14. Faye
The last thing I expected was to fall asleep, but that’s exactly what happened.
I blame Mark and the blanket he suggested I curl up with. Between the two of them and getting very little sleep the night before, it was the perfect trifecta to completely crash harder than I have in years.
I’m not even sure how long I’ve been asleep, but I’m certain it’s been a while.
My limbs feel like lead weights, and it takes everything in me not to fall back into my peaceful slumber as I listen to the steady beat of Mark’s heart.
His comforting arms hold me in place, and if I didn’t have to go to the bathroom so bad, I’d stay wrapped around him like this for an eternity.
When I force myself to move, I feel him startle below me. “Everything okay?”
“Just need to pee,” I admit groggily, as I pry my eyes open. When I spot light from the early morning sun filling the room, I bolt upright. “Holy shit. What time is it?”
“Zero five hundred,” Mark says on a yawn.
“Mark,” I whisper-shout. “How could you let me sleep like this?”
“Let you?” Mark laughs quietly. “I didn’t let you do anything. You were out like a light just as fast as the boys were.”
“You could’ve woken me.” I push against his chest to get him to let go. “I should’ve gone home last night.”
“Sweetheart, if it makes you feel any better, I fell asleep, too. Besides… I’ll take this kink in my neck if it means waking up with you in my arms.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” I swat playfully at his chest.
Pulling me back to lie against him, he whispers, “Maybe next time you stay over, we’ll actually get good sleep.”
“Now, what would be the fun in that?” I tease. “Are you turning into an old man on me?”
This earns me a playful eye roll as he shakes his head. “You may be the death of me yet.”
“Hey now…” I hiss in warning.
“Just five more minutes,” he pleads.
“Let me up to use the bathroom first, and I’ll consider it.”
He squeezes me quickly, then pats my hip. “Go. If we’re lucky, the boys will be asleep for another hour or so.”
By the time I return, Mark is nowhere to be found.
Not knowing what to do, I fold the blanket I used last night.
Maybe I should go?
I’d hate for the boys to wake up and get the wrong impression.
Just as I place the blanket in the hall closet, I feel Mark’s arms snake around my waist. “Uh… Where do you think you’re going? I thought you said we’d snuggle some more.”
Turning around, I wrap my arms around his neck. “You were gone, and well, it felt weird standing there. I’d hate for the boys to get the wrong impression.”
“Hmmm…” he murmurs into my neck. “You smell good.”
“Mark,” I chastise. “What are you doing?”
“Wishing you a good morning.” I hear the smile in his voice, even though I can’t see it. “Will you stay for breakfast? I’m making blueberry pancakes… Are those still your favorite?”
“What will the boys think if they find me in the same clothes?” I point out.
Sighing heavily, he states, “They’re five. I doubt they’ll notice.”
“Mark… they’ll know. Even if they don’t notice, you and I will.”
“It’s a good thing you live next door. Go home. Change, and I’ll start cooking. Coffee will be ready by the time you return.”
His offer sounds enticing.
As I mull over my schedule for the day, I admit, “I guess I don’t have any pressing meetings until this afternoon.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. Even though I think you may be overthinking this, go home and change if it’ll make you feel better. I’m just not ready for our time together to end.”
“Mark, we’re neighbors. It’s not like I’m going that far.”
“Not the point, sweetheart.”
When his eyes lock onto mine, I know with every fiber of my being that he feels whatever this is going on between us as strongly as I do.
If I’m being honest, I’m not ready for my time with him today to end yet, either.
“All right.” I sigh heavily. “Let me go home, shower, and change. Then, I’ll be back for breakfast.”
By the time I return, Mark and the boys are bustling around the kitchen.
He’s put them to work, and they’re cutting up bananas with butter knives, peeling mandarin oranges, and sneaking handfuls of blueberries when they think their papa’s not looking.
The smart man that he is bought two packages of blueberries as if he knew they’d be a hot commodity this morning.
“Look, Faye,” Jason calls for my attention. “This blueberry is huge. You want it?”
“Oh, buddy.” My heart squeezes at his thoughtfulness. When he shoves it in my direction, I have no other option but to say, “Thank you,” and take it.
“Can you go swimmin’ with us today?” Josh asks, handing me a slice of orange. “Here, eat this.”
“Papa’s taking us to our lesson,” Jason chimes in. “We’re going down the big slide today.”
