sorry it took so long everyone. my internet service has been on the war-path. Hope you enjoy please review.

Chapter 20

"Just imagine a week in Saccachum," Brenda sighed. "How nice of Mark to invite us along, especially since him and Melissa are getting along so well."

"Oh, it's wonderful." I agreed.

"They've hardly been apart at all," Brenda said. "And they do make such a great couple; Mark so dark and Melissa so fair...I think he's really serious about this time." She clasped her hands together and beamed. "I'd love to plan a spring wedding. We could decorate the house..."

"Excuse me but I have to start getting my things together," I said, trying to hide my sadness. "You don't mind do you?"

"No dear, go ahead."

I went up the stairs, feeling dead inside. As I passed Melissa's room, my eye caught sight of the vase full of roses. Melissa had deliberately put them in plain site and I felt as if I'd been shot. At least Mark hadn't suspected how I felt about him. That would have been unbearable especially since he had suddenly taken an interest in the seductive blonde. I knew I now had only Glen for companionship. And that

seemed to catch Mark's attention in the most violent way.

"I say, have you and Mark had a falling out?" Melissa asked me that night while Mark was changing. "You've hardly spoke to each other for the past couple days."

"Not at all Mark and I were never close."

"Oh really?" she smiled. "I hope you and he will get along. Living in the same house, you know..."

"Have you set a date?" I asked, trying to hide the fact I wanted to claw her eyes out.

"Not yet. But it won't be long."

"I'm very happy for the both of you."

"Are you ready?" Melissa asked Mark as he entered the room.

As they left the room I began to cry. Now I would have to leave. There was no way I could live in the house with Melissa.

The next morning I awoke early to prepare for the flight to Guatemala.

"You're tearing up my heart." Glen said watching me as I watched Mark

and Melissa.

"Why?" I asked him innocently. I'd hoped no one noticed what a fool I was being, but evidentially Glen had.

"I've never seen a woman love a man the way you love Mark."

"I'll get over it. It...it's just going o take a little time, that's all. I'll land on my feet."

He caught my hand ad held it as we walked toward the jet.

"I honestly thought it was infatuation, at first. But I'm beginning to realize just how wrong I was. You'd do anything for him wouldn't you? Even stand aside and watch him marry another woman, as long as it made him happy."

"Isn't that what love is? I want him to be happy I want everything for him."

"Don't let him see you suffer."

"Oh, of course not. We revolutionists are very tough, you know."

"That's my girl. But why are you giving up the battle so soon?"

"Who said I was giving up? I've got the job I wanted, but not the apartment. Just wait until we come back!"

"That's my girl. I knew you could work it out."

On the flight

"You look very pale dear," Brenda said. "How about an airsick pill?"

"I've already had two. All they do is make me dizzy." I stated, trying to fight my bout with airsickness.

"A little brandy may help," Vince offered.

I shook my head. "I'll be alright."

"Lie down for awhile," Glen stated. "Take off your shoes and go to sleep." he helped me stretch out in one of the seats. "We'll be there before you know it."

We landed at the airport and stepped off the plane. A customs official took our passports and Mark got a rental car and we were on their way.

Melissa convinced Mark to take her too some shops and Brenda and Vince spent the day lounging around. I spent my day laying in bed feeling out of sorts; it was the combination of the flight and the climate. When night came I felt Brenda's hands shaking me.

"Honey, we're going to get something to eat. Do you want to come along?"

I sat up finding all the nausea and dizziness gone.

"Sure just give me a minute."

"What's wrong with what you have on?" Mark asked from the doorway.

"It'll do if we're not going anywhere fancy."

"The restaurant isn't formal. Still feeling queasy?" Mark asked softly moving into the room.

The soft tone in his voice almost brought tears to my eyes. I turned away and picked up my brush. "I feel fine just let me brush my hair."

"Don't be long hon I feel as if I haven't eaten for days," Brenda said.

I nodded expecting Mark to follow Brenda out but he didn't. He closed the door. I watched him in the mirror. He moved up behind me, his eyes holding mine in the glass. He was dressed in a shirt open at the throat. His slacks were dark, hugging at his powerful thighs. I could hardly drag my eyes away from him.

"Do you really feel up to this?" Mark asked quietly. "If you don't, I'll stay home with you."

The concern in his voice would have made me feel like I was in heaven had it been meant differently. It was compassion of a man for a child, not a man for his woman.

"I always get airsick. I'm fine."

"Are you? The life's gone out of you."

"It's been a long week." I whispered sadly.

His big hands went around my waist, testing the feel of my flesh through the cloth.

"...I think we all need a vacation," I laughed nervously.

"Yes." He slowly drew me back against his body, so I could feel his breath against my hair. "You're trembling."

My eyes closed and my hands covered his as they tightened around my waist.

"I know," I choked out.

"Jaime..."

I couldn't help myself. My head dropped back against his broad chest. In the mirror I watched his hands slowly move up to my breasts, cupping them over the dress. My fingers came up to rest on top of his, pressing them closer to my soft curves.

"You smell like flowers," he said slipping his hands under the top of my dress to touch my flesh. I let out a moan and bit my bottom lip.

"I wish to god we were alone, Jaime. I'd lay you on that bed over there and before I was through you'd be letting out more than just a soft moan. You'd be biting and scratching. Clawing me, begging me to do more than just touch your breasts."

"Mark..." I moaned just thinking about it.

I turned around in his arms wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Kiss me...Kiss me hard!" I begged.

"How hard?" he lightly brushed his lips over mine. "That hard?"

"No," I whispered as I grabbed his head bringing his lips to meet mine. I darted my tongue into his mouth playing with his tongue and pulled away breathlessly. "Like that..."

His mouth covered mine, his tongue outlining my lips before plunging in. My body came closer to his to feel every hardening line of his body.

"Mark, do you...want me?"

"God in heaven, can't you feel it? Stop asking silly questions, Jaime. Closer. Move your body closer to mine."

"Like this?" I asked standing on her tiptoes.

"Harder than that." He said, almost begging.

I repeated the action and began to kiss him. Mark lifted me up and carried me to the bed in the corner.

"Are you going to make love to me now?" I asked knowing I'd give him everything he wanted.

"Do you want me to? Are you scared?" he asked.

"How could I be scared when ..." before I could finish the sentence and tell Mark how much I loved him there was a harsh knock at the door. Mark's head snapped up from where he was.