Another Chance (12 page)

While he slept, she took in his features. He had such a sex appeal about him, rough but caring and loving as she had discovered last night. Mark was handsome, the only blemish on his face where he had broken his nose as a younger man. His skin was softening as he got older and she traced the faint lines on his face with her finger, wanting to discover every inch of this man.

“Hey.” He kissed her softly.

“Hey yourself,” she murmured.

His hand covered her breasts, her nipples coming to life under his touch and she giggled.

“What?”

“It would appear I can’t control my own body around you.”

“Lessons learned love, now you’re in the right place and with the right man.”

“You’re very confident.”

“You weren’t complaining last night. In fact, I seem to remember you being quite vocal about how happy you were.”

She blushed and laughed again. “I was not the only one making noise.”

“Probably not.” He laughed. “There was a lot to make noise about though.” That made Cassie laugh harder, and he grinned. “I love listening to you laugh.”

“I love that you make me laugh.”

“With any luck, that causes you to fall in love with me.”

“After last night I’m pretty sure I’m well on my way to that.”

He grinned. “That good huh?”

Cassie laughed again, slapping his arm. “Yeah that good. What’s the time?”

“Nearly ten. Why?”

She wriggled out of his arms and off the bed, picking up her clothes from the floor to dress. “I have to go and pick up Sophie.” Mark reached for her.

“Can’t you just wait a few minutes?”

Cassie laughed. “No, we made plans to see a movie, and it starts in half an hour. Movies are a kind of regular thing in our house.” She bent to kiss him goodbye. “So I’m going to go now and not get in trouble.”

“She would tell you off, wouldn’t she?”

“You know it.”

Mark lay back in the bed and watched her dress. “I’ll talk to you later?”

“I hope so.” She bent down for one last kiss, lingering on his lips as if reluctant to let go.

Cassie made her way out of the house. Sure enough there were some of Mark’s friends still there, sleeping on the floor of the living room.

She made her way quietly down the stairs. Lauren was at the door, tidying some of the rubbish. “Thanks for coming to Mark’s party, he was so happy when you said yes.”

She grinned. “I was happy to spend his birthday with him, though he didn’t tell me that was the reason for celebrating.”

“He’s a dark horse is our Mark. I hope he sticks with you, I know we didn’t have much time to talk last night, but he’s different with you. Normally I don’t get to meet his conquests, they’re around for such a short time.”

Lauren stopped, her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Cassie, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“It’s fine,” Cassie replied. Her heart was racing. Was she just another notch on Mark’s bedpost? “Anyway, I have to get going and pick up my daughter. She had her first sleepover last night, and we’re going to the movies.”

“That’ll be nice. I’m sure you’ll hear from Mark later.”

“I hope so,” Cassie murmured, waving goodbye to the other woman. Lauren’s comment had knocked her and she was angry at herself for sleeping with Mark before hearing it.

Mark heard her car start and rolled over. The bed smelled of vanilla and sex, and he was reluctant to get up and away from the scent of her. Last night had been incredible. While he was glad to have made her happy, he had enjoyed being with her more than any other woman he could remember. At least recently.

There was a knock on the door, and Lauren opened it with coffee in hand. “Thought you might be needing this.”

“Thanks,” he replied, “I don’t feel too bad all things considered.”

Lauren laughed. “If that’s what screwing someone much younger does to a hangover, I’ll have to keep an eye out for one for me.”

He grinned. “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? Just perfect.”

“She’s a lovely girl, Mark. Is this going to be one of your fly by night stopovers or are you actually going to stick with this one for a while?”

He took a sip of coffee and pulled a face. She had made it black with no sugar, almost the opposite of how he liked it, but he wasn’t about to tease her for it given how thoughtful she had been. “If she’ll have me.”

Lauren sat on the end of the bed. “I don’t believe it. The eternal bachelor Mark Burrows bowled over by a single mum. Are you sure this is a good idea? What if it blows up in your face, and you hurt her and the kid.”

“The kid is pretty amazing too. Hell Lauren, I know I’m not perfect, but I would like to give this a go. Cassie deserves a man who will love her and take care of her and I’m pretty sure that’s something I can do.”

“She’ll need more than pretty sure.”

“Fine. Very sure. I’ve never wanted anything so much my whole life.”

Sophie ran to Cassie when she pulled up outside the house. “Mum! I thought you were going to be late.”

“I know, but we have enough time if we go now. Did you have fun?”

“We stayed up and ate popcorn and read stories.”

“Sounds great, Soph, now let me grab your things, and we’ll get going.”

After the movie and some shopping, Cassie ordered takeout on the way home for dinner. It wasn’t until Sophie had finished her dinner and was dressed for bed that she began asking questions. “Mum?”

“Yes Soph?”

“Is Mark your boyfriend?”

Cassie chewed her bottom lip. “Umm well, I don’t know about that, Sophie. We like each other a lot.”

“Did you have a sleepover with him?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You were wearing that yesterday.”

Cassie laughed. Her daughter was nothing if not observant. “I just liked it a lot, so I thought I would wear it again.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I know you like Mark, it’s okay, Mum.”

“I’m glad it makes you happy.”

She kissed the top of Sophie’s head and Sophie curled up on her lap. Cassie sat, listening to her daughter’s breathing until it slowed and Sophie was asleep. Carrying Sophie to her bedroom, she placed the little girl in her bed and kissed her good night before returning to the living room.

She hadn’t heard from Mark, wasn’t sure if she should expect to. Her breasts were tender where he had grazed her with his teeth and closing her eyes conjured up memories of his touch which her body reacted to without him being there. She ached for a repeat performance.

