Against All Odds (Closed!)

[momoftwins13]

Candice smiled at him when he said dinner and him grabbing some clothes. The fact that he had money rolled off her shoulders. It didn't faze her at all since money wasn't that important to her.

"Can I come shopping with you?" She asked hopefully. "I haven't been shopping in forever. I'd love to get a new outfit... Maybe for tonight!"

Also, the thought of watching Mark try on outfits was very intriguing to her.

"We could go back to the hotel, freshen up and then go for a late dinner after shopping."

All of the activity outside the cab window was entrancing and drew Candice's attention raptly as they drove down the busy streets, but even with all of that going on, she found her gaze continuously being drawn to Mark...

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark generally avoided shopping with members of the opposite gender by principle on the account of the fact he found the experience to be almost always mind numbingly dull. However, with Candice... She was undoubtedly fun to be around, and when his mind began to race, picturing her in tight dresses and revealing skirts the decision was made and an exception allowed.

"Sure, I could do with a keen eye when it comes to clothes, so long as you promise not to let me end up looking like a complete idiot." In truth Mark had a very good fashion sense, for a male, but he wanted her to feel special and Candice's opinion mattered to him. "Shopping, refreshment, late dinner, sleep. Sounds perfect!" 'Even more perfect if I get to sleep next to you...', his mind told him before he could stop himself.

He caught Candice looking at him every so often, but not half as much as the glances he stole, looking at her eyes, her face, her long flowing hair... Once or twice they caught eachother in the act, and it was a race to see who could look away fastest. Mark smiled to himself, and the taxi pulled up to the sidewalk before they could suffer any more awkward eye contact.

 

[momoftwins13]

They pulled up to a corner with lots of high end stores on both sides of the street. Every brand name a person could think of was represented there. Candice's eyes lot up like a kid in a candy shop, but she reined herself in.

It took them both a moment to get out of the cab and onto the the sidewalk. She smirked at him.

"I think we need a handicap accessible restaurant" she joked before looking around.

"Where do you want to go first?" She asked. She saw several brand names that she liked but wanted Mark to go where he wanted as well.

She was trying to decide in her mind what she wanted to buy.. A new dress? Some heels? She had to be mindful of her injuries, but she thought she could manage heels even with a broken rib... But it couldn't be low cut because of her healing slashes across her chest...

Her mind wandered off slightly as she thought about clothes...

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark gave the driver a $20 bill and told him to keep the change. He felt a slight chill as it sped off, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Candice standing beside him, eyes wide and bright with wonder.

Nothing exuded class like a well fitted suit, but Mark knew no tailor would be able to fulfill that at this time of night nor at such short notice. That said, there was little money couldn't buy in this town. Instead he spied a retailer which promised expensive menswear as well as every kind of dress under the sun. Opposite too was a women's clothing store with skirts, low cut tops, revealing dresses and even a lingerie mannequin with some very lacy pieces which Mark's eyes caught on for a moment.

"Voila!" He cried, spreading his arms, hopefully to the embarrassment of the lady beside him. He pointed to both, and presented Candice with the choice. "All you could ever ask for, right?" He let her choose while looking at the clothes on offer, safe to say each and every item would compliment his companion.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice blushed but busted out laughing at Mark's exclamation about the stores. Still smiling broadly, she nodded in the direction of the store with menswear and dresses.

"There first" she said. "The other one second". She too had seen the lacy lingerie. She wondered briefly what she had to wear to be that evening. She would be in the same room as Mark, after all...

They walked into the store and Candice was immediately drawn to a beautiful low cut plum colored dress that she was positive would fit her body to perfection... But then she remembered the puckered pink healing wounds on her chest ... She smiled sadly at Mark, shrugged and walked off to look at other dresses.

She wondered if she would always have scars now, and never be able to wear dresses like that again?

A few other dresses caught her eye and she picked them up, but her eyes kept drifting to that first purple dress...

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

She looked very cute when she blushed, Mark noticed, ever so slightly disappointed for a moment before Candice decided to give both shops a try. He linked his arm to hers, and began walking slowly with her at his side, another overly dramatic move. "Well, shall we?"

Unfortunately Mark no longer felt the same excitement he once had at the notion of spending however much he wanted, but Candice was clearly trying hard to suppress her excitement. Women, he figured. She led him off towards a dark, purple dress (men only seeing in sixteen colours) with the perfect mixture of revealing sexiness and elegant class, which looked almost tailored to fit her smaller petite frame. He heard her sigh softly before heading off to the women's section, and Mark felt a pang of sadness at her anguish. He reached out and touched the hem, feeling the soft silk material between his fingers. Mark sighed too.

