MAD ABOUT MARK

Mark stood up to hug yet another great aunt at yet another family gathering. It had been two years since the last time he was here. From what was said; last years was very uneventful, mainly just the older crowd talking about the good old days. Nah, last year Mark went to Australia and backpacked the east coast. He was shocked to bump into his cousins in Sydney. Ben and Sam still looked the same, except for the matching wedding bands that his dad made him get up at 4 am to drive into town for. And the thanks he got for that was he couldn't give the Best Man's speech. One comment about his new wife's hot ass and the plug was pulled. The three of them had a lot of fun in Sydney for the four days their paths crossed. The hours were spent feeling the lay of the land and the nights were spend it dives and underground clubs or going back to the motel for some hot fun. Well, Mark assumed by the wall he shared with them that there was a lot of hot fun going on.

He however could not be bothered. Something that happened at that wedding two years ago changed him. Mark could no longer find the pleasure in a night in some nameless body's arms. His friends even went so far as to say Mark was developing a type. He always denied it, however he knew it was true. His last few attempts at a relationship went horrible. Physically they were all knockouts, and curiously, all dark brown hair and light blue eyes. They always got a rise out of him below the belt, but none of them made him feel anything extraordinary. None of the women challenged him or would shove him butt first into a swamp or pour beer down his back if he was being a jerk. At the last thoughts, Mark's mind drifted to where it always went...Amanda. That weekend two years ago was very unusual and surreal, but the time he spent with her was more meaningful then any of the food named bimbos he last spent any time with.

"Well if it isn't the ol' coyote looking for some scraps." A low voice called from behind.

Mark whipped around to see Ben grinning from ear to ear. "How's it going cuz." He gave Ben a masculine combo of hug and back pat. "Fire still going?"

"Take a look yourself!" Ben smiled at pointed behind him.

Mark turned to see a very pregnant Samantha hugging his mother. "You knocked her up?" The words tumbled out as Mark felt a hard slap to the back of his head.

"That's my wife you're talking about. But yeah, she is pregnant, twins." Ben admitted; smiling like only an expectant father can.

Mark took in the rest of Ben, his relaxed posture and confident smile, spoke of a man that was truly happy. Good for him. Mark thought to himself. He was still watching Sam when she began to move along the path with his mom. Behind her stood Amanda. If Sam was ever the Betty, Amanda was now the Veronica. In the last two years, she shed the last of her baby fat and grew another four inches. Her striking Celtic appearance and flawless complexion depicted a woman who had recently turned nineteen and step into her new skin. Sitting and talking with Amanda was one of the few times he could say he connected with someone. Family, friends, co-workers, didn't matter; he could not find many who actually got his sense of humour. Mark watched as Amanda scanned the crowd of bustling relatives. When her eyes finally locked with his, he was met with a look of suspicion. At that his lips turned up in a confident smile. "What is it that you think I am up to?" Mark hollered while he swaggered over.

A dark brow arched at the response. "When you're around it can't be good." She replied.

Mark came to a stop in front of her. He took in her stance. The look was a cross of defiance and relaxation. "You filled out well." He grinned.

Amanda shot him a murderous look. "Cut the bullshit. You're happy to see me and you actually want to give me a hug."

"I am happy to see you, wish I could see more of you." He winked. Mark picked up Amanda and swung her around, not stopping when he heard her squeal of surprise.

"You're a jackass. Just because Sam wanted to go pickin' from the family tree does not mean I have any intention of doing so." She warned.

"Then don't pick the fruit, just squeeze it for firmness." Mark grinned. He missed this banter. She was the only one who did not try and smile politely or just walk away. She gave as good as she got. She was right, she was nothing like Sam. Where Sam was always extroverted and athletic, Amanda was always introverted and graceful. Sam did sports while Amanda danced. They got along as sisters do, their differences in lifestyles help keep the aggression out.

"I should warn you. I think they plan to make you Godfather. I am going to be the Godmother. Something about Australia has made them talk about you differently." Amanda eyed him.

"Oooh Godfather, eh? Does that mean I will get to wear a pinstripe suit and boss everyone around?" Mark's eyes went to the swollen tummy attached to his cousin. The idea of being in charge of two orphaned babies sounded like a bad chick flick to him.

"Wow I think I just saw honest fear! Do kids frighten you? How do you know you're not a daddy already?" Amanda threw at him.

