Chapter 31
Mark frowned, getting up and following her into the kitchen, taking the wine bottle from her when he seen she was going to pour another glass. He knew Nicoya drinking it to calm her nerves and even though two glasses of wine wasn't near enough to get her drunk, he figured it'd be best to have all their wits about them. With no alcohol in their systems, incase something happened. "Darlin'…come here." Mark did something he'd promised himself he wasn't ever going to do and pulled her against him, wrapping her in his strong arms.
Nicoya did what she'd vowed to herself she'd never do and that was breakdown in Mark's arms. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, crying and sobbing her heart out, letting out all of her emotions shut. Every tear that spilled from her eyes symbolized how sorry she was for leaving him the way she did and for taking Alyssa away. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mark…" She whispered heartbrokenly, her voice muffled, but it was clear enough to where he could hear her. She still couldn't believe he actually wanted to hold her and comfort her after everything she did to him. Especially taking Alyssa away.
Mark kissed the top of her head, preparing to say something when there was a knock on the door. What was it with people interrupting them? Especially whenever he was about to say something? Sighing, he stepped away from her reluctantly and walked over to the door, peering out and rolling his eyes, finding a bald head and a middle finger in his line of vision. "It's yer brother." He announced, opening the door.
Steve stepped in, smirking as he saluted Mark with both middle fingers, then walked over to hug Nicoya. "How ya doin' honey?" He asked, concern in his voice.
"Not good, but I'll live." She replied truthfully, hugging him close, and kissed the top of his bald head, right over the stitches and frowned, feeling horrible for what happened. She looked into his blue eyes, which were glinting wickedly and stepped back, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What did you do to him, Steve?" She asked bluntly, raising an eyebrow. "And don't try bullshitting me either because I know you well enough that you wouldn't allow that lead pipe synch to go without punishment."
Steve coughed, looking really innocent, though anyone who knew him knew him better then that. "Not much…Just got him in a match…" He whistled. "AFTER filing a police report of course. So his little temper tantrum is documented. Though without any actual proof it was him that done the deed, they couldn't haul him off, which suited me just fine." Steve gingerly felt his stitches and smirked, having beaten the shit out of John in the ring.
"What kinda match?" Mark asked curiously, knowing Steve was looking way too smug and there was a reason.
"Hardcore, in a cage."
"Christ…" Nicoya breathed out and shook her head, not believing her brother would do that, and sighed heavily. "I hope you beat the shit out of him." She stated gravely, her midnight blue eyes narrowing somewhat, and raked a hand through her hair as she peered over at the wine, but thought better of it. "Aly is sleeping, but you're more than welcome to go say good night to your niece if you want, bro." She informed him before sitting down on the bed, her knees still weak from what happened earlier at the arena.
Steve didn't bother telling her that he'd broken three of John's fingers, plus gave him a concussion. The cocksucker wouldn't be throwing lead pipes anytime soon, not without assistance anyway. He nodded at he though before going into Alyssa's room, not surprised to find her awake. "Sleepin' huh?"
Alyssa smirked back at her uncle and replied smugly, "Nah, just tryin' to get those clowns to talk."
"Honey bear, yer devious and I like that."
Nicoya sighed as her daughter's door closed and stood up from the bed as he walked over to her bag, grabbing out some sleeping clothes, and looked at Mark. She didn't know what to say to him and felt the tears swelling in her eyes again before walking into the bathroom, closing the door halfway behind her. She ran the cold water from the sink and splashed it on her face, trying to calm down. Being that close to him, feeling his body against hers lit her on fire. Something she hadn't felt in two long years. She finally patted her face dry and changed into a pair of black pajama pants that were fleece with a matching tank top that was spaghetti strapped.
Mark was standing in the kitchen, debating on whether or not she should leave or just wait for Steve, wanting to talk to him about this whole John situation. Concerned for Alyssa's safety and Nicoya's. He couldn't deny it anymore. He took a few deep, calming breaths, just holding Nicoya had set his heart to racing. He hadn't realized he missed her that damn much.
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Nicoya finally walked out, raking a hand through her black hair, and walked over to her laptop. She plugged it in, knowing she needed to pull an all nighter to get all of the work done that she hadn't done at the arena. She'd be able to do it as she opened it up, got herself comfortable on the bed, and waited for it to load. Her eyes were fixated directly on the screen, her knees drawn up t her chest, and blinked back the unshed tears that were in her eyes. She was scared to death for her and Alyssa's life. That and Nicoya didn't realize how much she'd missed Mark until he held her in his arms a few minutes ago.
Steve finally walked out after the munchkin was truly asleep, shaking his head when he spotted Nicoya on her laptop. Some things never changed. He found Mark and stood in the kitchen with him, browsing the fridge and grinned. Good, the staff had stocked the room with beer like he asked. "Hey Coya…" He handed one to Mark and popped the top on his own, walking out into the main room. "Notice this?" He crossed over to the wall opposite the kitchen and felt around, pushing open a door. "My room."
