Chapter 25

"Just lettin' me be in yer life is enough, Jeri." Mark whispered, squeezing her gently.

It was enough, which had surprised him when he first realized it. Gone were the thoughts of seducing her. If she wanted him, he was hers. If she didn't, then he could handle being nothing more then her friend. So long as she was happy. He lowered his head to kiss her shoulder blade.

"Thank you, darlin'."

Her entire body was very sensitive at the moment and Jerica couldn't stop shivering against him. The simple touch of his lips against her shoulder was enough to drive her senses insane and light her body on fire. "I'm so glad you're here with me, Mark." She breathed out in a half whisper, half purr.

Her eyes drifted shut, biting her bottom lip and let out a soft moan when his lips trailed from her shoulder blade down her arm and up again. His hold tightened on her slightly. What she wouldn't give to feel him inside of her...Jerica was losing her mind and couldn't believe Mark was doing this, but it felt too good to question.

Mark was becoming heady with her familiar strawberry scent and the taste of her skin beneath his lips. This was something he had wanted to do for so long and here was the chance. She wasn't stopping him, wasn't saying no; she was enjoying it from the sound of things. Mark inwardly groaned, knowing he was a changed man because he was actually considering pulling away from her. She had just gotten another dose of Randy's venom; he didn't want her to think he was taking advantage or something.

Her heart was pounding fiercely against her chest, eyes nearly black and clouded over with desire, slowly moving to where she was lying on her back. She took a strand of his black hair and twirled it around her finger, seeing the color of his own eyes. Maybe he didn't think of her as a daughter, maybe he had been after her all along. He played his cards right because Jerica was in dire need of attention. Six months pregnant or not, her body was screaming for some kind of release.

'Fuck it.' She thought and cupped his face in her soft hands before bringing his lips to hers, passionately kissing him. Moaning louder, Jerica opened her mouth as their tongues entwined together, fingers getting lost in his black tresses.

Oh she tasted better then he dared dream. His tongue caressed hers; slowly exploring her mouth, hands running up and down her arms, making sure to keep his body off of hers. Sex was out of the question; she wouldn't be able to stay on her back for too long. His mind already was telling him to roll her onto all fours, another typical male moment.

"Mark, please..." She whimpered pleadingly against his lips, running her hands up and down his chest, feeling his muscles ripple beneath her soft touch, darkened blue eyes pleading with him to take her. She read the book; sex was fine as long as it was slow and careful. She knew Mark had read the same thing as well. "Please..."

Dragging his face down to hers again, Jerica groaned, pulling him further on top of her to where he was fully hovering. The heat was almost too much for her body to take. Her hormones were at an all time high along with the senses, knowing if she didn't have sex now, her body would probably cave in on her and go on strike.

Now he was fighting something entirely new. Did she just want to get laid or did she really want HIM? Mark wondered if she would be this willing, this eager, if it were any other man; the thought disturbed him more then he cared to admit. Only one way to find out. Tomorrow would be dealt with when it came. Almost hesitantly, his hands moved to her thighs, caressing her through her nightgown, feeling the heat from her body and let out a lusty groan.

That night Mark made slow, passionate love to Jerica, touching every inch and particle of her six month pregnant body. He didn't seem appalled in the slightest; if anything, he adored her and that brought tears to her eyes. Just the way he made love to and touched her, caressed her soft skin and kissed her...Jerica knew Mark felt something for her and it wasn't platonic.

Would he admit it though or would they go back to the way things were? Only time would tell as Jerica slept with Mark spooned against her, his massive tattooed arms wrapped around her body, the comforter over both of them. It was the first in a long time that Jerica felt truly special and cherished by a man as their laced fingers rested over her calmly beating heart.

'I love you, Jerica.' Mark mouthed, his lips right against her ear.

Or he wanted too anyway, but it was probably too soon, even though he had just made love to her. He wanted to be with her, have more of a relationship then what they had now. He wanted to move on from the friendship they had formed and see if they could make more of it. He knew they could. He could make her happier then Randy could only dream of doing.

The sun streamed through the window the following mid-morning as Jerica's eyes slowly fluttered open, blinking several times to regain her vision. She looked down at the tattooed covered arms and closed her eyes, the night's events flowing through her mind. Every touch, every kiss, every caress, everything this man did to her body caused it to flood with happiness as she rolled over while stretching, staring back at his peaceful, sleeping face.

He'd been in front of her all along; Jerica couldn't believe it. He'd saved her from attack after attack, been her knight, and was too blind to see him. She saw him now and wanted him for the rest of her life. She hoped he felt the same way and leaned up, brushing her lips softly against his before extracting herself from his arms to use the bathroom. She had to piss like a race horse on steroids.

The minute she was out of his arms, Mark's eyes opened, smiling and stretched his limbs, letting out a yawn before pulling himself up into a half sitting position. Last night had actually happened and he didn't dream it. When Jerica came out of the bathroom, he smiled at her, green eyes crinkling at the corners as he opened his arms. Chuckling softly when she took her place in them, Mark buried his face in her hair.

"Mornin' darlin'."

"It's a beautiful morning." She murmured against him, sighing as she inhaled his scent, and rested her head against his chest. The smell of strawberries mixed with leather permeated the air and caused both parties to sigh happily. Jerica also knew today was their day off, Vince making sure that happened so Mark could help her and whatnot. She owed Vince so much; he was like a second father to her in a way, even though he and Steve didn't always see eye to eye. "Did you sleep well?" She asked softly, running patterns with her fingernail lightly against his abdomen, looking up into his beautiful emerald green eyes.