Mark was getting tired of the stud jokes and he could think of one way to make them end fast. Doing a quick glance, he could see the light blue, girl cut, board shorts were covering tie up bikini bottoms. Glance at her neck made clear the ties keeping her bikini top up. With no pockets to be concerned about, Mark knew what he was about do was very dangerous yet very safe.

Amanda's eyes grew wide. "Ooooh no!" She began to back up.

Mark threw Amanda over his shoulder before she had a chance to turn and run. He could feel her small fists thumping his back. Her curse words were muffled by the clothes near her face and the fact she was talking into his ass. Mark walked with purpose towards the dock. His 6'6 stature with a strong 230 build made him the focal point of any crowd. Draping the 5'10 Amanda over his shoulder made him that much more an attention grabber. "That will be enough of that!" He growls as he tosses her into the cool lake. Mark turned and bowed to the chorus of applause. Soon many of the younger cousins came rushing, wanting to get in on the horseplay. Mark tried explaining, but had to take turns tossing the pre-teens into the water and pretending to struggle with their light weight. He had to admit he was enjoying himself and even let them dunk him a few times. When he began to look around, he noticed that everyone was getting ready for dinner. Mark could feel the surprise on his face that he was spending all this time roughhousing with the boys instead of telling bawdy jokes or listening to one of his grandpa's long tales. Soon Mary, a mother of one of the boys came to the dock to retrieve her son. He was surprised by the kind smile in her eyes since she normally gave off an air of barely tolerating him. "Mary."

"You seem to be having fun with the boys. I think no one was as surprised as Amanda. She is still plotting her revenge you know." Mary smiled mischievously.

"Wouldn't be a family get together if Amanda wasn't plottin' revenge. Now does she succeed? Usually not. So I'm not really worried about it." Mark's cocky grin was firmly in place at the notion.

"I remember a few summers ago you walking back from the Sauna butt naked because of a little prank that you pulled." Mary replied pointedly.

Mark shook his head at the recollection. He had indeed pissed off Amanda. While she was changing into her swimsuit, he took her entire duffle and sealed it in a waterproof container and weighted it with an anchor and pitched it off the dock. Took her three hours to figure out where it was located and another hour to get it back. It was a long and frustrating scenario that Mark has prided himself on ever since. She however retaliated with stealing his clothes outside the sauna and leaving just a washcloth. Being a man of his stature, it covered less than a fig leaf. When he got back to camp there were a lot of hoots of laughter and flashes of cameras. Amanda was nowhere to be found. He didn't know if that was good, considering his state of undress. The next day he was out trying to decide if he'd be cutting some sort of window into that steam bath or a clothes rack on the inside somewhere. Mark didn't find out until the next day where Amanda hid his clothes since she took the 4-wheeler all the way back to her own cottage and left him to wear his father's pants, which would not be so bad if his father was not a good six inches shorter. Mark came out of his trip down memory lane by the feel of a soft hand on his shoulder. He was surprised to see Sam trying to get his attention.

"You better get some food before all the runts take the good stuff." She smiled.

"I haven't said congrats yet have I?" He asked, giving his cousin a warm hug.

Sam pulled back and looked up at Mark. "Really? That is what you are going with? No knock up jokes or weird disfiguration comments?" She eyed sceptically.

"If anything you and Ben will create ridiculously gorgeous kids. Hopefully you have girls so that I can watch Ben freak out trying to keep little teenage versions of me from hittin' on them." Mark smiled playfully.

"Oh yeah, if they are girls then I have no doubt we will be doing everything possible to make sure they stay virgins until they are 40." Sam laughed as they strolled towards the camp.

Amanda watched as her sister and Mark headed towards her. She smiled as she watched Sam lift her shirt a bit so he could feel the babies kick. His wide eyed expression made her laugh out loud.

"He's different this year, eh?" Amanda's mother whispered. Not noticing the sudden jolt she gave her daughter.

"I noticed he seems calmer, kind of at peace." Amanda agreed.

"I know that look. I was friends with your father long before we started dating, and it wasn't till he started looking the same way that anything happened between us." She paused thoughtfully. "Ben actually had the same attitude a few years ago. When he and Sam became...he and Sam." She chuckled.

