Warning: Rated M. for sexual content and strong language. Please be advised before reading.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews.

Mojotom – Who did destroy Addison's restaurant indeed…LOL. Addison will definitely want to know who Mark is spending time with. She doesn't like ever being second to no one. I will put your mind at ease…Mark did not suffer any major brain injuries to make him suddenly Lexie crazed. As it relates to him and Lexie jumping each other…well, I'm glad you asked ;)

MG/Guest – I think you might be right when it comes to Addison. She won't just go away like a whisper in the night.

Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 13

Lexie

Lexie stood at the nurse's station, her bottom lip sucked in between her teeth, as she stared at her phone.

Mark had just texted her that he had a great time, and that he wanted to see her again. There banter was fun and flirty, until he mildly put it that her day off on Friday would be spent with him. The thought made her heady with anticipation to see him again.

Then he went and sent her two words that made her breath catch and her stomach flip flop. You're Mine. She wrote something, deleted it, wrote something again, and deleted it, before she had settled on the fact that she couldn't wait to see him again and that she was in fact his.

"Okay, you have to tell me how this date of yours went. You haven't been able to wipe that stupid grin off your face all morning," Meredith said, coming up next to her to drop off a few of her charts.

She faltered a bit, clicking her phone off to the black screen, throwing her phone back in her pocket. "It went well."

Meredith laughed. "It went more than just well. You look like you want to break out into song any minute," she observed.

She rolled her eyes. "I do not."

"You were texting him just now, too, weren't you?"

She focused on her chart in front of her, because if she looked her sister in the eye, she was going to sing like a canary. "Maybe."

"Are you going to see him again?"

"Maybe," she repeated.

Meredith half-turned, her eyes scrutinizing her intently. "Why are you being so secretive. I thought we were going to start trying this new thing where we talked about our feelings openly, freely, without judgement."

She still held her pen in her hand, but gave up the pretense that she was doing any charting. "Like you telling me that you saw Derek again last night?"

Meredith gasped. "How did…" her voice trailed off, before she lifted her chin. "Yes. I saw him. I plan to see him again too."

Lexie arched her brow. "You are?"

Meredith nodded. "I am. He's fascinating. He doesn't let me just push him away or boss him around like others in the past. He calls me on my crap."

Lexie noticed the small smirk to her sister's lips. It was interesting that the one thing that most seemed was intimidating about her sister, Meredith liked about Derek being able to call her on. She always thought that Meredith went after men that couldn't challenge her. It was why it never worked out, because when they couldn't handle all of her tough edges, it was easy for her to walk away and for them to want to run. Derek wasn't one that would be so easy to turn and run tail, and that made her like him even more for her sister.

"It's about time someone called you on your crap," Lexie said.

"So, tell me about your guy. I don't for one second believe you met him at the grocery store."

Lexie didn't even dare look up since her sister was still staring at her. "Maybe I am not ready to share the details yet."

"It's McSteamy isn't it. You are sneaking around with your former patient."

Lexie smacked her sister on the arm. "Shush. Are you nuts? A rumor like that going around is dangerous."

"Unless it's not a rumor…"

"Meredith, please drop it," she begged.

Meredith shot her a worrisome look. "I worry…he's a mobster," she whispered.

Lexie placed her pen back in her pocket, turning to the side, her elbow resting on the counter. "Let's say that true. If that's the case, then wouldn't that mean you hanging out with Derek wouldn't be any better?"

Meredith blinked, her response coming short. A moment passed before she sighed. "I guess you have a point."

She patted her sister on her shoulder and saw an opportunity to get out of there before things might turn in the wrong direction. "I do. I promise…if it turns into a relationship, I'll tell you all about it," she said, before turning and walking down the hall.

For once, she wanted to keep something that was making her happy to herself. She was afraid that if she spoke too soon, it would evaporate right before her very own eyes.

Even though she wasn't due on shift until five in the morning, after she had left Mark's house, she hadn't been able to sleep. She had laid on her back in her bed, just staring up at the ceiling just reliving that kiss over and over.

She had never thought she would have been the kind of person that would have willing gone to bed with a man on the first date, but she would have gladly let Mark throw her over his shoulder and have his way with her. She had almost been begging for it—had it not been so soon after his injuries where he needed time to rest and recover—she would have wanted it as badly as she could feel—literally feel—he wanted it too.

She never had known that kind of feeling inside of her that she had been feeling when his lips were on hers, his arms encasing her into the solid walls of his chest. A feeling that had taken root deep in her core. At one time, she thought medicine would have been the only thing to fill the void, but as she stood kissing him, having Mark love her the way he was…that was a feeling she had been missing her entire life.

Breaking the kiss had been a million times harder then trying to remove a leaking aneurysm. She saw the look in his eyes. The raw lust that was mirrored in her own, as his eyes raked over her body. The way his arms held onto her as if she could fill some deeper void inside that he had been looking for his entire life.