The knock on the door made her jump, and there stood Mark in the doorway, a bunch of carnations in his hand that looked half dead. She didn’t care. He was there. “Hi love.”

Cassie pulled him into the living room, and he laughed as she threw her arms around his neck. “Hey, what’s all this?” he asked.

“I didn’t think I would hear from you.”

“Why not? Last night was just the beginning, Cassie, do you think I’m going to let you go so easily?”

“It was just that Lauren told me your conquests were never around long. I didn’t know if that included me.”

“Bloody Lauren,” Mark muttered irritably, “well she’s wrong. This thing with you. It’s different, Cassie, I want to be with you. It’s taken all my willpower to stay away today.”

She held him even tighter as she sobbed into him. “I want to be with you too.”

He pulled her off his neck, kissing her forehead. “Then it’s settled, Cassie, no more tears.”

She shook her head, and he bent to kiss her, closing his mouth over hers and sighing contentedly. Cassie led him to the couch while she put the flowers into water. “I’m sorry they’re not better, by the time I left the only place open was the supermarket.”

She laughed. “It’s fine, they are lovely.”

“I don’t remember ever buying flowers for anyone before.”

She sat on the couch beside him, hugging him again. “Then they’re even more lovely.”

“You’re worth itm Cassie. I’ve seen that in the time I’ve spent with you. Now you’re blushing which only makes you even hotter.”

“If you say so. I really like you too, Mark. I’m sorry I ever went on that date with that idiot while you were around.”

“Nothing wrong with fulfilling prior engagements. As much as it hurt, I am glad he showed his true colours. It gave me a chance to show you mine. Now, Miss Warren, do we continue this conversation on the couch or do we go to bed.”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. “I have been thinking about this all day.”

“Me too. Now before I forget Sophie caught me out.”

“What do you mean?”

“She asked if we’d had a sleepover because I am still in yesterday’s clothes.”

He laughed. “Nothing gets past her does it?”

“No.”

“I’m sure you must be dirty under those clothes.”

Cassie raised an eyebrow. “So what are you suggesting, Mr Burrows?”

“A shower, bath, whatever you want. We can get clean together and then go to bed.”

“That sounds really nice.”

The shower water was warm and Cassie, still feeling self conscious about being naked with Mark tried to cross her arms to hide herself.

“There will be none of that love. “I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again. You’re beautiful, Cassie.”

He ran his hand down her back, pausing when he reached the top of the scar that ran down the lower half of her back. “It pains me to think you were hurt this badly, Cassie, I wish I could go back and stop you from suffering.”

“Somehow I don’t think that my parents would have approved of you back then.”

“Why not? I’ll have you know I’m a fine upstanding citizen.” He winked.

“I was eighteen, I’m not sure they would have been happy with me dating an older man.” She laughed and threw her arms around his neck again. He bent to kiss her, the warm water dancing on their skin as they were lost in each other again.

Mark spent Sunday with them, and they stayed around the house while Cassie caught up on the housework and Mark and Sophie played together. She laughed watching the grown man having a tea party with Sophie and her toys, but he winked at her as Sophie was pouring the tea and it pulled at her heartstrings even more.

After dinner, they settled down in front of the TV. There was a rugby game on that Mark was keen to watch and Cassie pulled a face realising it would conflict with Sophie’s favourite movie.

“Cinderella’s on,” Sophie told Mark excitedly.

“Rugby’s on my little love, I’m sure you can see Cinderella some other time.”

Cassie raised an eyebrow at him, he was definitely making himself at home quickly. Sophie’s lower lip trembled, and Mark realised he had put his foot in it. “Come here love, let’s watch Cinderella then.”

Sophie climbed up onto his lap, and he winked at her. “I’ve not seen it. I’m sure your mum won’t mind if I catch up on the replay later.”

“Her mum will make sure you’re more than adequately rewarded.”

“Promises, promises.” Mark grinned at her.

Cassie went back to the kitchen to clean up, returning half an hour later with popcorn. Sitting on the couch, still snuggled on Mark’s lap was Sophie, fast asleep. Cassie laughed when she realised that Mark was asleep too.

As she knelt to pick up her sleeping daughter to put her to bed, Mark woke with a start.

“Hey,” Cassie whispered.

“Hey yourself, did we both fall asleep?”

“You did. Give me a minute to tuck her in and I’ll be back. There’s popcorn there, and you can still switch over and watch the rugby.”

When she returned he was still sitting on the couch, television turned off. “Isn’t the game on?”

“I thought I’d take my girl to bed instead. Plenty of other games to play.” He winked at her this time.

She laughed. “Is this what every night is going to be like?”

“Until I get too old to keep up with you.”

“Better come to bed now then old man and make the most of the time you have left.”

“Cheeky minx.” He had never smiled so much since he had met her. Mark was a happy person in general, but Cassie brought him to life like no one else ever had.

After making love Mark watched Cassie sleeping. He realised he had not one but two girls in charge of his heart now, Sophie was so special, and for the first time in his adult life he thought about how much he wanted children.

Cassie and Sophie were a package deal, he’d known that when he had fallen in love with her but tonight had made that real, and he loved it.

Somewhere out there was Sophie’s father, Mark didn’t know any of the details, but he couldn’t do a worse job than the other guy had. After all, he was there with them while Sophie’s dad was who knows where. Cassie certainly didn’t seem to mention him at all. He would step up if Sophie needed him.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN