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~~Mark's POV

The Rogue's Bar, like it's name suggested, is without a doubt your stereotypical dive bar. Happy hour just hit, and some of the biggest low lives in all of Mississippi were rolling in the door. That suited me just fine. I walked in, and none of the the residents payed me much attention. My clothes and attitude made me look as if I'd been coming here for years. In fact, I had whenever I've had the luck of being in Jackson on tour with the WWE. I placed my shades on top of my head and ordered a beer. I planned on relaxing tonight the only way I know how. Getting laid.

I'm no stranger to one night stands. Tonight, however, I want something good. I decided to pick someone different instead of the usual ring rat or bar fly. Sadly, none of the women in the bar meet that standard. I took a swig of his beer and let my eyes roam the bar from my spot near the back. Then I spotted her. A curvaceous blonde sat at the end of the bar all alone. I grinned to myself and stood up.

"Now, why does a beautiful woman look so sad?"

She looked at me with green eyes much like my own."What makes ya think I'm sad?"

"Ooh, she's southern too,"I thought smiling to myself."Well, you've got the look of a woman that wants ta be left alone."

She smirked."Then why'd you come over here?"

I grinned broadly and sat down beside her."Most people say that I don't know how to take hint. I'm Mark Calaway."

"Well, Mark, I'm Vanessa Hall, and you were right about me wanting to be alone."

I noticed the ice in her tone."Really? That's the same reason I came here tonight. We can be alone together."

Surprisingly, that made her laugh.

"You think yer funny."

"Yes I do, darlin. Now tell me what's got ya upset. Idiot boyfriend?"

"If only I were that lucky. Ya gotta have a boyfriend first. My problem's wit' my family if ya really wanna know."

That shocked me a bit. I was used to beautiful women flashing me their rings, and I'd back off. I was no home wrecker, but she was smoking hot. How the hell was she single? But hey, never look a gift horse in the mouth. Though, I can think of a lot of dirty things I'd do to her with mine.

"It's a shock that yer single, darlin', but yer family can't be that bad. Trust me, mine's pretty fucked up, too."

"They are, and I really don't wanna think about them right now."

"Okay. How about we sit here and get shitfaced drunk instead?"

She looked at me like I grown another head."I may hate my mother, but she did teach me to never except drinks from strange men."

"I ain't that strange."

She looked at my arms which weren't covered by my leather vest."Right. Let me guess, you got one that says 'Mom' to make her happy."

"My mother's dead."

She stopped smiling."Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I do have a dancing skeleton on the back of my neck. Wanna see?"

She laughed again, and I couldn't help but smile back."Maybe some other time."

I was about to reply when I heard a familiar noise. Without thinking, I pulled her into my lap just a a wooden chair came flying right where she'd been. She was now nose to nose with me, and I could feel her heart beating rapidly.

"What the hell?"she said.

"Bar fight. Happens here all the time. Let's get outta here. I can't afford to get arrested."I stood up and sat her back on the floor. She stayed pressed against me, and that suited me just fine.

"Like you haven't be there before."

"I have, and that's exactly my point, darlin',"I said quickly walking outside."My boss would suspend me if I got arrested again."

She looked even better outside. I was thankful for the full moon and the lights from the city that allowed me to see. Standing, she barely reached my shoulder, but I loved the way her hips swayed as she walked. I heard her laugh and pull my hand into hers. For some reason, my heart jumped when I felt her soft hands in my rough ones. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Ya sure he wouldn't fire ya? Ya don't seem like the model employee."

"Vince ain't stupid. I'm too much of a money maker for him to fire me for something like this."

"Ya must be good at what ya do."

"I am, and I love doing it. Most women think that wrestling in barbaric or fake, though."

"It kinda is, but it's also kinda sexy. Heavily built men, greased up and shirtless fighting each other. With the right men, it's heaven."

She laughed at the disgusted look I knew I had on my face."One, not all of us go shirtless or use grease. Two, that's just gross when ya have guys that are outta shape."

"Whatever ya say. I'm not surprised that your job involves hurting people."

"Ya wound me, darlin'. I'm really just a big ole' teddy bear. Honest,"I said looking as innocent as possible.

"Uh-huh. I've never seen a teddy bear with tattoos before."

"I'm the special kind."

"Then you won't mind escorting a lady home. My 'friend' is likely getting arrested with the rest of those bikers."

"Gladly...Just point me towards the lady first."

I got an elbow to the ribs for that, but my smile remained on my face. Her eyes flared when she was angry, and it was sexy as hell.

"Ya don't exactly fit the bill of gentleman."

"Never said I did. I hope ya know how to ride,"I said showing her my bike.

"I don't, and you don't even no where I live."

"I ain't taking ya home this early, darlin,"I said taking a seat on my bike.

"Then where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."She looked a bit nervous, so I held out my hand and looked her in the eyes."I won't hurt ya, darlin'. I promise. Trust me."

I felt as if I needed her to trust me. Strange,huh? She looked at me for a moment before taking my hand. I helped her straddle the bike and guided her arms around my waist. I revved up my bike and felt it roar to life beneath us both. I felt her grip tighten around me as I pulled my shades back over my eyes.

"How did I get myself into this?"she mumbled.

I laughed, kicked up the kickstand, and pulled off into the night.

"You're a freak. I thought ya were joking,"said Vanessa to me as we ate.

I'd chosen to take her to the newly opened Western Sizzlin. I was in the mood for steak, and I figured she'd enjoy the buffet if she wasn't. Surprisingly, she was and had quite an appetite. She'd lifted up my braided hair during our ride and saw the tattoo I'd mentioned.

"I got it on a dare for my birthday. My brother picked it out and paid for it, but I picked to put it on my neck. It was the least embarrassing and painful place I could think of at the time,"I explained.

"I still think that you're crazy."

"I can live with that as long as ya think of me."I was a flirt at times, sue me.

She shook her head with a slight smile. I was getting to her, and she was getting to me. Right about now, I could care less about getting laid. She'd changed my night completely for the better.

TBC