#mr.i

“So are there any more criteria needed for this guy” Colleen asked as her eyes scanned the crowd, “Preferably cute and single are on the list I know.”

“Preferably not creepy. Let’s add that one too,” you muttered to her. You didn’t want any creepy, clingy types that would think it would be ok to cop a feel.

“Of course. Let’s see…what about him over there. He’s tall and clean shaven.” Colleen pointed to a man across the road.

“You know I like a man with a beard.”

“True. How about that beard?”

“Neck beard only? No thanks.”

“What about him, near the hot chocolate stand?”

“No, no, no. Look at his eyes. They’re so beady. See the way he’s staring at the hot chocolate. I want someone with gentle eyes.” You scrunched your nose at the man in question.

“Honey, we’re looking for someone to give you a peck on the lips for a photo, not the man of your dreams,” Colleen bumped your elbow with her own.

You groaned, “You’re right, I’ll be less picky.” Sighing out loud you spotted a decent looking man in a tweed jacket. Nice full beard, well-groomed hair, all around good enough to get the job done.

“I’ve got one, he doesn’t look too bad.”

“As good as they get, I suppose.” Colleen shrugged.

“Ok here I go,” You announced while jumping off your perch and striding away.

“I’ve got your back if he gets weird,” Colleen chimed in as she followed your lead.

You smiled at your friend’s remark. Walking closer to the man in question; you closed your eyes, steadied yourself, and put on a brave face. Thinking of a warm fireplace, sweet treats, and a warm pair of arms surrounding you, you mustered your most genuine and sweetest of smiles, hoping to win the heart of this complete stranger. As you began to just barely open your eyes, you felt the wind get knocked right out of you as something hard and firm slammed into you, thus knocking you off your feet.

“Shit, sorry sorry,” a voice above you spoke rapidly. Blinking and rubbing your now sore ass, you felt two strong and gentle hands take you by the shoulders to stand you up. Finally, back on your feet, you were met with a pair of sweet and concerned eyes colored in a golden mocha that you would love to just sip on for an entire evening or longer. The man was tall and broad in his well fit suit, but not in an intimidating way. His hair was slightly shaggy and ruffled from a busy day, while his beard softly sculpted his face, leaving two semi bald spots where your hands could perfectly fit for a smooch on the lips. A serene smile appeared on your face as the man, started running soothing circles into your shoulders.

“You ok ma’am? Are you hurt at all?” the man before you question as his eyes scanned you for any discomfort.

“I um, what? Am I ok? Yes, yes, yeah, I’m good. You?”

The man smiled back down at you, showering you with the sweetest dimple.

“Yeah, I’m good,” he replied, holding eye contact as his hands still held onto you.

“Hey, your guy is walking away,” Colleen poked at you, jarring you from the possessive stare of the mystery man in front of you.

“What guy,” you questioned your friend.

“The one you need to kiss…” Colleen smirked but looked directly at the now distracted man in front of you.

“Oh well maybe…” You began, as you eyed him as well, but were cut short.

“Agent Pike over here, we’ve got eyes,” another man in a suit clapped your mystery man’s back and nodded in a direction away from you.

“Right, let’s get moving,” he said glancing at the new man. He then turned to you with that dimpled smile, “I’ve got to go but sorry again for running into you ma’am. Glad you’re not hurt.” He gave your arm a firm squeeze before marching off with the other man.

You continued to stare in his direction, not sure if you should be running after him or not.

“Damn he would have looked really nice in a Halmark card,” Colleen said as she leaned into you.

You chuckled, “He would have looked nice against my lips.”

“That he would. So, about that other guy, he’s definitely gone.”

“Of course,” you sighed. “Well, back on the hunt again.”

You and Colleen returned to your perch near the giant Christmas tree to scan the crowds again. As Colleen picked out guy after guy from the crowd, you couldn’t help but keep your eye out for a certain handsome man.

Marcus begrudgingly left you in the dense crowd, running to catch up with his partner. He had truly accidently bumped into you even if he was very aware of your presence. As he was making his way through the crowd of shoppers, he happened to see you walking across his path. Instantly transfixed with the beautiful smile that graced your face, he couldn’t look away from the warmth and joy that radiated from you. Even with your eyes closed you seemed like you were beaming with comfort, and Marcus didn’t stop his feet from running right into you as he was blinded by your euphoria.

And he was glad for his moment of absent mind; he wouldn’t have seen the look of astonishment in your eyes when you finally opened them, a look he wanted to see again. He was sorry for bumping you straight to the ground like a sack of presents Santa had dropped from the chimney…but not too sorry. Really what he was sorry for was leaving you behind to get back to work. Even more so when he heard your friend say something about kissing some other guy.

Marcus shook these thoughts out of his head as he jogged his way down the street, Mr. Love-struck Fool had to wait a moment. Work needed to be done as Agent Pike followed his partner down the block to a store front covered in red and green light, glittering icicles, and a plastic Santa Clause that was almost decapitated from a rushed entry.

“The suspect made a run up the stairs,” Marcus’ partner stated as a few more agents appeared behind them.

“Right. The three of us will head up, take it slow, eyes open for trouble. You two stay here in case he makes a run for it back down here,” Marcus commanded as took the lead up the stairs.

The team had been following the trail of an art forger for the last month, and his trail had only heighted within the last few days as the team noticed his sudden spending spree, most likely from selling his forgeries. They had tracked him down to his greeting card shop near downtown DC, sprinting into a run as the suspect saw the agents making their way down the street towards him.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Marcus held his gun out, eyes constantly scanning. Clearing out the second story of the shop, he and the other agents made their last crusade to the attic of the store, where small squeaks of wood could be heard. Marcus eyed his partner to open the door as Marcus and the other agent rushed into the room, sweeping the area for signs of the suspect. Finding his attic to be the studio where he made his forgeries, the agents went further into the studio, taking notice of proof of forgery. Not seeing a sign of the suspect, the two agents tucked their guns away as Marcus crept further to the back of the studio, to a corner slightly obscured by a large unfinished portrait. Noticing a faint bit of light peaking from under the frame of the painting, Marcus also took note of the how the painting seemed out of place. Quietly, Marcus beckoned his team over to him as he pulled the portrait away from the corner.

