Thanks for the great reviews. I'll post new chapter as often as I can.
Laura awoke to Marks voice. "Wake up sleeping Beauty." She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He was leaning over her. He gently brushed back some wisps of hair that had escaped her braids during the night. "Ya going to sleep the day away Darlin." He said. "What time is it?" she asked. "Its 12:30." He said. She shot up in bed. "God, I can't believe I slept that long." She said. "I'm sorry, I was going to fix you breakfast." Mark laughed and pushed her back down in bed "Calm down little girl, Ya been on the go for two days, ya needed the sleep." "And your not the maid, you don't have to get up to fix my breakfast." He said. "I know" she said "but I wanted too." "You're a silly little thing" he said and grinned at her. "Get up and get dressed, were going to lunch." "Okay" she said. Mark bent over and gave her a quick kiss on the head. Damn but he smelled good, like cologne and leather and the outdoors. It was a smell that was uniquely him and every time she smelled him it made her dizzy and weak in the knees. Damn girl she thought what the hells wrong with you. Mark left to let her get dressed. She threw on blue jeans, a long sleeved thermal shirt. She sat down to tie her sneakers. What the hell am I feeling for him she thought? Laura was scared to death of men after what her step father had tried to do to her, not to mention what other men on the streets had tried on her. She has always managed to get away from them but it had left her with a fear of men and sex in general. So why was she having these feelings for Mark, she should be scared to death. But she actually liked him touching her. The thought of kissing him made her heart skip a beat. "Snap out of it Laura." She said out loud. She grabbed her leather jacket and went down stairs.
Mark was waiting for her in the entry way downstairs. He had on tight black jeans, a black T- shirt, black leather jacket and boots. He had a Dead Man inc. knit cap and shades. Oh God he looked good. She swallowed hard and finished coming down the stairs. "Ready?' he asked. She nodded. He pulled out another Dead Man cap and pulled it down on her head and put some shades on her. He grinned. "Don't want those pretty little ears freezing off." "You can be my Little Dead Girl" he joked. Laura smiled up at him, "okay" she said. Mark took her hand and they walked out to the garage. "So which bike ya want to take?" he asked. "The purple one with skulls." She said. "A girl after my own heart." Mark laughed. Mark backed the bike out to the driveway. "Hop on" he said. Laura climbed on behind him. "Hold on "He said. To what? She asked. "To me, ya silly girl" Laura put her arms around his waist and held on tightly. She felt the laughter rumbling in his chest. He took off down the driveway and turned onto the road. Laura loved it; she had never felt so free. The wind rushing at her, it felt so great. She laid her head against Marks back and enjoyed the feel of flying. They had been riding for about 30 minutes when she felt the bike slow down and then stop. She looked over Marks shoulder and seen they were in the parking lot of a restaurant. Dave's Diner. Mark got off the bike and lifted her off. "So how did ya like the ride?" he asked. "I loved it." Laura said. "You're a natural; I'm going to teach you how to ride one yourself." Mark said. "Really, that would be great" She said. Laura was so excited she was practically bouncing up and down. Mark smiled down at her, he loved to see her happy. "Come on, let's go I'm starving.
They both ordered Country fried steak with mashed potatoes. Mark was glad to see her eating good; she would start putting on some weight. "Want some dessert kid" he asked. "Well yea, I'm still hungry." She said. "That pecan pie looks good." Mark ordered her the pie which she quickly wolfed down. Mark just grinned. She did love to eat. Mark paid the check and they left.
They rode around Houston for most of the day. Laura was having the time of her life. She loved riding, it was like flying. Laura felt him slowing down again then he stopped. They were on an Overlook. You could see the whole city from up here. Mark told her to hop off. She got off and Mark picked her up and sat her in front of him on the bike. "I think I was blocking your view." He said. Mark pulled her back against him and wrapped his arms around her. The sun was setting and the view was spectacular. Mark looked down at her. She looked so peaceful. He was glad see seemed to be getting used to him. She didn't jump away when he touched her. Mark realized that he was starting to have feelings for her. He knew this was something more than wanting to help her. He knew what he was staring to feel was desire. He sighed. He also knew he wasn't going to act on it. Not now anyway. She was still to hurt and vulnerable. He realized he cared deeply about her. In 6 months she would be eighteen. He would wait to see how they both felt then. It was going to be a long six months. "Mark it's so beautiful up here." Laura said. She shivered, it was getting cold. "Let me get you home, it's getting to cold out." Mark said. "Oh, not yet." She said. "Darlin your going to freeze to death." He said. He turned her around and pulled her up against him. Laura snuggled up to him like a kitten. He kissed the top of her head. Get on the back baby. She got off and climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around him. Mark started the bike and headed home.