Chapter 29
Arielle was rudely woken by her dad first thing the following morning. "Wake up, your breakfast is downstairs and so is your mom, you need to go kiss her bye before she takes off to work." He walked out, heading downstairs. Arielle groaned, pulling the blankets back up over her head. "You're comin' back here after work." Mark said after walking into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around Jasina, resting his chin on her shoulder.
Jasina blinked at him, staring at him with a raised eyebrow, not able to stop smiling. "Am I now?" When he nodded, she turned around in her chair, pulling him to stand between her legs, and smiled as he kissed her softly. "And just why is that?" Jasina seen the evilness in those green eyes and could only imagine what he had in mind.
"Because I'm going to cook for you." He said, running his fingers through her long hair, loving the way the sunlight danced on each individual strand. "Unless, of course, you don't WANT too then..." Mark trailed off, backing away with a shrug. "That's okay, I understand."
"Get over here." She ordered with a smirk, yanking him back against her by his shirt, and kissed him softly. She was so happy, her smile lit up a room, like it had year's prior, though this time she was drug free and staying that way. "Of course I'll be here." Jasina wouldn't pass up that offer for the world and laughed when he spun her back around so she could eat the rest of her bagel. She was still in Mark's shirt, deciding she was taking it home with her, knowing he wouldn't mind. Though she had to hurry and turned around when Arielle walked in the kitchen, looking sleepy. "Good morning Arielle."
"Morning." Arielle mumbled, yawning and padded over to the coffee pot, pouring herself a mug. "This decaf?"
"Like I'd let you have it any other way." Mark was studying the shirt she was wearing. "That's not yours."
"Gary left his stuff here."
Oh she was TRYING to piss him off and first thing in the morning too. "Really? I'll see that he gets it back then."
Jasina decided it was time to leave as she slid from the stool at the island and walked over to her daughter. "You're asking for it." She murmured in her ear before kissing the top of her head. "I'll see you around five when I get out of work." She said to Mark, who winked at her, and smiled before walking out of the kitchen.
Sighing, Jasina bit her bottom lip when Arielle starting telling him she wanted to hang out with Gary when she was off grounding. Jasina cringed as she heard Mark begin to yell and walked out of the house, going to her car, and slid in. Jasina knew she was going to be late if she didn't book it home to get ready.
After explaining to Trish what really happened this weekend and being laughed at, Jasina got to work on her article. She was halfway done with it already, which was a good thing. She then started on her other priorities, waiting for the call when her boyfriend was being sent to jail for either beating the shit out of that Gary kid or for killing Steve. She sighed, shaking her head and looked over the paperwork, popping two aspirin. This was going to be a long day, though she had dinner with Mark to look forward too after work. That made her grin.
~!~
"Arielle, he is four years older than you. You are TWELVE! He ain't got no business hanging out with you!" Mark said for the third damn time that morning, gripping the steering wheel so hard, his knuckles turned white. "I already called yer principal, if you even so much as LOOK at him or him you, I'll know, got me girl?"
Arielle didn't say a word, just got out of the truck and slammed the door shut, heading into the school.
"God have mercy..."
~!~
"Guess who just called me?" Steve said, walking out of the office and into the garage, leaning against the truck Mark was currently replacing spark plugs on a Mercedes. When Mark grunted, he grinned. "Trish. She just HAD to tell me about your weekend. So...kids...locked yer ass up, huh?"
"Steve, I'm not in the mood."
"How in the HELL does a man almost seven feet tall and a million pounds get locked up in his OWN house by KIDS?"
"The same way a bald moron with a fat mouth gets a spark plug shoved up his ass. A little ingenuity."
~!~
When her day finally ended, Jasina practically flew out of there to keep Trish from asking her anymore questions, refusing to answer them. Most of them were 'did you two bump uglies?' Sighing, Jasina got in her car, wearing a pale blue pinstriped skirt suit that had black stripes in it, her hair down with matching pumps. She knew she was dressed up, but that was the work dress code. Mark would just have to deal with it as she pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the street. He was either going to be there or at the shop. Taking her chances, Jasina went by the shop, not seeing his truck there, and smirked before heading to the ranch.
Mark was currently overseeing Arielle's least favorite chore, cleaning out the pool. He had steaks marinating in the refrigerator, but at the moment, he was lounging in a pair of cut off blue jeans in a deck chair, his hair pulled back, no shirt and a pair of shades on. He was drinking from a long neck as he flicked through the mail.
