Hello! Just felt an odd urge to update as am in a bit of an updating frenzy, lol! And plus, I love this chapter! So here’s my Christmas treat to you all! Merry Christmas!! Lol. Chloe xxx

Chapter Twelve

As she lay in the still quiet darkness of Ben’s bedroom, Chloe’s heart was beating so hard she was sure that the people next door could hear it, never mind about Ben. She looked at the clock, trying not to make a sound as her head turned on the pillow. The digital display blinked at her.

1:20am

It was time.

Chloe lay quietly and listened to Ben’s breathing, trying to slow down her own. His was regular and soft, he was fast asleep. Slowly, ever so slowly, pulling the covers off her, Chloe sat up in bed and swung her legs round to feel the floor. It was pitch black in the room and she couldn’t see much so she had to be very careful where she walked. She didn’t want to knock something over or bump into anything, but she couldn’t risk putting a light on, just in case it woke Ben up. Feeling her way to the wardrobe that was along one side of the wall, she gingerly opened the door, cringing as it creaked. She looked back over to Ben. He hadn’t moved. Chloe felt blindly along the top shelf until her hand fell upon the small bag she’d put together when Ben was in the shower earlier. Grabbing it, she decided against shutting the wardrobe door again and started to make her way out of the bedroom. She was almost at the door when disaster struck.

She tripped over Ben’s shoes, dropping her bag on the floor with a loud clatter and grabbing hold of the end of the bed to stop her from going flying too. Ben stirred in bed and Chloe’s heart almost stopped. She froze on the spot, holding her breath and trying to make herself invisible.

When, after a full five minutes, Ben hadn’t made another sound, Chloe decided it was safe to move and so she picked up her bag, pushed Ben’s shoes under the bed so when she got back she wouldn’t trip over them again, and turned the door handle. She knew this door creaked, really loudly in fact, and stupidly, she hadn’t thought to leave it open when she went to bed. She briefly debated climbing out the window, but decided that it was a stupid idea produced by watching far too many episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It was probably best to get the creak over with in one go, so, bracing herself for the “what are you doing?” from Ben, Chloe pulled the door towards her in a quick, sharp movement.

Thankfully for once it made very little sound, and Chloe stepped out into the hall, lit only by the pale moonlight she could see streaming in through the bathroom window through the door Ben had left open only an hour ago. Every time she thought about Ben and what she was doing, Chloe’s heart gave a little jump, but it didn’t deter her from her night time escapades. She couldn’t wait to get out of this house and to Mark; she’d had her mind on very little else all evening.

She checked her watch.

1:27

She was going to be late; she hoped Mark didn’t think she was standing him up. Oh god, what if he stood her up? What if she’d gone through all this and he wasn’t there?

No, he’d be there. He’d be waiting for her.

Pushing the negative thoughts out of her mind, Chloe focused on her current task. She moved quickly and stealthily through the sitting room and to the front door, as far away from Ben she could get without actually leaving the house. Opening her bag, she pulled out the pair of jeans and long sleeved top she’d chosen earlier and pulled her nightie over her head. Quickly changing, Chloe brushed her hair and slicked a bit of lip gloss onto her lips. Finally, she picked up the shoes waiting for her by the front door, checked she had her keys and slung the bag over her shoulder. She was going to take it with her; if Ben woke up and found she wasn’t there, she’d rather he thought she’d been kidnapped than had snuck off.

Chloe opened the front door and stepped out into the night. There was a chilly breeze and Chloe instantly regretted not grabbing her jacket as she’d passed it. Oh well, too late now. She was already late meeting Mark and she didn’t have the time (or the good fortune) to go back and get anything. She’d have to be cold. Walking briskly down the steps, Chloe turned right and headed up the street. It was a bit of a walk, but it was safer that way. She didn’t want to be seen getting in or out of Mark’s car in the early hours of the morning.

It was getting towards quarter to 2 by the time Chloe got to the end of the road and saw Mark’s car. To an ordinary passer-by, it looked the same as any of the other cars parked at the side of the road. The engine was off and all looked still inside the car, but Chloe could see Mark’s outline as she neared. He’d obviously seen her in the rear view mirror because when she was a few metres away from the car, the driver’s door opened and Mark got out.