Her heart hurt for him listening to him tell her about his mother. The pain in the note in his voice that her killer had never been brought to justice. That even he, someone she could already sense had one of the strongest work ethics next to her herself, felt like he had failed her because he too hasn't been able to bring her any justice.

Lexie didn't know all of the details of her murder, but the flash of pain, the haunted look in his eyes that he tried to hide the memories and the details of what had occurred. There was something far more tragic that had occurred to his mother and her murder. Something horrific enough as is for a young boy to have to witness. She was sure that his need to protect and push away at the same time stemmed from what happened early on his life.

What was worse, was that look as if she would be disgusted with him for having let his mother die—like she could ever believe that, even as a young boy—and that his attempts to try and locate her killer and bring them to justice unsuccessfully would make her disappointed or disgusted with him.

It was so unfair for him to have to walk around his entire life with this guilt bottled up inside of him. All the more why she liked the friendship between him and Derek. Derek seemed to sense some of these same types of demons within him, and tried to break the binds he held himself behind.

After laying in her bed for a couple of hours, with no sleep and no reprieve from the intense feelings she was having deep inside, the need for Mark to want to touch her, mark her, consume her entire body, made her body flush all over. She felt like she was on fire, and needed to cool down.

She pushed the covers off her, going over to the one window in her apartment, a bench just under her window, cranking the window open until the cold night air whipped across her skin. Mark had let her go making it clear he wanted to see her again, but she had been so focused on getting out of there before she went against her own medical opinion on his safety and threw herself at him, that she hadn't confirmed when and if they would see each other again.

She leaned her head against the wall of her apartment, remembering the change to the blue of his eyes, as his fingers had grazed her cheek so slightly, the way he gently cupped the back of her head to bring her to him before his kiss turned demanding and possessive. He left everything on the table in that kiss of what he wanted from her and how much he was interested in being with her.

Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched and unclenched her hand thinking about his hands trailing from the side of her head, down to her shoulders, her arms, the sides of her body—almost grazing the sides of her breasts—before clutching to her waist and pulling her to him.

Now that he had texted her and they had plans to meet again on Friday, the two days before they would see each other again would feel like an eternity.

She closed her eyes, stopping just outside of one of her patients' rooms to start her rounds for the day.

Two days.

It was going to be a long two days.

At least she had medicine to keep her busy.

Friday Early Afternoon…

It had been a long two days, but Lexie woke refreshed and excited that today she was going to see Mark.

Even though they weren't able to see each other due to both of their jobs, it didn't stop him from continuing to reach out and find ways to make sure each of them was on the other's mind for those days in between—like him not being on her mind would be a real thing.

When there were moments later in the night when both of them could be in quiet places, he could call and they would spend time just talking. About anything and everything. About her job, her childhood, her relationship with her sister, to her Seattle Grace family life.

She spent time asking him about his brotherhood from when they were young to now. His time in the academy and before he signed on for this operation, and then even him sharing a few small details of what he was doing now. Being honest about the Russian's being a challenge and the recent attack in Addison's territory.

She tried not to let the fact that she hated the fact that Addison was someone that he had to have frequent contact with. She wouldn't be surprised if the red-head staged the entire thing herself, just to get Mark's attention and sympathy so she could have a reason to see him again. She really did not like Addison Montgomery.

Her phone buzzed, bringing her out of her thoughts. Mark's name flashed across the screen. That little heat inside of her started to build to a flame that felt like it was going to roar to life just knowing she was going to see him again. That touching him again was imminent.

"Hey," she answered her voice sounding breathlessly.

"Hi," he said.

She could hear a little excitement in his voice, mixed with a sigh of relaxation. She tried not to get giddy that he would do that every time he heard her voice. Almost as if it was a reassurance that she was here and still willing to talk to him.

"I'm just around the corner. I can come up—"

"No. No…it's ok, I can meet you downstairs. I'll head down now," she quickly interrupted, already grabbing her keys, purse, and jacket and headed out the door.

She hung up the phone, locking her apartment behind her. She turned away quickly, shoving open her door and rushing outside so she could meet him. She knew she shouldn't be embarrassed that she had yet to actually move out of her crappy apartment she had signed a lease for when she had interned, and then never moved out due to how close to the hospital it was as she went into residency and then now attending, but after seeing where and how Derek lived, she was self-conscious about him seeing how modest and sad her apartment was.

She didn't know exactly what they were doing for the day—Mark indicated it would be a surprise—but he advised her to dress comfortably. For her that was a pair of jeans and a sweater. She chose a deep navy blue since she felt that was her color. She looked best in blue.

He opened the door to his car; jumping out with his black trench coat flowing around him. He looked amazing in his blue jeans and sweater. She felt this tug inside of her, pulling her towards him as if he was her only source of oxygen for her next breath.

His lips curved into a smile as he saw her approach, and she went willingly into his arms, finally feeling his lips against hers. It wasn't too long, but not too quick—just perfect—before she pulled back so their date didn't get distracted before it could even begin.

"So, are you finally going to tell me what we are doing today?" she asked, as she hopped into the passenger side of the car.