As the frame of the portrait screeched against the wood floor, a loud howl and thud was heard as an open window was revealed to Marcus and his team. Staring straight out the window, Marcus eyed the forger who had caught himself in a nasty balancing act. The forger was caught in a frightful position of trying to escape by using Christmas lights hung on the roof of his shop to swing out of the window. But in his haste to escape, he under guessed the strength of the small rope of lights, catching himself half in the window and half out, hanging shamefully over the street and the two agents that had stayed on the first floor.

“Found him boss,” called one of the agents from bellow.

Marcus smirked as he grabbed the man by his coat and swung him back inside.

Cuffed and mortified, the forger was escorted back to the car by Marcus, leaving the rest of his team to collect more evidence of the forgeries. Many eyes were on the forger and on Marcus as he marched their way through the parting crowd. Your own eyes sprang out in shock as you watched your mystery man push the cuffed man into a cop car. Jabbing your fingers into Colleen’s side, you nodded your head towards the man commanding your, and everyone’s attention.

“Oh.”

“Yeah Oh.”

“Think he’s free now for a kiss?” Colleen smiled wide.

“You don’t think it’s weird to ask for a kiss after he’s just arrested someone?”

“Nope, think of it as a good job kiss.”

“How about something more than a good job kiss. Like a damn, can you put those cuffs on me kiss?”

Colleen laughed “Honey, you and I both want to give him that kiss.”

Smirking and raising an eyebrow at the man of interest, you watched as he gave out a few more orders to his team, before he nodded them away to deal with their remaining tasks. Now alone, Marcus ran a hand through his hair, enticing you to dream of how soft it probably was to the touch. Would he let you run your fingers through it? Maybe give his scalp a gentle scratch or even a small tug as you fitted your lips to his under a brightly lit Christmas tree? Maybe a small moan would come from his lips as…

“Wave you creep, he sees you staring,” Colleen elbowed you as you were suddenly taken from your dream.

Now back in reality, you caught sight of mystery man giving you a soft smile and small wave. Returning it through sheer embarrassment and stupidity, you quickly turned away from him and looked back out to the rest of the crowd, making sure not to make eye contact with mystery man again. Flustered with yourself, you stepped off your perch and hid further into the crowd as Colleen shouted your name.

Marcus’ smile dropped as you disappeared. Well, that was abrupt. Maybe he misread you from earlier, maybe those warm eyes of mirth weren’t for him. You could have just been making light of an awkward situation, besides your friend had mentioned something about kissing some guy. Maybe that was it, off to your real love and not jumping into his fantasy lead head. Marcus scoffed at himself for getting caught up with some stranger he probably would never see again. He really needed to get out of his own head, if anything his failed marriage and failed engagement should have clued him in one of life's biggest secrets, romance was dead, and fairytales were just words of a page.

But he still lingered, maybe his logic was calling for him to get back into the car and go to work, but his eyes were loyal to his heart. There was such a loving hope in them, glazed and sugared in sweet caramel. So, he lingered, just for a bit. Colleen lingered as well; she just couldn’t help but watch.

You should have gone home, should be in bed wrapped up in blankets, snug up with a book or movie. But you were still here, in the market hunting. No, it was more like wasting away. The sun had set, a few shoppers still hung around, but the day was ending and soon you needed to head for the airport, bound for your parents’ home. No one compared to him, your mystery man. Other men seemed too short, too tall, too skinny, or too muscular compared to him. Who else had that boyish smile that graced his face when you were rendered speechless? Nope there was no one else, it all seemed so silly now that you had that image of him plaguing your mind. Colleen had enough of your sorrow and went home after giving you a pat on your back. I’m sure you find the right one sooner or later, she had said as she walked away with a smirk. So here you were in your own self-made isolation, only daydreams of broad-shouldered agents keeping you warm yet still lonely.

You could see him now; he was so vivid in your hazy eyes. Hair tousled from a busy day. Bread slightly scruffy but handsome under his prominent nose. Those soft and patent eyes watching you as his large hand gently yet confidently holds you. A dimple pronounced on his face as honeyed words flow out of his mouth. A crinkle on his skin would appear as his eyebrows hitched up in worry.

“Excuse me ma’am? You all right?” Marcus asked you for the second time today.

You blinked rapidly. Oh no, this was no daydream of yours, this was real. You were staring him down like a creep as he walked up to you. Wait he walked up to you? He was here. Really here. For you? Maybe for you? Maybe shopping or work? Either way he was here in front of you. Worried? Wait he was now worried. Oh duh. Cause you’ve been talking to yourself and now you don’t just look like a creep but a loser, what a winning combination.

Shaking your head and laughing “Sorry I’m so caught up in my own thoughts. I’m not great at paying attention to what’s going on around me.”

Marcus relaxed, “Oh good, for a minute there I thought you had a concussion from me knocking you down earlier.”

“No, no,” you laughed. “Really I’m alright. No harm done!”

“That's good,” Marcus’ smile flattered slightly. “So why are you still here? Did last minute shopping drag the energy out of you? Too tired to go home?”

“Oh, it’s not that. It's a silly idea really. You'll think I’m crazy for it.” You looked frustrated with yourself. You would sound so ridiculous asking this generous and sweet man for a pathetic holiday kiss.

Sensing your hesitation, Marcus continued, “Let me guess, you’re an ex-Christmas caroler out for revenge against the group who booted you out?”

“No that’s not it,” you laughed.

Marcus pouted and raised an eyebrow, “Alright how about this, you’re a wanted thief on the run for not only forging holiday cards, but for also decapitating Santa, and also damaging public property while escaping on swinging Christmas lights.”

“Oddly specific, and completely wrong.”