Taking a left he spied a wall display with some cheap (to his high standards) jackets, and headed over to peruse the rack before a doting assistant snuck up on him to provide unwanted help. Every once in a while he saw the top of Candice's head bobbing between the rows as she fluttered about, and he couldn't help but wonder what she was feeling. "A sexy man like you..." Yup, she'd definitely said it, but Mark couldn't help but think it was the drugs talking. Paracetamol-goggles? He had to focus on one thing at a time, certainly not what Little Miss Perfect was doing, and right then he spotted it, from the corner of his eye; his first purchase of the night. He grinned.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice chose several dresses that she wanted to try on. One was the purple dress that she kept going back to, one was a sexy black number that managed to cover all of her scars and wounds, and one was a pretty white one.

She walked over to where Mark stood looking at suits. "I need to try these on" she said softly. "Would you like to give me some input?" She truly wanted his opinion on the dresses.

Without waiting for his answer she turned and walked off towards the dressing rooms, hoping that when she came out he would be waiting for her to give her his thoughts.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark was torn between the stunningly beautiful, perfectly formed and tantalising classy two piece suit in front of him and the pretty hot chick walking steadily away from him. Panicking he picked up the clothing and followed after her dutifully, like a puppy.

Beside the changing rooms was a wall tie rack, and although he knew the combination worked better without one he picked up a couple of cotton cravats and tried them on for size. One could never have too many ties, well, except for the lonely garish yellow ducky tie at the end of the row. 'Someone would only wear that for a bet,' he muttered to himself.

At that moment one of the eagle eyed assistants decided to make sure he wasn't breaking or stealing anything; she was a curvy redhead but for once Mark paid no attention to her full and impressive chest, his mind totally occupied by the girl just a few metres away behind the wall.

"Need anything this evening sir?" She asked bright eyed.
"No thank you miss..." Chloe, Mark read from the name tag, now noticing her chest, "Chloe, I'm just having a look around while she changes." A gesture to the rooms accompanied his comment.
"Ah, boyfriend duty eh?" The redhead beamed with an over the top wink. Mark laughed but had a strange feeling inside him.
"Yes, something like that..." As he turned, Candice appeared around the corner for the first showing...

 

[momoftwins13]

Yes, something like that...

Candice's heart skipped a beat as she opened the dressing room door and overheard the conversation going on between Mark and the sales girl. If only he were telling the truth... She thought to herself.

She had on the lovely white number which accented her tan skin, toned legs and round, firm ass. Her breasts filled it out completely, but were covered enough so that the wounds on her chest were not visible except for a few stray ends of cuts tht managed to peek from behind it.

Her eyes danced and sparkled as she waited for his reaction to the dress.

She was barefooted as she hadnt picked out any heels yet, but she spun slowly for him to see the full package.

"Well?" She asked. "What do you think of this one? I have three to choose from, and can't afford them all so you have to help me pick".

She smiled softly at him, watching his scrutiny upon her.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark didn't quite know what to say. And this was only the first dress?! The fabric hugged her skin perfectly, he wasn't sure where to look, her beautiful smooth legs, full chest... He whistled, deservedly. "You look... stunning." He admitted, and it was true. She was like an angel all in white.

He hoped she didn't notice his eyes checking out her body so crudely, but the frequent looks back to her eyes showed she was still sparkling with excitement. His vision lingered on the scars, he couldn't help but notice, and for a second Mark remarked on how much they'd been through, walking up to her and running his fingers along her exposed shoulder, skin hot to the touch. "You look amazing, Candice..." Somehow her hair fell just right around her shoulders. "A veritable princess!" He was careful not to be too gentlemanly.

"Hmm... how about I see you in all three before we choose?" Mark almost didn't care which she picked so long as he got to see her in all her beauty wearing each one. As she disappeared again, he turned to ask the assistant's opinion.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice saw Mark's gaze travel down to the scars on her chest and touched them self consciously. But then he told her how stunning he looked, and in his eyes she could see that he meant it. The compliment made her blush fiercely, but in a pretty way that only seemed to magnify the angelic look she was portraying.

His touch was feather like, it was so light, and yet it set off a torrent of emotion so strong throughout her body that she had to turn and walk back into the dressing room.

"I'll be back out" she said over her shoulder as she shut the dressing room door behind her. She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, her heart pumping furiously and her skin feeling hot and flushed.

