Mark lay there holding her not knowing what to say. He felt something for her. No doubt there was a strong attraction, but love. No way. He was done with love. Two failed marriages left him gun shy. He looked down at her knowing he was going to have to hurt her. She was just a child this was her first time she was just confusing her feelings. She would learn that in time. But he still felt a bitter twist in his gut. He remembered how she had looked at him with such trust. Jenna propped her chin on his chest to look at him. "You don't have to say it back you know. I understand. I know you don't feel the same way." Jenna said quietly. Mark cradled her face. "You think I'm a baby and that I don't know how I feel. But I do love you." She said looking into his eyes. Mark saw the truth in her eyes. "Jenna I don't want to hurt you. I think you're wonderful, but I'm not ready for a relationship." Mark said. "I know." She said. Even though she was dying inside she vowed not to show it. This one night would have to be enough. Jenna reached up and kissed him gently. "Love me." She whispered against his lips. He knew he shouldn't. He should send her on her way he had already hurt her enough. But he couldn't. He returned her sweet kiss loving the taste of her sweet lips. Mark pulled her on top of him and they both got lost once again in there passion.
Mark awoke and looked down at Jenna. She was curled to his side with her hand resting on his chest. He looked at her sweet little face. He lifted his finger tracing the freckles that rested on her checks and nose. Jenna opened her eyes. "What are you doing?" she asked smiling. "Playing with those adorable freckles." He said grinning. "We dock in two hours." He said. She nodded determined not to show him how much she was hurting. "I need to get back to my room and pack." She said getting up. Mark lay there watching her she blushed under his scrutiny. Mark smiled. "Give me a kiss." He said. She walked over and kissed his lips and pulled back. "I got to go." She said as she pulled on her clothes. "What flight ya leaving on after we dock?" he asked. She told him. "I'll meet you at your room in a hour or so. We'll share a ride to the airport." Mark said. Jenna smiled happily. "Okay." She said and left to go to her room. Mark sighed and got up to shower. He wished he had a few more days with her. She was to sweet and innocent for him. She needed a guy her own age to build a life with not some broke down wrestler.
Jenna got showered and dressed. She put on some jeans and tank top and pulled on her tennis shoes. She brushed her hair out and left it down. She ordered some breakfast. She found she couldn't eat much. All her thoughts were on Mark. She loved him so much. She didn't want to think about what her life would be like when she went back. She felt like she had found part of herself that was missing and now she had to let it go again. She felt like crying but she promised she wouldn't do that. She didn't want to make Mark feel bad. She would make one night be enough. She would hold it in her heart forever. There was a knock at the door. She opened and Mark grabbed her and pulled her in his arms. He kissed her. "Hey beautiful." He said. "hey." She said smiling up at him. "I'm going to take our luggage up and then I thought we could go sit on the deck a while. "Okay." Jenna said.
Jenna stood on the deck looking out at the blue waves. It was so peaceful. She felt arms encircle her waist and turned around to face Mark. "Penny for your thoughts." He said. "I was just thinking how peaceful it is." Jenna said. Mark led her over to a chair and sat down and pulled her in his lap. She sat there wrapped in his arms neither one really talking. Mark shifted and pulled out a card. "Here this has my cell phone and address on it, if ya need anything or just want to talk call me okay." He said. "Okay." She said putting it in her pocket. He handed her a piece of paper and a pen. "Write your number down for me baby, so I can all ya." He said. She did and handed it back to him. They sat there together until it was time to leave the ship.
Jenna stood at her gate ready to board. Her fight was earlier than Mark's. "Well I guess I got to go." Jenna said looking at Mark. Mark knew she was trying to be brave and not show she was upset. He could kick his self for letting this happen. Mark pulled her in his arms and hugged her. Jenna clung to him trying to memorize the way he felt and smelled. He pulled back and kissed her mouth and then her nose. "Call me Jenna anytime. Okay?" Mark said. She nodded afraid to speak. "You okay?" he asked. "yes." She said. He went to step back and she pulled him close again and hugged him. "I love you Mark." She whispered to him and turned and left. Mark resisted the urge to stop her and haul her back to him. He couldn't give her what she needed. It was best if she forgot about him. He turned and walked away.
Once on her flight Jenna gave in to her tears. She cried her heart out. When she was done she wiped her face. Okay Jenna your own your way back to your life. She had too many responsibilities to go to pieces. She would hold Mark in her heart always and cherish the memory of there night together. "I will always love you Mark." She whispered as she stared out the window.