“No? Thought I had you on that one. Maybe this,” Marcus grinned as he had you laughing. “You're a fallen angel waiting for a lift.” He waited intently for your reply.

Your laugh died down as you bit your lip and shook your head no.

“Not an angel,” he exclaimed as his eyes went wide but a solid grin pulled his face. “Well, you could have fooled me. Would you actually tell me if you were?”

You contemplated his question for a moment, “Yes, but just not to a stranger.”

Marcus smiled and held out his hand, “Marcus Pike.”

You gave him your name back, holding his hand a moment too long for normal.

“You’re an agent though right,” you asked. “If you really want to know why I’m still here, then let’s make a deal. You tell me why you came back. Was it work related?”

“Not work related. Although my partner got a tip that a person of interest was still down here.”

“Person of interest?”

“Well, you do seem very interesting so far,” he teased.

You blushed, “Where did this tip come from?”

“Sorry ma'am that’s confidential, but" he leaned forward to whisper, “The source did say they were close to this person of interest.”

You rolled your eyes at your friend’s meddling; Colleen will have to explain this later.

“Now you,” Marcus nodded.

“Well, I’m on the search for the perfect Halmark card kiss to send to my parents. One photo of one kiss under this tree,” you said as you pointed to the large overbearing Christmas tree. “One fake photo and my family will stop fussing over my relationship-less life. I just need a willing partner.”

Marcus’ smile went wild, his own heart raced at the picturesque idea.

“Yes.”

“Yes? Really?”

“Really! You're a beautiful and brave woman, I’d be a fool not to step in and help.”

You couldn't believe your ears, but you didn’t wait a moment for this to suddenly be untrue.

Rushing forward, dragging Marcus by the hand, you quickly went to work instructing him on what poses the two of you could make.

“Ok so I was thinking about the classic half hug kiss, or the chaste but sweet kiss on the cheek, or maybe full-frontal kiss and done? Is your arm long? Of course it’s long. Can you take the picture, or maybe someone nice can?” Rambling on you failed to notice that Marcus had gently taken your phone out of your hand and handed it to a strange who agreed to take the photo.

“How about this pose?” Marcus held one hand to your waist and wrapped the other around your back, dipping you down and around in a twisting motion. Now held in the air and facing the sky, you gasped at the sight of Marcus over you. His eyes crinkled as he stared down at your wide-eyed look.

“Ready,” he questioned with a smile.

“Yes,” you smiled back.

You felt his smile as his lips slowly drew against yours. Gently hovering over you, a small puff of his breath fanned over your lips just as he placed a small tentative kiss to you. A rush of air went through you then, letting out the tiniest whimper that even you could barely hear. But Marcus did and held you even firmer to him. Slowly his lips slotted perfectly to yours as he tilted his head at the right angle to yours. Nudging his tongue to your closed lips, you gave him entry to what you both had daydreamed of earlier in the day. Tongues now slowing investigating each other, you drew your own hands up his arms and squeezed at his muscles. Marcus drew his arm firmly around you as the other hand went to tangle itself in your hair, deepening the kiss. You two were so impossibly close that you could feel his heart beating rapidly as one of your own hands slowly skimmed its way from his arm to his soon to be tousled hair.

“Got it!” the exclamation shocked the two of you from each other. The old man who had taken the picked handed the phone back to you, “I took a couple, you two together will look great on a holiday card,” he said with a smile and a waved as he strolled away.

Looking through the pictures, you noticed he was right. One photo was just the right moment in the kiss for a perfect holiday card, the later photos seemed a bit to steamy for that. But they were still good photos to keep…for later.

Marcus cleared his throat as he looked over you shoulder.

“Well one of those photos will work, right?”

“Oh yeah, they're perfect,” you smiled at Marcus.

He smiled back, “Listen there’s a small diner near by, I know it’s getting late, but I would love to take you…”

“Wait shit, what time is it?”

“10 till 9.”

“Shit! I’ve got to go! My flight leaves in an hour,” you yelled as you started sprinting in the direction of your car. You stopped suddenly though, whipping around back to Marcus. A huge breathtaking smile was across your face as you jumped back into Marcus’ arms and gave him another kiss. Pulling back to look him in the eyes, you saw a wild smile on his face as well.

“I’m gone for a week. Diner After?”

“Yeah, diner after.”

You jumped down from his arms and ran quickly to your car.

Marcus watched you go and walked slowly back to own his car, whistling his joy out for the world to hear. His feet made their way along as his mind flew to different fantasies. Maybe pancakes at the diner. A picnic in the park. A walk through the museum. A night out dancing and singing. He had so many dates to start planning. He would start simple, text you a “safe travels" when he got home and then maybe tomorrow…he…would…text…you. Wait.

“Shit.”

“Someone else recommended that, it was great!” You glanced over at Wendy as she served another table. “I tried the spinach and sausage quiche yesterday. The day before I had the country sausage biscuits and gravy. Day before that was the Pecan Pie French Toast, which is my favorite so far. And tonight, the banana bread oatmeal waffles.”

“So, you frequent this diner often?” he frowned as he tried to remember seeing you in the diner. Was he completely blind? How many missed opportunities did he blindly walk past? He could have gotten to know you so much sooner and spent so much more time with each other. Maybe that Christmas kiss could have been a real kiss between a couple instead of strangers.  

“No.” You break Marcus out of his spiraling thoughts, “I found this place a couple of days ago. Been coming here every night since,” you smiled at him.

“Oh? That’s a lot in one week,” He chuckled. “I’ve come here often the last year, but never multiple times a week.” His eyes hold yours as he continued, “But maybe I should if you’re here all the time.”

You giggled because he clearly doesn’t get it, “Well that’s the reason I came here.”

“For yourself? I like the diner a lot myself, but I know of some cozier places to spend some time.”

“Not quite what I was getting at but maybe that’s a conversation for down the road,” you laughed again and shook your head as Wendy waltzed to the table. “Hello Wendy.”