She couldn't be falling for him.

Mark was a seasoned war veteran. He had no strong connections that he was aware of and she was pretty certain he would never be willing to give up his career... So what was she lusting after? A caring, protective, gorgeous man, yes. But someone who would have to leave at the drop of a hat every time the government called upon him.

Realizing she was taking a long time, Candice hurriedly changed into the next dress, the sexy black number with a slit up to here and all of her back completely exposed. It was almost the opposite of the white angelic portrayal of before.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Candice once again stepped out of the dressing room, to see Mark talking to the sales lady.

Quietly she cleared her throat and forced a smile upon her face.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

"..mhmm, really fits her umm.. figure well." He really had no idea how to describe what he'd just seen, and his male mind was on other things as the assistant rattled off a list of clothing buzzwords and terminology. As Candice emerged once again however, Mark's eyes went wide. The black dress was a total contrast to the white piece, one which would draw looks equally well for good reason. Yet again his eyes ran over her body but this time in a way which would later shame him, but now left him entranced with almost an animalistic fevour.

It hugged her body less but revealed much more, perfectly covering her injuries whilst showing her soft tanned skin. A thigh flashed Mark, teasing his mind, long slender legs extending beneath. He looked up finally to the most beautiful of her features, those glistening green eyes. He said nothing and simply nodded, figuring that anything to come out of his mouth now would be unintelligible gibberish, but a wide grin conveyed his approval.

As she disappeared around the side once again, Mark was jabbed with a strong, strange feeling. Was it pride, to be seen with this girl? Lust? Something else? He'd enjoyed their time together immensely, growing to like the parts of her which had initially infuriated him, their conversations never ceasing to be fun and silly, meaningful but light. And now... Seeing Candice there, trying on the dresses, cute little spins showing off a very impressive body... Mark was lost, but when she appeared for the final time, he knew.

 

[momoftwins13]

Mark didn't say a word that time about the dress. But whether he realized it or not, his eyes had conveyed his feelings. He had definitely liked the dress. She had practically felt his eyes like a branding iron as they ran over her body from head to toe, and back again.

She had smiled at him and then returned to try on the final purple dress. She put it on and stared at herself in the mirror. The dress was gorgeous... Fitting her like a second skin, barely covering her ass, making her look like some kind of sex goddess or something...

But her healing pink scars showed. She ran her fingers across the scars and took a deep breath.

"I don't think this will be the one" she said as she slowly walked from the dressing room.

Besides the fact that the dress was stunning, she couldn't quite get over the scars on her chest. She avoided looking at Mark's expression when she walked out, afraid she would see disgust in his eyes at the sight.

"My scars show" she said, stating the obvious, for a lack of anything better to say.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark couldn't quite find the words to reply, his mouth hanging open like some foolish child caught red-handed. On one hand, she was absolutely stunning. Everything about the piece accentuated her beauty, showing off her curves and shape, revealing yet with enough class to be respected in, it really was the perfect dress.

On the other... Candice's whole body language was that of a woman in shame, and Mark could understand why. The little pink and red trails of her scars protruded from the chest, like little hot flames cast from the material itself. He couldn't imagine the courage it took to even walk out in front of them there, but that in itself was testimony to her strength of character. Mark sighed too.

He knew he had to say something. "Hey.." It was soft, reassuring, and he hoped just the right pitch. Her deep green eyes lifted to his, and their gaze linked for a moment. "You're not wrong about that.." Mark replied. "But scars or not, seeing you in that purple dress is one of the most magnificent things I've ever been lucky enough to lay my eyes upon." He chose his words carefully, waiting, balanced on a knife edge.

She looked so small there, and vulnerable, he just wanted to put his arms around her. It was Candice's decision, but who said he wasn't allowed a little encouragement?

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice finally looked at his face and the look she saw there would be forever engraved into her mind. He had looked stunned. But he wasn't looking at the scars. He was looking at her. All of her.

"But scars or not, seeing you in that purple dress is one of the most magnificent things I've ever been lucky enough to lay my eyes upon."

Candice felt her self esteem rise about 500%. Her eyes glanced to his as she was unsure and what she saw there was admiration and... Desire? She couldn't be sure and it seemed a little unreal... But maybe it was there.

Taking a deep breath she smiled at Mark. It was a beautiful smile, a little hesitant but wide nonetheless.

"Ok ... I'll get it... I can only afford one and this one is my favorite. I just have to get over the scars... They're part of me now so better get used to them".

