As Brandy woke up the following morning, she immediately noticed there was another person in the bed with her, a wave of panic coming over her as she realized this. Her heart pounding, she peeked in the direction of where she could tell they were lying, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was simply Mark, sleeping soundly. She frowned as she wondered why he was in bed with her, but she could not stop herself from studying him as he slept. He really was a beautiful man. She watched as his pale eyelashes dusted against his cheekbones, noticing how long and thick they were. His hair fanned out around his head on the pillow, and unable to help herself she lightly let a strand of it run through her fingers. Her gaze went to his mouth, and she found herself wondering what it would feel like to kiss those lips...

When his gaze was suddenly on hers, she blushed deeply at being caught staring at him. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," she replied quietly, giving him a small smile.

"How are you feeling?"

"Definitely better than last night. I think I need to take some more medicine, though," she commented, and quickly he was up. She watched him as he disappeared into the bathroom, and when he returned with her medications, she could not help but to smile. "You didn't have to do that," she added, watching him as he sat the bottles on her nightstand.

"I know," he replied simply, and retrieved a glass of water for her as well. "I am going to go take a shower, and get ready for the day. If you felt up to it, I was going to take you to get some much needed clothes, maybe some stuff for the house as well."

Brandy smiled once more. "That sounds fine, thank you," she replied.

"Do you need any help getting ready?"

"I think I will be okay," Brandy said as she went to get up, when a wave of dizziness suddenly hit her. "Whoa," she commented as she sat back heavily, squeezing her eyes shut to stop her surroundings from spinning.

"Hey, you okay?" Mark asked, frowning as he knelt next to her.

Brandy nodded, covering her eyes with her hand. "I'm just really dizzy," she replied quietly, feeling as though she could pass out or throw up.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I don't know, I don't know," she stated, panic creeping into her voice.

Sensing she was about to have a breakdown, Mark gently pulled her to him and wrapped her up tightly in his arms. "Hey, you're okay, just breathe," he softly coached her, alternating between rubbing her back and stroking her hair.

Burying her face in his chest, Brandy took deep breaths, until finally everything went back to normal. "Sorry," she apologized as she pulled back, an embarrassed expression on her face.

"Shush," Mark replied, and carefully helped her stand up. "You okay now?" he asked, keeping a firm hold on her.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay now, thank you."

He simply smiled. "How does breakfast sound? There's a great diner not far from here that has some of the best food I've ever had."

She smiled back. "That sounds nice," she replied, and he gave her hair a quick ruffle before walking out of the room. Reaching over to grab her crutches, Brandy took a deep breath, and being extra careful made her way into the bathroom to get herself at least somewhat presentable.

It was late into the day when Mark and Brandy finally made their way back home, the two of them laughing hysterically as he parked his truck.

"No you did not," she gasped between laughs, tears in her eyes from how hard she was laughing. Unable to respond, he simply nodded. "You're fucked," she added, making them both burst into another fit of laughter.

"Fuck you, I was young," he chuckled, finally regaining control of himself. Looking back over at her, he could see a wince of pain cross her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just too much of the giggles," she replied, grabbing her side.

"Well let's get you inside," he commented, and getting out of the truck he walked over to her side, opening the door to help her get down. Once she had her crutches, he helped her inside, and got her settled before going back out to the truck to grab her purchases. "Is there anything you are still needing?" he asked once he was done and had joined her on the couch.

She shook her head. "You already got me way too much, I could not ask you for any more."

"How many times do we have to go through this? I don't care about the money, I just want to help you. I want to make sure you are comfortable," he reassured her.

She smiled at him. "I couldn't possibly ask you for what I really need."

"So there IS something else."

"Well..."

"What? What is it?"

She chewed on her lower lip, hesitating before finally replying, "If I am going to find a job once I am healed, I need some form of transportation. I'm just not sure how I will be able to get something."

"Well then let me help you. We can go find something whenever you want."

"Mark, I know you keep saying you don't care about the money, but there has to be a limit. I'm not going to let you buy me a car."

He thought for a moment. "Well...what if I sold you one of mine? I really don't want the money, but you obviously are a stubborn ass, so I'm sure we could come to a mutual agreement. I've been thinking about getting rid of it, anyway."