“Darlin. How’s your dinner partner treating ya?”

“He’s very kind and is an absolute pleasant company.”

“Handsome company, you mean” Wendy leans with a smirk.

Wendy and you chatter back and forth about what’s on the menu. That blissful smile returned to your face again, the same one Marcus saw when he first spotted you. There’s a sparkle in your eyes that sets a glow to the area around you. The vibration of pure joy and elation not only seemed to charm the jubilation out of Marcus but also out of anyone around you. The group of friends at the nearest table seemed to laugh and lean on each other in union more. The kids at the table behind you swayed against their parents’ shoulder as they stood on the plastic seats, childish dimples speckling their faces. Even the older couple at the bar nearest to your table seemed to proclaim a jovial elation to the rest of the diner as they gave the waitress a large tip and a happy New Year.

Marcus leaned over the table to the edge of his seat as his desire to be closer to your glow only grew as the clock counted down. There were still a few hours left before midnight, plenty of time to spend with you, maybe even get that first new year kiss. Those were supposed to be lucky right? Maybe this coming year would be his lucky one, his lucky kiss. Speaking of kisses, Marcus eyed your lips as they move with the conversation that you were having with Wendy. He watched the way you sucked your lips in and moved them against each other, letting the lip gloss glisten over your lips when you seemed to be concentrating. He held his breathe as he saw you bit the inside of your bottom lip and licked the area with the tip of your tongue. That brilliant smile of yours, now aimed at Marcus, should have broken him out of his trance but he couldn’t bring himself to look away from what he had been obsessing over the whole holiday.

“Hello Mr. FBI agent man! She’s your dinner date tonight, not a suspect,” Wendy snapped her fingers in front of Marcus’ face. He blinked his eyes away, regrettably, from you and to Wendy.

“The usual, please,” Marcus mumbled to Wendy with a faint smile as his cheeks tinted red.

“This boy gets the same food every time he’s here. You’ll have to teach him to be a bit more adventures.”

“Oh, I don’t know, he seems quite adventures to me.” You chuckled as you look over at Marcus, “Maybe next time we can share each other’s meals.”

“Next time,” Marcus gushed as Wendy walked off.

The two of you continued with your conversation, catching up on what each other did over holiday. You told Marcus about your supportive yet condescending siblings and your snooping yet loving parents. He laughed at your family blunders and anecdotes, you snorted as he recounted his most recent art bust. You asked question after question to Marcus as he confessed about his skill in painting and sketching. He was inquisitive right back at you about your career, hobbies, and passions. You both chucked and coughed as you made one too many puns and jokes about your shared interests. You two seem so lost in your own world, neither of you noticed that you were both leaning into the table towards each other, gravitating to your entwining auroras. Plates were cleaned, mugs were empty, and napkins were crumbled and tossed to the sticky maple left over as Wendy placed the bill on the table. Marcus gentle held his hand to you as he grabbed and paid the bill. You insisted on getting the bill next time, which Marcus readily agreed to another date, although he probably will still fight you over it when the time comes. But before date number two, he still had plans for date one.

“Wanna get out of here? I know the market area has their own ball dropping.” Marcus hopeful eyes shone as he helped you pull your coat on.

“I’ve got nowhere else to be, let’s go!” You grabbed Marcus’ hand and exited into the flurry of snowflakes and lights. Marcus couldn’t help but tug you into his side as you two took to the wind of merry holiday singing and tipsy late-night splendor.

There were still many groups of people all over the market area near where the Christmas tree, that the two of you kissed in front of, was located. Store fronts in the area were closed this late at night, but many food stalls and booths were open to the wandering party goers and revelers. The night wind was nippy as it breezed past the two of you, tickling your faces with a stirring and floating mix of snowflakes and lose New Year’s Eve glitter. You shivered at a sudden burst of wind that caused many other travelers to huddle up in squeaks of chill and squeals of fussing. Marcus lightly tucked your hand in the crook of his arm while you leaned into his side, immersing yourself into his sturdy furnace like body.

A gentle smile played on his face as the two of you walked through the market, a smile that you mimicked right back to him as you tightened you grip on his arm. Oh, did you remember the feel of that arm the last time you two were together. And now you couldn’t help but snuggle in closer to Marcus, making him settle his own hand on yours, engulfing you in his warmth as he stirred you to grab some hot chocolate.

“So, your family believed it then?” He questioned you as you both settled on a park bench within eyeshot of the small glowing ball that steadily lowered down to a countdown clock.

“My parents did yeah. I told my brother and sister-in-law the truth though.” You hummed as you let the steam of the hot chocolate warm your face.

“Really? And what did they say about it?”

“They agreed with my scandalous ways but laughed at me when I finally realized that I didn’t get the number of my partner in crime.” You glanced back at Marcus, silently judging his reaction, hoping he would get the hint.

Marcus laughed, “Don’t tell my boss about my new job, FBI frowns on its employees being criminals.”

“Oh really? I would never have guessed,” you jested.

“Well to tell you the truth,” he considered you for a beat before he leaned over to whisper in your ear. “I’ve got some ideas on some other crimes I’m considering getting into, but I do still need a partner, if you’re in?”

And there were those puppy dog eyes you had envisioned in your dreams so often. The ones you could never, would never, deny even if they were paired with a corny joke. Those mocha filled irises warmed you up faster then the hot chocolate you were drinking down.

“I’m in,” you snickered as Marcus returned a coy smile to you.

“I’ve got one question before you sign up though. A little test if you will,” he smirked.

“Hit me.”

“What’s your phone number?”

“That’s too easy of a test to pass,” you guffawed at him and then promptly gave him your number, which he then sent a text your way, so you had his as well. The two of you huddled close with bright smiles aimed at each other that could have countered the glow of the small countdown ball. Marcus beamed at you as he held his hand up to your face, dusting off some snowflakes that had settled on your lashes, and then rested his arm on the back of the bench and around you.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am that we found each other at the diner.” Marcus murmured to you as he looked at you with twinkling eyes, reflecting the Christmas light that still hung around the market.