“I didn’t think you were coming.” He said quietly.

“I’m sorry, I had a bit of a disaster getting out of the house.” Chloe said, letting Mark take her in his arms and hug her tightly.

She was so relieved she’d made it in one piece, she could really do with a hug!

“What happened?” Mark asked worriedly. “Did Ben wake up?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that, it was okay. I just tripped over pretty much everything I could have done on the way to the front door. I really should look into that walking quietly in the dark training.”

Mark laughed. “It’s okay, you’re here now. Shall we go?”

Chloe nodded. “Yeah. Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” Mark said mysteriously.

“A surprise?” Chloe asked excitedly.

“Yeah. It’s not far.”

“What’s not far?”

“The surprise.” Mark said.

“Is the surprise a place?” Chloe asked.

“Part of it.”

Oooh, this was so exciting! Chloe wondered where they were going. She hoped it was somewhere cool, although, where was there to go at 2 in the morning?!

As they drove, Chloe tried not to let her eyes close. She was exhausted and more than ready for bed, but she was determined to stay awake. This whole exercise would be absolutely pointless if she did.

“How much further is it?” she asked, stifling a yawn.

Mark looked at her and smiled. “Not far.” He said.

They drove for what seemed like hours, until Mark finally stopped the car.

“Wait here.” He said.

“What?” Chloe asked drowsily.

She was so close to falling fast asleep.

“Wait here. I won’t be a minute.”

By now, Chloe was getting a bit bored. Mark had hardly talked to her at all the whole way there, which had taken hours by the way. It was most definitely not “not far”. But anyway, she was beginning to wish she’d just stayed in bed. Maybe this whole Mark thing wasn’t quite so appealing after all. Tonight hadn’t been exactly romantic so far.

Moments later, Mark returned to the car and opened Chloe’s door.

“Okay, close your eyes.”

Oh what now?

“Mark, I…”

“I know, it’s late and I’ve dragged you all the way out here, and it’s not been what you expected and you’re bored…”

At this point, Chloe almost put her hands to her head to see if her thoughts were leaking out of her ears or something. How did he do that?!

“…but,” Mark continued. “I know you’re going to love what I have to show you, I hope so anyway, so please, just close your eyes and come with me.”

“Okay…” Chloe consented.

One last chance. If it was still crap then she was going home.

She closed her eyes and felt her skin tingle as Mark linked his hand with hers and began to walk her slowly forward. She stumbled on what she guessed was a rock, and almost immediately Mark’s arm was around her waist steadying her. She felt him go to take his arm away, but she put her free hand on it, signalling for him to leave it where it was. The electricity caused by his touch was helping to wake her up and she needed all the help she could get! And plus, it felt nice, having his arm around her. It was a good feeling.

It felt like they were walking over grass now instead of the harder surface they’d been on before, which had most probably been road. They walked a little further, Chloe careful to mind her step and not slip over on the slightly damp stuff underfoot, until Mark stopped her.

“Okay, we’re here.” He said. “You can open your eyes.”

Mark watched with glee as Chloe opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. He knew she liked it from the expression of complete surprise and delight on her face. Well he should think so too, it’d taken him hours! They were by a big glistening lake, surrounded by forest. It was a much-frequented family picnic place in the day, but there was absolutely no-one around at this time of night. It was as if it was just theirs. Mark thought it was beautiful, he had done since he first stumbled upon it a few months back. It was so quiet and peaceful, and the effect of the moon shimmering in the lake’s reflection was breathtaking. He’d come here an hour ago and had found the perfect spot on the grass, just beyond the gravel path circling the lake. He’d put a rug down and had surrounded it with hundreds of candles that he’d lit just now. He was actually quite proud of it, it did look quite impressive. Very romantic too, which was of course the main aim.

Mark stopped admiring his masterpiece and looked at Chloe.

“Do you like it?” he asked, really already knowing the answer.

Chloe looked gobsmacked. “I-I love it.” She breathed. “It’s… I can’t believe you did this for me!”

Mark smiled. “I’d do anything for you.” He said, without really meaning to.