He smiled at her, but shook his head. He moved his hand from the shifter of the car to take her hand in his, bringing the back of her hand to his lips. She relaxed into the seat, more at ease now than in the last two days now that she was seeing him again.

The drive was about thirty minutes, every turn Mark had taken moving them more out of the city and into the suburbs. When the SUV finally pulled into the parking lot, she looked out the window and back at him.

"A baseball field?"

He nodded. "When Derek and I were kids, we used to play baseball all the time after school before we had to go home and start our homework or eat dinner. We had some of the best times here."

She studied him, as he looked out the windshield of the car, with a look that told her his memories of being on a field like this were something he remembered fondly.

"I bet you two were competitive, weren't you?"

He opened the car door. "Boy, were we ever. I think because at one time, Derek really thought he was going to be a Major League baseball player. What about you and Meredith?"

"Baseball?"

"Yes. No. Being competitive."

She laughed. "My mother turned everything into a competitive sport. From who could eat more vegetables to medicine, almost everything was which of the Grey's could do it better."

She paused, as he opened the trunk and started collecting the equipment of bats, balls, and helmets. They started making their way to the fields.

"I bet that was hard growing up," he said.

She shrugged. "It was. Mostly because it didn't matter if I did do better, I was still in Meredith's shadow."

Mark stopped to place the equipment on the bench, and turned to face her. "You don't think your still in her shadow now, do you?"

"Not as much anymore," she said honestly. "We recently had a heart to heart about this very subject. She was receptive to hearing how all those years growing up together was torturous for me."

He stepped into her frame, his one arm wrapping around her waist, his other hand coming up to grab hold of her chin so her eyes were looking directly into his.

"You are the most beautiful, smart, capable woman I have ever met. You were born to stand out, Lexie Grey. Never to be in anyone's shadow," he said strongly.

She gasped, something in his voice and the way he was looking at her told her that he meant those words that he was saying. In return, that strong ache inside of her was getting harder to ignore. It was borderline frightening how her body called out to him like he was her siren song.

When he would say things like that with such conviction, or he would touch her, even as a strong and comforting hold to just let her know he was here, she hadn't remembered ever feeling anything close to what it felt like to have his hands on her—be held like he was holding her. To feel the heat that radiated through her when their bodies pressed together. She hadn't really had time for relationships and boyfriends—with always trying to get the best grades in medical school, or be the best doctor in neurosurgery—but suddenly, for a moment, she wanted to really feel what it would be like. She was sure, being held by Mark Sloan, would be like nothing she had ever felt or experienced before.

She shook the thought away, remembering they were out in the middle of a park, with potential eyes everywhere. As much as she wanted to be alone with him, she also liked being out in the open on a date like they were now. She just liked being around Mark Sloan.

"You sure know how to make a girl feel good," she whispered.

His hand fell from her chin, the lines above his eyes scrunched together, lips turning downwards into a frown. She suddenly wondered what she had said to make him instantly change his expression as if she had just runover his dog.

"Hey…"

She did the only thing she could think of to try and pull him from whatever thoughts had taken root inside, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body close to his. There was a insecurity in his expression, that she didn't like.

"Do…you think I just say things like that to you because you think all I want to do is sleep with you?"

To her surprise, she pulled back so she could look him directly in the eye. "What? No. Is that what you think?"

He looked away from her and she understood that answer to be yes. In that moment, she realized that he was just as new to thinking about something more like a relationship as she was. He wasn't used to talking and sharing about feelings. Neither was she.

"I…I just want you to know…that when it comes to you, I want more than just that," he emphasized.

She offered him a slow, lazy grin, tugging at his neck so he would look back at her as well. "Me too."

She silenced any further conversation, by bringing her lips down to his for a soft and meaningful kiss.

When she pulled back, her cleared his throat and looked down at the equipment. "How about we hit some balls."

They both broke out into laughter, but she detangled herself from his arms, as they walked through the chain link fence and out onto the pitcher's mound. There was a machine set up where the pitcher would normally stand.

Mark passed her a baseball bat, coming to stand in front of her to put a helmet over her head. "Wouldn't want to damage anything so perfect," he said.

She laughed. "Smooth."

"Have you ever played before?"

She thought about whether to tell him the full truth or not, but then decided truth was always the best avenue. "Well, I did pitch in college."

Half-smile crossed his face. "You? Pitch in college?"

She shot him a look that was a cross between dismay and amazement. "What…you don't think I could play sports?"

He smirked; his eyes twinkled. "No. I'm just picturing how adorable you must've looked in a uniform. I'm kind of sad I didn't know you then."

She laughed, pushing him on the arm as she tried to hide the flush to her cheeks. "Come on, I want a crack at this."

She stood at the plate, Mark letting her know just as the machine was turned on, swaying left and right waiting for the first ball to come at her. She missed the first three, before she hit the next two. The first ball she hit ended up being a foul ball, the second barely even made it to the pitcher mound.