She started back towards the dressing room and when she reached the door she turned around. "You won't be ashamed to be seen with me when my scars are showing right?"

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

That pretty little smile of hers was what sealed the deal. He had to admit, he was incredibly impressed and perhaps even... proud? No, it couldn't be...

Candice had proven to him once again that she was full of surprises and strength. The first time he got shot, the scar made him part of the group, the team. It was a rite. For her... it would be very different, and it was something that, as she said, would become part of her.

The final part shocked him more than all the rest though. Shocked?! Mark couldn't help but laugh. "Sweetheart, I don't think I'll ever walk as tall as with you by my side." He smiled until he realised what he'd just said. What the hell? He cursed himself. How could he make himself sound like such a fool! What kind of a name is sweetheart anyway, and as for the poetic stupidity - Mark bit his lip. He always overthought things when he was nervous or anxious, but it hadn't been this bad since his prom night over a decade ago. He forced himself to smile, but it wasn't hard.

All he caught as he raised his eyes was a small purple flash as Candice disappeared back into the changing room. Mark chuckled, softly.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice had to turn and walk back in the room without a word lest he see how deeply she blushed at his compliment.

Stupid! she thought to herself. Mark was a professional military man. He traveled all over the world risking his life to save people like her. It was not only stupid to want him. It was dangerous. She could very easily fall for him. And that could never end well. He would leave. He might even, god forbid, die. And she would be left broken hearted.

But she wanted him. Oh, how she wanted him.

Changing back into her clothes she brought the dress out and they went to the checkout counter where she paid for it.

She glanced at Mark.

"You wanna go next door real fast? I need to get some lingerie things". She blushed a bit and she looked at him from the corner of her eye.

"Mine all got kinda messed up over there" she said, "it's not that I just want new stuff because of... Well. I need it" she finally said, blushing furiously. She sounded like some kind of little school girl with a crush... She wasn't used to feelin that around men.

"Anyway... Ill only be a few minutes..."

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Mark knew enough about suits and his size that he need not bother messing around in here too long, but being alone for a few minutes would allow him to pick up a nice pair of shoes to complete the look. "Want me to meet you in there?" he tested. The idea of Candice in lingerie stirred up a very different set of emotions inside him, but he did well to hide it. The lady at the counter gave them interesting glances, but neither noticed or paid any attention to her. Mark's eyes were set firmly on the girl beside him.

As they paid for their things Mark noticed Candice's apprehensive nature when it came to the shop next door, he figured it was because of her self conscious experience. He never was very good at figuring out girls, but she was incredibly cute when she blushed.

"It shan't take me long to get what I need in here, and unless you want to try things on over there" he motioned with his hand "I'll come and find you in just a minute! Maybe I'll find something nice of my own in there." Despite being a joke, it was his turn to go ever so slightly red.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice couldn't help but laugh when Mark joked about finding something of him in the store too. She pictured him in a silk men's thong or something and grinned. She waved him off.

"Go have fun" she told him.

She entered the lingerie store and began to browse. She picked up some basics like lace and silk bras and a few panties in assorted styles like thongs, bikinis and boy shorts. She eyed up the sexy lingerie and debated. It wasn't a necessity. But she was staying in the same hotel as Mark that night...

Probably nothing would happen. Most likely he would have plenty of self control and not attempt anything. And he would be too scared to attempt anything. Probably. But she found herself gravitating in that direction anyway. She thumbed through the baby dolls, negligees and garters and belts.

She had a particularly skimpy black lace one in her hand when Mark found her.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Shopping bags in hand, Mark entered the store and with that an alien world. Surrounding him were mannequins wearing and holding all manner of garments and underwear, and in a couple of places there were items he'd never seen before and had no idea what they were for or where one wore them.

He meandered slowly yet purposefully through the store, keen to find Candice but also happy to explore a little, having never been in a shop like this but always had the curiosity to see what one held. He smiled at a rack of red silk babydolls which reminded him of a particular night before spotting the top of his friend's auburn hair.

"Ah, I knew you were a lace kinda girl!" Mark exclaimed as he walked up to the display she was keenly eyeing up. "Black as dark as night..." his voice trailed off poetically as he looked along at all the lacewear, a few expensive pieces which really did seem to capture any and all light yet which seemed impossibly soft and smooth to the touch.

His eyes darted to her hands where she held quite a few items but he tried not to look too long nor picture her wearing them, both tasks equally hard. Candice's expression was one of both defence and defiance, almost daring him to make a comment, but in her eyes he spotted the faintest tint of desire. He smiled at her, warmly, silently laughing at the madness of it all.