That’s what he’d been thinking, but he hadn’t meant to actually say it.

“Well it’s lovely, thank you.” Chloe said gratefully.

Mark was so glad she liked it. He knew he hadn’t been very forthcoming with the conversation in the car on the way there, and at one point Chloe looked like she was on the verge of falling asleep, but he hadn’t really known what to say. He was still a little stunned that all this was happening. It was like living in a dream. Well if it was all a dream, he hoped he never woke up.

“Shall we sit down?” Mark asked, slightly hopefully.

He craved any kind of contact with Chloe and couldn’t think of anything better than cuddling up with her on a rug. After all, it was cold. They might need to be quite close to stay warm!

“Yeah, let’s.”

The two of them stepped cautiously over the candles, careful not to extinguish any of them and ruin all Mark’s hard work. Chloe sat down first, and Mark sat next to her, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her gently back so she was leaning against him. She readily complied with this advance, placing a hand on his.

“It’s nice here, isn’t it?” Mark asked.

“It’s beautiful.” Chloe said.

She was talking in hushed tones, as if anything louder than that would break the perfection and serenity of their location.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Not far out of London, surprisingly.” Mark said. “I don’t know if it has a name. It’s just a place.”

“It’s so quiet!”

Mark nodded and both of them looked up as a bird flew silently over the lake.

“No-one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” Chloe said, turning to look at Mark.

Mark felt her press further against him and tightened his grip around her waist.

“No?”

Mark was very surprised. He thought that this kinda thing would be old news to Chloe. Ben was always claiming that he was romantic, but Mark was beginning to wonder.

Chloe shook her head.

“Not even Ben?”

“I don’t wanna talk about Ben.” She said. “Not tonight.”

“What do you wanna talk about?”

“Who said I wanted to talk?” Chloe asked, reaching up to Mark’s face and putting her lips on his.

As they kissed, Mark moved one of his hands to the back of Chloe’s head, pulling her closer to him and at the same time, slowly guiding her down into a lying position with him leaning over her. One hand at the top of his back, Chloe firmly pulled Mark’s body closer to hers as she ran a hand through his hair.

Mark was trying so hard not to imagine what this kiss, the best they’d had so far in his opinion, could lead to. He knew it was way too soon and he wouldn’t dream of even vaguely suggesting it, but he almost couldn’t help himself. He wanted her so badly.

As his hands wandered, as if with a mind of their own, down past her waist, Chloe broke away from the kiss.

She smiled at him, but her eyes were clearly saying, “Don’t go any further”. Mark got the message, and moved his stray hand back up to push a strand of hair away from Chloe’s face. He didn’t really mind. Believe it or not, sleeping with Chloe wasn’t the most important thing in all this. Just being with her was.

“Have I told you that I think you’re beautiful?” he said, smiling at her.

“Don’t think so.” Chloe said slightly embarrassedly, averting his gaze.

“Well you are.”

Chloe’s bashful smile almost made Mark lose his head completely. She really was looking the loveliest he’d ever seen her look tonight. The moonlight really did her justice. And she was with him, out of choice. She could have stayed at Ben’s house, she could be fast asleep by now, all tucked up in bed, but instead she’d chosen to be here with him. Mark was almost surprised at the emotion he felt towards her. It was so much stronger when they were together, than when they were apart, and it was something he’d never felt before.

He hadn’t realised it was possible to feel like this about anyone. It was like the kind of thing you read about in books. The perfect love that no-one ever finds because it’s not real. Except maybe this time Mark had defied fiction. Maybe he’d found his perfect love. At the moment he was just waiting for Chloe to find hers.

Mark gave Chloe a lingering kiss. “Do you fancy a swim?” he asked, grinning.

Chloe looked at him wonderingly. “A swim?”

“In the lake!”

“Are you mad?” Chloe asked. “It’s like, half 2 in the morning!”

“I know! Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Mark, it’ll be freezing!” Chloe said, laughing now. “And I don’t have anything to swim in.”

“You can swim in what you’re wearing.”

“I can’t swim in jeans, they’d get soaked!”

“Well, in that case…” Mark grinned at her.

