Stripped

Chapter 14

Within moments the cab driver was paid and I was inside on Mark's couch with a warm, fuzzy robe enveloping me and a cup of tea in my hand. But, I couldn't bring myself to tell him what had happened. The look on Jake's face had been bad enough, but the look of utter disbelief on Tom's face stuck with me. I couldn't get it out of my head. And Kara... my one constant in my life for over a decade had betrayed me by going back into that party.

For a long time Mark just sat next to me, he didn't ask any questions though I could tell he was dying to know what was happening. But he was patient, taking my hand in his and stroking his thumb along my knuckles. I loved it when he did that. The motion calmed me enough that I could start speaking. The guilt I had been feeling since the night I kissed Jake came pouring out of me. "I'm so sorry for what I did." My voice was strained as I fought the endless fountain of tears behind my eyes.

Mark wiped the single tear trickled silently down my cheek, "Shh Love. Don't worry about that right now. I want to know what the hell happened to you tonight. You can tell me anything." He spoke softly, coaxing the story out of me little by little. His fingers had found my hair and were twirling the strands as I spoke.

"Then Kara," I felt ill even saying this sentence out loud, "she just went back into the party. Said she didn't want to be fired for leaving."

Mark stood and began to pace, never had I seen him so angry, "I knew there was something sketchy about this whole thing. Do you think Jake knew?"

I shook my head, "He looked just as surprised as I did when I popped out of that cake. So no, I don't think he had anything to do with it. He said something about Megan. I think she is the one behind all of this."

Mark nodded accepting my answer much easier than I had expected, "And Kara just went back in?"

I nodded, "That's why I couldn't go home, I couldn't face her. Not after this. How could she do this to me?" I asked, looking up to Mark for answers even though I knew he had none.

"I don't know Love, but for now I think you just need some sleep. We can figure this all out in the morning." He held his hand out to me offering to help me up.

"I can sleep on the couch tonight. I don't want to impose..." I offered, unsure if he wanted me in his bed.

Mark gently took my hand and pulled me to my feet, holding me close to him, "I said don't worry about that. Not tonight. We can talk about that tomorrow. But for right now, will you please come sleep in my bed with me? I haven't slept right since the last time I held you and I'm exhausted."

In his room, I realized I didn't have any pajamas. For a moment I debated what to do and thought to myself, screw it and slid out of the robe and removed my lacey blue teddy. I climbed into Mark's bed wearing only a g-string. Scandalized, he smirked at my bold move and stripped down to his underwear too. When he snuggled in behind me I felt his length pressing into my rear. It twitched and hardened slightly against me. "Er, sorry." He said, embarrassed and began to turn over.

My fingers wrapped around his forearm and I pulled him back against me, "Please, can you just hold me?"

A feather-light kiss brushed the nape of my neck, "I will all night Love."

I woke up and it was dark, I reached for Mark but he was gone, but his voice drifted through the silence. Glancing at the clock I wondered who he could be talking to at five in the morning. I stood, grabbed the robe from the floor and wrapped it around me. I followed the sound of his voice, "Don't worry she's all right. I've got her." He said, whoever was on the other line was talking so Mark sat silently for a moment. "There's no need to wake her now, I'll have her call later... alright. Bye-bye." He hung up and found me waiting by the door.