She groaned. "I used to be better than this," she muttered.

Mark; who had been standing off to the side, with his arms crossed over his front, his one leg crossed over the other, looking rather sexy as he watched her, with a grin.

"It's your stance," he commented.

She lowered the bat, until the thicker part banged against her toe, pushing the helmet from her eyes as she turned to face him. "Is that so?"

He nodded. "I could show you a couple of pointers," he offered.

Her pulse started to hum louder at the thought of him coming close to her again. Her stomach started to fill with nerves, mixed with excitement. As long as she actually paid attention to whatever it was, he was going to teach her.

"Ok, show me what you got."

He pushed off the chain link fence, looking just as suave and cool as he approached her. The moment his chest was inches from her shoulder she could feel her mouth go dry, and her heart start to beat louder. She wondered if it would always be like this, every time he came near her.

"Face forward," he instructed, waiting for her to turn so that her back was to him. That only made the feelings she was experiencing intensify. "It's the way you hold the bat. It's the way you position your hips," he added his voice soft but heavy with a passion that told her he was just as affected by her closeness as he was.

"Uh, um, can you show me?"

She felt the heat of his chest as he pressed it against her back. His firm hands resting on her shoulders before sliding all the way down her arms until they stopped just at her wrists. She instantly started to feel the grip on the bat loosen from her hands, her head lulling back, before Mark was quick to catch it and hold it firmly back in her hands.

"You have to hold it tight." The vibration of his voice caressed her skin causing goosebumps in its wake. His fingers closed over hers making she gripped it tight.

"Ri—right. Good first tip," she faltered, her words coming out wobbly.

There was no denying that the note in her reply hinted at the fact that she was fully getting turned on by his close proximity, the way his voice dipped lower as if he quickly growing to a crescendo, was affecting her all over.

"Now," he said, his voice directly next to her ear, making her head tilt to the side hoping that he would move his lips to her neck and start trailing kisses there instead.

Baseball. You're supposed to be learning to hit a proper ball.

His hands dropped from her wrists, Lexie fighting to keep a whimper from leaving her throat at the loss of his touch, until she realized she was getting something far far better. His hands rested on either side of her hips, the bulk of his touch on her jeans. The tips of his fingers tipped just above the hem of her jeans, his contact scorching as he made contact directly with her skin.

She was fighting every urge and self-control possible to not throw the bat down, turn in his arms, and climb him like a tree. She was sure that would break a whole bunch of indecent exposure laws. Lucky for her, Mark was a cop, so she was sure they could get off with a slap on the wrist.

Something deep in her core tingled at that thought alone. Lexie wasn't typically someone that was interested in kinky types of sexual activity, but the thought of being punished by Mark for disobeying the letter of the law, made her breath catch.

His deep voice broke her from that very dirty thought. She swore by the fact that his voice went deeper than before, that he was able to read her mind like an open book.

"You have to pop your hips back," he suggested, his hands firmly gripping her hips until he showed her exactly what he meant by popping them back.

She was firmly aware that by popping her hips back, that she was dangerously close to his hips, already feeling how just as turned on as he was be her closeness.

Baseball. Your here for baseball.

"After that, you turn your head to the left, and keep your arms nice and tight."

Tight. Right. Tight. What the heck was happening to her. How did this man suddenly make any word in the English vocabulary suddenly such a dirty word?

"Think you got that?"

She didn't trust her voice to even get a single word out as a confirmation, so stuck with shaking her head. A second later, Mark removed his hands, and stepped back from her, making her frown at the loss of his closeness and touch.

She heard him click the remote, the machine humming and warming back up the next ball coming at her with quickening speed. Unlike the last time, with Mark's impressive pointers—making baseball her newest and favorite sport—she heard the crack of the ball hitting the wood, as she swung forward with all of her might.

She looked up to the sky as she watched the ball fly in the air, reaching all the way into the outfield. A smile crossed her lips, as she let out a yelp of joy.

"Next one's coming," he warned.

She turned back, remembering Mark's words, readying herself for the next ball. She hit the next three in a row, getting better and better with each one. Finally, she turned away, slightly panting, a smile lighting up her entire face as she turned back to him.

"How awesome am I?"

A look of delight filled his features. "You were pretty amazing," he agreed.

She stalked up to him. "Well, I had a pretty great coach. I think he deserves some kind of payment for all of his pointers."

His jaw tightened; eyes darkened. "Somehow, I think I would be the one getting the better end of the deal."

She shot him a little smile tugging at her lips, as she turned the tables getting inside of his space. His hands instantly fell to his sides waiting for her to come up to him. She immediately, wrapped her arms around his neck, his arms instantly coming to her waist, before his palms flattened against her back, slowly inching upwards.

A shiver coursed through her. She tilted her head up—seeing that he was much taller—stopping just before her lips met his. She wasn't the only one that could be a tease. She waited until his eyes opened; and when they did, she saw that careful control in him snap.