"I don't think Mark settles down. He is like a sled dog, always ready to run." Amanda speculated. The conversation ended when Sam and Mark joined them at their picnic table. The perpetual jukebox in her head snapped over to "I want you (she's so heavy)" the cover from the soundtrack Across the Universe. The pull she felt in her chest made her choke on her bite of supper. After a coughing fit that was subdued by a few sips of water, Amanda raised her eyes to the curious looks from her family. When she met eyes with Mark, she felt that tug again. Newly 19 and without any boyfriends or lovers, Amanda could only assume she was feeling desire. If the look in Mark's eyes mirrored hers, then he was feeling some his way as well. She shook her head at the whole ridiculousness of the situation. Mark was tall, toned and more handsome then anyone had a right to be. He had a dusting of tattoos on his arms and back from places he had visited around the world. His versions of souvenirs made some of the older folks itch, but Amanda wanted to trace each with her fingertips. His eyes were a clear light grey, almost silver. Dropping down to his lips, they were firm and well sculpted masculine lips. Ones she was dying to try out. Amanda felt as though someone had slapped her in the face with the shock of that notion.

"Amanda...are you okay?" Mark asked, his brows knit with concern.

"I'm fine; the food is a little spicy is all." Amanda pasted on her best fake smile. She could not believe she was having fantasies about this man again. She had a childhood crush on her charismatic older cousin when she was not trying to kill him. He made the occasional rude comment that let her know he noticed, but he never went further than that. Until the summer Sam got married and she thought he was going to kiss her. Sam and Ben had run off to bed and a lot of the older ones and younger ones were all in bed. They had lain out on the pontoon boat and looked at the stars, staying close enough to the bonfire to keep away the mosquitoes. The conversation had turned into hours of talking about anything. As if by not looking at each other they weren't really telling their secrets. Like a confessional but with the balmy summer night and crickets to remind them. At a point he did turn as if he was contemplating another form of intimacy, however he stood up rather abruptly and helped her along with him. Amanda knew there were a million reasons why that was for the best, although she always wondered if those million things weren't in their way if he would have kissed her. The ambient music in the background grew with the people approaching the dirt dance floor. Amanda yelped at the harsh jab to her ribs by her mother. "What the hell?" She squeaked.

"Why don't you dance with Mark, you're the only one here who does not make it look like he is pleasured at the same time that he dances." She grinned.

"Mom that is just wrong. He is dancing with Nana right now." Amanda looked over to where Mark was currently in the center of the dance floor with her 94 year old great grandmother. Nana was around 5'7 in her youth, but has now shrunken to just under 5'. Amanda had to admit...it looked like she was trying to perform on her great grandson. "That is just really wrong. It's not my fault he is a giant and every woman is at buckle height for him." She repeated.

"What, are you saying that you, the dancer is not going to dance?" Her mother asked sceptically.

Amanda eyed her mother closely. "Are you trying to fix up Mark and I?" Her voice full of shock and mild disgust. Her only response was an arched eyebrow. "He is my cousin, I would prefer to fish outside my gene pool." She whispered harshly.

"Oh please he is your 3rd cousin at the most. Almost half the city is your third cousin if you consider how our family breeds like rabbits." She shot back.

"I definitely need to marry out of this family because I need OUT of this family." Amanda declared.

"I wouldn't be saying anything if you two were incompatible. The two of you have passion and fire and especially compatibility." Her mother replied.

"Why? Because I am the only girl in Ontario that is within his height bracket?" Amanda glanced over to where Nana was trying to see up into Mark's face. For the first time she too made the journey to look up to his face and found that gentle calm that her mother had mentioned earlier. She could hear the beginnings of one of her favourite tangos begin to emit from the speakers. Amanda glared accusingly at her mother. "That is just low."

Her mother did not bother to acknowledge the remark and signalled for Mark to come over. "This is Amanda's favourite number to do her Latin ballroom to. Sam said that you did some dancing while in Argentina last year. Why not see if you can out dance her?"

Mark's eyes darted over to Amanda who was shooting her mother an incredibly murderous glance. "Want to?" He asked, hitching his thumb towards the dance floor.

