"Why did you bring me here?" The question has been on my mind since I jumped.

Why would Mark think I needed this?

I'm still all hyped up, the feeling of free-falling fresh in my mind and heart, and I don't seem to be able to stand still, my right foot is continuously tapping against the car as we drive away, leaving the metallic structure behind.

"I thought you needed to vent."

My tapping stops. I did need to vent. It felt like the burden I'd been carrying over my shoulders for the last few weeks had dissipated through the air as I fell, but what the hell?

How does he know this?

I shift on my seat. "Why? Apart from being a prude, now I'm a stuck-up, too?" I cringe as the words burst out of my mouth. They're a bit harsh. Especially now. I mean, the guy did take me to bungee jump and that's definitely something I hadn't seen myself doing. Like, ever.

Mark doesn't seem fazed. In fact, he is amused.

His cackles reverberate through the car as he takes the expressway. "If the shoe fits..." he's teasing me, I know it, but a part of me is apprehensive that people might see me like that.

It would explain a lot of things. Like the fact that no one from work has dared to ask me out in a long time. I smile to myself, I haven't been really social either. Always in my small little space, immersed in dreams of being more than an advice columnist and doing research on my own, trying to nail the article, this time, guessing what sort of subject would interest my boss. Waste of time, I guess.

Sighing, I pass a hand on my forehead, pushing off the fringe of my face. "You're an idiot, Mark." I shake my head. Gosh. That's sounds like a mantra lately. My lips quirk up.

"Yeah, yeah, so you keep saying." The car stops at a red light and he turns at me. "But I know I'm awesome." His blue eyes are glinting and his hair is all over the place, but his smile is still raw and honest, and it makes me feel all weird inside. Which is not a good thing.

I turn away, swallowing hard. "You keep believing that, Mark."

The car jolts as the light turn green and the tires start rolling again. "I don't need to believe it, I know it." I roll my eyes but I grin anyway. I could use some of his self-confidence.

My stomach feels like it's still doing some sort of weird somersaults, making me feel uneasy. "Are you hungry? Let's get something to eat, on me." It's the least I can do after all.

"Tsk. Tsk." Mark turns to me for a split second. His gaze is mischievous and a sly grin plays on his face. "Are you asking me out, Kate?" He shakes his head. "I had no idea all it take was a little jump to make you see my charm!"

I purse my lips. "I'm hungry and I want food, and I happen to be with you." I lean back, smiling to myself. "But you know what? I'm uninviting you."

He chuckles. We're near my flat, but not quite there yet. "Oh no, you can't do that. I'm taking your food anyway." He turns to the right and parks right in front of my apartment building. "You owe me dinner." He glances at me and his eyes are so deep that the color seems darker and my whole body stiffens.

What is he doing?

Why is he looking at me like that?

My stupid heart flips and I'm taken aback. This is Mark. The guy sleeps with anything wearing a skirt, for Christ's sake!

I hold on to the door handle. "I hope you like Indian food," I murmur, eager to get away from him, to feel the crisp air of the night on my face and to breathe properly, since clearly something is wrong with me.

Kate is acting weird. She's avoiding to look at me. Darn it. I though the whole bungee jumping would actually create some sort of bond. At least that's what Jason said. He's hearing back from me, that idiot.

I thought we were going back to her apartment, but instead, she's leading the way to a back alley. It's dark and lonely, except for a faint light at the end of the street. I can't help myself. "Are you planning on jumping on me? The idea sounds appealing, but I rather prefer a nice, comfy bed and—"

"Shut up, Mark."

The light gets brighter as we found ourselves in front of a small door, next to a large elephant painting on the wall. I gaze at Kate. "What is this place?"

She stands up straighter. "The best Indian food in all Europe." I suppress a smile. She looks so smug and bothered at the same time. It's a weird combination but no other girl could pull it out like Kate. She keeps avoiding my eyes, which is rather unnerving, but I seize the moment and observe her.

She is beautiful.

I'd always thought so.

When she finished the jump, her cheeks were all flushed and her hair all disheveled; but the way she had smiled like she couldn't believe it she'd done it like she was free...she never looked more stunning like in that moment. Ever.

I sort of got lost on her.

And I never get lost.

I'm always controlled, I know what I want and how I want it. I've been practicing it my whole life. And I'm damn good at it.