“No!” Chloe exclaimed. “I am not going skinny dipping!”

“Why not? I will if you do.”

Chloe shook her head. “Uh-uh, no way.”

“Don’t you wanna swim?” Mark asked.

He didn’t know why he’d suggested the idea really, it had just kinda grabbed him as being a cool thing to do.

“Well…” Chloe began to look a little keener on the idea. “Okay, but only if you are.”

“I’m not gonna let you go in there on your own!”

Chloe smiled. “Okay then, let’s go!”

She stood up and stepped with Mark over the circle of candles surrounding the rug, which were still burning brightly. Giggling, they made their way across the grass to the water’s edge.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Chloe said.

“It’ll be fun!”

“It’ll be cold!” Chloe said, taking off her shoes.

Mark watched her. Was she going to go in in all her clothes? He didn’t want to take all of his off if she wasn’t going to. He’d wait and see what she did, and copy her.

“If I go in with all my clothes on I’ll have nothing to wear when we get out.” Chloe reasoned.

Mark wasn’t sure if she was talking to him, or just to herself. He just nodded.

“But I am not going in naked.” She said, grinning at him. “So I’ll have to compromise. Good job I’m wearing underwear isn’t it?”

No, Mark thought, almost laughing at himself.

He watched as Chloe took off her jeans, top and socks, and then he did the same, all the time trying not to think too much about the fact that Chloe was semi-naked and standing right next to him.

“After you.” He said.

“No it’s okay, you can go first.” Chloe said.

“No no, I insist, ladies first.”

“Let’s go in together.” Chloe suggested.

“Deal.”

Holding hands, they both stepped tentatively into the water.

Chloe gasped. “Oh my god, that’s freezing!” she exclaimed.

“It’s not too bad!” Mark said, wading in further so the water went above his knees.

“Not too bad? Nooooo, I’m not going in any further, I’ll get pneumonia!”

Mark stopped walking. “You are going in. All the way in fact.” He said.

“Can’t make me.” Chloe said with a grin.

Mark swept Chloe off her feet and into his arms. “Oh yeah?”

She screamed. “Mark! Put me down!!”

“Here?” Mark asked, lowering her towards the water that would now be above her waist.

“No!” Chloe said, grasping Mark tighter so she didn’t slip from his arms.

Like he’d ever let that happen.

He kept wading in until the water was about an inch below Chloe’s legs.

“You’ve gotta get in at some point. So will it be now, or shall I just keep walking until you’re underwater?” Mark asked.

Chloe took a deep breath. “Okay, do it now.” She said, screwing up her eyes.

She gasped again as Mark gently lowered her into the water until she was standing on her feet.

“Oh my god that’s cold.” She said.

“You’ll go numb in a minute, you won’t feel a thing.” Mark said, smiling.

Chloe put her arms around his neck. “This should help too.” She said, kissing him.

“Mmm, you’re right, that did help.” Mark said when they broke apart.

“It wasn’t meant to help you.” Chloe said, smiling.

“Oh but it did. Let’s do it again.”

“I’ve got a better idea.” Chloe said.

“What’s better than kissing?”

“Pizza.”

“Oh well that’s very nice.”

Chloe shrugged. “I have very strong pizztramental views. Anyway, wanna hear my idea?”

“Erm… yeah?”

“Don’t look so sceptical, it’s cool!”

“Go on then.”

“Have you seen Dirty Dancing?” Chloe asked.

“Yeahhhh…”

“You know the bit in the lake?” Chloe grinned at Mark.

Mark wracked his brains. He had seen Dirty Dancing a couple of times, but he wasn’t entirely sure which bit… ohhhhhhhh.

“The… dance practice bit?” he asked, apprehensively.

Chloe smiled and nodded. “Yep.”

“What about it?”

“I think we should do it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah!”

“And how exactly do you suggest we do that?” Mark asked.

“Okay, you stand there,” Chloe said, backing away from Mark, looking over her shoulder to check she wasn’t going to walk into anything. “and I’ll stand here. And then I’ll run, sort of, and throw myself at you, and you have to catch me. Okay?”

Mark laughed. “Okay!”

