Chapter 9

Neither one of them had nightmares and she smiled almost sadly down at him, leaning down to softly brush her lips against his forehead. She was up way before him and didn't want to disturb his rest, not able to sleep for long these days, even after being made love to for hours. He was going to be starving when he awoke, so she decided to actually cook something. Fuck this diet, I'll still eat healthy, but I can't live on rabbit food any longer. Surprisingly, there was no Bradley voice baiting and antagonizing her as she slid a robe on to tie around her waist, seeing the sun was just setting on the horizon. She smiled, watching it for a minute and then got to work on making breakfast for dinner, pulling her hair up and everything. Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, sausage links, toast with honey butter and jam…Marlize played soft music from the radio and practically danced around the kitchen while cooking with the biggest smile on her face.

It was the scent of food that roused Mark and it took him a long moment after opening his eyes to realize where he was. Not in his room, but in hers. Her scent was enveloping him, along with the scent of all the sex they had throughout the very long, yet very short night. He sat upright, gliding his fingers through his tousled hair and inhaled deeply. That was not a diet breakfast, that was a country breakfast and his stomach growled, informing him that if it wasn't fed, it would make his life a living hell. A man could not exist on alcohol and nicotine alone, even if it was supplemented with coffee. Soon enough, Mark was downstairs, in drawstring bottoms and just stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as she danced around, finishing up the smorgasbord she was making.

He didn't even realize he was beginning to smile.

Marlize was murmuring the words under her breath while setting the table, getting ready to go get Mark just as soon as those biscuits were out of the oven. Just a few minutes and they would be done. She couldn't wait to not only surprise him, but chow down for a change, her stomach rumbling with newfound life. Everything in moderation. She turned back to the table to set the salt and pepper on it and froze at the sight of Mark standing there with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth and a sexy smirk on his lips.

"Good evening, handsome, I was just about to go wake you up as soon as the biscuits were done." Bouncing over practically, she plucked the cigarette out of his mouth long enough to greet him with a kiss and then slid it right back in its place, taking his hand. "I brewed coffee too, want me to pour you a cup? You like it black with just a dash of sugar, right?"

"Handsome?" It was still odd to hear her say it, considering it had been peach up until last night. Handsome, he could get used to it, even with that venomous voice reminding him that it wasn't going to last. This was a temporary truce brought on by mind-blowing sex. Mark was squishing that voice, refusing to listen to it today – not today, it wasn't going to be one of those days. "I can pour my own, thank you." He responded with the same soft smile, watching as she went back to the oven and inhaled off the cigarette. Marlize even had an ashtray waiting for him, though she didn't smoke and he set the cigarette down in it, moving to stand beside her to make that cup. "You're in a good mood." He liked it actually.

"That I am, I wonder why that is?" Marlize teased gently, her pale blues practically glittering while side-eyeing him and he snorted in response, making her softly giggle.

The oven went off and she grabbed the oven mitt to pull the delicious biscuits out, setting them on the stove. Mark had already retrieved his coffee, asking if she wanted a mug and she had nodded, grabbing the creamer out of the fridge too. It was fat-free, but delicious, nevertheless, and Marlize already had the plates on the table with the silverware.

"Dig in." She made sure to factor in Mark's size and made double of everything, just to make sure there was plenty for both of them to eat.

Once her plate was loaded and syrup poured, no other words had to be said as they sat at the table together sharing a meal. For once, it didn't feel awkward and they shared glances with each other, though Marlize studied Mark a few times just to make sure he enjoyed the food she made. It warmed her from the inside out with the little noises of approval he made while sipping his coffee and she did the same thing.

Surprisingly, the voice of Bradley stayed away while she indulged and Marlize had a feeling it was due to Mark being here and what he had done for her, making her feel desirable again after so many years of being ridiculed for her weight. It didn't bother him that she wasn't a stick figure and had a little junk in the trunk, a little more meat on her bones. She wasn't obese and the pudge in her stomach wasn't anything big either, hardly noticeable and she did look skinny when lying on her back and him hovering over her.

After they were done eating, Mark proceeded to help her clean up the breakfast dinner mess and there were no leftovers to speak of. They had devoured everything, both full and content. As soon as the cleaning was done, Mark proceeded to lift Marlize by the waist to plant her on the kitchen counter, untying the robe to see what was beneath it. Nothing. She was stark naked and he growled approvingly, peeling it from her body.

Marlize couldn't deny him anything, not with those smoldering acidic eyes devouring her from head to toe, the need for her unmistakable. If Mark wanted to christen every room in this cabin with her, she'd go along with him happily and gasped the moment he slid inside of her, pounding her right there on the counter. Their food had settled enough to where they were comfortable and she clung to him, locking her ankles around his waist with his face buried in her breasts, her fingers in his hair.

"Fuck me…fuck me as much as you want, Mark…" She breathed out, surrendering everything to him and the hungry look he shot back at her made her insides quake.

His bed, her bed, the living room, outside on the beach, right here on the kitchen counter…it didn't matter where they sexed it up.

After taking a small break once that romp was finished, Mark made a fire outside in the pit and they made a pallet of sorts in front of it, keeping back enough distance. The moon and stars were out tonight and as she stared up at them, admiring their beauty, Mark was staring back at her. Marlize felt his eyes on her and turned her head as their eyes locked, their hands already entwined and she still only had her robe on with nothing else.