Letting out a breath of annoyance, Amanda followed Mark to the center of the dirt area. No one in the family did more than square dance or the bouncy shuffle that everyone learns in grade school, so to say the least, they were alone out there. Normally this is when Amanda would feel at her A game. The idea of dancing the war of the feet with her sexy older cousin while the family watched seemed more personal than if they were to strip naked and have wild monkey sex. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Sam giving her a knowing glance, while Ben's eyebrow arched in curiosity. Tango was not exactly part of the usual playlist, so naturally it brought even those deep in conversation to check out the action. As the tempo kicked up, Amanda could feel the tension in Mark's arms as he pulled her in to close hold. When she looked up, the intensity in his eyes shocked her to the core. As their feet started to kick and tap at each other like warring soccer players, Amanda never took her eyes off Mark's. During the spirited gaucho kicks in which she had to kick her feet between his legs, she could feel him exhale slightly in relief when the hits landed properly on his thigh and not on his balls. The spins were quick and the embrace close, almost never straying more than a half foot from the other. When Amanda slid down his body, curled under his legs and slinked back up the other side, she could hear the stutter in Mark's breath. Pleased that she could rattle the family Casanova, her movements became slightly more sensual, a brush of hip here, a light graze of her breasts there. In honestly she was surprised how well he picked up the tango on his travels. The steps were all basic for Argentine Tango, but to the average person it was out of their reach without full training. His occasional murmured warnings of his next move or hand change was like her own personal serenade. They moved almost seamlessly through the number, even adding a semi-adventurous lift halfway through.

As the song grew to the strong climactic ending, Mark pulled Amanda close, hoisting her leg up high on his hip and bringing her core in direct contact with his groin. The surprised look in Amada's eyes likely mirrored his own. To save himself from dropping her, he dipped her low and to the left. Mark realized as the music ended how much of a stupid mistake that was. Her breasts were now at his eye level as she arched against his hand and she was still burning hot against his burgeoning hard on. The crowd burst into a round of applause and various hoots and whistles. Mark righted Amanda back on her feet and took a healthy step back. When he looked down to meet her gaze, he was surprised to see her flushed and a bit distressed. It was obvious that the way to this woman's heart was with dance, and if the way she quickly turned and left was any indication, she did not like what she was feeling.

Amanda stalked back towards the picnic table her mother sat at. The smug look on her mother's face made her, for the first time; want to tell her to fuck off. Not wanting to deal with her mother's delusional intentions, Amanda strode past to where her sister was placing a set of headphones on her swollen and exposed tummy. "What are you doing?"

"Giving the babies some in uterine entertainment." She smiled.

Amanda peered over to see what was playing on her iPod. "Funkytown?"

"I try to give them a diverse musical education." Sam explained with a laugh. "Now it's Ice Ice Baby."

"Don't blame me if they get revenge on your kidneys tonight." She glanced to where her mother was sitting a few tables over. "What is up with mom? Two years ago she was all freaked out when you started schtupping Ben and this year she is practically handing him to me on some weird ass silver platter."

Sam giggled at the mental image. "Naked on a silver platter with a big red bow around his junk." She hooted even louder. "Seriously, I saw that dance. You guys may have been in shorts and t-shirts, but that was some high quality dancing."

"Did you know he could dance like that?" Amanda whispered.

"Yeah, he told me he met a dancer on the flight down to Argentina. Her husband was supposed to partner her in a dance competition, but he was sick. He offered to help and she showed him the ropes." Sam explained.

"Wonder what he showed her." Amanda muttered.

"No, Amanda, it wasn't like that. He's not like that anymore." She gave her sister a pointed look that brooked on no argument.

"This whole thing is ridiculous. Whether you were helping Mom to match us up or not, I just want it all to stop." Amanda growled. She again moved down a few more tables, this time visiting with cousins who were conversing about their children's hockey playing prowess. Amanda settled deep into the padded chair at the table and let the conversation take over, glad to be away from her immediate at this time. As the sun dipped behind the tall deciduous trees the lake came alive with the mournful sounds of loons coupled with the occasional 'bloop' of a fish jumping for a water spider skimming by. Although the table had changed people a few times, the conversations still stayed far away from her or Mark. Feigning a stretch, Amanda glanced to her right and could see Sam, Ben and Mark sitting on the swing bench, deep in conversation. She dropped the pretence of a stretch and openly watched Mark. Amanda could see his posture change and stiffen; suddenly he looked up and straight at her. The gasp that left her mouth caused a silence at the table. Whipping back around to the table, she was not surprised to see all eyes on her. "Sorry, horsefly bit me."

Her cousin Kristi leaned over the table conspirtously, "Usually, you just slap them, not get off on them." She burst into a melodic laugh.

"Fuck off." Amanda grumbled.

"Watch your language!" Kristi placed her hands over her 5 year old daughter's ears.

