Chapter One

I Disclaim.

"I don't know. I don't want to intrude. You already have plans." He said to the couple.

"You need a decorator anyway because you're buying a new place. You can't live out of your suitcase everyday, you do that enough on the road; you need a place to call your own. She can help you find a place and decorate it for you!" Steph wasn't letting up on the big man.

"Come on, man. You know she won't let up. Think of it as a vacation. You're already trying to recoup so you have nothing else to do but go to therapy. You're in Tampa and so is she; it won't hurt to at least go with us." Paul patted his friend on the back.

"Good it's settled then. Pack your stuff you're staying at her house with us…and don't look at me like that. Same town or not, I want you out of this hotel." Steph persisted and remained steadfast in her quest to boost Dave's spirits. "The girls are on vacation in Orlando so it's not cutting into your time with your daughters. Do it, go pack right now, we'll wait for you." Steph smiled.

"I hate pregnant women." Dave mumbled and went to pack his things. He knew better than to argue with a pregnant woman, he knew he'd never win and she'd never give up. Steph and Paul smiled and she clapped her hands. She stepped into the mini-kitchen in the suite and made a call to her lifelong friend.

"I know you have room for one more and we're bringing a guest. He needs a new place and a decorator…I'm so excited I know you'll like him a lot and be a great help to him…no I'm not setting you up…I promise…" Steph looked at her husband like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar and he just laughed. "Okay, okay…we'll see you in about 20 minutes…love you…bye." Steph let out a big sigh.

She knew her friend wouldn't have a problem with an extra guest but she knew she'd have issues with a set up. In all honesty Steph and Paul both knew and had known since they met Dave that they'd be perfect together. They patiently waited until they knew the timing was right. Dave needed time to heal from his failed marriage and it had been a year. He got out all his hurt and anger and his need to have sex with any random girl. Everyone knew that never helped but it was a distraction for the time-being. It was an odd way to heal, but it recharged one's self-esteem to know you're still desirable. It didn't matter that Dave had legions of Animal-ites, he needed to physically feel it.

Dave walked out with his bags and Paul helped carry them. Stephanie went to the concierge and had the valet bring their car around and retrieve Dave's SUV while he checked out. Soon they were on their way. Paul was speeding because he and Steph knew Dave well enough to know the longer he had to think about it by himself the more he'd chicken out and go back to the hotel. While driving behind Paul, Dave was beginning to have second thoughts when his phone rang. He was overjoyed to hear from his daughters and talked to them the entire drive. They were on summer break and their mom, Dave's first wife, had taken them to Disneyworld as a reward for their grades. They were spending a few weeks there going to each park and Dave managed to get them a tour behind the scenes at the safari park. He told them where he was going and would be doing while they were gone and they were excited for him to finally get a home and where they could have their own rooms. He never thought of it like that but he realized how important it was for his girls so it became important to him. They were never close to Dave's second wife so the divorce didn't bother them. It actually made his girls angry because they overheard an argument and knew the reason for the divorce. Wife #2 had hurt their father by cheating while he traveled. She was leaving Dave for her lover.

He tried to hang up with them when he pulled into the driveway behind Paul and Steph. They wanted details of the places he was going to see and he agreed to send them photos via email. He told them he would wait to pick a place until they were with him and the girls squealed with excitement. He got out of his SUV beaming and it made his heart swell at the sounds of his daughters' laughter. Paul and Steph knew this was the boost he needed to feel comfortable buying a new home. Dave hung up with his daughters and shared the plans with his friends. They walked to the door and let themselves in, placing their bags inside the doorway. Steph called for her friend and Paul showed Dave around the extremely beautiful beach house. It was comfortable and not overly done. He could tell the pieces were expensive and of the finest quality, but not showy and in-your-face. He hated homes that were decorated to reflect one's bank account. His ex-wife had that mentality and had spent a lot of Dave's hard earned money on what he considered useless. She wanted a home that showed off their wealth, she wanted people to see their life as it is now and to forget and even hide where they came from – the streets and inner city of DC. Dave was snapped out of his thoughts by Paul who slapped him on the shoulder. He could tell exactly what Dave was thinking by the angry look on his face.

"Sorry, man." Dave said apologetically to his friend. Paul gave him a sympathetic smile and hugged him. Steph waved at the guys as they approached her friend's office and signaled to Paul that she was having a hard time hanging up with a client. Dave stood there looking around the nicely decorated office and noticed it had a masculine feel to it. She had her back to them and at the same time she turned around to greet Paul, Steph and their guest, Dave looked over to her. They both froze staring at eachother. Steph and Paul smiled at the obvious chemistry and instant attraction of their friends. Steph took the phone from her friend and told the client to wait for a return phone call and hung it up. She shook her friend out of the trance and introduced her to Dave.

"Dave Bautista, Leila O'Leary." Dave gave her his sexy smile, not intentionally, and Leila smiled back. He put his hand out to shake hers and she placed her tiny hand in his and felt like her heart found its home.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Dave." She managed to say.

