Page 67 of Christmas in Whitehorn
“Later,” Rafe said, just as his phone rang.
Mark returned to his office. There weren’t that many people around—the week between Christmas and New Year’s was traditionally slow. He plowed through paperwork until his eyes burned, then headed for home.
The duplex was dark when he pulled up. Darcy had a rare dinner shift and wouldn’t be home until later. He let himself into his place, only to stand in his empty living room and wish he could be next door with her. He wanted to curl up with her on her sofa, admiring her fat Christmas tree and eating something that she’d baked. He wanted to listen to her laughter, get lost in her conversation and try to talk himself out of making love with her.
Despite the fact that he’d avoided her bed for the past week or so, he hadn’t stopped wanting her. In fact he wanted her more than he ever had. But something had changed between them and until he figured out what it was, he planned on staying clear of the sensual playground that was making love with Darcy.
He flicked on lights, then headed for the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Maybe he should have stopped at the Hip Hop for dinner. At least then he could have seen Darcy.
He leaned against the counter and took a long drink. He was home now. Instead of heading back out, he’d wait for her to return. Knowing her, she would probably bring him leftovers. They’d eat them together. Then—
He paced restlessly. Then, what? He walked the length of his living room before returning to the dining room. He had too many questions and no answers. Darcy was an amazing woman. She’d managed to keep herself and her brother afloat financially for the past five years. He knew she worried about Dirk. While her brother would eventually be able to be on his own in the world, he would never be a hundred percent self-sufficient. Someone would always need to be nearby. That person was going to be Darcy.
Whoever was in her life would be signing up for more than the usual responsibilities.
Mark turned that thought over in his mind. Was the reality of her situation enough to scare him away, or did he think it wouldn’t be such hard duty? He liked Dirk—the kid was a lot of fun. What would it be like when that kid was a forty-year-old man? What about if Dirk wanted to get married and have children?
Mark waited for his gut to tell him to head for the hills. He didn’t need that kind of trouble. And yet he knew the restlessness he felt inside had nothing to do with wanting to avoid Darcy and her situation. If anything he felt compelled to offer a strong shoulder. Shared burdens were always easier.
He walked to the window and stared out at the lightly falling snow. At one time he would have reminded himself that he’d already been down this road and it was way too dangerous to tread. But he’d learned his lesson. Darcy wasn’t Sylvia. She never had been. Darcy was the most honest, trustworthy person he knew.
He’d made one really big mistake. Both he and Sylvia had paid for it. Maybe it was time to let the past go. The future was far more important.Darcywas more important.
In his previous relationship, he’d felt a flash of emotion. Something hot and immediate had convinced him Sylvia was the one. He hadn’t felt that with Darcy. Oh, there’d been plenty of sexual combustion, but his heart had been slower to engage.
His feelings had grown slowly. Cautious liking, turning to respect and affection. And now…
Now he didn’t know. He cared about Darcy a lot. He wanted her in his life. Did that make his feelings real? Did he love her? Did he want forever?
* * *
Darcy arrived home with a bag full of leftovers and sore feet. She hadn’t been scheduled to go in until two, but one of the waitresses had called in sick, so she’d been at the Hip Hop since eight that morning. A thirteen-hour shift wasn’t her idea of a good time.
As she pulled into her carport, she saw lights on in Mark’s place and his silhouette in the front window. Before she’d done more than turn off the engine, he was at her door, opening it and pulling her into a hug.
“I missed you,” he said, then kissed her with an intensity that left her breathless.
She responded, hoping that she could persuade him to take her to bed. She wasn’t the least bit sleepy, but she could sure do with an hour or two of incredible lovemaking. But instead of taking the hint, he took a step back and inhaled.
“Do I smell fried chicken?”
“Absolutely. It was the special tonight. I brought mashed potatoes and green beans, too.” She gave him a mock glare to cover her disappointment that once again he wasn’t interested in physical intimacy.
“I can’t wait.” He leaned over and grabbed the bags on the passenger seat, then closed the door and put his arm around her. They walked into her apartment.
Twenty minutes later they’d eaten most of the chicken and potatoes. Darcy pushed the container of green beans toward Mark.
“Two tablespoons’ worth isn’t a serving.”
“It is to me.”
“You’ll get scurvy.”
“I take a multivitamin every morning.”
“Is this before or after you clog your arteries with your heart-attack-inducing breakfast?”
“Before.” He gave her a smile that showed no remorse. “I’m changing the subject. How was your day?”