"Sorry, I forgot there were little ears here." She apologized. Amanda went silent as the conversation continued around her. In the distance she could hear a faint rumbling, but could not bring herself to look behind her. Thirty minutes later, most of the family were getting their children ready to back to the city or their own cottages or homes. Feeling it was finally safe to turn around, she was shocked by the sight she saw. To the point a loud squeak caught everyone's attention. "Where is my family?" The boat was gone, her sister, Ben, her parents, all gone. "How could they leave me?" She shrieked.

"You're mom said you weren't ready to go yet, so she wanted me to take you back." Mark explained.

"Oh I bet she did! That fuc-" Amanda's tirade was cut off by Mark's fingertips across her lips.

"My grandfather is right behind you." He explained. His eyes dropping to where his fingers burned against the softness of her mouth. He could feel the blood rush south quicker than with any woman he had ever met. "Let's just go." Mark turned and stalked towards his pickup, not looking back to see if she was following. The echoing sound of the passenger door indicated that she indeed followed him. The drive to the other side of the lake was filled with silence, neither looking anywhere but out the windshield into the blackness.

Trying to ignore the man beside her was proving very difficult.

Mark flicked the radio on to the local mixed station. Amanda was still seething at her mother's abandonment of her at the reunion. Unconsciously, he kept rubbing his thumb over the spot where his finger touched Amanda's lips, like it would somehow erase the memory of their softness. "I'm sorry you're Mom didn't clear leaving with you first." He offered diplomatically.

"She's not thinking with a full deck." Amanda grumbled.

Mark smiled warmly. Sitting and talking with Sam and Ben earlier, he realized how much it changed the dynamic of their family. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that her Mom was trying to not-so-subtly, nudge her in his direction. A thought that surprised him due to the fact that he has never had a parents support in the process of courting their daughter. Every father gave him the shotgun speech and every mother reminded him how he was not good enough for their daughter when they were out of earshot. The idea his own cousin was trying to fix them up after how upset she was when Sam and Ben married was so hard for him to get his head around, and at the same time gave him a sense of hope in his gut. Mark knew Amanda's mother would not be pushing for a relationship if she honestly didn't believe that there were real feelings there. Talking to Sam and Ben earlier, they announced to him that they'd like him to be the babies Godfather. Mark accepted of course and actually started a discussion on children, another foreign topic to him.

"Where are we going?" Amanda asked sharply, a hint of worry in her voice as she peered out into the darkness at the unfamiliar landscape.

Mark blinked in surprise. Lost in his own thought and with her silent rage, he completely forgot that she was in the truck and was already heading to where he was staying the night, rather than back to her family cottage. "Oh, sorry. I was dazed and forgot I had a passenger. Maybe you'll have to talk more to remind me you're here." Mark smiled meekly.

"Oh I am sure that was part of your plan t-" Before she could finish her sentence, Amanda saw that he had already begun to turn the truck back around.

Mark flashed a wicked smile. "My plan to what? Handcuff you to my log bed and make you forget we're cousins?"

"I'm sorry for assuming. I don't know what's the matter with me. Although you're an ass, why would I assume that you were doing something lecherous? We're cousins for fuck sakes." Amanda exclaimed, shaking her head.

Mark paused. "Why WOULD you think I would do something?" He whispered as he steered left at the crossroads back towards her cottage.

"Cows!" Amanda yelped.

Mark turned to the windshield to see roughly 20 cows blocking the road to Amanda's cottage. To his right he could see an abandoned truck had taken down the fencing in O'Hara's field. "Well...fuck!" He chuckled. "Can't say I planned that!"

Amanda laughed at the ridiculousness of finding 20 cows milling about on a usually empty road. "Have any cow repellent?"

"Fresh out. Used it last week when a pack of Llamas tried to shake me down for grain feed." He joked. Looking back at Amanda, he could see her chewing on her lower lip. A natural reaction she always had to deep thought. "Since we are 20 clicks away from you're camp and there are a whole lot of bears and wolves and cougars out...I am thinking walking is out of the picture. So...I can either take you back to the party, you can probably get a tent or couch space...or....you could come to my camp." Mark offered simply.

The idea of having to potentially put one of the reunion hosts out of their own bed did not comfort Amanda in anyway. She knew how their family was, if she were to show up back at the party needing a place to crash, someone would be giving up their cozy bed out of their innate hospitality. The idea of spending an un-chaperoned night with Mark....both thrilled and worried her. "Well you already have a spare room and the party is on the other side of the lake...so....your place it is." She smiled, trying to sound cheerful and praying he did not hear the excited shiver in her voice.