“Wow, that’s really exciting! Are you doing them at the Astoria Aquatic Center?”
“Yeah, they’re swimming at three,” Mark states as he flips another pancake over, then bends to check on the bacon in the oven.
As Jason’s long lashes bat in my direction, guilt crashes through me. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I have meetings this afternoon.”
Jason looks from me to Mark and back, then shakes his head and sighs heavily. “Papa’s tired now. That’s why he goes to our lessons.”
Tired? What’s he talking about?
Before I can fully clock what he’s saying, Mark jumps in, “Yeah, Jay, I’m retired . That means I no longer work for the Air Force.”
That sweet boy cocks his head to the side and narrows his brows. “But Momma said you worked last time.”
“Yeah, that’s why you didn’t see us swim in the deep end,” Josh chimes in.
“Well…” Mark plates the pancakes and turns off the griddle. “That’s right. I was working. But now that I’m retired , I get to pick and choose when I work, so I can make time for our family.”
So, that’s why he mysteriously disappeared for three days.
I’d bet my last dollar it isn’t just a random job either—no, this man is way too tight-lipped to have retired completely. Working in private security or other government agencies would be right up his alley.
Don’t think I don’t notice you avoiding eye contact with me, either, Mark Lancaster.
When he finally glances my way, then back to his grandsons, I make the split-second decision to let it go—for now.
The next time we’re alone, all bets are off.
Pulling the bacon that had been warming in the oven, Mark brings the food to us. “Who’s ready for breakfast?”
“Not sure how much they’ll eat, since they’ve been snacking on fruit more than chopping it,” I muse, looking at the plate of fruit they’ve set out for us.
“These two are always hungry, Faye. I swear, they each have hollow legs because their stomachs surely can’t be this big.”
The boys rock in laughter as they each reach for a pancake. As soon as Mark gives them some bacon, he offers some to me, then sits beside me on a barstool.
“Fresh coffee, crispy bacon, and homemade pancakes? A girl could get used to this,” I tease after taking my first bite. “Mmmm… This is delicious.”
Mark shrugs as he dishes up his own plate. “You’ve got an open invitation. With my family being so close, I keep the fridge stocked and ready for unexpected visitors. With summer in full swing, I do my best to help my girls when I can.”
Maybe I’ve got his situation all wrong, “You watch the kids most days?”
“Only when needed. These two have Becca, their regular sitter, during the weekdays, but she had a family emergency. When Jax isn’t touring or in the studio, he has a lot more flexibility to be with the boys, and Sloane tries to keep regular work hours when she’s in town.”
“So, their dad is a musician?”
“Daddy and Uncle Finn are Ruby Frax.” Josh grins with delight.
Ruby Frax? “What?” I draw out as the pieces slowly click together. “Your daughter is married to Jax Cartwright?”
When Mark nods, I muse to myself, “How did I not know that?”
“I guess it never came up,” Mark says with a shrug.
Then I remember the headlines from a few summers ago. “Wait… Those were your daughters who caused all that commotion with their mistaken identity when the world found out Jax was engaged?”
A low chortle escapes as he nods his head. “Yeah, Raven and Sloane are often mistaken for one another until you get to know them. Much like these two rascals.” He points mischievously at each of the boys.
“I only pretend I’m him sometimes.” Josh giggles guiltily.
“Oh, boy, that’s not good.” I can only imagine the trouble these two will get into when they’re older.
“Wait, that must mean you’re also related to Finn McGowen?”
“Yep, he’s our uncle.” Jason nods. “He’s teachin’ me the drums.”
“What about you, Josh? Are you learning an instrument?”
Sighing, he shakes his head. “Daddy says we both need to learn piano first. When our fingers are bigger, we can learn guitar.”
“Hmmm… Your dad must know what he’s talking about,” I muse. “He’s pretty good at what he does. I caught his concert when I was in London last year.”
Mark’s eyes go wide. “You watched them perform in London?”
“Yeah, I snagged some tickets at the last minute. I’d been wanting to see them when they performed here, but the timing never worked out.”
“We were at that concert.” Mark motions to all three of them. “Hmmmm… Talk about two ships passing in the night.”
What are the odds?
Mark continues as if he didn’t just drop a bomb on me. “We were in one of the VIP suites to keep our rowdy crew contained.”