"Better then I normally do." Mark murmured, completely content, tattooed arms circling around her again, running his hands up and down her back gently. "Jer," He began slowly, wanting to word this right. "Last night was incredible, darlin'. Really, really incredible. I want more than that though, Jerica." He looked at her, watching as she turned her head to meet his gaze. "I want to be more than yer friend, more than a lover."

Her breath caught in her throat when he said those words, tears glistening in her sapphire eyes, and tried to keep her emotions in check. Slowly sitting up, with Mark's help, Jerica leaned her head against the headboard, eyes never leaving his, heart pounding a furious tattoo in her chest. "What are you trying to say, Mark?" She softly asked, the hope flaring in her orbs, trying to keep the tears at bay.

She loved him. God help her she did, and if he said those words than Jerica would feel complete again. He had to say it first though; she wasn't putting her heart on the line, not again.

Mark's eyebrows drew together. She really didn't know? "I love you, Jerica." He said softly, taking her hands in his, and squeezed gently. "I want to be with you. I want to take care of you if you'll let me and help ya with yer little one when he or she is born." He already acted like he was the father anyway, but also knew he wasn't. He couldn't change that fact; though, if she would let him, he would help carry the load.

The flood gates opened as tears streamed down her cheeks like two rapid streams, not able to stop them, the smile on her face widening as much as possible. "I love you too, Mark." She choked out, placing her hand over his heart, which was beating rapidly against her palm, eyes never leaving his. "I've wanted to tell you for awhile now." Jerica admitted, wiping her tears away, and laughed when Mark pulled her on top of him carefully. Kissing her breathlessly, Mark rolled her over on her back, knowing that would be more comfortable for her. She wouldn't be alone ever again and that realization made Jerica's heart soar to the heavens and beyond.

"Thank God." He rumbled, letting out a breath and then grinned, bending down to nuzzle her neck. One hand moved to her stomach, splaying his palm against her belly. "I love you." He repeated, kissing away her tears, then rested his forehead against hers before locking eyes. "Even if you have syrup runnin' through them veins."

Jerica giggled and slapped him playfully in the arm, groaning when her stomach started growling. "You said the magical word apparently." She said, seeing Mark roll his eyes, and kissed her softly before he stood up from the bed. When she went to move, Mark stopped her, feeling her entire body glowing from head to toe from both happiness and the pregnancy. "You don't want me getting up?"

"Eventually but I'm gettin' up anyway." Mark said with a shrug. "I'm guessin' the usual?" His lips curved into a smile when she nodded, ordering their usual breakfast, requesting extra syrup as always. When he was finished, he snagged up his pajama bottoms from the foot of the bed where they had wound up and never been retrieved, slipping into the bathroom to answer nature's call.

Jerica managed to pull her garments and nightgown back on before he walked out, stretching her arms above her head, deciding to pop in a different movie. She fished through her bag and pulled out Shrek, loving these movies, and pressed play while leaning back against the headboard. Flashing a smile at Mark when he emerged, Jerica watched as he crawled over on the bed and pulled her into his arms, sighing in contentment as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Stevie is going to flip when he finds out about us." She murmured amusedly and felt Mark kiss the top of her head, their fingers entwining together, resting on her stomach. "Mark, when the baby is born..." She trailed off when room service arrived and sighed.

In all honesty, Steve was probably going to try to beat Mark's ass for being an old pervert or something, but Mark didn't really care anymore. He knew he could take care of her, love and would treat her better then any other man out there, and all of that applied for her unborn baby too. He took their food from the server, tipped the man and sent him packing, carrying her food to her with a pitcher of syrup.

"What were you sayin' darlin'? When the baby is born?"

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

Now wasn't the time to ask him something that important as she took her plate of French toast along with the syrup, smothering it completely to where all she would probably be able to taste was maple. She didn't mind and grinned, taking a bite, being careful not to get it all over herself or the bedding while the movie played. She was going to ask Mark if he would adopt the baby after it was born, to give their child his last name, but that was WAY too soon. She would wait, laughing at her favorite character in the movie Donkey.

Arching an eyebrow, Mark couldn't help feeling curious. Especially after her little forget bit; just how in the hell was he supposed to forget it now? Deciding to 'forget' at least until after the movie was finished, he joined her on the bed, eating his own syrup free breakfast. Unable to focus on the movie, Mark was more intent on the woman beside him.

After three plates full, which is what Mark ordered her, Jerica was finally stuffed and couldn't believe how much more she was consuming. Then again, the book had warned her about a large increase in appetite since she was eating for two now. Randy wasn't a small man either by any means. No scratch that, it might be Randy's blood, but Mark was this child's father and nothing would ever change that. Snuggling against him, Jerica watched the movie while Mark ran his fingers through her honey chestnut locks while rubbing her belly underneath the nightgown with his free hand, causing her to sigh in contentment. This was perfect in every way.

"What were you sayin' earlier?" Mark asked softly once the movie was over, listening to the music playing, and shook his head. This kid was going to grow up addicted to two things: syrup and Shrek; she watched it a lot. "About the baby and don't tell me to forget about it cause it ain't happenin', Jer."

"Hellfire..." Jerica grumbled with a heavy sigh, chewing her bottom lip. Why couldn't he just forget about it? It was too soon and she didn't want to scare him away. Though one look in those determined emerald green eyes and Jerica knew she had no choice, but to ask her question. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she slowly sat up -again with his help- and placed hands on her stomach while staring at him nervously. "When the baby is born, I wanted to know if you would like to adopt him or her and give them your last name. It's too soon though." She quickly added that part, holding her hands up. "It's too soon; that's why I wanted to wait and ask you when it came closer to the due date..."