Chloe started to move through the water towards Mark in a motion that could only be described as walking. When she was standing in front of him, Mark put his hands firmly on her waist and lifted her up into the air as she jumped. It was all going great until Chloe lost her balance and Mark dropped her. They both collapsed into the lake, giggling and splashing.

“I didn’t know you were going to do that.” Chloe said, spitting the lake water out of her mouth.

“What?”

“Pick me up.”

“Well what else was I supposed to do, move out the way?”

Chloe giggled. “That was great. Let’s do it again!”

Half a very cold hour later, Mark and Chloe emerged from the lake, dripping wet and very cold.

“Urrrrr, freeeeezing.” Chloe said, shivering a little.

Mark put his arm around her and hugged her to him as they walked.

“How are we gonna get dry?” Chloe asked, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at Mark and grinned.

That had been so much fun! Chloe couldn’t believe she’d just been swimming in a sub-zero lake in the middle of the night: it was fab! The whole night, or rather, morning, had been actually – she was having the best time! The setting couldn’t be more perfect, and she’d been speechless at the effort Mark had put into everything. It was just amazing, and something she’d never experienced before. He must really love her…

“Um…”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have any towels.” Chloe said.

“I won’t tell you that then.” Mark said.

“You don’t have any do you?”

“Er, well…”

“Mark!”

“It was a spontaneous idea!” Mark said. “I can’t plan my spontaneity!”

Chloe grinned. “So what are we gonna do now?”

“Be wet and cold?”

“Much as I like that suggestion… no.”

“Okay, I have an idea.” Mark said, quickening his pace back to the candles, most of which had completely burnt out.

“What?” Chloe asked.

Mark didn’t answer, but reached his destination and carefully picked the rug off the ground.

“Here ya go!” he said, wrapping the rug around Chloe’s shaking shoulders and rubbing his hands up and down her arms to warm her up. “Better?”

She nodded. “A little bit.”

How sweet was that?! It seemed like Mark never stopped thinking about her and her well-being. Ben was never like that. Chloe frowned inwardly. Being with Mark was making her see faults in Ben she’d never recognised before. She used to think he was perfect in every way possible, but now…

“What?” Mark asked her.

“What?”

“You’re frowning, what’s wrong?” Mark asked concernedly.

Okay, so obviously that wasn’t frowning inwardly. But aww bless him.

Chloe smiled quickly. “Nothing! I’m just cold.” She said. “Aren’t you?”

“A bit, but I’m okay.”

“There’s room in here for two.” Chloe said, opening the rug to invite Mark inside.

He stepped forward and put his arms around her waist as she wrapped the rug back around them both. They stood there for a while, not saying a word, just holding each other and enjoying the moment, until Chloe noticed the colour of the sky.

“It’ll be light soon.” She said. “I should get back.”

Mark nodded. He looked… not sad, just like he didn’t want this time they’d spent together to end.

Chloe knew the feeling.

“I better put some clothes on then.” She said as Mark let go of her.

She put her jeans, top, socks and shoes back on while Mark also got dressed. They packed up the candles and rug, and walked slowly back to Mark’s car, hand in hand, in silence.

They stopped by the passenger door and Mark turned to Chloe.

“I’ve had such a fantastic time Clo.” He said, his hands stroking her now tangled long brown hair.

She smiled. “Me too.”

“When can we do it again?”

Now there was a question. When could they do it again?

“I don’t know Mark…”

Mark looked disappointed.

“I didn’t mean I didn’t know if I wanted to!” Chloe corrected herself.

“You didn’t?” Mark asked hopefully.

“No! Of course not! This has all been just incredible, I’d be mad not to want to do it again! I’m just not sure when it could happen, that’s all.”

“Well…” Mark thought. “Will you let me know?”

Chloe nodded. “Yes, the second I see an opportunity.”

Mark smiled happily. “Okay.”

“You better take me home.” Chloe said reluctantly.

She would be quite happy to stay there with Mark forever, but she knew that wasn’t possible and didn’t want to ruin their lovely time by Ben waking up and finding her gone. There’d be a next time anyway, and if today was anything to go by, it’d just keep getting better every time.