"No, I didn't notice that." She answered, her eyes never leaving the screen and her fingers never leaving her keys on the laptop. "That's nice, bro." She was too busy to notice anything at this point, diving headfirst into her work, and was typing so fast, she was sure it was echoing off the walls. Even with her soft music from her music player flowing through the speakers of her laptop.
Steve shook his head, knowing she'd be busy all night and bolted the lock on the door, knowing key cards were easy to come by if the person was famous and the desk clerk was just the right sort. If John tried getting in, he'd have to bust down the door, which would alert everyone to the fact that he was there. "Come on, Mark. Let's go talk some…business." He murmured, leading the way into his bedroom. Mark shot one last longing glance at Nicoya before following his friend.
Two hours passed and Nicoya took a small break, pouring herself a glass of wine, and carried it back to the bed. She was listening to Madonna as she took a sip of it, rereading what she'd written for the script ideas, and nodded her approval. She stirred her wine with her finger a little before taking another sip, setting it down on the nightstand, and resumed in her typing. She wasn't remotely tired and knew if she didn't get this done, Vince would have a conniption fit.
Mark was yawning when he finally emerged from Steve's room, having helped the man finish off a twelve pack. Plus listen to all the gory details of the match. Then a shit load of strategizing that left his head spinning. Wondering if maybe Steve was on way too much adrenaline still from his match. Shaking his head, Mark glanced over at Nicoya and smiled slightly as he commented, "Fingers are gonna fall off, darlin'."
Nicoya jumped when she heard his voice, not hearing him come out of Steve's room, and looked up at him briefly with a nod before going back to typing. "Trust me, I'd rather feel that kind of pain then the kind Vince will deliver verbally if I don't get this done." She retorted swiftly and took another swig of her wine, sighing, and got back to typing.
Mark snorted, shaking his head. "Darlin', after sufferin' them talent less writers he hired after ya…resigned…I doubt he'd do anythin' to risk losin' ya. Yer the best and he knows it." He said sincerely, though mention the resign bit had nearly killed him to say. Unable to mask the pain that flickered through his green eyes.
Nicoya stopped writing as she sighed, tears forming in her eyes, and had to down the rest of her wine before she completely broke down. She knew leaving hadn't been the best decision at the time, but it was all she could think of. She was scared for her and Alyssa's life after what John did to her. "I know." She finally managed to croak out, clearing her throat, and stood up, walking into the kitchen and poured herself another glass of wine. Gripping the counter to keep her legs from giving out on her and allowed a few tears to slip down her cheeks. The hurt and pain she heard in his voice was breaking her apart, but Nicoya knew she deserved it.
Mark stared at her for a moment, finally walking over to lean in the kitchen archway, watching her. His heart breaking when he seen the tears sliding down her face. He wanted to pull her into his arms again, but he also wanted to keep her at a distance at the same time. "Why'd you run without even sayin' goodbye, Nico?" He asked finally, unable to stop himself.
"I didn't know what else to do…" She answered in a whisper, more tears falling down her face, and took a long swig of her wine before setting the glass down. "I was so terrified after he attacked me that I…panicked…I was fearing my life and my daughter's and I figured if I left without a trace, then nobody would find me. I was wrong." She sniffled a little as she buried her face in her hands and ran them through her hair, sighing heavily with regret. "I know it probably doesn't…fix what I…caused you to feel, Mark, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for…taking her away from you…and for…hurting you." She stuttered out, her voice cracking under pressure, and downed the rest of her wine before pouring herself another glass, trying to keep herself from breaking down.
Mark frowned, taking the glass from her. "You've had enough." He said firmly, seeing the look on her face and held up a hand. "Don't argue with me, Nico. Ya can't be drinkin much more or else yer gonna wind up smashed and on wine at that." He wrinkled his nose. Mark raked a hand through his hair, staring down at her. He wanted desperately to hold her, tell her how he forgave her, which he did, but right now wasn't the best time for them. They all needed to focus on the problem at hand and that was John.
"Why do you even care?" She whispered out heartbrokenly, not understanding him, and felt more tears pour down her cheeks. "I left you. I hurt you. I took Alyssa away from you. You should fucking despise me right now and shouldn't care what happens to me or what I do to myself." She coughed a little, leaning further against the counter, and gripped her hair in her hands, trying to will the pain to stop increasing in her heart.
"Woman, yer either buzzed and blind." Mark said flatly. "If you can't see what I DO care and why I care, then you need to be openin' them eyes."
"I'm both." She admitted, raking her hands through her black hair, and took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. "I've been blind for so many years, which is why this is happening to me. I want this to end, Mark. I want John to leave me alone so I can live my life in peace. Is that so much to ask? To live the rest of my life watching my little girl grow up without having him breathing down my neck all the time?" She sighed heavily, sniffling a little more, and felt more tears spill down her cheeks.