"Don't forget the filter, lil darlin'."
Jasina pulled into the driveway and cut the engine before stepping out, her sunglasses over her eyes and decided to bring her cell phone with her just incase, tucking it in her cardigan pocket before smoothing her skirt down. It went two inches above the knee, like always, as she headed up the stairs to knock on the door. She heard groaning coming from the backyard and opened the gate, closing it, and walked up to the deck. Her daughter was in the pool currently cleaning it out, causing her to smirk, and walked up the wooden steps before leaning against the ledge.
"Well isn't this a sight for sore eyes?" She grinned when Mark's head snapped to the side, staring at her.
"Yeah it is, shed some clothes woman and come have a seat. She's gettin' ready to do the filter and apparently it's really disgusting." Mark gestured to a chair next to him, arching an eyebrow when Arielle groaned. "What was that?"
"There's a dead snake in the filter!"
"That explains why it's so nasty, clean it."
"Oh you are such a gentleman." She replied sarcastically, amusement in her teal eyes as she walked up and kicked her pumps off along with her cardigan, biting her bottom lip. "I'll be right back." She darted into the house, hanging it over the chair and took her nylons off, sighing and wondered why she wore them to begin with her. Her legs were tanned, but...not enough to her liking. Mark was lucky she'd worn a pale blue tank top beneath her silk shirt as she unbuttoned it and carefully hung it with the cardigan. She smoothed her skirt down again before walking back out, sitting down in the chair, and crossed her ankles. "How was school today Arielle?" She asked promptly, smiling when Mark's hand planted on her thigh.
"Oh it was great. Math, science, no damn snakes!"
"Live one behind ya."
Screaming, Arielle whirled around to find nothing, but water lapping at her. "Not funny!"
"Then watch yer mouth."
This was simply too amusing as she laid back in the chair fully, letting the sun bathe her, and felt Mark's hand slide up her thigh even more. "Don't even think about it." She murmured low enough to where Arielle couldn't hear her. She seen Mark's green eyes twinkling and leaned over, kissing him softly before lacing their fingers together, inhaling the air. "Mmm whatever you're making smells damn good." Jasina was starving after her long day at work.
"I'm thinkin' about it." He rumbled, smirking at her. "And I know it does, my food always smells and tastes good, much like myself." Mark chuckled, amused with himself apparently and cocked an eyebrow at Arielle. "You had best hurry up, before dinner you're going down to the barns and helping Tyler and Mary shovel shit."
"You're kidding!?" Arielle HATED that job.
"I'm kidding, sure. Did you lock us up over the weekend?"
"Yeah..."
"Make sure you wear gloves."
"Mind your father, Arielle." Jasina stated as she stood up and walked over to where she was standing behind Mark, wrapping her arms around his neck, and began nipped it gently. "Mmm I'd love for you to tell me more about what you're thinking." She giggled when he growled, beginning to rub his shoulders, and felt how tense he was. "Rough day at work, honey?" She asked innocently, knowing damn well Steve was the cause of his stress, and now he was taking it out on their daughter. She didn't mind it, the girl needed to be taught a true lesson in doing things she didn't want to do. Jasina smirked when Arielle stared at them and rested her chin on top of Mark's head while continuing to massage him. "The longer you stare at us, the more time it's going to take for you to get your chores done."
"Which means punishment will carry on until it's ALL done, not that you don't have the time...another six years worth to be exact."
"Toni and Gary aren't being made to shovel horse crap!"
"Toni don't live on a ranch and Gary is lucky he's not in jail, you're way younger then he is. His ass could be sitting in juvvie right now."
"If I promise to shut up, will you?"
"Arielle Marie, don't you ever speak to your father that way again!" Jasina snapped, tired of her daughter's mouth, teal eyes flashing dangerously. "It's your fault you decided to hang out with a sixteen year old boy and it's your fault that you decided it would be a great idea to lock your parents up and DESTROY the house. Now you're going to pay. So YOU shut up and do what you're told before we both shove our foot up your ass." She watched as the hurt came over her daughter's face and shook her head, moving down Mark's arms. "Maybe you'll think twice next time before you decide to make our lives a living hell." It hadn't been all bad, but she didn't need to know that.
"I'm finished." Arielle said glumly, ignoring her mother.
"Go get a drink then head on down to the stables. Mary is expecting ya, they'll send you back in an hour or so." Mark said, watching as she pulled herself out of the pool, shaking his head. One way or the other, the girl was going to learn some respect. "She doesn't like either of us at the moment. Kinda evens the playin' field out."
"She needs to learn respect." Jasina stated, echoing Mark's thoughts and not realizing it, shaking her head. She hated punishing her daughter, though Mark was doing the harder part, but after what she pulled they couldn't let her off Scott free. That wouldn't teach her anything that much Jasina knew. She smiled when Mark pulled her to sit sideways on his lap, his hand lifting her chin to meet his eyes, and pressed her hand gently against his chest. "How was work?" She asked softly while he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "And what's for dinner?"
"Work was horrible, Steve wouldn't shut the hell up and if Trish calls to ask why he went home with a spark plug up his ass, you don't know a thing." Mark said seriously, green eyes flashing for a moment before smirking. "And as for dinner...steaks, veggies, just food. For dessert however..." He leaned forward to nip at her shoulder. "I was thinkin' something involving chocolate."
She did a full body shiver when he said that, the smile on her face growing. "I do love chocolate." She winked at him and leaned in, kissing his lips softly, moaning when he deepened it, slowly pulling away. "Is there anything I can do as far as helping with the cooking?" Jasina had a feeling she would be hearing Trish ranting and raving about her boyfriend in the morning regarding Steve, pushing that thought out of her mind. She wanted to enjoy this time with Mark and nipped his bottom lip gently with her teeth.
"Just keep me company." He growled, pulling her thigh over him so she was straddling his lap, straightening upright and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Believe it or not darlin', I learned how to cook." He had to, necessity forced him or else he would have eventually starved to death. "So...you can just keep yer beautiful ass parked in the kitchen with me and when we're done...we'll discuss dessert."
She didn't care if her skirt rode up, who would see honestly? Arielle had long left so it was just the two of them as she pressed herself against him, wiggling a little and ran her nose down his before softly kissing his lips, moaning when his arms tightened around her. Oh she couldn't wait for dessert as her hands ran down his bare chest, nails barely grazing skin, smirking inwardly when he growled. She pulled away, breathing heavily, her lips slightly swollen and ran her thumb across his.
"I know we said slow...I'm sorry." She had initiated that kiss and bit her bottom lip, beginning to get up, her heart pounding against her chest. She wanted him in the worst way, but she had to be patient.
Mark groaned, just nodding his head. "Darlin', you might want to get up." He said softly, rolling his eyes when she just looked at him and arched his hips up, smirking at the realization on her face. "I should probably go start supper anyway...before I eat you." His voice was nothing, but a low drawl now, green eyes roaming her hungrily, remembering that shower incident. Granted it had been under the influence of those pills, but the memory...oh Christ!
Jasina bit her bottom lip, knowing he was probably in a lot of pain right now and stood up, smoothing her skirt down since it very nearly showed her pale blue panties underneath. He didn't need to see that, not yet anyway, and walked inside the house. Thank god the air conditioner was on as she walked in and slid on a stool on the island, seeing Mark was running some water on his neck and just watched. God he was delicious...Jasina snapped out of it and flashed him a smile, placing her hair over her left shoulder.
Mark said fuck it and ran the hose over his entire body, shivering. Hell yes that did the trick. Using a towel from off the wooden ledge, he patted himself dry, not minding too much that his shorts were soaked, that would just make it easier in the 'not wanting a hard-on' department.
"Shut up." He growled when he stepped inside. "Not a peep out of you or you'll regret it."
"I didn't say anything." Jasina replied innocently, though her teal eyes were sparkling. "Too bad I didn't know you were going for a swim, I would've rushed home before coming here to change." She seen him tense and took a carrot off the tray that was on the island, dipping it in the ranch sauce, and chomped on it. She loved teasing him and ran the ranch around her lips before licking it off, seeing he was watching her, and acted like she was doing absolutely nothing wrong.
Mark knew exactly what she was doing and didn't appreciate it. Turning his back on her, he got the steaks from the fridge, popping them into the broiler. "Damn wench." He muttered, still keeping his back to her. He did not need to see that pink tongue licking that carrot, imagining it was HIM she was licking and sucking and... "Christ..."