Brandy was brought back by this. "I...well...that's perfect, actually."

Mark grinned at this. "I'm surprised you didn't put up a fight on that one," he commented, chuckling when she playfully pushed him.

"What kind of car is it?"

"A Z3. I like my truck too much, and never really drive it."

Brandy's eyes went wide. "You're wanting to give me a BMW?"

"Sure," Mark replied with a shrug. "I told you, I never drive it. At least now it'll get some use."

"I...I don't know what to say."

"Just a thank you is fine," he said with a grin, and she smiled back.

Leaning over, she kissed his cheek, making his stomach do a small flip. "Thank you," she replied, her breath puffing onto his neck making a tingle run up his spine.

"You are very welcome," he replied, looking down at her. Mark glanced down at her lips, and then back into her eyes. God, was she a magnificent creature. "You're so beautiful," he murmured without thinking, idly running his fingers through her hair.

Grinning sheepishly, she looked down. "I'm not, but thank you," she replied quietly. Her stomach did a flip when he gently grasped her chin, forcing her to look back up, and momentarily forgot how to breathe when his soft lips were suddenly pressed lightly against hers.

"Yes you are," he whispered, and pulled back to look down at her.

Left speechless, she simply stared at him for a long moment, before finally getting out, "Wh...Why did you do that?"

He smirked. "I've wanted to do that for a long time, now," he informed her, and unable to help himself he leaned back down to once more kiss her, this time deeper and more sensuously. Letting out the smallest sigh, she allowed herself to get lost in the kiss, quickly growing overwhelmed by the emotions coursing through her. Her heart pounded wildly when his strong arms were suddenly around her waist, and just when she thought she would get lost in it all, he gave a firm tug on her to pull her closer, his actions making a jolt of pain cause her to cry out. "Shit, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I forgot," he asked, quickly pulling back.

Trying to breathe through the pain, Brandy nodded. "I'm okay...I just..."

"What do you need? What can I do?"

"My meds," she finally got out, and quickly Mark was heading down the hall to her room. Sinking back into the couch, Brandy closed her eyes and tried to focus on anything other than the hurt coursing through her entire being.

"Brandy, I am so sorry," he once more stated as he walked back into the room with both her medication and a bottle of water, and sat down next to her.

"It's okay," she quietly replied as she grabbed both from him, and quickly took the pills. When Mark could see she was struggling to get comfortable, he once more pulled her to him, this time in a gentler manner, and held her to him as he softly caressed her in an effort to help ease the pain. "Mark?"

"Hmm?" When she did not say anything, he glanced down at her, and found her simply looking up at him. He went to say something, when suddenly she leaned up, and her soft lips were on his. Taking her face in his hand, he kissed her back willingly, everything about the moment feeling so right.

When she pulled back for air, Brandy buried her face in him, breathing in his musky scent. "I care a lot about you, Mark," she commented, nuzzling against him.

"I care a lot about you too," he replied, his large hands caressing her. "You've made me happier than I've been in a long time."

She smiled up at him. "I can say the same thing about you. I just..."

"What?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure how ready I am for a new relationship, and I am afraid of rushing too quickly into things."

"Brandy, I feel the same way you do. There is a reason I have been single as long as I have. It's not easy letting people in, and you are the first woman I have came across in a long time I could be myself with. I don't know what exactly is going on here. All I do know is...I think I want to be with you, and I don't care how long it will take for that to happen, so long as, eventually, at the end of the day I get to call you mine."

Brandy could not help but to smile at this. "I like the idea of being your girl," she replied, and once more kissed him. "Just promise me you'll be patient with me?"

"Of course."

Brandy nodded. "Then I'm yours," she replied quietly, and gave a small squeak of surprise when she was suddenly on her back with Mark over her, his mouth greedily claiming hers. Giving a small moan, she returned the kiss with just as much need, her hands clawing at his sides and puling at his shirt. When he moved his kisses down her jaw and to her neck, she whimpered as she bit her lip, the tickle of his beard against her skin making her break out in goosebumps. When she felt him pushing up her shirt, she forced herself to gently push on his shoulders. "Mark...Mark, wait," she softly protested, and he pulled back to look down at her.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's just...this is moving too fast," she stated, an apologetic expression on her face.

