Chapter 12 - Bonding

N.B: Words in BOLD are Jen's thoughts to his words.

I woke around two the next afternoon. Did mornings not exist in my life any more? I stretched out with a smile remembering my dream I had just woken from.

Slamming me against his wall, knocking off his precious picture he kissed every inch of my skin whilst holding me still with a strong fist to the neck. My breath came weak and shallow. Not by the restriction of oxygen, but by the feel of his fingers probing my sex. His clothes had disappeared.

Had I done that?

His deep husky tone growled out my name, my legs buckled beneath me, feeling my weakness he lifted me easily sliding me up the wall and wrapped himself in a neat parcel using my legs as paper. My hands grappled eagerly at his bulging biceps and his soft skin felt like silk against my own.

A hungry earthly moan escaped my lips. Fuck, was that me?

"You want me don't you Jen?" He growled at me through gritted teeth. Was he nuts? Of course I bloody well did!

"Yea" I answered with a small squeak.

"You want me to fuck you hard?" Er, Yes!

"Here, now? Up against this wall?" Fuck yes!

He pushes two long fingers inside me, stretching me out. Woah!

"You are soaking wet Baby." All for you Marcus.

"You are a dirty bitch aren't you Jen?" Aha! Filthy!

"You want my cock?" He slips his soaking wet fingers that reek of my juices in my mouth. What a stupid fucking question!

"You taste delicious, don't you Jen?" Do I? I'd prefer to taste you!

His cock fills me with one sharp movement. My eyes roll back and I enter delirium. I'm gone, floating away, off on the tide of passion...

.

My phone brought me back to my bedroom with a buzz.

Was I blushing? How could a dream make me blush?

Was it was him texting me?

I squinted with one eye at the display.

New Message - Tasha

Oh Thank God!

Tasha: Hey Babes! How's things? We still haven't caught up from the other night. I need details! - Tapping in my reply, I went in search for coffee and a cigarette.

Me: I sent Marcus your apologies, he forgave you. Not much to catch up on. - I lied fluently.

Tasha: Wait! You've spoke to him since?

Damn! Yep that wasn't as well thought out as it should have been.

Me: Yeah, he wanted to check you were OK.

Yep turn it round on her. That's would work.

Tasha: How? Did you meet up with him or did you give him your phone number? Details woman!

Me: Phone. It's really nothing, why don't you come over for lunch? - I opted to tell her the easier option, rather then trying to explain our meal together.

Tasha: Hell! I'm on my way.

Me: OK. See you soon.

I slid my phone onto the kitchen counter, turning my attention to my grumbling stomach. Grabbing my toast I headed for the shower, desperately churning things over in my head at what the hell exactly I was going to tell Tasha.

.

My buzzer went as I fixed my hair in a messy bun on top of my head. Rushing down I saw it was Tasha so I released the gate. She'd brought bagels with her for our lunch. It would make a change from the rubbish I tried to make anyway.

"Right! Spill!" She squealed excitedly as soon as she slammed my front door. Running in she gave me a huge hug and grabbed a glass of water.

"There's nothing to tell!" I reiterated.

"There must be something! What happened at the party?"

"I came back from having a ciggie and you were passed out. He put you in the car. That was it." I shrugged.

"And you said he forgave me?" She was wiggling her legs with anticipation.

"Yeah. We swapped numbers."

"And?"

Was I that transparent?

"OK, we had dinner." I held out my hands, attempting to sound blasé.

"What the... Dinner?! When? Where?" Her mouth fell agape.

I was stuck in between a rock and a hard place. "Look this can't go any further. Not even Sam, not yet?"

"I swear to god!" She made a cross on her chest with her finger. "I won't say anything. This is so exciting!" She clapped her hands with glee.

"Obviously we couldn't meet in a restaurant, so I went to his."

"No!" Her shock face soon returned and her voice went high. "His house?!"

"Please, you swear. This was important to me."

She pulled me in close. "You know I will always support you Babes, and I'm really pleased for you. Hell! Marcus Perdy!?"

"It's only one date, and extremely early days. Please don't make more of this then it actually is."

"Did you kiss? Did you shag him?"

