When Mark awoke the next morning, the first thing he noticed was that he was holding a much smaller frame in his arms. He opened his eyes, and couldn't help but to smile when he saw it was only Brandy. He didn't know how, but she had managed to work her way into his hardened heart, and was quickly softening it more with every passing day.
He looked at the clock on the wall, and saw it was seven o' clock. For him, it was time to get up and going. He cautiously got up, not wanting to disturb Brandy, and looked at her things. It was obvious she didn't get very far with unpacking last night. He grew curious when he saw a CD case sitting on top in one of the boxes. Sitting on the foot of the bed, he picked it up and unzipped it, opening it up and looking through her CDs. A grin crossed his face when he saw just how diverse her collection was. He liked the fact she was not picky about something as simple as the music she listened to.
"What are you doing?" a sleep-filled voice asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.
Mark looked back, and found Brandy looking curiously at him. "I was just looking through your CDs. Hope you don't mind. Did I wake you up?"
"You didn't wake me up, and its fine. I don't care if you look at them," she replied, yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"You have a very unique taste in music," he commented, grinning when she gave him a sleepy smile.
"I've always been like that. I enjoy discovering new artists." Mark smiled at this. "What do you like to listen to?" she asked him.
"Mainly country, rock, and blues, but I'm always willing to listen to something new."
"Care to be more specific?"
He thought for a moment. "I suppose Black Label Society, and Stevie Ray Vaughn are who I listen to the most, if that tells you anything."
"Both are incredible. Good choices."
Mark smirked at this. "Thanks. What about you?" he asked as he made his way back up by her.
"Oh, I could never narrow down what I listen to. I hate labeling."
"Are you implying you listen to everything equally?"
Brandy rolled her eyes. "Smartass," she muttered under her breath, making him chuckle. "I suppose, if I absolutely had to choose a specific artist…it would probably be Black Sabbath. I grew up listening to them, and have always been a fan of their music."
"As you said, good choice. I was really into them when I was a teenager." Brandy simply smiled at this. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Not too bad," she replied, when Mark noticed a brief look of pain flash across her face.
"Are you sure about that?" he inquired.
"Yeah, I just need to take some medicine," she replied, and reached over to grab the pills and water sitting on the bed stand.
"Come here," he said once she took the medicine, and had her sit on his lap. "Does that hurt?" he asked, lightly pressing on her side.
"Not really."
"How about now?" he asked, adding more pressure.
"Ow, ow, ow, yes, that hurts!" she protested, pulling away.
"Sorry," he apologized, rubbing her side isoothingly.
"It's okay," she replied quietly.
"How is your head?"
"Much better."
"That's good. Now, I'm going to ask you again, are you sure you don't want me to help you unpack?" Mark asked, cocking his eyebrow at her.
She sighed. "Yeah, I guess I'm going to need your help. I don't want a repeat of last night."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Let's start on your clothes," Mark said, gently setting her back down on the bed and heading over to her things. He picked up her duffel bag sitting on the floor, which was the first thing he came upon, and sat it on the bed.
"Don't open that," she said quickly.
He frowned at her. "Why not?" he asked curiously as he started opening the bag despite her protests.
"Mark!" she exclaimed, grabbing for it, but he kept it away. His eyes grew wide when the site of undergarments greeted his gaze.
"I'll let you put that away," he said in an embarrassed tone, and handed it back to her. He could feel his face growing hot, and knew he was blushing.
"Asshole," she muttered, putting it on the floor on the other side of the bed. She saw his face grow red, and thought to herself, "Serves him right."
"Well what is safe to go through?" he asked, heading over to her things.
"That was the only bad one, I promise," she reassured him. He grabbed the first box and opened it. She went through the clothes, and whatever she wanted to be hung up, Mark hung up for her in the closet, while she folded what was to go in the dresser. After about half an hour of doing this, they were finally done.
"You really need some more clothes," he commented. The clothes she had hanging up didn't even fill half the closet, and her folded clothes only used up one of the dresser drawers.
"I'm fine, Mark," she said.
"No, it's not fine. You need more than this. Later on, I'm taking you shopping."
"Mark-"
"Brandy, don't argue. I'm buying you some new clothes, and that is final!" he said sternly.
"God, you are so stubborn!" she muttered.
"As are you," he replied, making her roll her eyes. "Are you hungry?" he asked her.
"I don't have an appetite, but my stomach is killing me," she replied.
"Well…how about something light, like toast?"
"I suppose I could give that a shot," she replied, and the two of them made their way downstairs.
"You think you'll be up to shopping?" Mark asked her once they both were sitting at the table eating.
"Yeah, I think so. I just need to take it really easy," she replied, taking a bite of her toast.
"Are there any places you had in mind?" he asked.
"No, not really. I'm not much of a shopper when it comes to clothes."
"I think you are the first female I have ever heard say that," Mark commented.
She shrugged. "What can I say? Growing up, we never had the money for those sorts of luxuries, and when I on the rare occasion got the opportunity to actually go shopping for myself, it was always on a tight budget. As a result of this, I never really got sucked into the appeal of it."
"I didn't necessarily mean it in a negative manner. I find it refreshing, actually. My ex was very much into shopping. I'm just grateful she never asked me to go along."
"What? You mean you don't like to keep up with today's fashion?"
"Oh please," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Brandy couldn't help but to laugh at this. "I'm going to go get ready. I shouldn't be too long," she said as she stood up and brought her dirty dishes to the kitchen sink.
"I have some phone calls I need to make, so take your time," he informed her as he got up as well.
She nodded, and gave him a small smile before heading upstairs. As he watched her walk out of the kitchen and up the steps, he noticed the feeling forming deep in the put of his stomach. Christ, what was she doing to him?