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  He leaves me, giving me more time to think. I have never been a person who believes in love at first sight. I have been hurt too many times. I’m only twenty-four, and I’ve have had my heart broken twice. I was never one of those girls who had boyfriends at school. I kept to myself.

  I tidy up a bit and put the last film into the machine, ready for when Mark returns. I sit back down on the sofa and check my messages. I know what Jenny’s like, and she’s forever texting me.

  OMG, he’s so in to you. Have you kissed him? Xx

  I can’t do anything but laugh. Trust her to want all the juicy details.

  Yeah I’ve kissed him. Are we still hitting the shops tomorrow? Xx

  I hear a knock on the door. I walk over to the door to see Mark. He is back already with the food. That was very quick. I smile and move to the side, letting him back in. He places the food onto the counter and quickly dishes it out onto plates. I stand near the table, watching him. He seems like such a happy man. I sit back down on the sofa, making sure I am comfortable as he told me to do. I don’t often do as I’m told; I’m usually the one in control. Mark comes over with the food, sits down next to me, and starts the film.

  Whose bright idea was it to leave the horror movie until this time of the night? I’m not a person who gets easily scared, but this one is a scary film. I find myself grabbing the cushion from next to me to hide behind. Mark takes hold of my plate, puts it onto the coffee table, and pulls me closer to him. I can hear him tittering at me.

  “Hey! Be nice. It’s a scary film,” I protest.

  “I know it is, baby, I’ll keep you safe.” There it is again. Baby. We are friends. I am not his baby.

  I sit there in his arms, watching the film and feeling safe, the safest I have ever felt with a man. I know nothing will happen between us. I know it will just be a couple of days and that’s it. I don’t want this time together to end. Part of me wants to tell him to leave, but the other part wants me to ask him to stay, to stay with me.

  “Mark, would you like to stay the night? It’s almost midnight. I don’t want you crashing your car driving home.”

  I can’t believe I just said that. I’m not usually so forward.

  “I will if you want me to. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

  “You’re not sleeping on the sofa. I’m sure we can be adults and share the bed. No groping me, though.”

  Mark’s cheeky smile reappears. “I’ll try my best not to grope you.” He winks.

  I have to laugh. I get up and head over to the drawers to get my pyjamas.

  “I’m going to get changed for bed.”

  Mark gets up from the sofa and walks over to me.

  “Sleep in this.” He takes off his T-shirt and passes it to me. He has an amazing body with a tanned six-pack. I want to touch him, to caress his toned abdomen, but I don’t, and I keep my hands to myself.

  “Okay,” I reply. His suggestion caught me off guard, and I don’t know what else to say.

  I turn back to the chest-of-drawers and find a matching set of underwear, white lace French knickers and a bra. Mark’s T-shirt is very long, so it should look okay. I make my way to the bathroom. I have a quick wash and then get dressed for bed. I brush my teeth and then my hair, making sure I look okay, even though I’m only going to bed. I pull his T-shirt then a dressing gown. I walk back into the other room to see Mark sitting on the sofa with the folder from his house on his knees.

  I walk up behind him. “Hey, you’re busy working again.” Mark jumps and covers the folder with his hands.

  “Something like that. Nice robe.” He winks with his cheeky smile.

  “What are you hiding, Mark?”

  “Nothing at all, Megan,” he replies.

  “Are you sure?”

  Mark moves his hand to reveal a beautiful drawing of me.

  “Just something I enjoy doing when I have the time.”

  “It’s beautiful. Is art your career?”

  I stand there, looking at this amazing picture with such intricate detail. It’s so life-like, like looking at a photograph. I can’t believe how much like me it is.

  “No, I’m an entrepreneur. I own Reed Enterprises.”

  “Wow, you’re a Big-Wig then?” I might have to look up this company. I choose to change the conversation as I feel uncomfortable talking about such things.

  “So what do you want to do? I’m thinking of going to bed and relaxing.”

  “I’m happy to do anything you want, baby. Snuggling in bed sounds like a great idea to me,” Mark says.