His eyes said it all. He wanted to feel her lips on his. That if she did not kiss him—and kiss him soon—he was going to fall apart right in front of her. To think that she could have that kind of power—control—over Mark Sloan made her heady and feel powerful all wrapped into one.

His lips came closer to hers, this time the tables turning on her. It was her breath that hitched.

"Playing with fire, Lex," he said his voice strained.

Lex.

No one had ever called her by that nickname before. Her full name was Alexandra Caroline Grey, but everyone had always either called her Lexie or just Grey. Hearing him say her name wrapped in that sexy baritone of his, was almost her undoing.

Then her lips came down on his, the heat rippling through her with a hunger that was so ferocious, she was sure she would never get enough. She somehow managed to pull herself away so he could have a turn of his own.

After another hour hitting balls on the field, they had decided to calls it quits, so Mark could take her to the next portion of the date. He had decided to keep it secret just as he did with taking her to the field.

She had enjoyed her time on the field. In between their stolen kisses and touches, they each took turns having fun with being competitive and hitting the ball into the field. Of course, Mark beat her having almost hit home runs on each of the turns he had.

Just as their first night at his house, their banter was easy flowing and came naturally. Lexie really hadn't recalled ever having another person—Meredith included—that she could have a relaxed conversation with regarding any topic. Mark listened, gave no judgements, and was even a good sport when they teased each other.

After an hour of driving, Lexie sat up straighter, when her eyes finally registered where he had taken her. Just outside of Seattle there was a year-round fair that consisted of carnival rides, games, food, and crafts and business for shopping.

"You're taking me to a fair?"

He nodded, pulling the car into a parking spot. "I thought we both could use an afternoon of just having mindless, thrilling, fun."

She beamed at him. "I love it."

They hopped out of the car, Lexie grabbing hold of Mark's hand as they walked to the entrance of the fair. He paid for their tickets, as they entered the smell of popcorn, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and more just slamming into her nostrils.

"I've always wanted to come to the fair. We never got to go, because mom was always busy and dad never wanted to go unless it was a family outing," she admitted.

He turned; staring in bewilderment. "You've never been to the fair?"

She shook her head. "Fun things don't really better you for a meaningful career."

He tugged her hand, pulling her flushed against his body. "Today is nothing but you having fun. Whatever you want. However long you want. As many times as you want."

She wasn't used to someone caring this much to make sure that she would have an incredible time. Was this what being with someone who cared about you and made you happy was like. This was what she had been missing for most of her life. Part of herself was scared to let herself enjoy it, because it wasn't hard to miss something you never had. Mark was already proving to be someone she didn't want to go back to not knowing, and now he was bringing the fun with him.

"What do you want to do first?" she asked.

He smiled. "What do you want to do first?"

She grinned. "Let's ride the rides."

She dragged him on almost every staple carnival ride, Mark being a complete sport about. He had just bought her her first ever cotton candy, and now she was dragging him to the one ride she had always dreamed about trying but always felt nervous to try: the Ferris wheel.

As they handed over their tickets and looked up to the massive wheel, Mark peered back at her. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

She bit her lip. Heights were never really her thing, but she always wanted to know what it would be like to ride one. She felt like it was a right of passage.

"Will you think I'm crazy if I tell you, I am little afraid of heights?"

She could see the look of countenance in his expression, before his arm tightened around her waist, making her feel protected and secured. "I won't let anything happen to you. It's a safe ride."

She nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."

The worker, opened the gate, Mark offering his hand to allow her to step in first, before he slid in next to her, the worker, shutting their bar down in front of them. Her hand shot out to his thigh, when the ride sputtered, their passenger car swaying back and forth as they started to lift in the air.

Mark's hand came down on hers, squeezing each time their car came to a stop allowing more passengers to come on. Once the compartments were finally full, the ride jostled back into motion lifting them upwards until they started rising to the top of the wheel, the entire fairgrounds and beyond coming into her view.

She nestled into his side, Mark's arm coming over shoulder and pulling her into his side, knowing exactly what to do to calm her nervous energy.

"It's beautiful," she exclaimed.

"It is," he said his voice gruff.

She turned to look at him, realizing he had been looking at her the entire time, and not out in the open. Her cheeks grew hot. His hand slid up her shoulders, to the back of her neck, rubbing out the tension from her fear of her heights. She instantly melted next to him, focusing now on him and the beautiful scenery, forgetting all about her fear of heights.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"I should be the one thanking you," he replied.

She turned to look at him. "Why do you say that?"

"I don't remember the last time I allowed myself the opportunity to just relax and be in the moment and have fun. My life has been nothing but rules, work, hardness, and walls. You make me want to change all that."

She felt a warm ripple course through her entire core of her body, a feeling of gratification flood through her. He had to know, he had to have some idea that he was doing the exact same thing to her.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, letting the hum of the ride as the went around and around sooth her. "I feel the exact same way about you," she said.