A man's voice brings me back to present time. A fragile-looking old man is standing at the door. He says something to Kate, who answers back, but I'm still dazed by Kate's memory on top of the tower. The way she looked...she appeared almost angelic.

Almost.

I know very well that Kate can be devilish, too. Yet it's good. She's a woman who can take care of herself and who won't take shit from anyone. Especially from me.

My lips tug up. This is fun.

Mark's unusually calm as we make our way to Mr. Bahlla's restaurant. He's got a cozy little place on top of his building. There's a small terrace with four tables tops, but even though it's not fancy or sophisticated, the view is pretty awesome and the food is amazing. I've been coming here at least once a week ever since I found it.

Two of the four tables are already occupied but we are in luck to find one next to the rail. The building isn't that tall, so you can't really see the whole city, but the little sparkling lights you get to see, make you feel like you are in another part of the world. Plus, it wouldn't be long until I couldn't sit outside, the air is getting colder with each passing day.

"This is nice," he stares at the street where a few cars pass by.

I straighten an imaginary wrinkle off my pants. "I really hope you like spicy food because the curry is out of this world."

Mark's blue eyes cut to me. "I love spicy." He leans his elbows on the table and leans forward, raising an eyebrow.

He's so not talking about food.

Rolling my eyes, I avert my gaze. "Can you hold a decent conversation for more than five minutes without implying anything about sex?"

He chuckles. "I'm not talking about sex, Kate." I look at him. "But by all means, let's talk about it."

Why the hell did I think of inviting him here?

I thought it would be a nice gesture after the whole bungee jumping. I'm seriously delusional.

Now, he's gonna ruin Indian food for me.

I cross my arms and press my lips so tight that I'm pretty certain there's a white slash instead of my lips. Which just makes him laugh harder. Bloody hell.

Mr. Bahlla comes to the rescue and I order the spiciest dish on the menu, aiming to make Mark try it. That will teach him. I'm sure he's so delicate and prince-like, like he ever eats anything different. I frown. This is Mark. I'm sure he does.

And of course, now I'm gonna have to eat it as well.

Exhaling, I rub my temple. I'm the idiot. I shouldn't have asked him to come.

"So, did you like it?"

My lips quirk up. "Yeah, it was pretty cool." I gaze at him. He's still pretty amused but he's trying to keep it together for my sake. He knows I can lose it and leave him here. "Thank you." I frown. Did I thank him? "But you've done it before, haven't you?"

Mr. Bahlla brings us our water bottles. I'd tried Indian food with soda and it's not a pretty thing when your lips are burning and you try to drink the soda and the liquid foams inside your mouth. Mark reaches out for one and uncaps it. He passes it to me and takes a sip of his bottle.

"No. Part of the army training was about rappelling and stuff." He shrugs like it's unimportant and not impressive at all.

I nod. "Right. How many times have you had to serve?"

"I'm still in service. I have to be there if they call me."

I lean my arm on the rail, watching him with curious eyes. "How does that work? Do they schedule you in? What about all those charities and meetings you have to attend to?"

He smiles as he takes another sip of water. "I'm not my brother. My schedule is not so tight."

"Still..."

"I'm scheduled for different months. I actually enjoy the army more than anything else."

I can see that. Mark likes extreme sports, things that might represent a risk, that will make you work harder, but the result was worth it. If anything had taught me today, was to do that. To be bolder, I guess.

When the food gets here, Mark doesn't have any trouble eating the spicy curry. I, on the other hand, am sniffing and almost crying. Surprisingly, he doesn't make fun of me, but he ends up eating it all after I can't stand my burning lips.

"Thank you for the food," Mark smiles after we walk back to my apartment. I have no intention of asking him up, and he probably knows it. This day has been long enough. 

My heart is still acting crazy around him.

"Thank you for the bungee jump."

He bows playfully. "My pleasure." He steps away as I reach out for my keys. "It's nice to let go sometimes." I gazed at him and he is giving me that ridiculous smile of his again.

My mouth feels dry as my lips part. "Thank you, I actually needed that." I feel so shy admitting it, that I'm sure I'm blushing. I can feel my cheeks warm up.

"We all do." He shrugs. "See you next time, Kate."

I stare in daze after him as he climbs into his car and drives away. Then, I blink. Did he say next time?

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