Over the next few days, I tried to put what happened with Colby out of my mind. Work took up alot of my time and when I wasn't doing that, I was down at the gym, trying to work out some of my frustrations. I wasn't going to let someone like him hurt me. My life had been rough and I swore that I wouldn't allow someone to do that to me. I deserved much better than to be someone's fuck and duck. That night I was on the treadmill with my earbuds blasting Seether while I gave a good run. I felt a large hand on my shoulder and nearly fell off the machine.

"So sorry. I did not mean to frighten you. You're as jumpy as a hare." Claudio smiled. "Guess I will have to call you Hasli from now on." I looked at him with a curious expression, hitting the off button on my machine. "Was there something you wanted, Claudio?" I had always liked the Swiss Superman. He was a superior performer in the ring but never held himself above anyone else. He just lacked that kind of arrogance which was why he was so well liked. He had obviously just showered, dressed in a fresh white tee shirt and jeans. "I was hoping we could get together for a bit. I noticed its nothing but work...work...work for you, Hasli. You need to relax."

I chuckled as I toweled off my sweaty face. "You may have a point about that. How about we try that place next door called Port of Call? I hear its got great food and there's a place to play pool." Claudio gave me a saucy grin. "You a pool shark too, Hasli? The lady wears many hats. I'm impressed." He was definitely charming. I just laughed. "Give me a bit, I'll shower and meet you in the lobby in 30, ok?" He nodded. "I look forward to it." The wink he sent me made my cheeks blush.

Instead of using the gym shower, I went up to my room for my favorite scented soaps. At that moment, I was in love with one called 'Iced Coconut Coolada'. I was never the high maintenance type so it didn't take me long. I went with a black halter top and my sexy skinny jeans with black heeled boots. I let my long dark hair hang down about my face. I caught sight of Claudio as soon as I got off the elevator. His eyes widened a bit as he looked me over. Not that I minded. "Well well, looks like someone is getting desperate..." I felt my heart fall into my stomach as Colby came into my line of vision, blocking my path. "Get out of my way, Lopez. I have somewhere to be."

Colby didn't hold back the leer he gave my breasts. "Trying to get my attention? Kind of pathetic." I shrugged. "I've moved onto BIGGER and better things, idiot. Maybe one of your little bed bunnies can occupy you tonight. God knows, I don't want anything to do with you." I pushed past him, furious at how he treated me and in public, no less. I took Claudio's arm. "I'm sorry about that. He just loves egging me on." Claudio leaned in and gave me a light kiss. "He just doesn't know how to treat a lady." The kiss was sweet, sincere and very welcome. "Let's go. I'm starving." We started walking out the door, not noticing the glare of those hot brown eyes burning a hole in Claudio's back.

Dinner was spent talking about life, business and etc. Claudio was a funny guy but a little shy with me at first. The old fashioned bar and grill played old country tunes over the speakers. It was quaint, alot like the places I used to hang out in when I still lived back in my home town. "Ok, Hasli. Time to show me those pool chops of your's." We made our way to the billards section in the back near the bar. When he got close and ran a finger down my cheek, I felt my stomach flutter. Claudio was a good man, nothing like Colby. Why was I still thinking about that bastard?

I managed to beat Claudio five times. It was almost comical to watch his face as I sank each ball. "What can I say? I have a way with balls." I waggled my brows at him and he choked on his beer. "Naughty girl, Hasli." I wasn't in the least repentant. "It's getting late and we both have to be on the road in the morning." Claudio came real close, an arm gripping my waist. "We could always travel together...after breakfast." It was tempting...very tempting but I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. "I like you...really like you but I don't want to jump the gun. I had fun tonight and I would like to do it again...maybe even hang out more. You're a nice change of pace from the assholes I've been around lately."

He didn't push it, just kissed me lightly on the lips then held me close. "I can respect that, little one. Come on, I will walk you back to your room." It got a little cool so, being the gentleman he was, Claudio gave me his jacket, hanging it around my shoulders, his arm around my waist. All in all, the night was enjoyable but I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Here was a good guy who from all appearances, wanted to spend time with me but Colby was still in the back of my mind. When we got to my room, he leaned in. This kiss was deep, deliberate and very sexy. Where Colby was all roughness and eagerness, Claudio took his time stoking the heat. His tongue teased at my lips and he groaned as I opened up for him.

