Some Quality Time
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Twenty
Maryland – Mark's Apartment
They had retreated to the solitude of their shared apartment as soon as the boat had exploded.
Soaked to the bone and shaking, they had huddled together on a couch, trying to warm each other up. Mark had even gone as far as touching her intimately and she had abruptly rolled off and onto the floor; taking the blanket with her. He had realized his mistake and they had gone their separate directions.
Now, well over a month later, they were lying on the same couch, with her head resting on his shoulder and his right arm wrapped around her slender body.
"We've known each other how long now, Kyra?" he asked softly, his fingers lazily rubbing circles on her skin.
"It's been close to a year," she said with a smile. And you've never left me…
"Has it been long enough to—well for me…" he blushed. His hands and body shifted; pulling her closer to his body and then reaching towards the bottom of her tank top. His intentions were unmistakable and they both pleased her and shocked her at the same time.
She had known that they would eventually get to that point of their relationship and she had hoped that he would be the one to help her conquer her fears. But at the same time, despite how much she trusted him, she was scared to death.
"I…I don't—" Kyra said, shaking her head.
"Kyra, you're a grown woman. You should know what it feels like with someone you love and who cares about you." Hands…hands…oh God…
A muffled gasp escaped her lips at his touch. His mouth was on hers in an instant and his tongue even dared to dart past her chapped lips. Her blue eyes grew wide in shock and contemplated trying to escape.
Shivers of pleasure crawled up and down her spine. Oh God, Mark… do you realize what you're doing to me?
He reached down to slip off her shorts. She lifted her legs and then repositioned herself to sit in his lap. Mark's hands began to lift the hem of her tanks and she mumbled, "Uh no."
Their lips broke; they were panting. He cupped her chin in his hand, like her father had done to her mother numerous times, and stared at her calmly. His eyes betrayed his lust for her, but also his concern.
"Let me make love to you, Kyra. Let me chase away your demons… Please, I love you…"
Why does this have to be so hard? I shouldn't do this…aw, fuck it!
She nodded her acquiescence and he slipped his hands lowered, grabbed her butt, and she reflexively locked her legs around his waist. He carefully carried her down the hall into his room and laid her down on the king-size bed.
She watched him; curiosity filling her face as she began to anticipate what was coming. He removed his shirt and slowly began to pull hers up.
Kyra shivered. Mark pulled her shirt over her head and unhooked her bra. She lay there, letting him stare at her for a moment before he finished undressing himself and slipped her panties off.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly; not moving any closer for a moment.
She bit her lip and nodded vigorously. "Yes, I'm sure."
"Okay, love," he whispered in her ear as he closed the gap and she spread her legs for him. She whimpered when he entered her and began to tremble—afraid of him.
"Ssh, I won't hurt you," he promised; stopping to relax her and calm her down before continuing.
He's very understanding… he's not at all like my father…
Like a thief, Kyra crept out of Mark's bed early the following morning. She longed to remain there, snuggled up beside him and to wait for him to wake, but she could not take it. She felt cheap and dirty and a bit like her father.
Jackson Rippner had always had an uncanny knack for disappearing at the worst times. And now she was stealing his habit.
She didn't deserve this wonderful mad. Their relationship was built on lies and uncertainties. She felt like scum yet she could not bring herself to tell him the truth. She could never tell.
Yeah, "last night was amazing, by the way, did I tell you my dad kills people for a living?" That'd go over sooo well… And let's just add that he wouldn't hesitate to kill you just based on the simple fact that you slept with me…
Kyra sighed. There was no "right way" to handle the situation between her and Mark. She would just have to improvise.
Author's Notes:
I'm trying to update more often, I swear. This chapter actually ended up being more of a pain-in-the-ass than I originally thought. I think I re-wrote parts of it upwards of ten times….
I really liked having Kyra almost parallel her father, because sneaking off is a very Jackson-ish move. As much as she tries to deny it, she is very much like him.
Anyways, enjoy and the next chapter should be up soon. Only five chapters to go! Thanks for reading/reviewing!