As the ride came to an end, they left the rides behind and moved on to the carnival games. She laughed to herself, when she saw the game booth of a row of bullseye target sitting above a clear tube. In the center of the target was a small hole. The game required the player to sit on a stool with a plastic gun that shot water. The purpose of the game was to try and get as much of the water from the gun into the target. The first player to get the tube filled with water, won the game.

She jerked her head to the game. "Wanna play?"

He laughed. "I would have a bit of advantage against you."

She knew with him being a federal agent he had to be a good marksman, and even though she was sure that he would probably beat her easily, she wanted to see his skills in action.

"I like a challenge. Always have been the underdog."

Mark reached into his pocket, pulling out a couple of bills as he handed it over to the worker, signaling for two players. A few others joined the game almost every seat taken.

Mark and Lexie sat down next to each other. She should have been paying attention to her own preparation for the game, but it was hard to pass up the opportunity to see him in his element. Even at something as light hearted as a game, she could see the seriousness in his demeanor. Mark was in it to win it.

His posture transformed, his shoulders going tight, his back straightening, and his arms and elbow positioned to what she figured was the best angle to aim directly at his target. He was fascinating to watch. She gripped her own gun, but she already knew it was going to be hard not to watch him in action.

The carnival worker came over the microphone explaining the instructions and rules of the game and how the player would win. He counted down to three, indicating to wait for the loud buzzer, before Lexie could feel the power of the jets of water come out from the gun.

As soon as the buzzer sounded, sounds of laughter, trash talking, and hollers filled the space around them as everyone playing the game went for their target. She was awful, hitting most of the outside of the target, the red and white lines making it hard to keep her eyes straight on the smaller hole of the bullseye. She basically had only a half of glass full no where even near to being close.

A loud ding ding sounded next to her, a red light flashing above Mark's target made her smile. The rest of the players weren't even halfway in filling their tubes, before Mark had already won the game. His hands dropped from the gun, the carnival worker coming over with a look of amazement and shock at how quickly he was able hit the target. She expected that most of the games were rigged, but even they couldn't pull one over on Mark Sloan.

"I'm impressed," she said.

He turned and winked at her. "I warned you that it wasn't much of a competition."

Their banter was interrupted when the worker came back with a large teddy bear and thrusted in into Mark's hands.

"Congrats. In all my twenty years, I've never seen shootin' like that son," he said.

"Thanks," said Mark, taking the bear from his hands. He turned and handed it over to her. "For you."

She grinned. "Really?"

She didn't even wait for his reply, taking the cuddly and plushy item from his hand, hugging it to her chest.

"Come on," he coaxed, holding out his hand for hers to take. "Let's get something to eat."

Lexie couldn't have pictured a better date, or better company as they had sat down to eat an early dinner. She hadn't been kidding when she had told Mark that she had always wanted to go to the fair but never had a chance to go. She could even sense within herself, that with both of them having high pressured professions, it was nice to have a day to just have fun and blow off some steam.

As they sat down at one of the picnic tables with her chicken tenders and fires and his massive corndog with fries, they fell into a silence as they started to eat. The table was much smaller their knees and legs touching as they sat and enjoyed their meal.

Lexie tried not to let the feelings of his closeness and touches affect her, but she was having a hard time focusing on anything other than the man sitting in front of her. As she looked up, taking another bite of her french fry, Mark was staring right back at her with the same heat in his own eyes.

She cleared her throat. "How, um, have things been?"

"Things are good. Getting back to normal."

She chewed another piece of her fry, but realized that Mark was not someone that just easily offered up information about his work or even his feelings. After their first date—when she had tried to run away—he had calmed her fears and running by his kissing. It still didn't ease her nagging feeling in her gut that she wanted to know.

"Can I ask you something?"

The dip in her voice told him she was obviously nervous. He had already polished off his entire lunch, wiping his hands and pushing aside his basket and napkin.

"You don't have to ask me to ask me, Lex. If I can share with you, I will tell you the truth. Always." he assured.

She took a long swallow. "Um, the other night, when our date was interrupted…has anything…um, happened between you an Addison?" Her eyes stayed on her half-eaten chicken tenders and fries, no longer as appetizing as they once had been. Her mouth on the other hand had a mind of its own. "I mean, I know it's none of my business, and if you did have any sorta of relationship with her that was before we met, but I could sense there was something there. I just need to know if something is still there." She rambled on.

Even though her eyes were down, she could see his silhouette get up from the table, round the other side, and come directly next to her. His right leg climbed over the bench so that he was straddling the bench right in front of her. He reached out and took her hand, turning her body so that she was facing him.

His forefinger reached out to lift her chin to look at his. "Nothing happened between Addison and myself, and nothing will happen with Addison and myself. She's just a player in the operation."

"Do you find her attractive?"

She didn't know why she was continuing to worry about something like this. Maybe it was because Addison—outside of being bad—exhibited that same confidence and power as Mark—made her worry that eventually he would wake up from whatever spell he was under with her and realize he was better off with Addison.

