Over the following year, Mark and Brandy's relationship blossomed and bloomed with each passing day. Knowing she was still in a fragile mindset from the disaster she called her ex-boyfriend, Mark kept his patience with Brandy. When she needed space, she made sure to tell him, and he was okay with backing off when she felt overwhelmed. She had made it known from the beginning the relationship they had was completely different than her previous one, so many of the things expected and experienced within a normal, healthy relationship she was not used to. However, Mark was understanding of this. He was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel comfortable, because being with her at the end of the day was all which mattered. She was worth waiting for, for he knew it would make their first time together that much more special.

)))))

Brandy sat up in her bed, clutching her knees to her body as she gazed out the window. It had started storming heavily about an hour ago, and instead of dying down, the weather seemed to be only getting worse. She jumped when a bright flash of lightning lit up the room, followed closely by a loud crack of thunder. She never had been able to handle storms well, especially when they were going on in the middle of the night. When she suddenly heard another loud boom of thunder, she couldn't take it anymore, and got out of bed. She quietly tiptoed out of her room, and into the room across the hall. For a moment, she stood next to Mark's bed, watching him sleep. Biting her lip, she sat down on the edge, hesitating before gently shaking him. When he didn't move, she did it again, and he finally began to stir. He looked around, his gaze finally falling on her.

"Brandy, what's wrong?" he mumbled, getting up onto his elbows.

"I'm sorry for waking you, but I just can't fall asleep, and I was wondering if I could possibly…lay with you, just for tonight?"

"Sure, come over here," he replied, lifting up the cover. She immediately got beneath them, jumping when another loud crash of thunder rang out in the night. "I knew you were scared of storms, but I didn't realize you were this scared of them," he commented, wrapping an arm around her as they laid back.

"I don't know why I get so scared of them. It's stupid, I know," she replied, pressing close to him.

"Well you're safe with me," Mark replied, tightening his arm around her. His heart began to race at the feel of her body fit so snugly against his. It looked as though tonight would prove to be a real test to his willpower.

"Mark, will you put both your arms around me?" she asked in a small voice. He willingly obligated to her request, pulling her onto his chest as he ran a hand along her back. "Thank you," she replied, nuzzling against him.

"You're welcome," he replied, and they once more grew silent.

As Brandy laid there, all she could think about was how good this felt. Being here with him in bed, basking in the warmth of his body heat…it was what she had longed for, for a while now. Even though the idea of having sex with Mark scared her senseless, at the same time she wanted it so badly, it had turned into a physical ache. As her mind began to wander to impure thoughts, her hand absently reached up to rest on Mark's chest.

Mark looked down at Brandy when he felt her softly running her hand along his chest. When she started going lower, to caress his stomach, he didn't know if this was all innocent, or if she was trying to get a hint across. There was suddenly another crack of lightening, making her once more jump.

"Fucking hell, I'm going to end up having a heart attack by the end of the night if it keeps up like this!" Brandy commented, making Mark chuckle.

"Distract yourself, so you don't notice it," Mark suggested.

She looked up at him with a smirk. "Do you have any suggestions?" she asked in an innocent voice.

He grinned. "I have a thing or two in mind," he replied, grabbing her chin and softly pressing his mouth to hers. She sighed and returned the kiss, bringing her hand up and resting it on Mark's cheek.

Mark pulled her onto him to where she was straddling him and pulled her hair around them like a curtain as they got lost in their own little world. He felt her part her lips and softly brushed his tongue against hers, making her moan softly. Boldly, her tongue met his, silently letting him know he didn't need to be so gentle. He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her closer yet to him, his other hand running along her firm ass. Knowing he soon wouldn't be able to stop himself, Mark gently pulled away and commented, "Brandy, if we don't stop now, I don't know if I can stop what might happen."

"Who said I wanted to stop?" she whispered, kissing her way along his jawline.

Gently, he stopped her and had her look at him. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, his tone soft and caring.

"We've been together for almost a year now. It's been a long enough wait."

"Don't just agree to it because of me-"

"Mark, I'm not. Just because I haven't been ready until now, that doesn't mean I don't have the same urges you do. I want this as well, okay? I want you to make love to me," she reassured him. This was all Mark needed, and he tightened his arms around her waist before flipping the both of them over, to where he was now on top and lowered his head to once more claim her lips with his. He felt her wrap her arms around his neck and arch upward toward him, indicating her anxiousness. He let the kiss linger for a little while longer before pulling away and getting up onto his knees. He had her sit up long enough so that he could slip her shirt off over her head, and had her once more lie back. He then delicately removed her shorts and panties, and simply gazed at her. Words couldn't describe how stunning she was in his eyes. "God, you are so beautiful," he was finally able to get out as his eyes greedily took in the site of her, and his large hands splayed out over her exposed skin.

"No I'm not," she whispered in a shame-filled voice.

