Diner Girl(14)
Once he came back into the room, he positioned himself beside her head and helped her sit up. “Take this, it might help.” He gave her the medicine and eased her head onto his lap.
“I’m not used to anyone taking care of me,” she mumbled into his knee.
“I’m not doing all that much now.” He rubbed the back of her head. “Just rest now. I’m not going anywhere.”
As she dozed, Mark reveled in the transformations a day brought. He’d made it back through the snow for her. Not something you tell a woman you barely know, but all the same. He’d never been a serial dater. Not like some. For him a relationship meant thoughts of what the future held...not just the next date. So women didn’t just wander in and out of his life. He didn’t let them. But Jennifer...he felt like he’d known her his whole life. Like a missing piece had fallen into place.
Her breathing became slow and steady. Gently, he tucked a wisp of hair away from her face. He’d always been told that when the right one came along he’d know it. But he never believed it until now.
****
When morning came, Jennifer awoke to find herself curled up in Mark’s arms. Although the sheet had been pulled over her, the warmth of his body felt nice against her cool skin. She burrowed deeper against his chest. His heart beat in a soothing, steady rhythm.
“Hey, sweetie,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” Her mouth was filled with cotton. “Better than I did.”
He felt her forehead. “You don’t feel as hot.” He shifted her hair to the side and kissed her temple. “I’m glad. I was worried about you last night.”
Jennifer felt a slight shift as he moved his legs. “I’m sorry about everything.”
“Why are you sorry? What have you got to be sorry about?” he asked, tilting her face up to his. His eyes softened with concern.
“I’m just sorry the night ended like this. It started out so wonderfully.”
“Maybe when you’re feeling better we can reminisce.”
She laughed at the way reminisce sounded lecherous coming from his lips. “I would like that.” She yawned, her eyelids felt heavy.
“All right. It’s a plan, then. For now, I think you should go lie down and sleep for a bit.”
“Are you coming with me?” she asked shyly.
“Of course.”
Jennifer untangled herself from the sheets and Mark helped her up off the floor.
He picked up the water glass he’d brought earlier. “I’m going to take this to the kitchen, and I’ll be right there.”
As she walked past the dresser a strange buzzing sound startled her. She looked down; it was his cell phone. REBECCA flashed across the screen.
Girlfriend?
Wife?
Not sister—they had that much in common. Jennifer didn’t have time to think much about it before Mark returned. His hands massaged her shoulders.
“I don’t remember the last time I had a good nap,” he said. “Or the last time I held a woman as beautiful as you in my arms.”
She wondered jealously if that was the same thing he told Rebecca each night as they went to bed. The intensity of her feelings surprised her. She got into bed and pulled the blanket up over her nakedness. But as Mark pulled her close, the thoughts of Rebecca lingered. Who is she? Jennifer nodded off before any answer or even the courage to ask the question came.
****
Yawning, Jennifer stretched. It felt luxurious to have slept in for so long. She burrowed deep into the covers for a moment, enjoying the lingering heat, then turned toward Mark. His side of the bed lay empty. The cell phone was missing, as well. Her stomach didn’t feel as flip-floppy, and although there was still a slight headache, she didn’t feel as ready to die. Abandoning the cocoon of warmth, she pulled his sweats and turtleneck back on while her thoughts turned negative. Had she slept with another woman’s man?
Over the years, she’d been much smarter than that. There were too many dishonest men out there for her to just fall into bed with the first good-looking one to show any interest. Damn! Shame left her agitated and in need of an escape.
Mark was handsome, charming, and altogether too ideal. Of course he’d be in a relationship. She sat on the edge of the bed. “What have I done?” The thought of last night, his hands, his lips, the way his kisses trailed over her skin. None of it assuaged the guilt she now felt. She hadn’t been with any man since Mitch’s betrayal all those years ago. Why’d she have to give in now?
As a little girl, she’d seen a constant parade of men move through her home. She hated how casually her mom’s lovers came and went. Some were married; she remembered the rings on their hands. Now she’d done the exact same thing. Let a man enter her life casually, and what promise did she have? Not that she needed a relationship to have sex with a guy. If he never wanted to see her again, that was his right. And if Rebecca was more than a friend...Jennifer couldn’t even think about that possibility.