Hey if he could tease her by dousing himself with freezing water and let it run down his chest in delicious rivulets, then she damn sure could tease him back! Jasina stopped her antics for the time being, especially when their daughter walked in just as dinner was finishing, raising an eyebrow and actually plugged her nose. "You reek girl! Go take a shower." She ordered, groaning, not believing she just walked through the KITCHEN of all places. Damn kid!
"No kidding." Arielle drawled, deadpan. She looked back and forth between her parents, both who were holding hands over their noses. "I just got done shoveling poop, you think it smells like roses?"
"I think you best listen to yer momma and go shower. Don't come back until YOU smell like roses." Mark ordered, shooing her from the kitchen. He turned off the AC and opened windows. "Damn..."
Jasina inhaled and sighed at the smell of Mark's barbeque, the sun setting on the horizon. It was always beautiful, god she had missed Houston. Jasina vowed to never leave again, this was where she was meant to be always, she just had to leave twice in order to realize it. Mark brought the steaks in after it aired out a little more, the steaks looking delicious. She ignored his look as she grabbed the plates, utensils and napkins, setting the table along with glasses and a cup for her daughter.
"What do you want to drink with your dinner?" She asked promptly, deciding she was having a glass of wine, knowing she wasn't going home that night and smirked inwardly.
"Beer." Mark grunted. Was the woman insane? Water, beer and coffee, he was a happy man.
"Do I smell better?"
"Eh, so-so." He gestured with his hand, smirking at Arielle and pointed at the table.
"Hungry?"
"Famished."
"Of course, how did I not know that?" Jasina replied dryly as she took the glass away from his plate, putting it away, and poured herself a glass of wine before sitting down.
Arielle was getting herself something to drink while Mark brought the food over and set it on the table. She could tell her daughter was wiped out and wondered what else Mark had their daughter doing while she was at work. It didn't matter. She sipped her wine and sighed when Mark told her to dig in, chuckling softly. She took a steak, baked potato and fixed it to her liking before adding the steamed vegetables, passing the food around. It was almost like they were a family and it felt wonderful as Jasina happily began eating.
"Got yer homework finished?" Mark asked, glancing at Arielle, watching her stab her baked potato.
"How? I've been busy, remember?"
"Oh yeah, you can do it after supper."
All Arielle could do was scowl at him.
Needless to say, the rest of dinner was in total silence, everyone enjoying the meal...Well, all except Arielle. She looked like she wanted to kill someone, preferably her parents, but neither of them cared. Jasina was the first to finish and went to clear the table when Mark stopped her, shaking his head and pointed to Arielle. She nodded silently and set the plates back down on the table before sipping more of her wine. She wasn't much of a drinker so one glass of wine was all she allowed herself.
"This is crap, how am I supposed to get my schoolwork done if you got me doing slave labor?" Arielle broke her silence to complain, piling dishes on the counter.
"You'll have to stay up and do it then won't you? Even if you fall asleep in class, then you'll get a detention and be in even more trouble. Arie, don't push me anymore. My temper can only take so much." Mark cautioned, watching as she drew dish water. "You did something wrong and now you'll pay the punishment." Of course, doing dishes and shoveling shit was mild when he considered this little heathen had kidnapped them, demolished his house, slipped them drugsā¦and god knows what else she had up her sleeve had he not broke the door down!
Not to mention the box of sex toys underneath the bed...Jasina didn't want to even THINK about that and finished her glass of wine before heading out onto the deck. She walked around the pool and leaned against the ledge of the deck, closing her eyes as the warm Texan air overtook her, blowing her hair all around her. The sun setting on the horizon caused tears to sting her eyes, not believing how lucky she'd been, and suddenly Jasina wanted to go for a walk.
Opening the gate, Jasina began walking across the property, wrapping her arms around herself, and started thinking about all that she'd been through. The drugs, her horrible addiction, rehab. She suddenly wanted to call Andy, just to tell her that she felt complete again, that she'd been right in being patient that everything happened for a reason. Jasina was finally home with her daughter and Mark, something she thought she would never have again. It was something she had strived for, one of the reasons why she'd gone to rehab in the first place.
They were her family, her life, the very core of her existence. Jasina didn't know what the future held, but one thing was for sure, she was willing and ready to take it head on. Andy had told her that she would have better days ahead and, damn, the woman had nailed it on the head. Her worst days were behind her and the better ones had yet to begin.
The End.