"I won't lie that she isn't attractive, but she's not my type. She doesn't have brown eyes that seem to turn amber in the light. My favorite, is when they darken to a color that reminds me of my favorite kind of scotch when I do something like this," he said, his hand coming up to graze the back of her cheek.

Lexie immediately softened into the touch, her eyes closing as she sucked in her bottom lip. Her hand instantly fell upon his thigh, the heat smoldering between the two of them. Suddenly, food was no longer on her mind. As she opened her eyes slowly, her breath hitched seeing the darkened gaze in his own.

"Mark…"

"Will you come back to my place?"

His voice was so soft and silky smooth. He could be putting her in a trance and she would never know. All the emotions inside of her were bubbling at her core and threatening to combust at the surface like a volcano. Her only response to his question was with a nod letting him know she very much wanted this—him—as much as his gaze was indicating he was wanting her.

"How's your dinner?" he asked

"I'm not hungry," she said immediately. She blushed and corrected, "I'm not hungry for that."

His lips pursed into a thin line, before he grabbed her hand, and yanked her from the table, a giddy yelp coming from her lips as she pulled back long enough just to grab her stuff animal, he had won her before trailing after him.

His grip on her hand had been firm, his steps determined with a purpose that she was just as hungry for when it came to getting him alone. She figured that the drive back would take at least thirty minutes to get to his home, but that might as well, be hours considering the feeling deep in her core.

When he got her back to the car, he unlocked the lock, and open the door to take her stuffed animal and help her in, but her feet were glued to the spot in front of her. She knew in her mind that the faster she got in and they got back to his place, the faster she could finally have the one thing she had been thinking about for days. Yet, her feet couldn't move.

Mark must've sensed her mood and needs, throwing the stuff animal into the car. She swallowed, as his body came flushed against hers, but it was her that surprised him when she didn't even give him a second before she kissed him open mouthed, her hand coming up around his neck and pulling him to her.

When the need for air came apparent, he was the one to pull back, his forehead leaning against hers. "You drive me fucking crazy," he breathed.

Her breaths came in pants, her chest heaving up and down. "Ditto."

"Lex, I am trying not to lose control here, but you are making it extremely hard not to do so."

Her cheeks felt hotter at his admission. The thought that she, Lexie Grey, was having this kind of affect on him, was more than she could even comprehend. It didn't, shouldn't make any sense, but the notion of that alone caused something to snap in her. She wanted Mark Sloan, like nothing she ever wanted before. It used to be that if it ever came down to the fact that she could never do another surgery again that thought would cripple her—she was sure now that she had been wrong. It would cripple her if she never felt Mark's touch, his need for her like she was feeling right here and now.

She pulled back, her body still enclosed in the open passenger door, her back hitting against the plush of the seat. "I don't want control," she said, her voice full of lust and need. "I just want you. Now."

She tried to adjust her hips so that she could press them against his, but he was quick to keep her at a distance that she figured would cause him to lose that last ounce of control she could feel slipping.

He growled, his arms holding onto her upper arms tightly. "The first time we are going to be together, is not going to be some quickie in the back of a car. Because I am going to want to take my time with you and explore every single inch of your body. Every. Single. Inch…as you scream my name," he said, his eyes leaving no room for questioning to his wants.

Her breath caught in her chest, feeling more turned on by those words then even the touches. She was wrong. He sensed the need in her without even having to voice it, his body coming against hers. He leaned into her, his lips right next to her ear, his warm breath causing a shudder to go right through her.

"What do you want, Lex? Tell me, it's yours."

He was built for power. His hands strong, his arms and chest powerful. There was something to be said about being attracted, wanted, and needed by an alpha male. She could understand with his presence looming over her, why some averted their eyes, and others like her, couldn't seem to look away from him. He oozed power and sex appeal.

"Mark…you…your hands…" she panted, unable to get out a coherent sentence.

"Your wish is my demand," he replied, his voice thick, husky, with need. "Do you trust me?"

She didn't even need to think. Her head shook automatically, because she did know that without a doubt, she had never trusted anyone more than she trusted the man right in front of her.

His hand reached up again, his feathery light touch against her cheek as she leaned into the touch, her entire body humming with need and desire. His lips came down on hers again, all of her nerves leaving her body, her desire raging beneath her. His lips left hers trailing kisses up her jaw until his mouth was against her ear.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured.

She withered against him, wanting more. She needed more from him. More pressure, more of his kisses, just…more.

Then everything went white, as her eyes fluttered close. Nothing else in the world seemed to matter, but her, him, and now where his hands were going. They had headed south, stopping just above the hem of her jeans, his fingers grazing the soft skin on her sides and above her belly button.

His lips were still next to her ear. "I have to know, Lex…how bad do you want me…are you ready for me," he said, his voice gruff.

"Mmph."

Her response came out as a mixture of a moan and a whimper, and she could no longer think. Every sense in her was heightened, and the only thing she could focus on was his hand and that she wanted more.

That hand of his tugged at her button of her jeans until it popped open. She bit the inside of her cheek in both anticipation and wanton need. Pleasure was surging through her, as she heard the zipper of her jeans slowly start to lower.