  “Well, it is past midnight, so I think bed is the best idea.” Mark gets up and turns off the television. He takes the duvet off me and places it onto the bed. While he does this, I switch on the bedside lamp. I put my phone on charge, remembering to set the alarm for eight o’clock.

  I remove the dressing gown and climb into bed, trying not to look and see what he is doing. I just hope he’s not watching me. The thought of that makes me blush. Mark climbs into bed on the other side. I snuggle down in the bed and face Mark. I smile at him, and he places his hand on my bump.

  “Night, ‘Bump’. Goodnight, Megan.” Mark leans over and kisses me on my cheek.

  “Night, Mark.” How sweet he is. He considered “Bump”.

  I snuggle farther down in the bed and suddenly realize that Mark is naked. I can see his manhood, and to curb any further thoughts, I roll away from him onto my side. I am surprised when Mark snuggles in close behind me, my back pressed against his chest and his arm over me. I am sure I did not say I would snuggle, yet I feel safe. However, I still can’t believe he has on no underwear.

  Chapter 8

  It’s seven fifteen in the morning, and I can’t remember the last time I slept for so long or as comfortably. I can feel Mark's breath on my neck. His arm is still around me, with his hand resting just above my bump. I wonder what time Mark has to be at work. I hear Mark's phone go off again. That is the third time since I woke up. I move slowly onto my back, and Mark moves over.

  He looks so peaceful in his slumber, almost angelic. I could lie here and watch him sleep all day if I had my way.

  “Mark, wake up. Your phone keeps going off.”

  Mark groans, “Morning, beautiful, what’s the time?”

  “Morning, it’s seven twenty.”

  Mark reaches over to his phone and checks his messages. I slide out of bed, grab the dressing gown and slip my arms through the sleeves before heading to the bathroom. I return to the bed about five minutes later. I slide back into bed, keeping the dressing gown on. Mark is sitting up in bed, studiously looking at his mobile.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Sorry, yeah, everything’s fine. Just another busy day.”

  “Don’t apologize if you need to get a move on and go to work,” I state.

  “I will. I just want to cuddle with you first.” Mark smiles, putting down his mobile. Mark slides his arm around me, pulling me closer. I smile, moving to him.

  “So, what are your plans for today, Megan?”

  “Jenny and I are off shopping.”

  “For the wedding?” Mark asks, and I nod my head.

  “Don’t you need to get going, Mark?”

  I don’t want to appear to be pushing him away, but he’s needed at work by the sounds of it.

  “I do. Is it okay if I use the shower?” Mark smiles and kisses me on the forehead.

  “Of course.”

  Mark jumps out of bed, walks across the room to the bathroom without covering anything. I shield my face after having a sly look. Wow, what a bum. I can feel myself starting to flush. He is so fit.

  “You don't have to hide, Megan. Have a good look.” Mark laughs, going into the bathroom. I feel my face turning red. My phone goes off, and as I expected, it’s Jenny messaging me yet again.

  Morning, meet me downstairs at about nine and we’ll get some breakfast. Hope you are well. I need the gossip. Xx

  Morning Jenny, that sounds perfect to me. I am
starving. X

  Mark walks back into the room, wearing a towel around his waist. What is it with men looking so sexy when they are wet? He sits on the side of the bed and pulls on his jeans, and I realize I’m still wearing his T-shirt. I slide off the dressing gown, being in the bed I don’t feel so exposed.

  “Do you want this, Mark?” I pull his T-shirt over my head. Mark keeps his eyes on me as I remove it, seeing his face light up while that cheeky smile appears.

  “Wow, Megan.” I feel myself turning redder.

  “Get dressed, Mark. You better get your cute bum to work,” I state as I throw his top at him.

  “Megan, did you check me out?” he asks playfully.

  “Of course, I did.” I cover my face with the sheets. I can’t believe I took my top off in front of him and admitted to checking him out.

  “Do you want to have breakfast before I leave?” Mark asks.

  “I’m meeting Jenny for breakfast.”

  “Okay, sexy, I’ll get something at work,” Mark replies, winking at me.

  “You best do. You need to eat.” Mark climbs onto the bed and crawls towards me. He plants his lips on mine, and I let his tongue slide into my mouth. Our tongues dance within each other's mouths.

