Tammy lay sore and completely sated, in a towel on the bed, watching Mark put on another stuffy suit.

They spent the entire day together because Mark wasn't on an assignment or having to host meetings. Tammy is glad he appears to be in better spirits than a few days ago. Mark is pensive as he dresses, but he does look so good in the suit. Tammy admires the way Mark can look utterly delicious in a suit or dressed urban.

She's also learning that he can become insatiable under stress.

Tammy has a pretty healthy drive, but she finds herself giving in when sometimes she's tired. Often, she doesn't want to have sex, but somehow Mark gets her right where he wants her. He made up for all the missed nights. Tammy thinks there is no way they are literally fucking for hours.

In between, they laugh and eat.

Mark tells her things about growing up in this house, and sometimes he allows stories to slip about Alexei. When he tells those stories, Mark is the happiest she's ever seen him. He tells stories where he admires Alexei, stories where Alexei has saved Mark, and stories where they commit pranks and get into all sorts of trouble.

Tammy can tell their relationship is nothing short of complicated.

She silently listens when Mark speaks about Alexei, and sometimes after talking about Alexei, the smile will gradually fade from Mark's features. The smile would disappear as soon as he catches himself fondly remembering less strained times between himself and Alexei, and then he doesn't want to talk anymore. Sometimes, he doesn't even want to be around her anymore. Whatever pain he has concerning Alexei, it's deep, and Tammy wishes it didn't hurt him so much.

What is it about Alexei that makes him so unforgettable?

After witnessing Mark's joys and pains when speaking about Alexei, Tammy finds herself more frustrated than ever with the enigma of a man. Alexei will not leave her thoughts. He's gathering her art, and he's branded in her skin. Alexei's presence is everywhere she looks, even when he's not around. No one who knows Alexei wants to forget him or leave him out. It makes Tammy want him to stay away.

So with so much on her mind and on Mark's, sometimes they stay silent.

Tammy values that silence. She loves that she can be with Mark. There isn't any desire to create pretense or prettily coat things. Tammy feels he will always accept her. Mark tells her he will because he's always going to want her.

How can he feel that way already?

Tammy doesn't doubt what he's expressing. She isn't impervious to their connection. He sounds assured, and Tammy isn't sure if she's been in real love yet. It doesn't help that she's felt this unignorable spark with Alexei Smirnov, that for the first time in her life, isn't sexual at all. She doesn't even find Alexei personally attractive, and yet at the same time, she can't get him off her mind.

"C'mon, get dressed, Tammy. " Mark playfully kicks at her foot.

"I don't want to..." Tammy groans.

She's tired and worn out. They've made love two times and the last time, in the shower, a hint forced. Tammy isn't complaining. She's just tired. There is so much on her mind, and she's still trying to find something to give Mark so she can get rid of the Alexei secret.

"I'm not going to this dinner alone. "
Hearing urgency in Mark's voice makes her sympathetic.

Tammy wants to stay in bed and sleep.

The crash of sudden relief from anxiety, due to Mark's return, the physical exertion of making love to him, has left her drained, and she wants to sleep. She hadn't been sleeping well without him. That's because they began sleeping in the same bed since they started having sex.

Everything is mixed up.

"Ugghh." Tammy groans to sit. Mark is staring at her hard. "But ...I don't think I can function. "

The joke is lost on him, so Tammy assumes, as Mark remains silent. It brings to recollection some of the things he'd said to her today. Things got passionate, and Mark said some things at the moment. That's what happened, right?

There is no way, anything Mark said, he meant. At least, that's what Tammy needs to convince herself. Tammy has never been in love. She's loved someone who hasn't loved her back. That was painful.

What if someone loves her back?

What is that like? What does it mean? How do you know you're falling in love? And deep inside, Tammy is terrified to be hurt. She's been hurt before. That kind of pain isn't a pain that people are meant to go through in loops.

You can't keep experiencing that sort of hurt.

Whatever, between them, isn't a sure thing. Tammy watches as Mark puts on a watch and begins to hurt, already thinking about when this is over. How does she go back to the men she'd been with before? Who will ever inspire these striking emotions and sensations like this again?