Mark turned the vehicle around yet again and headed back towards his own cottage. The cottage, which belong to his other set of grandparents. When they got too old to maintain it, Mark happily took it over. The quiet seclusion was calming and the water refreshing. He was going to miss it while away at University. The turn of his thoughts made him frown.

Amanda watched Mark in the faint dashboard glow. His jaw was set in a way that brooked on frustration. She could not help but wonder if he was having second thoughts about inviting her back to his place. The radio played a classic Animals singing, begging, not to be Misunderstood. The trees flew by them in the dark. Save for a few farm houses with the lights on and the occasion illuminated eyes at the side of the road, they were alone. Amanda glanced at Mark's hands on the steering wheel. His fingers, strong and long handled the wheel with grace and ease. She never thought of driving as particularly erotic, however watching his large capable hands made her wonder if he was as skilled as his reputation says. The song changed to another oldie. The rhythmic beat of "Time of the season" always made her want to have sex in the summer rain for some reason. Before allowing herself to dwell on those thoughts, she could see Mark's cottage coming into view. Amanda could feel herself gasp at the sight in front of her. The yard was cascade of silvery light from hundreds of solar lights. "Wow..." She whispered breathlessly.

"That way it feels like you have stars below and above you." He explained simply as he climbed out of the truck. He did not wait for her while he strode towards the dark cabin, his legs making short work of the pathway. He often thought about what she would think about his strange setup. Mark was often haunted in dream of the night the two lay out on the boat. Staring at the stars above, and with the still waters reflecting the stars they felt truly surrounded, like a part of the heavens instead of sitting in an old boat. The problem was right now he did not feel much like reveling in her awe. Instead his mind was still muddled with thoughts of University.

Amanda had no problem seeing her way to the cabin and was surprised to find that Mark did not even wait as he entered the cabin and disappeared into his own room. She could feel the guilt creep up again in her abdomen. Was he upset that she was staying? Flirting aside, Mark had been quiet and sullen the rest of the way to his place. Feeling uneasy and like an interloper, Amanda tapped lightly on the closed door. "Hey Mark? I - uh- I'm going for a swim. Just so you know...." With that she turned and took the lit path to the shore. Dropping the towel she found dry and left on a chair outside, she peeled off her shorts and t-shirt. Her light pink bikini looked more like tan lines then an actual swimsuit. Diving in with practised precision, Amanda swam and turned back to the cottage. More lights were on now and she could see Mark's large frame moving about the kitchen. Concern hedged her again when it was clear that he had no intention of joining her. Old Mark would never pass up the chance to see anything legal and female in a swimsuit. Now, he did not even spare a glance out the large picture windows that lined the lake side of the cabin wall. After a few more minutes in the relaxing and still water, Amanda padded herself dry and walked back up the path, her clothes tucked under her arm. When she slipped inside, she could see Mark nursing a tumbler half full of an amber liquid. "I-I'm sorry..." Amanda stuttered.

Mark kept his eyes fixed outside the kitchen window. Trying to shake his frustration. "Sorry for what?"

"Being an imposition. I know you weren't expecting to play host tonight." She explained uncertainly.

"No it's not-" His words froze on his lips when he turned to face her. He knew she went swimming but was not expecting to return in her swimsuit alone. The thin material was molded to her like a second skin. The cool water also made her nipples stand and beg to be touched. Her hair was wet, tousled mess around her face and the guilt shining in her pale blue eyes stopped Mark's ability to breathe. His gaze zeroed in on where she took her full lower lip between her teeth and nibbled. An action that was both innocent and provocative. "Amanda you shouldn't-" Instead of finishing his sentence, he stalked over to Amanda, dipped his head and caught her mouth in a kiss.

Amanda's yelp of surprise was suppressed by Mark's lips on her water chilled ones. He tasted like Rum and chocolate chip cookies and better than any boy she had kissed before. Drawing her hands up his chest, she began to try and pull away.

