Mark of course had turned up to the small service for baby Susie in Texas. After finding out from Narvel that Reba's sister was now divorced he decided to work his butt off to win himself a date.
Whatever he had done must of worked because he found himself between her sheets in her Tennessee home a few short weeks after. He rolled over and pulled her close. "Susie can we talk a while before the kids wake?" "Well whatcha got to say that you can say in front of the children?" She cheekily spoke. "Uhhh..." He freaked out for a moment. "You have really nice sheets." She burst with laughter. "Hahaha, come again?" "I mean they're so fresh, and crisp. They just feel so good." "Out of all that my sheets feel good? Well golly, you are a hoot." "That's not what I meant and you know it." "Do I? Do I really?" She grinned wide while dragging her hand up his side. He finally remembered what he wanted to say and found the courage to stop her and carry on.
"Well I hope you do. See the truth is I want to talk about this, us, the first time we uhhh, y'know.. did it?" Susie quietened and tried not to think too hard about the awkward subject. "Go on." "Well when I went to remove your, how do you say? Undergarments?" Susie squeezed her eyes shut as if to get him to change the subject. "That.. That is exactly what you did. You clenched your eyes shut and covered them with your hands." She shook her head. "You did, I just wanna ask, why? When I stopped and made sure you were okay with going ahead you were all for it, but something tells me you weren't.
I can't help but think I took advantage of you knowing deep down something wasn't right." He paused waiting for her reaction. He knew she was only recently divorced and he was trying to prepare himself for being a one night stand even though he so desperately wanted more.
After a few minutes Susie spoke. "Well if we are being honest I will tell you. It's no secret that I just came out of an abusive relationship. The physical abuse for me was nothing. I'm pretty tough in that sense, and those wounds healed pretty quickly. The emotional abuse however is a different story. Those wounds are still rather fresh, and I can feel em hurtin almost every day." "Susie I don't mean to stop you but I don't think I quite understand. I'm a male, help me out."
"Body image Mark! You are the country's finest in the fitness industry. You're so damn good looking. You could have any woman you want, and you've probably seen a fair few gorgeous women. In that moment where I was giving in to vulnerability I couldn't help but think you would be disappointed in me. I closed my eyes so that I didn't have to see your face, your reaction...and how I look naked. I know my mommy figure complete with scars and curves wouldn't be particularly attractive. I guess it just helped me block it out for a minute."
"For goodness sake Susie." "What?" "That's what made you feel uncomfortable? I'm sorry. I obviously didn't make myself clear when I worked so hard to sweep you off your feet, and traveled here from Texas. I want you, and only you. I want your mommy figure. I want to be the one given the privilege of being able to caress and worship every inch of your body. Just say the word and I will, happily, if that's what it takes to boost your self confidence." She turned over and faced the wall. "Susie, can you look at me?" She slowly turned back with small tears in her eyes.
"I don't deserve you." She got up and ran into the bathroom taking the sheet with her. Mark got up pulling his boxers on and headed for the bathroom. "Susie, can I come in?" "No, I've got no clothes on." "Even better." "Mark!" "I'm sorry, I just think you're the most beautiful woman I've seen." "Stop it, stop saying that." "I'm telling the truth, and what's better is I can see you have the heart to match." There was silence through the door, and then suddenly he heard her sobbing.
Mark thought to himself for a moment *Do I go in? Is that invading her space too much? I can't just leave her...Which is more of a jackass move invading her space, or leaving her? Well I guess if she really doesn't want me she can push me out. I'm not leaving her in there to cry alone…*
Mark went and got fully dressed. He wanted her to feel safe, and not like he was going to try anything. "Susie I can hear you, now I'm coming in. If you really don't want me to see you, you better wrap yourself up." He opened the door and saw her on the floor leaning on the wall with the sheet loosely pulled up covering her front. He sat down next to her and handed her a towel to dry her tears.
"Your rear must be cold. Stand up a moment." "I don't want-" "I won't see anything, trust me, I will just make you feel better." He wrapped the sheet around her, and over her shoulders so that she was warm. She looked a tad like a baby all wrapped and ready for swaddling. "Here I'll help you sit down." "I'm like a mermaid." She had finished crying and was looking better. "Well sorta. You warmer?" "Much, thank you." They just sat on the floor talking about nothing much when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave them a small rub. She moved under his armpit and rested her head on his chest. "You mean what you said?" She looked up into his eyes. "Every word. You will see that I very rarely say things I don't mean... Unless I'm angry." "You were angry." "No I was stunned. Stunned that you can't see what I see." Silence fell again. "Susie, I wish you would of kept your eyes open. You would have seen how happy and excited I was to be in that moment with you."
"Help me up...Please." He did as she asked. "Will you let me alone for a while so I can shower and get ready. There is a shower downstairs if you want one too. I just really need sometime to think." "Of course." He walked out grabbing his things and headed for a shower down stairs.
When she came down Mark could almost read her face. It was still early and the kids still hadn't woken. Mark mentally prepared himself. "Will you come out on the porch for a second." They walked out and he tried to hide his sadness. "Mark you are a really good guy, and I like you a lot…" She stuttered. "I..I just don't think my kids are ready for me to be in a relationship yet." He took her hands in his.
"I understand. But you can be honest with me. I can see you aren't ready. And what I do know is that when Mommy isn't ready neither are her babies. I promise you that when you are, they will be." "I do really like you, and I'm sorry." She got all teary. "Don't be sorry. For you I will wait." "Please don't ever forget me." "Impossible baby. When you are ready, promise me you will give me the first call." "I promise." "I'll be on the next plane from wherever I am in this world." He gathered up all his things and put them in the car. She stayed standing on the porch watching him. He went back one last time to say good bye.
"Would it be asking too much for a goodbye kiss?" She walked up and threw her arms around his neck. He grabbed her waist, rested his head on her forehead, and walked her against the wall. He gave it all he had and passionately kissed her. She went weak at the knees. "Give me two more minutes to say goodbye to this precious body." She nodded still drunk from his kiss. He attacked her neck. He then got down and trailed kisses all the way from her ankles up her skirt, sucking her inner thighs until they colored. She was thankful they lived in the bush where no one could see their escapades out in the open.
He got up, broke open her shirt and kissed her tummy. "Your two minutes are almost over big guy." He quickly pulled her body close and sucked the swell of her breast that was spilling over her bra. As soon as he was satisfied he stood up and started buttoning her shirt as if nothing had ever happened. Her flushed cheeks told him she enjoyed it just as much as he had. She pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear. "Can you feel how fast my heart is racing? I don't think you are healthy for me." "Baby I know I'm healthy for you. Never had a better work-out session I bet." "No Sir, now you best get going." He pulled her even closer for a moment and whispered "I hope I'm back before my markings wear off. And for the record you are exceptional between those sheets which I love." She laughed and patted him on the butt. "Get out of here." He jumped in his car and drove away.
Susie swore she could hear shitty sad music playing just like in the movies. She stared into the empty bush where the car disappeared and wondered if she had done the right thing.
I haven't finished with the story. But If y'all want I can end it here and start a sequel… Review, comment, and message me with what you think.