“I was up in the nosebleed sections. It was so last-minute, I took what I could get. Something just told me I needed to attend, so I went.”
“Hmmm… Interesting,” Mark muses as his eyes lock on mine. “Did you go with anyone?”
“Nope. I was there on business, and an ad popped up on my feed. As someone who travels alone frequently, it didn’t even phase me to go solo.”
“You can come with us next time,” Jason offers.
Oh, this sweet boy will be stealing hearts for years to come with such thoughtfulness.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I assure him. Then I remember Mark has two other girls, whom I know little about. “What about your other girls? I know one is married to the Murdock boy; what about the other?”
“Lanie, my oldest, is married to Ryan. I told you how they met, thanks to Mom. She’s settled here in Seaside and teaches English at the high school. Lizzy, my youngest, teaches elementary in town. She’s married to one of the label execs, Cameron Kruse.”
“Interesting… Did they meet through Ruby Frax?”
“Technically…” he draws out and squints one eye, “they met while she was in college at Portland State. Somehow, they both landed in Seaside that summer, and she ended up being Milli’s nanny.”
“Milli?” I haven’t heard that name yet.
“She’s our cousin,” Josh boasts. “She’s a good swimmer. She can hold her breath for a long time.”
“Is that right?” I ask, completely amused by his excited expression.
“She may have her own pool to practice in, but if you keep working at it, you’ll be just as good as her one day,” Mark points out.
From the determined look in both boys’ expressions, I can tell it’s a challenge they both plan to meet.
Once we finish eating, I help clean up. Mark settles the boys into watching a show about learning letters, then comes to help with the dishes.
“I need to go home and get a few things done before my meeting.”
Glancing at the boys, he says, “I’ll be right back.”
They’re so engrossed in their show, they barely acknowledge Mark’s words. Then he turns to me. “I’ll walk you out.”
As soon as we’re out of sight of the twins, Mark reaches for my hand. “Thanks for coming back over. I hope it wasn’t too chaotic.”
“Are you kidding? I had the best time.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it again?”
Waking up in his arms certainly wasn’t a hardship.
Regretfully, I sigh. “I’ve got a conference call at five a.m. tomorrow morning. I need to bring my A game, so no late night for me today.”
Opening the door so I can step onto the porch, he adds, “I’m not sure when Jax will return, but you’re welcome for dinner again tonight. I promise I’ll send you home in plenty of time to get a good night’s rest.”
As soon as the door shuts behind us, his arm wraps around my hip, and he pulls me close.
Inhaling deeply, I get lost in his masculine scent and rest my head against his chest. “Can I let you know when I’m done with work for the day?
Depending on my call this afternoon, I could be sailing on easy street, or shit’s gone sideways in a nanosecond.
I won’t know until I talk with my client and fully analyze the modifications and specs I created yesterday. ”
Brushing his fingertips along my jaw, he guides me to meet his gaze. “If you have to work… I, of all people, get it. Please know the invitation is out there, and I’d love for you to join us.”
Leaning down, he brushes his lips against mine.
It starts out as an innocent kiss, but the moment I open my mouth to his, a tsunami of heat flows between us. One of Mark’s hands snakes into my hair and tilts my head in just the right angle that I’m completely consumed by him.
Every nip, suck, and stroke of his tongue makes me crave him more.
God, how I wish I could stay wrapped in his arms until the end of eternity.
There’s something about being with him that has me wishing for things I haven’t thought of in years. He makes me wish for more, and I’m not ready to think about how I feel as a result.
Nope, I just want to stay in the here and now and not waste the gift of our paths crossing again.
When a car horn blasts from a distance, I’m brought back to reality, making my brain register— we’re in public . His grandkids are just on the other side of that door, and the last thing either of us needs is for them to seek him out and catch us making out like randy teenagers.
Mark must feel the moment my brain returns to the reality we’re living in because he, too, slows our kiss and eventually breaks it.
The heat in his eyes could make a smart woman like me do very stupid things.
“I-I gotta get going….” I sputter regretfully.
“Can I see you again later?” Mark asks, slowly wiping his thumb over my swollen lips.
“I’ll let you know when I’m done with my calls,” I whisper, wishing I could give him a definitive answer.
“Okay, sweetheart, you do that.”
Pushing me back, he grips my shoulders and turns me toward my house.
“Go… Kick ass and conquer the world. I’ll be here waiting when you’re done!”