There was no point in getting dressed when she knew what was going to happen. She was in for another sex-filled night as Mark yanked her to straddle his lap, gently, and Marlize went right along as the robe was removed, both naked as jaybirds. Mark didn't bother dressing since it was just them here and proceeded to make love to her outside, in front of the fire, her cries of his name echoing into the night.

While they were oblivious to everything else happening in the world and getting lost in the ecstasy with each other, Dirk's ferry had been set ablaze overnight and he had been lucky to escape with his life.

They were alerted to the fact that there was a problem when Dirk did not make his normal scheduled run. Mark glanced down at Marlize, who was frowning as she took in the empty waters ahead. They were standing on the dock, dressed for once since they were expecting a visit, and there was nothing.

"Did he radio?" He asked, glancing down at her with a frown. She shook her head in response and Mark took a slow drag from his cigarette, considering it. "Has he ever done this before?" Maybe they'd need to go across the island to the store and see if they knew anything. Frowning, he stroked the much shorter goatee he was sporting, then glanced at his wristwatch. "Darlin', maybe we should go check in at the store? Unless you have another way of reaching him?"

"He's not answering the radio and I've tried several times…" Worry laced her tone as Marlize stared out at the water, holding Mark's hand with his arm wrapped around her shoulders and she leaned into him.

He was her support, her rock, and every time they made love to each other, she fell deeper and deeper in love with him. It was going to hurt when he left, when they had to part ways, but she wasn't thinking about that right now. Dirk was in trouble, she could feel it, sense it, and nodded before looking up at him.

"Let's take the ATVs and go-" Suddenly, the sound of an ATV came from the east and Marlize blinked at the sight of old man Taylor, the owner of the small convenience store on the island, rolling up to the cabin. "Taylor's here?" They shared a look with each other before she hightailed it away from Mark down the dock to go greet the older man.

He was, having learned what had happened on the mainland, visiting family and hauled his backside here. Naturally, it took ages, since he had to bring his own boat to the island and then trek across it. Taylor dismounted and walked briskly up to meet Marlize, spotting the giant following her at a slower pace and then looked back at her.

"I'm going to start off by saying Dirk is fine." Taylor knew if he launched into the story without that clarification, she would assume the worst and rightly so.

Taking a deep breath, the older man filled her in on what had happened and what authorities were assuming so far. No obvious signs of tampering; there could have been a faulty fuel line, or stupid tourists who had been drunk. They were still reviewing all the evidence and that would take a few days. Mark was right there to steady her when Marlize stumbled backward, his hands moving to her shoulders and gently squeezed, letting her know he was right there with her.

Was it Bradley? That was the first thought that ran through her mind and Marlize felt the strength from Mark, swallowing hard. "I'm just glad he's okay." She managed to say, immediately hugging Taylor and took another deep breath, plastering on a smile. "You came all this way, let me brew us some tea before you head back, okay?"

"Well, I'd never say no to that, missy."

Taylor was a stocky, older man in his 60s and he loved this island with all of his heart. He didn't know the reasoning behind Marlize being here, but at least he wasn't completely alone and they had visited each other frequently prior to Mark Calaway's arrival. The man had ventured to his store a few times since being here and was friendly, so he didn't sense any danger coming from the giant.

"Go on and sit down, I'll go in and start it up." Marlize needed a minute to calm down, her heartrate accelerated and could hear Mark and Taylor talking outside about Dirk, both thankful he was alive and hadn't blown up with his ferry.

Personally, Mark didn't even think about Bradley first and foremost. How long had she been hiding? The man was also lucky to have escaped with his life and now knew his ex-wife was quite capable of defending herself. There was that possibility she wouldn't miss the vital parts next time, if there was one. He usually went with the obvious, most logical explanation first because that was how life worked. Not that, if she had said her thoughts about Bradley, Mark would brush them off because they were completely valid.

"What do you think happened?"

"Dirk's been doing this a damn long time and he knows his stuff. He takes good care of her." Her being the boat because all seafaring vessels were 'female', it was just how it went. "I'll feed myself to a shark if it was something he missed or something he didn't take care of on that boat." Basically, it wasn't happening.

It was Bradley. It had to be. Did he find her after two years? It was a little over two years now since the divorce, a little over three since she had shot him point-blank in the chest. Why couldn't he have died? Why couldn't have god thrown her a bone and taken him out of her life completely? Marlize wouldn't wish death on anyone, knowing it was a bad omen…but monsters didn't count. Bradley was a monster and if he was responsible for blowing up Dirk's ferry boat…her head was starting to hurt as she waited for the tea to brew, staring at it deep in thought.

Come for me and I will end you this time, Bradley. Another horrible realization dawned on her and Marlize shut her eyes, already knowing her time with Mark was coming to an abrupt end. Vince won't want him staying here if there's danger and I have to tell him. I can't keep this hidden. I'm sorry, Mark.

Mark wasn't planning on leaving until HE was damn good and ready at this point. He hadn't realized he was becoming emotionally invested in Marlize and wouldn't realize it until it was likely too late. He could have sex every now and then with a person and not get attached, there was no issues with that. However, basically living with someone, sexing them up around the clock, and learning about them without feelings coming into play, life didn't work out that way.

"I'm going to go check on her." Marlize had been inside for a hot minute and the conversation was stalling.

Not to mention, Mark didn't know old man Taylor that well to begin with.