“Well, I’ve been waiting long enough for you.” You ducked your head down at the confession, which only made him adore you more.

“Long enough for someone special, I get that,” he contemplated as his hand around you stroked your shoulder.

“Not quite,” you countered. You bit your lip and adjusted yourself to face Marcus. “Well, you see, the last time we met you had said there was a diner nearby. So, I went to the diner to see if maybe that’s a usual spot for you. And it turns out, Wendy was the one serving me that first night. I had told her I was looking for a man like yourself and she recognized it instantly as you. She said you came by once every week or so. Then I decided that if I wanted to meet you again, I would have to be here every day for the next week or longer. And that’s that, I’ve been here every day of this week, waiting for you to arrive.” You sputtered out the words, not bothering to meet Marcus’ eyes as you let everything out.

You liked Marcus a lot. He was such a sweet man. Someone who seemed so willing and ambitious in life. He just rammed himself into your own life, knocking the wind out of you, but rescuing your ass off the ground. And then a second later he’s the hero of the moment, arresting some Santa Clause caper. And all in the same day, the guy just agreed to kiss a total stranger. And that wasn’t just any kiss by the way. That was a damn good make out session, although too short for your liking. Now suddenly your having dinner with him at some diner that you’ve been basically staking out. You’ve never talked so much during a dinner…a date before. You couldn’t believe your ears when he said he was not only part of the FBI, impressive on its own, but also an artist! Handsome, smart, and talented. And here he was! With you! After you had basically passively staked him, in a roundabout way. You hoped he didn’t think ill towards you, that you were some creeper, because boy, did you want to see the man again. And speaking of the man in question, you didn’t dare look the man in question.

“You…went for me?…like specifically waited for me?…as in you did your own detective work and found me?” you glanced up to Marcus’ shining eyes. They once shone from the twinkle of the Christmas lights, but now tears lightly gathered at the corners.

“Is that alright?” you questioned as you stroked a stray tear from his face. He lightly nuzzled your hand.

“Why?” he asked shyly.

Within an instant of the question, you smiled adoringly at Marcus, “Because I wanted to see you. I wanted to meet you again, to get to know you. You know, when I first told my siblings about you, I was gushing like I was in high school again. And when I figured out that I didn’t get your number, I was so depressed that I wouldn’t be able to talk to you. How was I supposed to tell you how much I appreciated your willingness and generosity to help some random girl looking for her Hallmark kiss like a fool. How was I going to tell you that I really wanted to go to that diner with you? Or that I would love to go on a second date. Even get a second kiss out of you!” Your face sang bright to him as you proclaimed your desire for him.

All the jovial party goers around the two of you couldn’t compare to your brilliance, and Marcus swore that the look of bliss and euphoria on your face was even brighter than the joy you expressed earlier in the day. His face fell into disbelief as your ranted on about him. He had never been so lucking, would never be so lucky again to get a girl like you. Most of the time Marcus was used to being the one doing the grand gesture, the one to jump in headfirst into a relationship, head over heels for love. But here you were. You were just as cursed as he. Or was it luck? Lucky in love?  Marcus didn’t care. Here the two of you were. His hand only tightened, brining you closer to him as he rested his forehead to yours, quieting you in the process.

“Sweetheart, I think you said everything that was on my mind and then some,” he gave you a wet laugh.

You laughed with him as you brushed your nose against his. Here you were with this lovely man that you had only met twice, crying on New Year’s Eve. Maybe some people would call you desperate or weird, maybe even cringe. How could two people, who only met once before, become so close, so intimate, so quickly? You didn’t quite know yourself; the only thing you did know was that it all seemed so easy to be with this man. You found yourself curling into his warmth and sincerity so easily. Really, you couldn’t help yourself from craving this man. You were so perfectly content, beyond happy really, to sit here if the chilly DC winter on the last hour of the year with this perfectly lovely man. Your parents probably would scold you for letting a stranger be so intimate with you in public. You couldn’t really care though, frankly you didn’t want to leave the comfort of this man’s arms and you hoped he didn’t mind either. By the way his hands moved in rhythmic circles on your back and arms, it didn’t seem he did.

“I think our hot chocolate isn’t so hot anymore,” Marcus mumbled as he buried his nose into your hair. He could smell your shampoo and a hint of your perfume as he nuzzled your temple. If he wasn’t already addicted to your smell, he was sure going to be soon enough. He gladly looked forward to being addicted to you.

“Marcus, I really can’t bring myself to care about the chocolate right now,” you informed him as you snuggled close to his chest. Tucking yourself into his neck, you inhaled his cologne. Definitely a pine wood smell, very appropriate for the holiday, you thought as you smiled into his skin. A shiver went down Marcus’ body that caused you to look up at him.

“Cold?” you questioned him as your hands ran up and down his arms.

“No,” he chuckled, “Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

“Yeah, I’m not at all cold either,” you hummed back at him.

You moved your head back to take a good look at Marcus. He was already staring down at you. There was a delicate look of adoration as he stared into your eyes, a look that turned into devotion as his eyes started to roam down your form. Marcus’ hand raised to hold the back of your neck as he angled you slightly while lowering his own smirking face to yours. You felt the heat of his breath, the brush of his soft lips, and the soft nudge of his nose to your cheek. Your lips were so close to his, so close to what you had dreamed of and couldn’t stay away from—

“Just a minute left till we’re in the new year! Grab your drinks and get ready to count down!” someone cried from one of the many groups in the area. Marcus and you were startled apart, but not too far apart, as you both looked over to the speaker. Everyone in the market area made their way over to the plaza area where the glowing ball of gold lights slowly floated its way to the large clock that insisted there was a minute left of the year.

Marcus huffed and quirked an eyebrow to you. He nodded his head towards the gathering crowd, which made you roll your eyes in protest.