"No, it's ain't too much to ask, Nico." Mark replied softly, pulling his bandana off his head and reaching out to wipe away her tears. The woman never had a handkerchief on hand ever. He gently took her hand and guided her out of the bed, catching her by the arms when she went to return to her work. "Nico, let it be."
"I can't because if I let it be then it's just there, waiting to get finished, and I need to get it done before I…" She didn't get to finish her rambling because his lips crashed down on hers, silencing her, and instantly wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself closer to him. Her entire body melted into him, her problems vanishing, not even concerned with the work at the moment. The only thing she cared about was feeling this man's lips on hers for the rest of her life and to never let him go again.
When she had started going on about how it had to be finished, Mark just wanted to shut her up. The woman needed to relax and sleep off her buzz. Not work and drink, which he knew she'd do the minute he left. And then the moment his lips touched hers, all he cared about was not breaking the kiss. Savoring the taste of her. Of feeling her soft lips against his. He pulled her up against him, deepening the kiss even more.
A soft moan escaped her lips as she felt her tongue duel with Mark's, causing her entire body to engulf in flames, and entangled her fingers in his hair. She pulled the ponytail holder out that was holding it together, fluffing it out, and gripped it as he lead her down on the bed, their lips never leaving each others. Nicoya didn't care if she ever breathed again, as long as she could stay like this with him forever. She loved him. She knew she did, but she was scared to death to admit it for fear he didn't feel the same way. She wouldn't blame him after what she'd done, and felt her body arch into his, wanting to get as close to him as humanly possible.
Mark was the first to realize they were being watched and raised his head up, growling when he seen Steve watching them. "Man, yer a pervert, ya fuckin' mind?" He growled, raising himself off of Nicoya, not about to do anything in front of Steve. Especially since Steve was grinning like a damn fool.
"No, go right ahead." Steve looked pointedly at his watch. "I was timin' ya to see how long you could go without air."
Nicoya instantly turned red, biting her bottom lip, and lowered her head, her black hair falling around her face, hiding it. "That's not funny, brother." She mumbled, her cheeks inflamed, and felt herself do a full body shiver. That kiss with Mark had been the most intense, yet sensual she'd ever experienced in her life.
"Sure I am, I was fixin' to call them world records people and let them know ya'll had set the new record." Steve teased, grinning when he seen she was blushing though Mark didn't look fazed.
"I'd be fixin' to call an ambulance if ya don't shut up." Mark advised darkly, his green eyes slowly coming out of their passionate haze that kiss had brought forth.
"Bring it on." Steve joked in a taunt, loving to make Mark crazy.
"He was doing it to shut me up, Steve." Nicoya grumbled, raking a hand through her hair, showing her inflamed cheeks and pressed her hands over them. She blushed more when he brother just stared at her intently and pulled her laptop on her lap, leaning back against the headboard, and started typing, hiding her face in the screen with it lowered.
"Did it work?" Steve asked Mark conversationally, knowing damn good and well Mark had kissed her to do more than shut her up.
"Not really." Mark licked his lips, staring at Nicoya hungrily, his green eyes becoming fiery with passion again. "If I wanted to shut ya up, darlin', I'd of taped yer mouth shut." He whispered just so she could hear him.
Nicoya blushed even more, officially looking like a strawberry again, and started typing hastily as her cheeks burned with a vengeance. "Are you quite finished embarrassing the shit out of me, Steve or can I get back to work?" She mumbled, her lower lip jutted out, pouting. Looking positively adorable like Alyssa when she did it.
Steve shook his head, knowing where Alyssa got her cuteness from, but it didn't work on him. He was the big brother and way too old to be falling for that. No matter how adorable she looked. "You weren't workin', honey, you were playin' tonsil hockey, so if yer wantin' to return to yer…game, yeah, I can leave." He made no move to go though.
"Damn it…" Nicoya grumbled more, shaking her head, and started typing so hard, she knew her fingers were going to be sore tomorrow. Even though she didn't care. "See me typing? Yeah, that's what I thought. I'm WORKING and as far as…what Mark and I were doing is no business of YOURS or anyone else's, brother." She smirked back at him, her midnight blue eyes sparkling, though her cheeks were still red.
"Whatever ya say there, cherry red." Steve replied, bursting out laughing when she went even redder, dodging the pillow she tossed at him. "Hey, I already got decked once tonight, you-" Steve growled when the next pillow hit him square in the face.
Mark snickered, shaking his head, and taunted, "What're you bitchin' fer? It's a PILLOW."
"If you don't want another one, I suggest you go back to your room and leave me alone." She stated in a warning tone, crossing her arms in front of her chest, already having the next pillow set to launch, raising a challenging eyebrow at her brother. "Pillows DO hurt, Mark." She stated and plowed him with the one she was going to launch at her brother, just to prove her point.
Mark didn't flinch, catching it before it hit him and tossing it at Steve before pinning her down on the bed. "Now that wasn't very nice, darlin'." He murmured, staring into her eyes, a wicked smirk on his sensual lips. Steve rubbed his nose, retreating to his room, having enough of being assaulted for one night.