There was no way she was getting that type of information out of me. "No! Tasha!"

She giggled. "Jen, stop living in the dark ages! Most people..."

I had to interrupt that. "I am not most people! Get your mind out the damn gutter, you tramp!"

"I can't help it. You must have kissed..surely?" She searched my eyes because she knew they couldn't lie. I didn't need to reply. She saw it.

"I bloody knew it!"

.

.

It was three more days before I heard from Marcus. In a way I had been disheartened because of the way our evening together had ended, but in another I was glad. It didn't make me look too keen.

What if I'd read too much into it and he just wanted a casual thing?

I didn't want to look needy. I had my career to think of. I hadn't the nerve to text him first. I swore I'd wait for him to make the first move.

But what if he was thinking the same and waiting for me to text him?

I'd not dated for years.

Why was it so hard?

I'm sure It hadn't been this hard before?

My phone buzzed later that afternoon while I was reading the latest copy of O.K that my housekeeper had left me on my kitchen counter. Deeply engrossed in an interview with a top hot pop star, I flippantly glanced at who the message was from. When I saw it was from him I hate to double take. He'd finally text me.

New Message - Marcus

Tentatively I opened it.

Marcus: I'm sorry I ruined the evening the other night. I really don't usually invite people back to my apartment, but I had a really great evening. Thanks again. All details will remain classified.

I raised my eyebrows, confused as to whether he wanted to see me again or not. He'd not made that clear. Was this his thanks but no thanks text? So I replied just as vague, hoping for some clarity.

Me: No apologies needed, I had a great night too. - Yeah that would do, keep it simple.

I didn't have to wait long for his return message.

Marcus: Oh thank god, it has taken me three days to pluck up the courage to send that message. How are you?

I laughed to myself imagining him hovering over his phone deciding whether or not to send it.

Me: I ran out of courage a long time ago. I'm fine...Now.

Now? Was that necessary? Oh Shit! Damn, I'd sent it!

Marcus: I was so sure I'd ruined it.

Phew! He didn't ask about the now bit.

Me: You didn't ruin anything. I was the one who kissed you, remember? Dinner was amazing. I just couldn't stay.

I grimaced, wondering how he'd take the last bit.

Marcus: No of course not. I wouldn't expect you too. I understand, but I'd love to repeat the meal part sometime?

He wanted to see me again!

Me: O.K. But this time you come here? If you want to that is?

Marcus: Are you sure?

Don't ask me if I'm sure. Of course I'm not sure! I'm female!

Me: I'm sure! But I must warn you I can't cook.

Marcus: Hmm, I wouldn't want food poisoning..I'd better cook. You sure it's OK?

Don't ask me again! I could change my mind!

Me: Yes.

My heart flipped as I send it.

Marcus: When and where?

Me: Classified. Hawkridge House, N15. Near the hospital. Would tonight suit?

Marcus: Classified, I understand. Tonight sounds awesome. Sixish?

Me: Sounds perfect. See you then.

Marcus: Cool, look forward to it.

OK. Six o clock!

I checked the time on my phone. Two fifteen. Shit! I only had four hours to prepare.

.

.

My heart skipped three beats when the gate buzzer went off. Taking a huge deep breath I picked up the handset. "Hello?"

"Er, Hi. It's Marcus." I could see that by the small screen in my hand. Even in the fading light he looked delicious. I pushed the gate release.

I checked my reflection one last time and went to meet him at the door. He trudged up the two small steps to my front door with an armfuls of grocery bags. "Hey." He said with a sideways smile. "Here, let me help." I took a bag freeing up one of his arms. "Oh thanks."

Great, he was wearing a suit!

Not that I complained, he wore it well. He wore everything well. I was peeved because he dressed casual last time, I had done the same this time.

"Nice suit. Come in" I raised an eyebrow beckoning him inside.

Nice? It wasn't nice, it was smoking hot!

"Too much?" He winced eying my casual attire. "I knew I should have wore the jeans."

"No, it's not too much, I Just wasn't expecting formal, because of last time. Now I feel very under-dressed." I laughed nervously.

"Nope, you definitely don't look under-dressed. Everything's, um..covered." His eyes ran down over my figure, making the heat rise into my cheeks.

