Unexpected

Moving forward

A week passed and we had been on a few dates.

I'd like to say it was like he'd never left but it wasn't. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't let down my walls, I was waiting for him to leave again.

I was sat in the coffee shop, the one Mark had lured me to after the convention. I was on my lunch break and he was meeting me.

"You're late" I remarked as he took the seat across from me.

"Sorry love" he smiled "traffic"

"I ordered for you" I told him,

"That's bold" he smirked "how do you know I'll like what you ordered?" he asked, a playful smirk on his face.

"I don't" I smirked back "It's a test"

"A test?" he asked "How so?"

"I've ordered you my favourite" I laughed "If you don't like it, the we have an issue"

"ahhh" he chuckled "make or break over coffee and a cake" we both laughed at him unintentional rhyme as the waitress brought out lunch over.

A white chocolate Mocha and a chicken and bacon and lettuce sandwich.

I bit my lip as he sipped his coffee and took the first bite of his sandwich.

The look in his eye as he glanced across at me, licking his lips, assured me I had ordered well.

"You know your food" he remarked, I grinned, pleased that he liked it.

"and the coffee?" I asked

"You know I'm a tea man" he smirked "but I think I could grow to like it"

"Good" I beamed, enjoying sharing things I loved with the man I loved. It still seemed strange saying that, that I loved him, we had known each other such a short time but it just felt right.

"So" he started "How's your day going?"

"It just got better" I blushed "What have you been up to?"

"House hunting" he confessed, and my ears pricked up.

"What?" I asked shocked,

"Well I can't live in a hotel forever" he chuckled "so I'm looking for somewhere more permanent"

"You're serious?" I squealed, and covered my mouth giggling as people on the tables near us began to stare.

"Yes" he grinned "I take it you're pleased?" he asked

"Of course I'm pleased" I exclaimed "This is huge Mark"

"I know" he replied, taking another sip of his coffee, I could tell by his face that he was willing himself to like it but wasn't a fan "I need you to see how serious I am about us, so that you let your guard down"

"I don't have a guard up" I told him, lying.

"Y/N" he sighed "you don't have to lie to me, I can tell you're holding back"

"I should get back to work" I told him, putting down my empty mug and standing to pull on my jacket.

"Now?" he asked surprised "I just got here, we need to talk"

"You were late" I reminded him "it will have to wait" I was scared to have this conversation.

"Until when?" he asked, standing and placing a hand on my arm, "When can I see you again?"

"I don't know" I sighed "Maybe tomorrow after work?"

"How about tonight?" he pleaded "Don't put this conversation off until tomorrow"

"I can't tonight" I lied "I'm busy"

"Busy doing what?" he exclaimed "making excuses? Y/N please"

"Tomorrow Mark" I told him, rushing out of the coffee shop before he could stop me.

I hadn't realised he had picked up on my reservations, or the wall I had up. But apparently he had. Even in this short space of time, he knew me better than I realised.

I felt bad for cutting our date short and blowing him off tonight, but I needed space to think and get over my insecurities on my own.

I was delighted that he was looking for houses in the area, that gave me some confidence that he was serious about us. But I was still scared that it was all too good to be true.

*******************Mark's POV**************************************

I watched her walk away and slumped into my chair defeated. I pushed the sandwich across the table and sighed, I suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.

"Bill please" I called to the waitress, she obliged and I paid and left.

I had another house to view that afternoon, but I had lost all enthusiasm. I didn't know where I stood with Y/N. One minute she was all excited at the though of seeing more of me and then she put a wall up and couldn't get away fast enough. I knew I had brought this on myself with the way I had behaved, but give a man a break.

The last house was on a quiet housing estate by an estuary, and the front of the house overlooked a nature reserve. There were 4 bedrooms and large living area and kitchen diner. The garden wasn't huge but the greenery opposite made up for that. This was the one, I was just struggling to get excited about it after our exchange at lunch.

I understood her reservations, I was after all still married, and I had ran back to the states the last time we got close.

I just wished there was something I could do to convince Y/N I was serious about her and more than ready to make that next step, to give us a real shot.

I was an idiot! I was standing in the thing that could convince her.

"I'll take it" I announced,

"Excuse me?" the estate agent asked surprised,

"I said I'll take it" I smiled

"Wow" she said "Do you not want a second viewing or to see what else we have available?"

"No" I chuckled "this is the one"

"You'd like to make an offer?" she asked

"I'd like to buy it" I corrected her "Cash, name the price" she looked stunned but made a few calls and within the hour the sale was going through. She informed me I would have to have surveys etc carried out before we could complete but I told her I needed the keys by tomorrow and I would pay whatever it took to speed up the process.

Luckily it was a new build so it was doable if I threw money in the right direction.

I filled in the appropriate paperwork and rang my solicitor to arrange for the funds to be transferred.

I couldn't wait to show Y/N tomorrow. If this didn't convince her that I was all in, I wasn't sure what would.

***********************************

There is a severe lack of Mark Sheppard fan-fiction out there so I've found the motivation to continue this story.

Watch this space!!

lots of love xxxxx