Mark willingly pulled back at the pressured of her resistance. He could feel his breath mix with hers. Amanda's eyes were wide with surprised, but were drunk with desire. Mark could feel himself swell inside his board shorts. Before he could apologize, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled his mouth down for another searing kiss. He was not surprised to hear his own groan of surrender when Amanda slid her tongue across his lips and lightly bit down on his own bottom lip. His hands trailed down her back, reveling in the expanse of soft skin. Her hands impatiently tugged at his t-shirt. Tossing it over his shoulder, he kissed her hard, backing her towards his front door. As his tongue dueled with hers, Mark's brow furrowed with mild confusion. He had dreamt of kissing her like this for so long he could hardly believe he was awake. But he could feel her chest rise and fall against his and her soft, female, hands were hungrily gripping his shoulders and back in heated lust. His hands in turn gripped her ripe peach of an ass and lifted her on to his hips. Mark could feel the smile on her lips as she wrapped those long, toned dancer legs around his hips, trapping his erection against her molten core.

Amanda pulled away only when oxygen became an issue. The solid wood door at her back felt like a soft pillow compared to the wood pressing between her legs. She knew why this was supposed to be wrong and for the all the reasons she should not want this. But god help her, she wanted Mark inside her. To compound her silent decision, Amanda reached behind her neck and untied and removed her bikini top. The way Mark's silver eyes darkened and the instinctive buck of his hips told her that he liked what he saw. Lifting her higher on his waist, Mark took one breast into his mouth. Her breath hissed as his raspy tongue laved at her rigid nipple. A cry escaped her lips when he gently bit down. Her hands instinctively went to his thick mass of hair. Amanda lightly dragged her finger nails across his scalp and was pleasantly pleased to feel goose bumps quickly cover his entire body. The ministrations of his mouth were making it impossible for her not to writhe on Mark's erection, despite the biting pressure of his fingers on her ass trying to keep her still. When she could no longer handle the torture, she grasped his face and brought it up to hers. She noted Mark's brow was still lined with worry.

"Amanda, are you sure?" His voice low and rough.

Too moved to speak, she captured his lips again, letting him feel what she could not say. Reaching between them, Amanda undid the Velcro front of his board shorts and let them slide off his narrow hips. While Mark in turn fumbled pulling the small strings of her bikini bottoms off and opted to just yank them off. She reveled in the long hot length of him in her hand. The velvety steel was impressive but not surprising considering his stature. Amanda aimed the spongy mushroom tip towards her entrance and bit down on his shoulder as she dropped her full weight on to his pole.

Mark's eyes snapped open in surprise, the slick muscles that pulsed all around him was indescribable in pleasure and would have lost it right there if not for the surprises she had left for him. He did not have to look at his shoulder to see that there would be teeth marks there tomorrow. No, he was mostly surprised by something else. "Why didn't you tell me?" He spoke again roughly, as his mind and his groin warred over who got control.

"I didn't want the decision to be on anyone but me. I never know who would be right, but I knew when it would feel right. This, right now, feels right." Amanda sealed her words with a kiss as she let him process the fact he had taken her virginity. Before she would allow him to think of a rebuttal, Amanda began to squeeze his cock from within making the breath leave his body with a ragged groan. He kissed her hard and in earnest as he pulled his hips back and rocked into her again. The sensations giving them both goose bumps despite their slick and heated skin.

Mark watched her face closely for any signs of discomfort as bucked his hips hard into her. Amanda's cheeks flushed and her sexy little pants and whimpers were driving Mark insane. He pumped into her hard and proper, never breaking eye contact as he buried himself inside her.

Amanda could not believe what she was feeling. Although sex itself was new to her, getting off wasn't. And boy this was a lot more intense. Every time he thrust his cock into her, she could feel every pulse, every ridge of the thick meat. Amanda stared into Mark's pleasure glazed eyes. She watched as his mouth opened to let out a low guttural growl. Unable to resist, lips mesh together and the kiss deepened as the thrusts became frantic. "I'm almost- It's going to happen." She panted in his ear.

With that Mark's hands left her delicious ass and gripped the doorframe above them. He slammed into her like a jackhammer and probably too rough for a woman who was moments ago, a virgin. He could feel the pressure rise from his balls; Amanda's strangled cry was all the trigger he needed to cum hard and deep inside her. His hips continued to buck as the last of his seed splashed deep inside his cousin. Mark sagged against her, pinning Amanda to the door. Neither could find their breath to speak.

She was the first to stir, trailing her nails softly across his back and placing a soft kiss on his well muscled shoulder. The sheen of sweat on his body tasted salty yet intoxicating on her lips. The feel of his warm, hard body blanketing her own made the sparks that were once burning south start to travel towards her stomach, giving that home and contentment feeling.