"I'm sorry," he replied, sitting back up and helping her up as well.

When he looked down, she had him look back up at her as she commented, "Believe me, I do want that one of these days. Just...not yet."

With a small smirk, he ran his hand through her hair. "You don't have to explain yourself, I understand...and I do have self restraint, believe it or not." She could not help but to give a small laugh at his comment, which was cut short by a yawn. "You should get some rest, we had a longer day than I intended for. Are you feeling better?"

Brandy nodded, smiling at him, and hesitated before asking, "Can I sweet talk you into sleeping with me again? I'm sure you aren't ready to go to sleep yet, but when you are...it'd be nice if you joined me."

Grinning, Mark kissed her forehead before replying, "Let me get changed, and I'll come back down. You think you can make it to the room on your own?"

"Yeah, I should be fine if you can help me stand up," she replied, and once they were both on their feet they went their separate ways to get ready for bed. Brandy changed into an oversized shirt, and getting into bed waited patiently for Mark to join her. When he finally walked into the room, he grinned as soon as he saw her, and she asked, "What?"

"You're just too damn cute," he commented as he walked over to the bed, and slid in next to her. Once he was settled, she turned off the lamp by the bed, and with the room cast into darkness they laid there in silence.

Brandy could feel herself beginning to slip into slumber, when Mark moved around, and she jumped slightly when his warm hand was suddenly caressing her stomach. She gave a tiny cry of surprise when he pulled her closer to hold her tight to his chest, and just as she was about to snuggle into him to get comfortable once more his lips were on hers, soft yet demanding. Gently pulling back, she whispered, "What are you doing?"

"I'm just kissing you, darlin'. Is that okay?" he quietly asked.

Not saying anything, she responded by taking his face in her hands and pulling him back down, kissing him back willingly as her hands grasped at his hair. Giving a quiet groan, he parted his lips, silently asking her to open up to him. As soon as she did the same his tongue reached out for hers, making her moan softly. As the kiss grew more heated, Brandy caressed his arms, admiring the strength she could feel in them. Not wanting to make her in any way uncomfortable, Mark kept his hands respectfully in place, letting her lead where things went. Eventually, she whispered breathlessly, "Touch me, Mark."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she reassured him, and grabbing his hand placed it on her inner thigh. A growl rumbling in his chest, he once more kissed her as his hand kneaded the soft flesh, slowly inching upward as his need for her grew stronger. Bringing his kisses down along her jaw, he heard the hitch in her breathing as his hand came dangerously close to where he knew she ached the most, and just as he latched onto her neck he firmly cupped her through her panties. She cried out at this, and whimpered when he started rubbing her clit in slow circles.

"How's that?" he murmured, biting her earlobe.

"Your hands feel so good," she whimpered, her hips arching up into him. His hand slowly went up to toy with the waistband of her panties, and when he looked down at her with questioning eyes she nodded. "It's okay," she said, and gasped when suddenly his fingers were directly on her hot skin.

"Damn, you're so wet," he commented, feeling as though he would burst in his boxers from how badly he wanted her.

"You did it," she replied, making him give a low chuckle, and pulled him back down for a kiss, moaning into his mouth as his fingers quickened. When he eased a finger into her, she let out a strangled cry, and bit her lip hard when his thumb found her clit.

"God, you're tight," he growled, sinking a second finger into her, and quickened his motions, wanting to watch her as she fell apart.

"Oh god...Mark..." she panted, and cried out when she suddenly came in white hot spasms. He continued to stroke her until he felt her body grow limp, and finally pulled his hand back, giving her the chance to catch her breath. He was about to settle back down into the bed, when he felt her hand grasping at the waist of his boxers, and gently stopped her. "Let me return the favor," she softly pleaded, trying to pull out of his grip.

"Shh, not tonight," he quietly protested.

"But-"

"Brandy, there will be plenty of time for that in the future. This was about you. I'll be fine." Before she could protest, he once more kissed her, before lying back and pulling her onto his chest. Softly, he stroked her hair, until they fell asleep holding onto each other tightly, both of them feeling more content than they had in a long time.