Neither of us noticed the door across the hall open or Colby stand there as if someone had punched him in the gut. Claudio pulled back, a look pf pained arousal in this eyes. "Looks like a cold shower for me, Hasli. I will see you tomorrow. Sleep sweet." When I saw Colby glaring at me from the doorway across from me, I wanted to scream. It was like I couldn't shake him. He was everywhere lately. I turned around to unlock my hotel room and felt someone push me inside. "What the hell was that?!" Colby had me pressed against the door, anger flaring his features. "What it was, was none of your business, Lopez. I suggest you stay out of it."

"From one bed to another, had no idea you were just another ring rat." I slapped him...hard across the face. "You don't get to come in here and make demands of me. You're not my boyfriend, Colby, or my lover. You're nothing as far as I am concerned. Claudio is a decent man who treats me the way I like, like a woman ...not a fuck toy." I had never seen him so angry. Was he pissed because I had decided to move on with my life and leave him in the dust? It looked like he was ready to explode. I tried to push him away but he came up real close..so close that I could feel the warmth he radiated course through me. "Let go of me!"

"You will NOT see him again...or I swear I'll..." I gaped at him. "You'll WHAT?! I do not belong to you! You want fuck around with every little thing that catches your fancy. That isn't who I am. I want someone to be with me and ONLY me. Someone I can trust not to fuck around the minute my back is turned. Someone I could love." I just stared into his eyes. "You don't love anyone but yourself, Lopez. It's all you're capable of. NOW GET OUT!" The look in his eyes was one I had never seen before. He pulled back and pushed me away from the door, stomping out in a fury. I had let out every ounce of hurt I had felt on him from when I saw him with that other girl like it was nothing.

I got ready for bed since we had to be on the road again around 10 or so to be in the next town. During the night, something woke me from a peaceful slumber. My AC/DC ringtone played into the darkness and I blindly grabbed at it. It took me a second to shake the sleep from my brain enough to see that it was 3 in the morning. "What is it?" On the other end was Nikki Bella. "I need your help. Seth got stinking drunk and wrecked that bar next door. He won't listen to reason." I was two seconds away from hanging up but curiosity got the better of me. "And you called me because?"

There was a crash and I could hear raised male voices in the background. "He's not making much sense but all I can make out is your name. He keeps saying it over and over with this look...please help." I let out an exasperated sigh. "I will be there in 5 minutes. Just keep him as calm as you can until then." I hung up the phone, cursing to myself. When I walked into the bar for the second time that night, Colby had his head against the bar, seemingly out of it. I grabbed Colby's forearm and wrestled him awake. "Come on, Lopez. Time to go home." I took his wallet out of his pocket and handed the owner a few bills to pay for the damage Colby had done. What had gotten into him?

He kept murmuring to himself. "Mess everything up..." Was he feeling guilty about something? That was not the guy I knew him to be. Nikki and I held him up, walked him back to the hotel. Since he was next to me, I knew where to go. I got his key out of his pocket and laid him down on the bed. I had never seen him so drunk before. Occasionally he tied one on with the guys after a show but never on his own like this. "Thanks for calling, Nik. I don't know what got into him." She grimaced as well, looked at him with a worry gaze. "Me neither. Take care of him for us. I got to get back to John."

Looked like I was drunk sitting for a bit. He didn't look comfortable the way he was positioned so I moved him about then took off his shoes. When he was passed out asleep , like this, he almost looked kind of innocent. I ran my fingers through his tangled brown curls. "Why do you do it?" I whispered to myself. Despite everything, I couldn't get him out of my system and was terrified I was falling for him. A guy like Colby was not a good risk but we just couldn't stay away from each other. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice that his eyes were open. "Why are you here.." His words were slurred heavily. "Nikki called me when you went on a rampage next door. Just go to sleep, Colby."

"No no no no...No sleep with my cuddle bunny..." Before I could ask what the hell he meant by that, Colby grabbed hold of me and laid back down. He had me spooned up against him in an iron grip that only one of the other guys could break. I tried to get loose but even in his sleep, the guy had a hold of me. What the hell was I going to do when he woke up?