  Mark leaves, giving me time to get ready to see Jenny. I opt for jeans and a cream jumper. I have fifteen minutes until I meet Jenny, and I head down to the lobby, find a seat and decide to look up Reed Enterprises on my phone. I need to know more about the man who spent the night in my bed.

  Reed Enterprises

  Reed Enterprises was created by the youngest son of Andrew Oliver Reed and Heather Elizabeth Reed (nee Glenn). Mark Oliver Reed is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Reed. Mark’s siblings are Amelia and Craig Oliver Reed. The family resides in the plush suburbs of London.

  Mark Reed created Reed Enterprises at the age of twenty after graduating university where he obtained a degree in Business & Business Finance.

  Reed Enterprises is a rapidly growing concern which currently has a wide network of business interests beneath its corporate umbrella.

  The young and enthusiastic entrepreneur is always on the lookout for his next deal though. He is taking time out later this year to concentrate on charity work.

  I look up from my phone to see Jenny. I’m so happy to see her, and I thrust my phone at her. “Jenny, please read this.” I sit there while Jenny reads.

  “Is that the Mark from the bar? The one you spent the day with?” Jenny asks while smiling at me.

  “Yes, it is.”

  We walk to the café next door, order our food and sit down. While we wait for our breakfasts to be made, we spend time gossiping about Mark and what happened yesterday. I find out all about what Jenny and Rich did yesterday. Our food arrives, and we start to eat. I hear my phone go off.

  Hey Megan, how was breakfast? Is Jenny all right? X

  “It's Mark. He’s asking if you’re okay?”

  We are so close and tell each other everything. I can trust her with everything because she’s like the sister I never had. She seems to like Mark. Why do I still have these doubts? I know I need to protect myself. I need to think of “Bump”, and then there’s the fact that we live at other ends of the country. In the real world, this wouldn’t work, no matter how much I want it to.

  Jenny and I leave the café and spend a full day shopping. We find everything we need. We are having lunch with Rich, and I plan to leave Jenny and him after lunch so that they can have some time together.

  After a very nice lunch, I say my farewells and head back towards the hotel. As I walk, I can’t help myself, so I check my phone to see if Mark has texted me. I see several alerts and smile when I see that he has indeed been texting me. It feels good to be wanted.

  10:10: Megan, it does not matter to me what I do in my life. I like you. Okay? X

  11:30: Megan are you ignoring me or just busy X

  12:50: Where are you? I need to talk to you X

  13:34: Please meet me. X

  It’s two in the afternoon, and my wandering the congested streets of the capital has left me lost. I have no idea where the hotel is, and I stop and look around and realize where I am. Whether I knew on a subconscious level, or it’s just a coincidence I know not, but I am outside Mark’s workplace. I notice his car, parked nearby and I start to worry. I don’t want Mark to see me. It’s the last thing I want. Right now I just need to think, to clarify my thoughts and feelings. We are meant to be just friends, but I know I have feelings for him, that I like him. The thought of being hurt again is a constant reminder of why I am reticent to get involved romantically.

  “Hello, Miss, how are you? Are you here to see Mr. Reed?” A voice asks from behind me. I slowly turn around to see it’s Connor. He looks all business in a black suit, white shirt, lilac tie and polished shoes.

  “Hi, Connor, and please call me Megan. I... ah, I’m okay, thanks. How are you?” I ask, avoiding what he wants to know.

  “Great, thanks for asking. I think you should come and see Mr. Reed. He’s worried about you.”

  “That’s okay, Connor. Really, I’ll just send him a quick text.”

  "Okay, Miss, I better get going,” Connor says, and I absentmindedly wish him a good day as he disappears into the building.

  I send Mark a quick text.

  I’m fine, why do you want to meet?

  I start walking slowly down the street. I can see why he has chosen this part of the city to have his headquarters. The view is spectacular. It’s not built up like the rest of the city. It is quiet. There are so many little benches around a waterfall and a nice little grassy area farther ahead. Overall, it’s a very tranquil place to sit during your lunch break. My phone goes off, and I see Mark has replied.