“I’m quite content right here. Well, almost content,” you countered as you leaned back into him, eyeing his lips with a raised eyebrow. He laughed and stood up, dragging you up into his arms.

“If you come with me to the ring in the new year, I promise I’ll make it worth your while.” His brilliant smile was on display again, and finding yourself unable to deny the man, you followed him, hand in hand, to the growing crowd.

Many people were grasping their drinks in one hand and their loved ones in their other as noise makers and laughter rang out to the cold December air. Others held confetti poppers ready in the air. Marcus snaked his way through the crowd, with your right behind him, to the center of the crowd where you would have a great vantage point of the ball dropping. Satisfied with his spot and view, Marcus turned towards you and pulled you in close. Encircling you again in his arms, you let your own hands lay against his chest, felling his chest rise and fall wit every second of the clock.

“I’m really happy you found me.”

“I’m really happy you agreed to kiss me.”

“I’m going to kiss you again in 10 seconds.” He smiled wide as he gazed at your lips.

With a quick look, you glanced at the clock to confirm the ball was on an inch from the bottom while large number ticked down the last 10 seconds.

“10…9…8.” Everyone around you yelled.

“7…6…5.” Marcus squeezed you to him. He could have just kissed you at the diner or back on the bench, but this was perfect. A very cheesy but romantic way to finally kiss you again. After this, Marcus was going to make sure that he would kiss you all the time, no more waiting.

“4…3…2.” People all around the two of you paid you both no mind as the raised their drinks in the air and popped confetti to the sky. Loud cheers and fireworks echoed through the market as the ball finally dropped and the clock hit its destination.

“She probably would have encouraged it,” Chris added.

“She probably would be texting me question about the date as it was going on. I really don’t need that sort of pressure, she’ll just have to be satisfied with missing the honeymoon stage,” you groaned with an eye roll.

“Except you’re aren’t in the honeymoon stage right now!” Chris poked at you.

“Well kind of yes, but kind of not.”

Bri bumped your brother with her hip, “Yeah, we’ll have to save up on the poking fun of her when she’s actually in a relationship with this guy!”

“Your right, we will. So, when do you get to see him next?” Chris shook his head with a smile as you brought your phone out of your pocket.

“That’s a good question, I’ll have to ask him.”

“Well give us an update when you figure it out!” He said as both he and Bri entered the guest room to head to bed.

“Will do! Good night!” you whispered to them. A bright smile shone across your face as you made your way to your childhood bedroom that was now converted into an extra guestroom. The purple walls that you adored as a child were now painted a neutral moss green. All the band posters were gone, replaced by farmland paintings. You settled on the full-sized bed that was actually a lot more comfortable than the tiny twin you had as a child. Sighing out as you toed off your shoes from a full day of running around, you scrawled through your contacts looking up the name Marcus Pike.

As your fingers swiped on the screen, your eyes glazed over to the thought of the pretty faced man that had those deliciously soft lips, those puppy dog eyes, and the large encompassing hands. You closed your eyes and paused your scrolling as you touched your own lips and traced them with the tip of your nail. A shiver rippled throughout your body as you thought back to the way he held you aloft under the soft veil of Christmas lights and the swirl of snowflakes. You hugged yourself, imagining his strong arms around you once again. That adventurous tongue of his seeking you out started to take over your mind as you let your own fingers investigate the building heat between your thighs. Your hand snaked down, and you found yourself wetter than you originally thought you would be after thinking about a total stranger. Especially a stranger that was just supposed to be just a quick kiss. Christ, you haven’t been laid in so long; you suppose it was in retaliation to having any sort of romantic relationship because of your mother’s obsession with your love life. Wait, don’t think about your mother while in this position. This is your time, your me time after a long day.

Your time to think back to those long fingers that were buried into your hair. You wondered where else they could be buried. Those thick digits could probably curve into a delicious curl as they probed into your heat. You imagined him slowly stroking at your walls while his other hand slowly slid over your torso, from your hip to your perked breast. His one hand encompassed your whole breast, gently squeezing it as his fingers inside your cunt stroked in time with the squeezes. You shiver and lift your hips up as the pads of his callused fingers run down your fluttering walls. Not only do you feel his fingers sluggishly pet at your heat, but you also feel the broad pad of his thumb gently slid down to your sensitive bundle of nerves. He adds a soft and delicate stroke to your clit before circling gentle rings to it while giving the same attention to the nipple of your breast that he was once squeezing. You tilt your head back to the man against your back, surrounding you now. There’s a deepening broad struck down you heated walls, a rooted circle to your clit, and finally a rough pinch to your nipple. You lean further into him, letting your heavy breathing fan him as a low moan rolls out of you and over him. And then he does it all over again. Stroke, circle, pinch. You’ll probably go insane. The scruff of his beard rubs against your neck as his nose nudges into the reddening joint of your neck and collar, right where Marcus is sucking and licking at your skin. Your own lips are reddening from you biting them so hard after trying not to make a sound as Marcus makes the softest of sucking sounds against you. A tiny, short and sweet hum can be heard between the two of you. You can’t register who it comes from, but what you do know is the feeling of Marcus’ bulge resting and leaking against your thigh. It’s not until you feel the heat of his breath against your lips, and the loving caress of his mocha eyes taking in your own, do you finally cum.

Alone in your own bed for the holiday in your parents’ house, you take in the silence of your now sex smelling room. Your tongue gently licks at you lips that you had rough up and torn from your own bites while you muffled your own sounds. You gently replace the pain with your own juiced coated on your fingers. Sighing and stretching out of your bed, you change and clean yourself up. Finally exhausted, you sink back into your bed, embraced by the covers, and welcoming in the promise of a delicious dream of your Mr. Irresistible.