Without dislodging himself from her, Mark carried Amanda to his bedroom. Pulling back the sheets he sat himself down and then proceeded to lie on his back, keeping her draped across his body. "I want you to be my blanket tonight." He whispered in her ear as he pulled a sheet over the two of them.

Amanda pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth before tucking her head under his chin. She could still feel him inside her, but the need to sleep was greater. Soon the two shared the same rhythmic breathing as they both fell into a deep slumber.

Sometime later Amanda woke to the feeling of being too warm and not on a bed. It only took a moment for her to realize that she was in a bed...sort of. Squinting at the bedside clock she could see it was almost 8 am. She could also feel that his cock still remained inside her, now harder and fully erect. A slow lazy smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the night before. Amanda knew this was not something she ever wanted, however it turned out to be what she needed. Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice when Mark woke up until she felt his arms tighten around her shoulders and a lazy morning hug.

"Good morning." He murmured in her ear.

"Morning." She responded with a smile.

"What time is it?" He rubbed one eye sleepily. Although a light buck of his hips proved he was aware of just how together they woke up.

"Just about 8. What time does the first round of activities start?"

"9 or 10, not sure." Mark admitted with another soft buck of his hips. When he finally fixed his grey eyes on her, he was saw wide eyed curiosity in her blue eyes.

"I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Last night was awesome." Amanda smiled.

"That's not really a question."

"When we got here, I thought you were upset at me or having to house me. Then you did not join me for a swim. But when I got back...this happened." She gestured towards the bed and in the general direction of the front door.

"That's still not a question." He replied. Pausing a moment, Mark decided to explain. "It wasn't you. I am sorry if that's what you thought. I was thinking about...school."

Amanda's brows knit in confusion. "You're going to U of T right?"

"Yeah, but for law. I don't want to be a lawyer. It sounded good on paper and I know I can talk a good game...but...I know it's not what I want."

She traced tiny circles on his chest as she watched his mind race through several different thoughts. "What DO you want?" Amanda pressed.

"I want to live here. Own a bar and grill, right here on the lake. I want to travel and see the rest of the world. I want to marry and have kids and raise them out here. Not in the city. And the only time I want to ever wear a suit is when I go dancing." Mark replied with a smile.

The images he spoke of played out in her head. The bar sounded a bit unconventional, however the rest actually sounded pretty amazing. "Can I make a confession?"

Mark nodded.

"I don't know what I want to do with my life. I thought I knew...was going to pick a major and everything. But...I'll admit everything you said, feels right with me. Well, except the bar thing. You want to build a bar on the lake?" Amanda asked with an arched brow.

"I got it all figured out." He tapped his noggin.

She reached up and gave him a lover's kiss. Soon Amanda could feel his cock rising to thickness again, still deep inside her. Sitting up to straddle him properly, she began to rock back and forth, mainly out of instinct. Looking down, she marvelled at the broad expanse of skin covering hardened muscles. He was truly beautiful to look at. His rippled abdomen flexed with every thrust of his hips rising to meet hers. Amanda's hands gripped his biceps around the two tattoos present there, her right hand gripping the blank ankh and her left gripping a Celtic cross. She groaned deep when Mark's large hands claimed her ripe and sensitive breasts. His thumbs deftly flicked and tweaked her nipples, ensuring the spiral-like sensations traveled straight to where they were connected.Loving the fullness and the friction, Amanda began to ride him harder, pulling herself up and the dropping down hard, making sure to get every inch of him inside. Soon Mark's hands traveled to her hips as he began to pump hard, bringing them together with an audible smack. Amanda held on for the ride as he began to fuck her hard. "Oh, oh, oh, oh my god Mark!" She throatily moaned.

His own ape-like grunts grew louder as he could feel the familiar rise of his balls. Realising that there is no way he would cum without her; he drew his thumb over her clit and began to move it back and forth in time to his thrusts, guaranteeing to get her there faster. Amanda's inner walls began to contract hard on his cock as she threw her head back in a soundless scream. Mark kept himself buried until every last drop of his own climax was spent. Watching her face as she came back down to earth, they shared a lazy, happy smile.

"Mark? Are you up yet?" His mother's voice penetrated the door.

Before he could answer, the door opened and there stood his mother, her face an expression of complete shock as she took in the sight of her son being straddled by their cousin.