They drove around for about two hours when he pulls up to a little bungalow. She looked at him.
"My friend Heny lives here."
"Your partner that called me? George Hendricks?"
"Yes, that's him. I have a surprise here. Come with me."
He led her around back and down a path to a little beach area. Where a blanket and basket awaited.
"You did all this?" She smiled.
"I would like to say yes but Heny did what I asked."
"Looks fabulous, you must thank him for me."
"I will." he helped her sit on the blanket and he knelt down and got the wine out of the ice bucket. He then took a tool off the tray and opened the bottle when it went 'PoP' Ariel jumped then laughed.
Marcus poured two glasses of wine and handed her one.
"Thank you." She said taking the glass. She took a deep breath of the sweet wine before taking a sip. More fruity now then sweet. It was smooth. "This is very good."
"I'm glad you like it. I picked it up last year in a french auction."
He then took out the plates and utensils. "Looks like we have cornish game hens. Sweet potatoes casserole and asparagus tips. With chocolate cake for dessert."
"Sounds good. Do you need help serving?"
"No sit back and relax. I've got this." He smiled as he started filling the plates with food.
She looked out over the water and watched a sail boat glide across the water.
"Do you like sailing?" He asked.
"Yes, I went once when I was still in high school. They let us each take a turn behind the wheel. It was a lot of fun."
"Then we should go. We have a large vessel."
"We?"
"My brothers. Heny, Harper, Mickey, Tubby, and me."
"We use to go a lot but lately we have not been. No I should say we haven't been in a while."
"Then we should all go. I would love to meet them all."
"Really?"
"Yes really. The ones I met Harry and Nelson were great. George sounded nice on the phone. I have not met Tubby who is he again?" She asked.
"Tubby is Robert Little the second in command at the main fire house with Harper."
"Yes, I remember now. I would like to meet all your brothers."
"Would you also want to meet my real family too?"
"You meant biologic family. Harrison, Kimberly and Lily."
He stared at her for a second. "You are the first person to correct me like that. No one accepts my brothers as family. When I tell them of my bio brother they say he is real family not my brothers."
"Family are the people who love your flaws and all. Your brothers do that so they are family. Heather called them your blood brothers. That is family you choose to except."
"That there, is the best reson I have ever heard. Thank you. How about the weekend before the street fair?"
"No can do remember swim competition that weekend."
"Then the week after?"
She pulled open her phone. Then typed something in. "Ask and if they are ok then we will make plans if not ask when they will be available.
Then my phone dinged and I opened it. It was her schedule for the next 2 months.
She smiled. "That should make it easy on you. If something comes up I'll update it for you."
"This helps a lot. Does this mean you are giving us a fair chance."
"Yes, If by the end of the second month I am not in love with you we both walk away. Deal?"
"I have no choice but to take the deal."
"Do you want to meet Harry and Kimmy?"
"I already know them. Lily is in my swim class."
"Good, I didn't want to make arrangements yet for them."
She just smiled and picked up her fork.
They ate their lunch and then took a long walk on the beach. When they got back they stopped at Heny's house to relieve themself's before heading back towards the city.
"I had a great time tonight. Thank you." She said.
"How about dinner Saturday?" He asked.
"We have that fundraiser on Friday and the wedding on Sunday. You sure you don't need a break?"
"If I had my way I would never leave your side. I am going to go crazy the next two days."
She smiled at him. They pulled up to her apartment and he opened her door.
She closed her eyes as he took her hand. She dreamed she was being lifted into Marcus's strong arms and his lips were brushing against hers.
She moaned as she felt the warmth of his body and lips against her. She raised her arm to wrap it around his neck, pulling him further down when he moved away.
It took a moment for Ariel to realize it was not a dream, but that she was really kissing Marcus.
Ariel's eyes popped open, and she gasped as she stared into Marcus's green eyes.
Marcus took advantage of Ariel's startled gasp, letting his tongue slide between her lips. He deepened the kiss, as he felt Ariel's fingers thread through his red hair and pull him closer.
By the time he pulled back, Ariel was staring at Marcus with a dazed expression on her face and breathing heavily.
"That... That...Thank you for the day. See you Friday. Let me know what time to come over and get dressed." She pushed pass him and almost ran to her door.
She had trouble punching in the code but when the door beeped she turned and smiled.
Marcus stood there in a daze of his own. The kiss was so wonderful and he could feel she loved it to. When he saw that she was no longer in site, he got back in the car and drove home to fall asleep dreaming of his girl and that kiss.
Ariel made her way to her apartment and slumped on the couch. That kiss was a day dream of a kiss and she could feel herself falling in love with this crazy man.