Her eyes snapped open, suddenly recalling where it was, they were and standing. They were in the parking lot of the fairgrounds. Even though they were far from the actual fair and no one was around since they were parked in the back of the open grassy space, a large set of wooden terrain on the other side. With the car door being open, and Mark's body pressed against her with his coat bellowing out around him, no one would know what was happening unless they were right on top of them.

"Mark…"

The determination that was on her face was now on his, and it made her swallow back any other retort or concerns about whatever it was that Mark wanted to do to her. The primal look etched in his expression made her heady.

His hands abandoned her jeans, and she almost protested, but before she could, a yelp came from her mouth when he grabbed her shoulders and turned her swiftly so that she was now facing the car, her bottom lower half blocked by the seat. His chest was to her back, keeping her securely in place, and completely at his disposal. It made her even more turned on.

His right hand was back on her waist, snaking around to the opening of her jeans, his fingers playing with the hem of her panties. Her body pushed against him, her ass trying to find his pelvis and grind against him for that much needed friction.

He gave her what she wanted, her head lulling back against him as she felt his hardness against her. She groaned and he growled, as his left hand came down to squeeze her ass. Before she could even process the sensation, his hand was already back up, roaming up her side, towards the underside of her chest. He was so close to her left breast, and it was suddenly aching for his touch.

She never knew what he was going to do next, both thrilling and frustrating at the same time. His right hand finally dipped lower, causing her thighs to snap together making the need she had for him blaze hotter and brighter.

"Do you want me to keep going? Do you want this?"

"Don't…don't stop…" she panted.

She didn't recognize her own voice, her own self. She had never been this bold, this out of control before. She liked it. She liked what Mark Sloan was doing to her and bringing out of her.

Just as his hand reached her sweet spot, his other came up to push her hair back from her neck his lips trailing kisses up and down her neck. She wanted more. His touch felt so good it was making her crazy. His hand that pushed her hair away went back to her waist, sliding up her sweater, until it connected with her bra, skimming the edge of her bra and skin.

She gasped at the sudden sensation. Between his hand down south, his lips on her neck, and now the goosebumps from his fingers being right on the edge but not quite where she needed him most, she was about to combust.

She groaned, pushing back into him again, only causing him to use his body to slam her forward into the seat. Her hands came up to hold onto the outer rim of the door, the pleasure he was giving her making her clench and increase the need for him to give her a release.

He knew exactly what he was doing to set her on the edge but not take her over. It wasn't as if he had been inside her yet and she was already going to see the bombs bursting in air. The last time she had sex, she hadn't been able to get herself off unless she had taken control and made sure of it. Mark knew exactly what he was doing as if he was playing her body like an instrument.

His hand brushed over her sex. It was over her panties, but it caused her breath to quicken and her core to clamp close on his hand.

"Is that all for me?" he asked hoarsely.

When she didn't respond, his fingers pushed her bra up, lightly squeezing her breast while his other hand started to force her legs apart again.

"Mark…"

God…it felt so good…she couldn't think of anything else anymore. She just wanted to feel. Feel it all. His lips were back on her ear and between all three sensations, she was almost there, and she was getting ready to tip over the edge. She couldn't believe she was falling off this edge with just his slightest touches and the dirty words whispered into her ears.

"Is that for me?" he repeated again more determined for an answer.

"Yes…"

He thrusted his pelvis forward, and she could feel his achingly hard erection against her. She couldn't fight back the whimper this time, because she hated the fact that they were here and not back at his home where she could have it all.

His thumb started rubbing against her nipple of her breast, pushing herself into his hand as he brought her to a harden peak. She was so close, she wanted to let go, but she didn't want this to end either.

"Tell me your mine, Lex," he whispered.

"Yes, yes…" she said automatically needing that release.

"Say you're mine," he growled. "I'll give you want you need."

His strokes became more demanding, her bodying humming faster needing his touch like it was her next breath.

"Yours… only yours…" she breathed.

His hand on her folds swiped with a pressure, while his hand on her breast pinched her nipple with a pressure that was borderline painful and pleasureful. It was exactly what she needed but never knew she wanted. Probably because it wasn't Mark Sloan up until now.

His voice was coarse and low. "Come for me, Lexie."

The request—no demand—was what did her in, as she bit down on her lip, as wave after wave of pure bliss came over her. Even though he had brought her over the edge, he was still behind her and ready for action of his own, reminding her that this was only the beginning and that made her anticipation and need grow again.

She was grateful for two things as her legs trembled once she was spent. That she was still holding onto the frame of the SUV and that Mark's strong arms tightened around her waist to keep her upright, when she just wanted to melt into a puddle.

He turned her instantly again, his lips crushing down on hers as both of his arms wrapped around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surprised at how quickly she opened for him and grabbed at him like what had just happened didn't actually happen.

When he finally broke the kiss, she opened her eyes and rasped, "Take me home."

A/N: Thanks for reading.