Alexei Smirnov pops into her head, and all she's learned about him. Alexei pops in her head and how she feels when she's even around him. Tammy feels panic and doesn't even want to think of Alexei and love together.

Finally, Mark snaps to himself. "I'm sorry if I took advantage."

Tammy resists a smile as his expensive and sexy fragrance surrounds her because Mark pulls her into an embrace. This scent he only wears with the suits. It smells like everything Mark is sexy, elusive, expensive, and dangerous. Everything she wants is in Mark, but a traitorous perceptive place in her wonders if Amber is correct, that Alexei and herself have things in common, and those things may be all the things Tammy needs in love.

"Your skin is so soft. " His fingertips lightly trace over the curve of her exposed shoulder. "You're beautiful, and I want you all the time. "

"Mark, I don't know if I can do that anymore tonight." Tammy walks over to the closet, taking out one of the cocktail dresses Amber bought her.

At the exact moment, aware of the towel and always concealing the brand. Mark would recognize the brand as belonging to Alexei. The familiar ache in her stomach begins. She hates this lie. A more significant part is growing within Tammy daily, which wants both men out of her life and to return to normal.

" I wasn't going to do that tonight. " Mark smiles, due to Tammy's small sound of disbelief, walking over to her. " I need to sleep tonight. Maybe, we can watch some movies." Mark kisses her shoulder before moving away to fix his bow tie.

"Sleep sounds good..." She says before the door flies open.

"Tammy!" Amber stops, blinking at Mark. "what are you doing in Tammy's room?"

They keep a facade of sleeping in separate rooms.

Tammy doesn't give a fuck; who knows, they are fucking, but Mark thinks it's for the best. So, Amber's question is valid enough as Tammy drags an item into the closet that belongs to Mark.

"Minding my business, something you still don't know how to do." Mark was fully dressed before the interruption and nods, covertly, in thanks that Tammy hid his item of clothing. "Tammy, I'll see you downstairs. "

Tammy pulls the dress on once Mark is gone. "Hey, Amber, what's up?"

They've hung out some, but Tammy doesn't think she can ever be best friends with Amber. They feel too different. Amber is a sweet girl, but she comes from a different world.

For once, Amber is kind of quiet. "I was going to see if you need help getting ready. You haven't come out of the room, and I wanted to make sure you were coming tonight. "

Tammy pulls her hair into a chignon. It was pretty easy with her hair being wet and a bit of hair gel. The hardest part is getting it to stay, but her mother taught her this look young. "Mark is making me go."

Amber scoffs. Her blue eyes roll, and her slim eyebrow raises. "We are at Alexei's house. We only have to listen to him. "

Tammy looks with crossed arms. "I'm not exactly in a privileged position, and besides, I am here with Mark. He's treating me fine, and we're cool. "

"That's because you don't know him. It would be best if you caught up. I thought you would realize when the prime is after you. My brother is an upgrade. " Amber suddenly dishes attitude and body language that Tammy isn't prepared for.

Tammy dabs on red lipstick to tint her lips. "What makes you think that your brother gives a fuck about me and that I would be thinking about who wants me at a time like this?"

Amber's lips twist with a look that says, 'poor dear.' Amber shakes her head, and her curled hair shakes. "Tammy, you are involved in a delicate position, and as a woman to another woman, I would make sure to keep note of every single card in my hand and go over each potential play. "

This is interesting.

Tammy turns and faces Amber. The severe sudden nature of the woman is refreshing but also a bit unwelcomed. Amber is one way, in Tammy's mind, and it is so jarring to see Amber so differently. She never heard Amber speak ill of anyone or throw them under the bus before this moment. She's never witnessed Amber as insightful or as giving advice.

"Amber, please don't worry about me. Look, let's spend the day together tomorrow." Tammy halfheartedly promised. She is sure Mark wouldn't be around anyway, so she mind as well hang with Amber.

Amber gave her a look similar to her brother. "Okay, but if you want to get rid of Mark, let me know. "

Tammy sighs. "I'll keep that in mind. Can you give me a few moments, alone, before we all head downstairs?"