"What would make you say that?" Mark asked, brought back by her comment.

"I look hideous because of Tom. Thanks to him, I've got scars that I'll never be able to get rid of," she replied.

Mark looked back down at her body, and could now see what she was talking about. Scattered across her chest and upper arms, he could see small lines marring her precious skin, and knew they were from when he attacked her. "You know, to be honest…I didn't even notice them until you mentioned it," Mark commented as he leaned down to kiss every last scar.

"Really?" she replied, a small smile coming to the corners of her mouth as she watched him.

Mark nodded. "Even with them, you're still beautiful to me," he murmured against her. She pulled him back up to her level for a kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. To know that Mark was willing to accept her flaws made her appreciate having him in her life that much more.

"Mark…please let me see you now," she whispered once she pulled away, her hands impatiently tugging at his shirt. He smirked at her actions and rose off of the bed, slowly removing the clothes he was wearing until he was just as nude as she was.

Brandy's breath caught in her throat when she finally saw Mark in all his naked glory. He was absolutely gorgeous, the tattoos decorating his skin only enhancing the unique beauty of his body. Mark saw the expression on her face, which made a devilish grin play on his lips. Getting beneath the covers, he crawled up toward her, and when he reached her legs, he started tickling the back of her knees.

"Mark, stop! You know I hate being tickled!" she laughed, trying to swat him away.

He came up from beneath the covers, a smug grin on his face. "Yeah, but you know you love it when I do it," he replied. She narrowed her eyes, and was about to protest, when he covered her mouth with his. She immediately forgot what she was going to say, and concentrated on the feeling of his lips against hers. She whimpered slightly in protest when he pulled away, and closed her eyes as he kissed his way down her body. She gasped when he took one of her nipples into his mouth, and started gently sucking and tugging on it.

"Oh God, Mark," she moaned, her hands clutching the pillow as he assaulted both of the rosy peaks. Once he had them erect, he started planting wet kisses down her body, playfully nipping her every now and then. Brandy watched as he disappeared under the covers, her breathing growing shallow when she felt his lips on her inner thighs. "Oh fuck!" she cried out when he suddenly plunged his tongue inside her. He draped her legs across his shoulders and lifted her hips up off of the bed, bringing her closer to him as he made love to her with his mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip, the intense sensations she was experiencing almost too much to handle. This was completely different from what she had known. Tom would go straight into the intercourse, and never once thought about her pleasure. Mark, on the other hand, was clearly putting her needs before his.

Brandy could feel a strange tingling beginning to run through her loins, and wondered if this was the start of a climax. Her questions were quickly answered when an explosion of pleasure suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks, making her cry out loudly and arch her back sharply.

Mark was brought back when she came so quickly. He suddenly began to wonder just how experienced she was sexually. None of the other women he had been with had ever came that quickly. Or maybe she was just as turned on as he was. Either way, it didn't matter. All he could comprehend was what was about to happen. He kissed his way back up her, planting a light kiss on her lips before watching her in wonder as she came back down from her high. She looked so tranquil, her features smooth and her face relaxed. She was absolutely gorgeous…and all his.

When Brandy finally opened her eyes, she found Mark gazing down at her with warm eyes, a slight smile etched onto the corners of his mouth. "God, that was amazing," she whispered, covering Mark's hand with hers, which was resting on her stomach.

"Do you realize how beautiful you looked just now?" Mark asked, seeing a blush cross her cheeks. "You don't, do you?"

"I guess I'm just not used to being told I'm beautiful."

"Well believe me when I saw you are," Mark replied, and covered her mouth with his as he moved over her. Brandy immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her as she eagerly returned the kiss. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to feel him deep inside her. She wanted to feel even closer to him, and wanted him to make her feel good.

"Mark, I need you," she murmured against his lips, pressing her hips up into his.

Mark breathed in sharply when she did this and pulled away. "Brandy, I'm going to ask you one more time. Are you sure this is what you want?"

She quickly nodded. "Yes, Mark, yes. Please…make love to me."

Grabbing her legs, Mark wrapped them tightly around his waist, and was about to enter her, when he suddenly said, "Oh shit, I almost forgot something!"

Brandy frowned, and watched him reach over to pull open the drawer on his nightstand. When she saw he had grabbed a condom, her heart began to pound as she watched him roll it on. This was it- what she had both feared and longed for their entire relationship was about to happen. There was no turning back anymore. "Mark…would you find it odd if I said I'm scared?" she whispered.

He looked down at her and shook his head. "I'm a little nervous as well," he admitted quietly.

Brandy's eyebrows raised at this. "You are?"

He nodded. "I want this to be perfect. I don't want to let you down or anything," he replied, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he quietly asked a third time.

She lovingly stroked his cheek and nodded. "I couldn't turn back now even if I wanted to, Mark," she reassured him, and pulled him down to her for a kiss that left them both breathless.

