My Life

==== Chapter Six - Mark ====

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I didn't know what was going on between Nat and Sheila, but I planned on finding out tonight at dinner. I knew Nat had been trying to warn me away from Sheila. His body language practically screamed MINE. Luckily, I didn't give a rat's ass what Nat's body was trying to tell me. I didn't believe in poaching, but Sheila didn't act as if there was anything romantic between her and Nat. That made it an open race as far as I was concerned.

It had been a very long time since any woman had interested me the way Sheila did. She had a way of cocking her head to the side while staring into a person's eyes that made you feel as if she could see to the bottom of your soul. It also didn't hurt that she had the legs of a 40's pinup model.

Sheila was wearing a summer dress when I picked her up. I had told her to dress casually since I wanted to take her down to the marina for a walk on the boardwalk before sunset. I was never one for dinner-and-a-movie on a date. When I went out with a woman, it was because I enjoyed her company and wanted to talk to her. It's hard to talk to a woman in the middle of a feature film.

Sheila seemed a bit preoccupied when I picked her up, but quickly got into the conversation. She was warm, funny and had a sharp wit that turned me on. I was also glad to see that her ankle appeared to be good as new.

I decided to pounce while we were sitting on an old park bench watching a dog and his kid play in the surf.

"What's the connection with Nat? I don't see any family resemblance."

Sheila laughed, as I had intended. "Nat? He's a friend of the family. He's been best friends with my brother Todd since they were 10 or 11. He offered to be my - how did he put it? - oh yeah, my pack mule yesterday since none of my brothers could be there to help me move in.”

I cut my eyes to Sheila at the mention of brothers again.

“I’m not sure I like the way you say that. Just how many brothers do you have? And are any of them likely to beat me up for drooling over their sister?”


Sheila slanted a frankly sensuous look from the corner of her eyes before replying.

“Depends on where you’re drooling.” She laughed before continuing. “I have 5 brothers. All older. All overprotective. Are you scared?”

Ah, a challenge. I could very easily fall for this woman and her teasing sensuality.

“Five?!” I faked a gulp before lowering my voice. “They’re not here right now waiting to protect your honor, are they?”

Sheila played along by looking around theatrically. “God I hope not. I’d sure hate to miss having my honor besmirched.”

What did I say? A sharp wit that turned me on.

“All right. Tell me about these brothers who are going to make a Hot Pocket out of my body.”

Sheila grinned and started ticking names and statistics off on her fingers.

"Randy is 32 years old and a captain in the Army. He's stationed in Korea for the next 2 months. Todd is 30 years old and an engineer. Ronnie is 28 and just started with the local sheriff's office. David and Michael are twins - 26 and in their final year of medical residency. David wants to be a pediatrician and Michael likes the ER"

"Whew. That's some list. Thank goodness there's not a wrestler in the bunch. And you say that Nat is a friend of one of your brothers?" I was interested in learning about Sheila's family, but I had an agenda.

"Yeah. Nat and Todd own an engineering firm here in town. It's small, but doing remarkably well." Sheila's pride in her brother's firm was obvious.

"Sooo..." I glanced at Sheila to check her reaction, "How long has Nat been a spurned lover?"

Sheila's jaw dropped and I saw her eyes widen before she started to choke. I knew it was just surprise that gave her such a strong reaction, so I only patted her on the back until she could breathe again. I wasn't about to let her get away without answering me though. For some reason, it was important.

Sheila remained quiet for a moment after she caught her breath. She kept her eyes averted and suddenly I knew that I wasn't going to like her answer.

"Whatever do you mean, Mark? Nat and I aren't lovers." She finally looked up at me and her voice gained strength. "We never have been and probably never will be. He's just a friend of the family."

My mind swirled around the way Sheila had said that. I believed her when she said that her and Nat had never been lovers. There was too much conviction in her voice for her to have been lying. That didn't mean that I believed the part about Nat just being a friend of the family. I had seen the look in his eye when he looked at Sheila and I knew what a possessive man looked like. Nat had all the characteristics of a man staking his claim. And whether or not Sheila was aware of it, she was interested herself.

I gave Sheila a disbelieving look, but let her change the subject when she asked about dinner.

"Yes, ma'am. I never try to starve a beautiful woman. How do you feel about seafood? There's a great tiny place just up the street that serves the most fabulous hush puppies you've ever eaten."

Just like that things reverted to normal. Sheila smiled and easily took my hand when I reached for it. I could sense her preoccupation several times during dinner though and I thought I had a good idea of its root.

By the time I got Sheila back to her door, it was getting a bit late. We'd stayed at the restaurant for a couple of hours just talking. We diverged on our opinions just enough to keep the conversation lively.

I waited until Sheila had the key in her lock before speaking.

"I had a great time with you tonight. You're going to be a really great friend, Sheila. I'm very glad that you moved in across the hall."

Having said that, I tipped up her chin and proceeded to kiss her the way I had wanted to since seeing her sprawled on the ground with boxes all around her.

Her lips were moist and silky and felt like heaven to me. I tried to keep it soft, just gently laving the seam of her lip until she gasped. Even then I didn't take total advantage, but gently inserted my tongue just a bit inside her mouth before pulling back to suck lightly on her bottom lip and then running my tongue along her lip. Each dip went a little further into her mouth until Sheila was completely open to me. Her hands clutched my biceps, clenching every so often. By the time I pulled back, Sheila's lips were slightly swollen and she had a dazed look in her eyes.

I carried that look with me as I gently maneuvered her to just inside her apartment, dropping the keys onto an entry table. I gave myself one last press against her lips before leaving. Her response was a balm to my bruised male ego.

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