Amber leaves, and Tammy feels the impulsion to walk. She is nervous about this event. There are going to be paparazzi and mixing with celebs. Tammy hasn't ever been to an even quite this large or full of important people. She wrings her hands nervously, walking through the hallway, where she bumps into Alexei.

Suddenly breathless, Tammy takes in this polished and cosmopolitan version of Alexei. Right, when you think the man can't look any better, he does in a look set to send forth worldly, in control, and we'll connect vibes. Tammy suddenly decides Alexei is quite stylish. She also realizes, instinctually, Alexei's bedroom is closer to her own than she thought.

"Sorry, I was just... Pacing." The words tumble out, and Tammy wonders why she finds herself so inept of speech in his presence.

Alexei shrugs. "It's cool. I guess it's just nerves. "

Tammy nods. "I've never been to anything like this. I don't want to go. "

Alexei looks at her critically. "I'm sure I don't love these things either, but Mark loves this portion of things. Sometimes I wonder if he prefers the parties more than the actual work. "

Tammy feels the need to stand up for Mark. "He's hard-working. I rarely have seen him do big events. In fact, this is the first one."

Alexei scoffs with condensing reserve. "You don't know him. You're foolish if you think Mark values work more than play."

Tammy is upset.

She doesn't like the words Alexei says. The comments are simple but hold truth. She doesn't know Mark. Little things here and there have shown her that she doesn't, and Alexei's admonishment makes Tammy insecure. Alexei's words are poking at her finely tuned fantasy and forcing her to look into reality.

"Maybe it's you that doesn't know him. I'm sure there is a reason that he stays away from you and this entire family. I'm sure, even if I find the proof you're looking for that I'll also find Mark has reasonable cause to do so. " Tammy spits the words in veiled fury and not the wiser of knowing she's poking a susceptible subject that will blacken Alexei's mood further.

Alexei suddenly crushes Tammy in an air restricting embrace, and Tammy's body trembles against the surface of the wall, upon impact, as she notes the thinly controlled rage in which Alexei grabs her by the throat.

"Tammy, you will best to stay the fuck out of things concerning Mark and myself. You don't need to worry about why he's doing what he does, but understand not to cross me. I won't be kind, even if it's out of sympathy that will be misplaced. " Alexei speaks with grunttal anger.

Tammy nods slowly as the underwater feeling takes over swiftly, just like high tides at a beach. She has swept away in those tides far into the back of her mind, now only a passenger to her emotional fragility feeling the need to protect herself. Tammy hears herself. However, in the oddest view, she sees herself from the outside and almost like a movie. Her mind begins to whisper: Survive.

Tammy watches as she licks her lips sensually and looks up at Alexei with Bridgette Bardot wide and come hither eyes. "Maybe you've been playing me. I'm beginning to believe that none of this is about Mark at all. You want me, and you don't want to admit it. How does it feel. . . Finally, having your hands wrapped around my throat? You've thought about it. . . Haven't you?"

Alexei loosens his hold and tilts her face upward with gentle pressure. "What kind of game is this?

Tammy raises an eyebrow and takes a deep breath before seductively but for the briefest moment biting her bottom lip. She fixes her eyes on his direct eye contact without flinching. "It's the game you and Mark put me in. You could end the entire thing, but you won't. He could end it, but he won't. So, why not go ahead and up the stakes? Why not just kiss me and get it out the way?"

Tammy feels anger, ashamed, and helpless, watching herself and Alexei. She begins to struggle mentally to have control over the situation. In her mind, the waves seem to push her further away. Her hearing is dull, and things begin to appear hazy and soft blur. No, Tammy fights to stay aware. She refuses to blackout.

Alexei's eyes narrow. "Something is wrong with you. . . "

Tammy scoffs. "Pot meets kettle. . ."

His lips fluttered over her own. It isn't the passionate and forceful kisses that Mark gives. Somehow it's worse, and it's gentle and kind. The kiss makes Tammy begin to cry.

Like bursting from the bottom of a pool, Tammy can fully see, hear, and feel again. With all her strength, she pushes Alexei off. Swallowing tears, she whirls away with another secret. She hates Alexei more now than for branding her.