"Likewise, Leila." He couldn't believe he felt like this. Electricity shot through his body. He had been married twice and thought each time he had found the woman of his dreams. Nothing had ever felt even remotely close to the way Leila made him feel. It was as if he wasted the last 20 years of his life. The only good thing was his girls, the rest was forgetful. They were still shaking hands and looking at eachother when Steph finally broke the trance.

"Okay, Leila, honey, let's show Paul your ideas." Steph said trying to snap them out of it.

"Hmm? What? Oh, yeah, um, yeah, sure. Let's go down to my office, the boards are there." Leila walked around her desk and started to leave.

"Leila," Steph said gently and grasped her friend's hand, "this is your office." Leila looked around and then looked at the ceiling. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.

"Let's start over shall we?" Leila walked over to Dave and put her hand out again. "Mr. Bautista, I'm Leila." Once again their hands held longer than customary. Their eyes locked to eachother.

"I'm Dave, please, call me Dave."

Steph cleared her throat and Leila broke the gaze. She got the boards out for Steph and Paul to see the designs for the nursery and the new master suite. Dave stared at her as she presented her ideas to Steph and Paul as if she was in competition with another designer. "These are the sketches for the Connecticut house and we'll figure something out when you buy the house down here!" Leila stopped and looked at Paul and Steph who hadn't said a word. Stephanie started crying and Paul hugged her. "You hate it." Leila said trying to hide her disappointment.

"Leila, honey, it's amazing. I can't even describe how magical it is." Steph cried more as she stood and hugged Leila. She reviewed everything again with Steph and Paul glanced at Dave. He could tell the big man was 'out to lunch'. He smiled and shook his head. He kissed the side of Steph's head and stood in front of Dave.

"Let's leave these ladies to this while we step outside." Paul said softly.

"No, that's alright, I'm fine, you go ahead." Dave said half-heartedly, barely listening.

"Dave, I know you're not interested in fabrics and shears and baby furniture, let's go outside and have a cigar." Paul said as he pulled on Dave's arm. He stood and Leila looked over to him. They both let their eyes roam eachother's bodies. He memorized everything about her as if he'd never see her again. Her hair was a dark chocolate with lighter touches throughout, thick and amazing. He wanted to get lost in there and use his hands to find his way out. It was long and fell to the bottom of her shoulder blades. Her big, doe eyes were an odd color, a mix between hazel and brown, not quite either, with hints of green. Her pillowy lips were shiny and he wanted to taste them. And the body. That body. Her skin looked radiant and baby soft, a gentle tan highlighted the whiteness of her tank top and capris. Her arms were toned, her tummy flat, a nice curvy hip leading the eye around to the rear view. A nice round ass without too much bubble, an ass you'd get from squats and lunges. Her calves were sculpted and led to perfectly manicured feet. She definitely took care of herself. Dave took his time looking back up to her eyes. Eyes you can get lost in, eyes that showed emotion, eyes that read into your soul, eyes that made you feel like you've come home after a long journey, comfy and inviting.

Leila did her own gazing. She'd seen him a few times on tv, but didn't watch wrestling regularly. He was so much better in person. His faded loose fit jeans actually fit nicely, leaving little to the imagination. His retro Grateful Dead t-shirt complimented his arms and chest. He smells so yummy, I want to lick him all over. His hands look like they'd know what to do anytime, anywhere on anything and are surprisingly soft. I really hope my brain to mouth filter is working and none of this is out loud. Look at those lips. They look so soft; I wonder what he looks like kissing someone. I wonder what he'd look like kissing me; I wonder what he'd look like above me. Holy shit, I hope that filter's working. Oh, God those eyes. Is it hot in here? Shit, I just want to get lost in those arms and stare into his eyes. Paul pulled Dave's arm again and he put on his sunglasses, "Leila…if you need anything we'll be outside." Dave cleared his throat as if speaking to her was hard on his vocal cords. He could barely speak above a whisper. Leila just nodded her head. She watched Paul and Dave walk out before snapping out of her trance.

"What the fuck, Leila!" Steph practically yelled with enthusiasm. All she could do was plop on her leather couch and stare at the empty doorway. Steph joined her friend and couldn't stop smiling. Leila finally looked at her and smiled too. Tears pooled in her eyes and she didn't know what to say. "What's wrong?" Steph grabbed her hand.

"I'm scared. That's the most intense thing I've ever felt. He's so much better in person. I might have to start watching Smackdown! Wait, this is a set up isn't it." Leila looked at her friend as it dawned on her. Stephanie couldn't deny it and didn't give an answer to the oh so obvious question. Leila began to get upset, "How in the hell are we supposed to accomplish anything this week with him here? He's a complete distraction. How in the hell am I supposed to find a home for him and decorate it when I'd want to fuck him in every room and on every piece of furniture?"

Stephanie laughed at Leila and hugged her. "Let's go figure out what's for dinner."