Marcus went home in total despair. He mentally smacked himself in the face for forgetting such a simple thing like getting the cute girl’s number. Wasn’t that step one in the whole process of dating? Marcus completely skipped that step and went straight for making out, which was both very fortunate and unfortunate. He smiled as he remembered the way you had moaned to his touch, and quickly adjusted himself after thinking of the way you had touched him. He had such a good day going for him too. He had made a break in the case, met a pretty girl, caught the forger, closed the case, made his boss happy, and even got one hell of a kiss from said pretty girl; and all was done before the holiday! But now Marcus was kicking himself in the butt, the day had gone so well all too end with a complete miss.

He scoffed at himself and continued his way to the Mel’s diner. Maybe he should be walking back to the bar where the rest of his team was celebrating. They’re probably deep into their drinks already and would be way too annoying to be around, specially as Marcus’ thoughts had taken a dive. But maybe some quiet time with a stack of pancakes would lift his spirits.

Marcus enters the diner and takes his usual spot where his favorite waitress can serve him. He doesn’t bother with the menu, and Wendy the waitress doesn’t bother to ask him when she serves him his black coffee.

“I already put your order in when I spotted you crossing the street, Marcus.” Wendy sings to him as he sips on his coffee.

He smiles into the steam of the coffee, “Stack of strawberry cheesecake pancakes with cream cheese syrup?”

The 60 something year old waitress pauses with her hand on her hip, “And what else would I have ordered for you?”

Marcus chuckles, “Thank you, Wendy. Should I be concerned that I’m so predictable?”

“Yes, or maybe no,” She mocks a thinking face. “Depends on if you’re deciding on leaving me for a new diner. If that’s the case then nope, you’ve got no worries in being so predictable.”

Marcus shakes his head as he watches Wendy walk off to the kitchen. He’s been at this diner so many nights. Nights where he was working on a long case. Nights where he closed a case. Some nights he would bring a date, others he would brings friends. On nights where he was off on his own, he would always get so lost in his own mind. Even as the snow in D.C. fell outside the window, his mind wonders to the heat of California where his former fiancée is starting her own family. She’s happy and thriving with her new life, the one she wanted before she met Marcus, the one she wanted without him. He thinks even further back to Texas, where his ex-wife is doing God knows what. Maybe she has a family as well, or if living out a happy wild child-free life. Maybe she’s really found her stride in her career. Whatever it is, she’s probably happier than Marcus. She always told Marcus that he was too shackled to his job, too stuck in the clouds with his fantasies. He should be living in the real world, not in his romantic pastels and color schemes. But he could never help himself. Marcus Pike loved love. Even the fleeting kind, which brings Marcus back to the present.

“Alright here’s a stack of Strawberry cheesecake pancakes for my favorite FBI agent,” Wendy proclaims as she places the plate of food in front of Marcus.

He turns away from the window to utter a thank you and smiles at her, but the smile doesn’t meet his eyes.

“Now honey what’s with those sad puppy dog eyes? You look like you’ve been kicked to the curb,” Wendy worries as she places a hand to his shoulder.

Marcus waves her off, “Oh nothing to worry about. I’m a grown boy, I can take care of myself.” His wave doesn’t deter the experienced waitress away.

“No, no. This is my diner; you don’t get to tell me what to do. That is, unless your ordering more food and drinks, but that’s not the case right now.” Wendy settles herself in the seat across from Marcus, “So what’s got you so down, baby boy?”

Marcus blushes from the endearment as he stuffs pancake into his mouth.

“I’ll guess.” Wendy eyes him. “Trouble in an art heist? Trouble back home? How about trouble in love?”

He makes eye contact with her over his fork of pancake.

“Maybe.” It comes out as a huff that causes Wendy to glare.

“Fess up now.”

Marcus sighs, “Well the started out well. Got the break in the case. Caught the guy that was involved. Even kissed an amazing girl just an hour ago.”

“So, what went wrong?”

Marcus’ eyes are cast down to his food as he speaks, “I didn’t get her number.”

“Oh, heavens boy, that’s it?” His eyes snap up to Wendy’s exasperated face, “Can’t you just use those FBI tools to find her number in the system or something?”

“That’s a breach of privacy, Wendy.” Although Marcus does pause to consider the option.

“I don’t think a single soul could ever be mad at a charming lad like yourself.”

“I may be charming but I’m also an idiot.”

“An idiot for love Marcus, just like the rest of us. And it’s Christmas, time to spread the love around.”

“Or the idiocy in my case.”

“Even the idiocy. Chances are she’s feeling pretty dumb as well.” Wendy called as she walked back off to work, leaving Marcus to stew.

You did indeed feel like an idiot. All the way through Christmas and to the final day of your holiday at home. Who in their right mind would forget to get the number of a captivating and handsome agent? Well, really you weren’t in the right state of mind to think clearly. Those sweet, soft lips of Marcus were to blame in all honesty. How could anyone blame you for being forgetful if they knew the delicious control those lips had over you. Well, your brother and sister-in-law blamed you. You had been moping all day when they finally cornered you in the basement while you were on the search for decorations.

“You keep this up, and your face will be as long as the Christmas tree,” Chris had said as he lumbered through boxes and boxes of childhood toys.

“Shut it, Chris.” Your tone sliced through the spider webs that clung to a box of old dolls.

“Did something happen with mystery agent man?” Bri questioned as she stood off to the side, out of the way of toppling boxes and long-legged spiders.

“Yeah, well actually, you could say nothing happened.”

Chris shoved a stack of dated magazine to the corner as he finally reached the Christmas decorations, “Did the guy need another rain check for your date?”

“No, there’s no date.”

“What do you mean no date?”

“What happen? Is he no longer interested? You didn’t tell him that your mother is already planning the wedding?” Bri called out to you.

“No, it’s so stupid…”

“You? Stupid? You don’t say.”

“Chris! Not helping,” Bri threw a glare at her husband until she looked back to you. “Never mind him. Go on and tell us what happened.”

You huffed out a long sigh as your shoulders sunk. Eyeing the ceiling, you muttered “I forgot to get his number.”

“What?”

“His number! I didn’t get his number!” you yelled as you threw your arms in the air and pouted. Bri pouted back at you with a sympathetic look while Chris narrowed his eyes and let his mouth gape open.

