Cassie turned around and stopped dead looking back at her was the green eyed giant. Looking into his eyes she felt a flash of desire at remembering what he felt like against her.

Mark had known it was her as soon as she'd stood in front of the windows. He had noticed she always dressed elegantly but casual, everything suited her body shape and he felt his body reacting. Thankgod for the kitchen bench, Mark admonished his body. She was stunning looking up at him with the surprise adding silver to her blue eyes.

"How you going Darlin'?"

Jess looked between Cassie and Mark and felt as if they'd met before. Mark never called anyone Darlin unless he'd met them at least once, and even then it was rare.

"You know each other?"

"Walked into her at the gym." Mark mumbled while he turned to stir the Rogan Josh. All the while he was trying to convince his body to behave, right now it was acting as if he'd never seen a woman before. "Jess can you set the table?"

Jess took Dani into the dining room to set the table, Cassie sat on the stool trying to school her thoughts. They had run away the moment Mark was introduced as Jess's dad.

"You ok Darlin'?" Mark was watching her, the disappointed look that crossed her face he hoped he never saw again.

"Yea I was just thinking. Do you need help with anything?" He smiled and sipped his beer.

"Nope all good. Would you like a drink?"

"Sure, what you got?"

Cassie watched Mark open the fridge and assess what he had to offer.

"I'll have a beer please." She interrupted his thoughts and he handed over her drink.

"Finally someone to teach Jess that beer is good."

"Yea daddy that ain't going to happen. Just ignore him Cass." Jess swanned in picked up some plates and left again.

"I'm sure she'll learn eventually."

"I just wanted to apologise again for earlier." Mark saw her blush slightly. "Hope I didn't hurt ya."

"You don't need to keep apologizing , you didn't need to worry because you didn't hurt me." Mark boyishly setting flight to the butterflies in her stomach. "However I did consider hurting your friend Dave."

Mark laughed and watched her walk across his kitchen and stir the dinner. He walked over to stand next to her, the tensing of all her muscles was noticeable.

"You don't need to be nervous I won't hurt ya Darlin'."

Cassie shivered and looked upa t him, he'd spoken so quietly so quietly his voice had deepened.

"I know YOU don't make me nervous."

Mark heard the emphasis but decided not to push his luck.

"I'll try to keep Dave away from you."

"Thanks he's quite arrogant."

Mark watched as she stirred the pot of curry, the muscles in his hands gave away his want to wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her neck.

"His arrogance is normally what gets him his women, plus how he looks they can't resist."

"Well you can tell him that I'm not interested in even speaking to him nevermind anything else."

"I'll keep him away from ya Darlin'."

Neither noticed Jess peaking around the doorframe watching them.

"Thanks Mark. Where did you learn to box?"

Mark leant against the island bench facing the stave while Cassie was facing him. His eyes kept drifting over he in appreciation, on two occasions he looked away just in time so she didn't catch him.

"I learnt to box at college, all those years ago."

"jess said you played basketball, bet your coach didn't appreciate the boxing."

"hey Dani, do you really think there could be something."

Jess sat opposite Dani at the table and spoke quietly so Mark and Cassie couldn't hear.

"I feel it."

Everyone knew that you trusted Dani's feelings because ninety per cent of the time she was right.

"I want him to be happy and looked after and I want to the same for Cassie's she's my best friend."

"I know it sounds strange cause he's your dad but what if they make each other happy, wouldn't that be weird for you?"

"If they are happy and in love then no it won't be."

"We should eat I think." Cassie said, she's thoroughly enjoyed their conversation but her two best friends were probably starving.

"Alright."

The two of them carried everything into the dining room and joined discussion over mobile ohone etiquette. Marks positioning was perfect because being directly opposite Cassie it was natural for his gaze to touch hers. The three women were having a heated debate, Mark noticed the spark in her eyes when she was passionate. After dinner was over the girls went upstairs to watch movies leaving Mark alone with his thoughts.

He probably shouldn't try anything with his daughters' best friend, but he could not get her out of his head. She was intelligent and fit and passionate, plus her beauty was hardly something to be angry about. Mark decided to watch ice hockey for a while until he felt he could manage sleep. He was awake for another hour.

It was eleven p.m. when Cassie decided it was time to leave. Getting to the bottom of the stairs she felt bad for not saying thankyou to Mark, she'd enjoyed her night immensely. Turning to the front door she heard the television in the den and decided to go and see if he was awake. Stepping into the room she noticed he was asleep, he looked cute and peaceful in his sleep. Looking around she found a notepad and scribble a quick note.

'Mark

Thankyou for dinner I really enjoyed it, Rogan Josh is a favorite.

See you at the gym.

Cass'

Folding it in half she laid it on top of the remote and let herself out. Leaving her to drive home to another disturbed sleep.

Mark woke at one a.m. disturbed in his dreams by the noise from the t.v., reaching for the remote control he fould Cassie's note. After reading it he flicked off the tv and took the note upstairs with him, Mark dropped it on his dresser and looked around his sanctuary. It was an elementally male room, with drark blue fabrics and dark bold furniture, but it was missing happiness and beauty. Deciding that that needed to change he stripped off and crawled into his huge bed. His huge empty bed.