  Megan anywhere just to talk. Please x

  I’m near your workplace right now.

  Wait for me please Megan. X

  I sit down on one of the benches near the waterfall and wait. I soon see Mark walking towards me. He’s wearing what he left the hotel in earlier this morning, and he looks sexy as all hell.

  “Oh, God, baby.” Mark sits next to me on the bench.

  “Hello, Mark,” He looks so relieved and yet so worried.

  “Okay, let's get this over with...yes, I’m loaded. I can afford anything I want, and I suppose it would be easy to use my wealth to get any woman I want. From the moment I saw you walk into that bar, I knew I wanted you. I understand we live hundreds of miles apart and that you’re pregnant. It’s not an ideal situation by any means, but I want to at least try. Please?”

  I do not say anything. I place my head down, and I can’t look at him. I feel my eyes start to well up with tears, and then they slowly roll down my cheek. Mark tries to place his arm around me and bring our bodies in. I will not let him move me. He sits, rubbing my back and asking me to talk to him, to let him in, begging with me. “Oh, Megan, please, talk to me, please. Baby, I need you.”

  “I should have told you to start with, who I was, that I own a huge company. I never meant to hurt you. Please, Megan, I'll finish work now, and we can go do what you want.”

  I take a deep breath, “No, finish work. I'll be okay. Yes, you should have told me, but it will not work, the distance, the fact you’re needed here, I am needed there.”

  “Come in, please. Wait inside for me, please. I want us to talk. It’s getting cold out here. I am not letting you go back to the hotel alone. Mark places his hand on mine.

  “Okay,” I state. I have no energy to argue with him.

  Mark takes hold of my hand and my bag and takes me into the building up to his office. Neither of us says a word; I can’t even look at him. We take the lift to the seventh floor, stepping out into a large lounge walking through it to his office. Inside his office is exactly the same layout to his one at home. It has an equally as good view from the window.

  “Relax, baby,” Mark says, placing my bags onto the floor beside the sofa. I don’t look at him. “Make yourself at home.�
�� I do as he says and sit myself down on the sofa. Letting Mark get on with his work, I realize I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to talk to him. I reach into my bag and get a book out, sitting there reading. “I did not publish that book if that helps,” Mark adds. I laugh, not looking up at him. “No, she is a self-published amazing author. Great friend, great story, too.”

  “I didn’t know you had a passion for reading, Megan,” Mark states. I look up to see him, sitting on the corner of his desk and looking at me. “There is a lot of stuff you don’t know yet. I love to read. It is one of my many passions,” I tell him before letting my eyes drop back down to the book. I feel slightly uncomfortable. I bring my legs up onto the sofa and curl up. Gazing up at Mark, he is typing on his laptop, looking busy. I want to leave, but I know he is not going to let me go.

  Next thing I know, I see Mark is not at his desk. He is standing at the door, talking to a female because I can hear her voice. I look down and see his jacket covers me. I must have fallen asleep. It was nice of him to cover me. Mark walks back into the room with a folder and places it onto the clear desk, smiling at me. “I did it again. Fell asleep. Sorry,” I admit as Mark sits on the edge of the sofa. “It’s okay. I have finished all the work I need to do. We can go back to the hotel now.” Mark places a kiss onto my forehead. I don’t move.

  Mark drives up the gravel driveway to his house. He stated he needs to drop something off here. Refusing to take me back to the hotel, he is so determined that we should talk. I still cannot believe the size of this house. I love this house, such a fantastic building and view. I would hate to clean it though. Questioning Mark on the way to the house, needing to break the silence, I find out his house has eight bedrooms all with an en-suite bathroom, two other bathrooms, two studies, one on each floor and a large lounge come kitchen come dinner. Mark wanted to cook for me, no way of doing that at the hotel. It is somewhat sweet. I am feeling funny, and I do need to eat something.

  We head into the house. I sit on the bar stool in Mark’s kitchen on one side of the light wooden island while Mark is on the other. I watch him take off his jacket, leaving just his white tight shirt on. The same T-shirt I had worn the night before.