You looked at them both, “I know. Go ahead and say it.”

“It’ll be ok!”

“You are an idiot.”

They said it in unison to your scrunched face.

“Maybe you’ll run into him again!”

“How could you not get his number?”

You rolled your eyes as they continued to berate and uplift you at the same time.

“I mean, if you know what his lips felt like…” You shrugged as Chris waved you off and as Bri perked up.

Which now leads to you sitting at the dining room table, surfing any FBI website for one mocha eye agent. Dinner was over, the lights were twinkling down for the night, and most of everyone had gone off to bed. Only a plate of red frosted cookies and a now cold cup of hot chocolate gave you company this late into the night. Bri had sat by you earlier as you searched the web for any pictures or descriptions that would match Marcus.

“Maybe they had something like a class portrait on the site?” Bri tapped at your shoulder.

“I don’t know if the FBI posts that sort of stuff publicly, let alone if they have some sort of grade school picture day.” You chuckled at her.

“Well, what department does he work in?”

 “That is such a great question. If I ever see him again, I’ll make sure to ask him that.”

“After you ask him for his number.” She shouldered you at the table with a giggle.

“Good point. You know he said something about a forgery card marker, a decapitated Santa, and damaged property. What department looks into that sort of stuff?”

“Maybe the Holiday department? He’s in a seasonal crime unit?” Bri shrugged at you.

Moments later, it was just you on the search alone. After fruitless searches, Bri headed to bed as you continued through random articles, news releases, and dead ends. Was that his sweet dimple in the photo? Nope. Was that his clean-shaven face smiling to the photo? Doesn’t look like it. Did he work more in cyber security or was he always on field work? Who would know at this point? You ate a red stocking Christmas cookie in despair.

It was finally December 31. The new year would begin in just a few hours and Marcus couldn’t care much about it. He spent most of the holiday catching up on sleep, binge watching his favorite black and white movies, and revisiting his old hobby of painting. Most of the time he was alone, having told his family in Texas that work was too busy for him to travel. He had attended the office holiday party, even gone to a dinner with co-workers on Christmas day. But he decided against going to the party his partner had planned. He was worn out of the holiday festivities. Normally Marcus was the planner, the ever-dependent host, and the plus one everyone wanted to bring to the gathering. Tonight, he was voluntarily on his own. The holidays this year just didn’t appeal to him like it usually did.

Sure, he had been heartbroken in the past, ex fiancée and ex-wife did a number on his past festive plans. But this year seemed worse than the others. He had only known you for a few minutes, not even half an hour. Probably not 15 minutes, but still there was a bitter sting in him as he conquered so many potential futures with you. He cursed himself for letting his own fantasies cloud his mind. He tried to clear his mind of his flights of fancy and tried his hand at another movie, at a book that had been sitting on his nightstand for months, and even tried a paint by number puzzle. Nothing interested him tonight though. That’s why he was on a walk. Maybe the fresh air would exhaust him out and put him to bed sooner than later.

That’s when Marcus finally saw the diner again, his salvation for everything. A smile perked up on his face as he caught site of the shining neon “Open” sign that lit up the plastic booths and the sticky, white speckled tables. Through the windows he could see the place was busy; decorated with shimmering streamers around the entrance and balloons tied down to the lamps outside the diner. Marcus contemplated not going in and avoiding the clutter of party goers. His stomach gurgled in anticipation. Late night breakfast again? Would Marcus ever say no to that?

He jogged into the diner, letting the chill of winter seep away as he took his normal seat. He could smell the waft of bacon greasing the flattop stove from his table. Marcus ran his fingers over his mustache as he took in the busting and cheerful yet quant vibe of the diner. Some gold tinsel was stapled to the ceiling and walls as balloons floated about the floor. He flicked off small shimmering cutouts of the new year from his hands that were scattered about the tables. Wendy waved him down from the counter, she was busy wondering the groups of people excitedly chatting, drinking, and laughing for future promises. Marcus couldn’t help but smile in all the cheer. Even though he had tried to spend the last week or so away from such merriment, he was finally getting caught up in the cheer. But even letting himself out of his own self-isolation, there was still a small pang of loneliness as he watched a couple kiss each other under the clock the diner had set up.

“You here by yourself?” Wendy broke Marcus’ gaze.

“I am and it perfectly fine. I can enjoy everyone else’s happiness. I glad they’re all having fun,” He admitted. It was true, even if he wished for that same excitement for himself, with a specific disappearing girl.

“Oh Marcus. Really now?” Marcus gave Wendy a pleading look. “Fine, suit yourself. I’ll put your order in.” She walked off with a shake of her head.

Marcus leaned against his seat as he watched the TV show of a large crowd gathered downtown. They had the giant ball high in the sky with large clock ticking down. Couple wore big glasses with the year printed out. Many people held confetti poppers as other had little noise makers to twirl around. Even the bell of the door chimed as someone entered the diner, ringing out to the approaching new year. Over the live band playing on the TV and the music floating in the diner, Marcus didn’t hear Wendy greeting a new customer. He didn’t even hear two pairs of footsteps approaching his table.

“Well, the diner is all full, but I’m sure my friend Marcus here would be willing to share a table. Is that all right Marcus?” Wendy tried hard to smother her smirk as she invited a new customer to sit with him. Marcus looked up, after rolling his eyes, to accept Wendy’s attempt to push Marcus into socializing. He nearly jumped out of his seat, almost spilling his coffee, as he finally laid eyes on you. The Hallmark girl of his own Christmas past was here at his diner. His eyes darted over you, taking in your beauty and insatiable delight that he had obsessed over when her first saw you.

“Hey.” He smiled at you.

“Hi.” You breathed out as the soft sweep of mocha eyes warmed you.

Marcus smiled as he stood up and helped you with your jacket. He held his hand out to the seat on the other side of the table as his eyes sparkled to you.

“Do you like pancakes?”