He must have noticed my embarrassment because he changed the subject quickly. Glancing around the hall he smiled. "Nice house!"

"Oh. Thank you. Yeah I like this one." I smiled looking around the decor, like I'd never seen it before.

"This one?" He gaffawed.

"Er, yeah. I have, well I had three. This ones my favourite, although It does feel too big sometimes." I turned to lead him through the hall and into the large bright white-toned kitchen.

"You said 'had' three?" He started to unpack the bags onto the kitchen counter.

"Yeah. I lost the one in France in the divorce." I shocked myself how easy that came out my mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He said pausing.

"Don't be. I hated it. It was far too old for my liking. Greg picked it. His name was on the deed, so he was welcome to it." I shrugged.

"And the third one?" He continued to lay out the ingredients for dinner.

"New York." I walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of white wine.

"New York? Wow! I've always wanted to go to there. It sounds amazing. I suppose I should have guessed with all the work you do out there."

"Vegas is being shot in Florida. So I still have to live out of a hotel. Do you want wine or beer?"

"Oh, beer please? Can't imaging living in a hotel for longer than a week or two."

I returned the wine to the fridge and grabbed two beers. "No, it sucks!"

A huge grin spread over his face, which puzzled me. "What?"

"You drink beer?" The smile remained.

"Should I not?" I grinned back.

"I guess when I imagine you drinking I see champagne and an expensive Rioja, with an occasional Vodka." He was referring to what I requested at the tour wrap party. Turning he carried the veg to the sink to wash.

"I do." I shrugged. "But I also drink beer."

"O..Kay. Is risotto all right?"

"Mmm..Sounds yummy. Do you cook a lot? I mean, not just micro meals." I got out a wooden chopping board for him and put it on the counter.

He shook the loose water from the veg and returned to chop it up. "I don't do ding ding food at all! Fresh all the way."

"Wow!" I was shocked.

"What?" Now he looked confused.

"I guess we all go by stereotypes. You don't look like you would be the type to cook fancy meals." I opened a few of my cupboards to find some pans. I'd not needed them myself before, Greg had always cooked when he was here. Other than that I lived on toast.

"Touchee! I can however, tell you don't cook much." He raised an eyebrow and flashed his teeth as he chopped referring to my clattering about looking for utensils.

"Um, no." I blushed.

Damn him!

I found some pans and put them out on the hob for him.

"Hence why you're so skinny I suspect."

"I am not skinny." I huffed.

"You are too. You need feeding up."

"Is this our first argument?" I couldn't help myself. It made him stop and grin at me. He couldn't think of a reply, so he just took a swig from his beer bottle and carried on with dinner.

"Do I make you uncomfortable by watching you?" I swung my knees side to side as I sat swinging on a stool up to the counter he was working on.

"No, not at all." He said without looking up.

My phone interrupted us.

Incoming Call - Tasha.

"Hi Babe." I said Into the mouthpiece. I gestured to Marcus. "Sorry!"

"That's OK." He smiled.

Tasha heard him. "Who's that? You got someone there?" She gasped. "Is it..Marcus?"

"Yeah!" I said casually swinging round turning my back to him.

"No way! Second date! Is he near you? Does he smell nice?" Good job my back was to him, he wouldn't be able to see my flushed cheeks.

"Yes." I nodded cryptically. I could hear sizzling from behind me, so I guessed he was busying himself.

"What's he wearing? Oh I guess you can't say. Get a picture for me. Are you gonna shag him tonight?"

Woah!

"All right, if that's all, I really have to go." She was not getting that type of information either.

"No! Jennifer! Don't you dare hang up on me! What's he doing?" She tried some more.

"OK then, I'll pencil you in for Wednesday, byeee!" I said ending the call while she continued to rant on.

Swinging around to face him again, I sighed inwardly. He was turned to the hob with his back to me, completely unaware of my strange call to my weird friend.

Phew!

A/N: Well, well, well! A second date. He's single, smokin' hot and a domestic God! Could only happen in stories.

Huge thanks to Twihard till I die for beta'ing. She will be publishing soon. *Cheesy Grin*

Love and Hugs

DeathToBeReborn. xx