Bringing his mouth to her ear, he murmured, "Now…where were we?"

"I believe you were just about to make me yours, Mr. Callaway," she whispered in response, and with that, he slowly slid himself inside her.

"Oh fuck, you're as tight as a virgin," he groaned once he was fully inside her, and suddenly looked down at her. "Were you a virgin until now?"

Brandy grinned. "Don't you wish?" she said, and Mark couldn't help but to smirk. "No, me and Tom did this, but I never got anything out of it. He never made it feel good for me, so I was never in the mood."

It suddenly clicked with Mark as to why she had came so easily. "So before tonight you had never…?" Brandy blushed and nodded. "Well get ready, because you're gonna do it again," he said huskily in her ear, and started slowly thrusting into her.

Brandy was in bliss as he began moving within her. He completely filled her, stroking every surface inside her and making it impossible to not enjoy it. At first, it had been a bit uncomfortable, but as soon as he started thrusting, that all went away. She knew it would only get better from here on out. "Oh Mark," she moaned softly, running her hands up and down his back.

"You feeling good, baby?" he breathed in her ear.

"Oh God, yes," she whimpered, lightly digging her nails into his back. Unable to help himself, Mark sped up his pace slightly, knowing he would go insane if he kept things up the way they were. To his satisfaction, he heard the hitch in Brandy's breath, and knew she was enjoying it. "Harder," she whispered in his ear, and moaned loudly when he willingly gave her what she wanted.

Letting all of his control go right out the window, Mark started thrusting as hard and deep as he could into her. "Is that what you wanted?" he panted, and received a moan in response. Knowing that was a yes, he continued to pick up his pace, indulging in how good she felt. She clung to him and eagerly met his thrusts, her small teeth biting into his shoulder as she attempted to somewhat stifle the noises of pleasure she made. She no longer noticed the storm outside. All she was paying attention to was what was going on between her and Mark.

Brandy could feel that tingling forming down below once more, and tightened her legs around him, drawing him in even deeper yet. "Oh God, Mark, don't stop. Please don't stop. I'm so close," she whimpered, the sounds of pleasure she was making steadily growing louder.

"Come for me baby. Let go," he said huskily in her ear, his own orgasm quickly approaching. Between hearing his deep voice in her ear, and the feeling of his cock beginning to twitch, it proved to be too much for her, and she cried out Mark's name in pure ecstasy, raking her nails down his back as she tossed her head back.

Feeling her tighten around him was all Mark needed, and he groaned her name as his own climax hit him full force. Not wanting to crush her, Mark held himself up on shaky arms, until Brandy pulled him down onto her. He tucked his head beneath her chin, and she idly ran her fingers through his hair as the both of them simultaneously let out a content sigh.

As they laid there, everything that had just conspired began to sink in for Brandy. She suddenly realized just how much she loved this man, and found tears coming to her eyes. For once in her life, she actually felt happy, and it was all thanks to him.

Mark heard Brandy sniffle, and when got back up onto his elbows he was brought back when he found tears in her eyes. "Shit, did I hurt you? Oh God, I'm sorry Brandy-" he began to apologize, when she brought a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"Mark, you didn't hurt me," she reassured him.

"Then why are you crying, honey?"

"Because what just happened was so…so beautiful. I can't even begin to describe how I feel right now… how YOU make me feel. No one has ever treated me the way you have, and it's all just a bit overwhelming," she said, tears once more coming to her eyes.

Gently pulling out of her, Mark rolled over onto his back and pulled her to him, resting her head on his chest as she silently cried. "Hey, come on. Dry up those tears," he said, holding her close to him.

When she did finally stop, she looked up at him, her eyes shining with passion, and was able to choke out, "You have no idea how much I love you, Mark."

Hearing her say that suddenly made Mark's throat tighten and his eyes burn. His ex-wife had said it to him, but it was just for show. Hearing Brandy say it, her voice raw with emotion, let him know that she truly meant every word she said. "I love you too, baby," he whispered, and pulled her to him for a soft kiss. Once he pulled away, Mark settled back against the pillows, and pulled the covers up around them. Brandy snuggled against him, and softly stroked the smooth skin of his chest until they both fell asleep.

(((((

"I see you, you fucking slut!" Tom thought angrily, gazing into the bedroom window. As he watched Mark and Brandy make love, rage filled him. Seeing Mark on top of her, doing things to her only he had previous done made him furious at both of them. Tom sneered with disgust as he witnessed what had obviously been both of their climaxes. Even in the storm, he could hear them. Seeing Brandy hold onto Mark with a serene look on her face made him jealous. "Why didn't you ever come for me? All you ever did to me was bitch about how I never pleased you, and force me to turn to another woman! But don't worry, baby, your payback is coming soon," he thought bitterly to himself. Tom grinned evilly as he thought of what he would do to her. She had clearly forgotten her place, and he planned on fully reminding her of what that was.