 

[momoftwins13]

Mark commented about lace and Candice shot him a quelling glance, daring him to make anymore comments. But she was imagining him standing there as she walked out of their hotel bathroom wearing one of the pieces.

Quickly she grabbed her size and then led him to the register where she bought them. They packaged them up in the telltale pink bag and she turned to smile at him. "Ready?" She asked him softly.

They headed back out where Mark hailed another cab. They piled themselves and their bags inside. Candice glanced over at him.

"How's your leg holding up?" She asked once in the relative silence of the cab. She knew her ribs were sore, and she had a headache but besides that she felt pretty good considering what she had been through. She was definitely ready for a relaxing dinner in an actual restaurant.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

"Fine." He lied. It was better than it had been, he could properly put pressure on it and most of the muscle tension was gone, but often Mark found his movements to be sluggish and uneven, with an annoying tendency to fall asleep very quickly. Honestly if he hadn't been distracted by the lady beside him and everything that was going on Mark would have been worried, that's what he did. He was thankful for that, amongst other things, but in the small and enclosed confines of the taxi he thought seriously for the first time that perhaps this could be serious.

It was not the pain he was afraid of, no, he'd dealt with that enough to brush it off, nor the job security or the money. Mark wasn't even worried about slipping back into civilian life, he enjoyed his breaks and time off and was certainly no mind-addled war junkie. What he was afraid of was the embarrassment of being at home whilst his friends and comrades risked their lives.

He stared blankly out of the window, his face devoid of any emotion and eyes glazed over, masking the mind which worked overtime behind them. He was only brought abruptly back to reality by a quick push from Candice. "Sorry, yes, got a little distracted thinking about restaurants! How's things with you, ready to run a marathon yet?"

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice watched as a look of worry crossed Mark's face. He was absentmindedly rubbing his leg again. She briefly wondered if there was more going with his leg than what he let on. He was a tough man so it would be hard for him to admit a weakness like that.

"It's ok... but no marathons soon. Im sore", she replied after nudging him softly. "Have any ideas where to go? Cause I have no idea... Or I guess we could ask the people at the desk..."

She trailed off as they reached their hotel.

Together they gathered their bags, Candice grabbing the majority since he had to maneuver the crutches. They headed up to their room. As they entered, Candice sat down upon the plush and rubbed her ribs tenderly, wincing a bit.

"You wanna shower first?" She asked Mark as he came in behind her. "I will probably take longer than you..."

She watched him closely as he moved about. He was so handsome, so masculine and rugged. She knew it pained him more than physically to be hurt like that. She felt guilt that she was the reason for it and frowned slightly.

 

[TheMysteryGuy]

Entering the room for the first time was enough to elicit a soft "Wow..." With the curtains pulled back their relatively lofty accommodation gave a breathtaking view of the city from the hills, and the red velvet linings and furnishings gave everything an expensive, regal tint. The en suite bathroom shone and glistened, polished to perfection, and the television took up a large portion of the wall it hung upon.

Mark walked over to the small mini fridge below the entertainment system, limping slightly, and took stock. Normally he'd never even open the thing as he knew hotels went crazy with the prices of drinks and food in the room and his suspicions were confirmed when every bottle had a small tag around the neck. Everything would be charged to a card with no limit but still, Mark thought it best to hold off, on principle.

He watched Candice idly on the bed, and he briefly considered sitting beside her. "Sure, I'll try not to keep you waiting too long!" Mark smiled at her but for once it was not returned... he frowned, wondering if perhaps he'd said something wrong. No, it must've been something else, maybe he'd enquire later. For now, he took the bag from the store and a few other items into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Mark sighed heavily, and leant up against the heavy wooden frame.

 

[momoftwins13]

Candice watched as Mark went into the bathroom and then sighed, plowing her fingers through her hair and wincing at the pain the sharp movement caused. She imagined him behind that door naked, with water sluicing down over his body. This was crazy. She had to stop. Maybe this was a case of hero worship. It was, partly. But it was more also. She was sure of that.

She leaned back against the headboard and sighed. The government had treated them right. This room was incredible. She stood and walked over to the window, restless.

That's where Mark found her when he came out of the bathroom. Standing in front of the window, looking at the view, arms crossed under her injured ribs and a contemplative look on her face.

When she noticed him behind her she turned and gave him a hesitant smile, still staying silent.