her fears blew away on the wind; her precautions were tossed away to be drowned by the ocean below them. Something told her 'yes, this is right.' Her stomach knotted in anticipation of…what? She didn't know.
Her grip loosened as Marko slowed his bike to a stop, dropping the kickstand so she could get off. As she did, another force overtook her, seized control of her mind, her body, her will. But she didn't object. She didn't want to. Something connected and she wasn't going to break it.
Marko made to get up but Detta kept her hand on his shoulder and he eased back onto his seat. She slid her hand across his jacket and gripped onto the collar, straddling the seat in front of him, dropping her legs over his and resting her feet on the passenger blocks. Marko stared at her, expectant. She took his hand and placed it on her thigh, pushing it up underneath her dress, letting him rest it where he may. He didn't need to have his other hand directed. He threw her dress back, exposing nearly all of her leg and ran his fingers up it, coming to a rest on her scar. He didn't need to look at it but his finger followed the twist of skin that had been created there. The ocean wind blew hard against her bare skin and goose bumps ran through her body.
Marko ran his hands down her cold arms and brought them back down to her legs, pulling her closer. Detta moved her feet to rest on the seat behind him, wrapping her legs tightly around his body. His hands pressed hard into her skin, groping to be part of her. She brought her own hands up to his neck, digging her nails in. He closed his eyes and a moan escaped his lips. Before he could open them, Detta lunged, connecting her mouth to his. She let out her own moan which only made Marko grasp her tighter, trying to meld their bodies together. Their tongues danced around each other's mouths, fighting for dominance. Marko's hands were in her hair, tugging at it.
Detta let out a low snarl and dove deeper into Marko's mouth before shifting her kiss to his jaw. She nipped at the bone before moving to his ear, breathing deeply and tugging at his earlobe with her teeth. He moaned louder, holding tight to her hair. She moved her mouth down his neck, flicking her tongue along the skin, teasing his jugular. She began biting, first softly then harder the more he moaned in pleasure. She wanted to taste him. She moved to the other side of his neck, attempting her devouring. The harder the bites, the louder Marko moaned. The harder he clawed at her skin, the closer she moved her body to his. He couldn't help himself. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back. Detta's teeth were barred and lust filled her eyes. Marko looked savage, his eyes wild, hungry for her. His gloved hand moved slowly up her neck, his thumb creeping over her chin and resting on her bottom lip. She flicked it with her tongue and he smiled a wicked, animalistic grin at her. The other exposed tips of his fingers found their way to her lips, teasing her. Detta's breathing became heavier as Marko ran his other hand into her hair, holding her tightly.
He teased her and reveled in it, bringing his lips close enough to her's that they brushed together but pulled back just far enough out of reach, he holding her head firm. Detta had enough. "Kiss me."
He leaned closer, his lips nearly on top of her's. "Is that what you want?" His smile was devilish.
"Yes," Detta whispered, her voice carried the short distance by the wind.
She tried to kiss him but he held her head firm. "Are you sure?"
"Kiss me."
He looked at her with hungry eyes. "My turn."
He lunged at Detta, devouring her lips with his own, kissing her deeply. Something wasn't right about him. Certainly wasn't wrong but it wasn't right either. She could feel the animal in him rising. He moved his mouth down to her neck, getting revenge for her nips and bites. He began lightly and listened to her moans, those that told him harder. He felt it in her body, this want in her. He tried not to bow down but he didn't want to stop. He wanted to fulfill her wants, her needs, her desires. Her body screamed it: her moans, her hands thrown underneath his jacket, clawing at his skin, her back arching into him. Her body said 'taste me.'
His tongue lingered on a spot on her neck and he lowered his teeth to it, nipping at first before making that bite she was screaming for. Detta half moaned, half screamed out her pleasure as Marko bit into her neck. She could feel her blood slowly dripping down her neck, reaching her collarbone. Marko lapped it up, flicking the tip of his tongue at her wound, following the trail of blood down to her shoulder. Detta put her hands underneath his chin and forced his face to her's. He resisted for a moment before allowing her charge. She looked from his eyes to his mouth, his lips crimson from her blood, his teeth stained. She licked at his lips, cleaning him of herself before falling into his mouth once again, tasting her own blood on him. It was a desire she never knew she had but she wanted to taste him too.
"It's not fair," she whispered into his mouth, sneaking words in between kisses. "When am I going to taste you?" She licked more of her blood from his smiling lips.
He moved his hand up, cradling the side of her face. She had her own blood on her lips now, a look that Marko wasn't in a state to resist. "Soon."
He licked her lips briefly, removing the last traces of blood before kissing her again. Her hands on him, touching against his skin, was pleasure enough but this…she brought out the side of him that she shouldn't see. Not yet. Marko felt a connection to her on levels he couldn't even name. In this moment, they belonged to each other. He buried his face in her neck, teasing the wound that he made. Detta stroked the back of his head, feeling the blood trickle from her body.
She bent her head low, her lips to his ear. "Never stop."
Marko lifted his head, keeping his face out of sight. "I never want to." She could feel his breath on her ear. This time it was cold.
"Man, if I would of known, I would have stayed in the cave." There was a moment's silence and Detta could feel Marko lift his head. "Cut that out, man. Not now. Not here."
Detta turned around and it was Paul but the look on his face was serious, solemn, and he was staring directly at Marko. She leaned back, trying to get a look at Marko's face but he looked up as her, a smile on his lips, and kissed her, brushing hair off of her face with his finger. He didn't need to say anything. His eyes spoke for him. Soon. It could mean so many things and Detta wanted them all, whatever they were.
She heard Paul's footsteps walking down the stairs as Marko helped Detta off of the bike and then dismounted himself. He took her by the hand and led her down the stairs after him. They didn't have sex but the pleasure she had felt was ten times that of any of her previous lovers had given her…combined. He was powerful. She felt it in every touch, every kiss, every bite. She reached her free hand to the spot where Marko bit her, expecting to find a wound but there was nothing. Her skin was smooth and undamaged. All that lay behind was a slight tint of red on her skin.
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