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~~Vanessa's POV

I woke up after having the best sleep I can remember having with a warm weight on top of me. I looked and saw Mark sleeping on his stomach beside me. One of his arms and legs were thrown over me, and his head was buried in my hair. He looked peaceful, and then I saw them. A line of faint freckles ran across his shoulders just below his neck. I used my free hand to trace the line across his back. Mark wrapped both of his arms around me and began to kiss my neck. I wasn't sure if he was still sleeping;I was trying to keep from melting in his arms.

"MARK!"

He was startled awake and stopped. However, he was now on his back with me atop him.

"What happen?"he asked drowsily.

"You got a little frisky in your sleep."

He turned red and let me go."Sorry. The last time I shared a bed with a woman was with my ex-wife. She'd wake me up in interesting ways when we first got together, so I must have thought ya were her. I'm really sorry."

I noticed the sad tone behind his voice when he spoke about his ex. I crawl over to where he sat on the edge and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Ya need a hug, Marky. If ya wanna talk, I'm here,"I said mimicking his words from last night.

He laughed."Thanks, but do ya have to call me Marky?"

"Yes, I do."

He sighed and laughed again."You're lucky you're beautiful."

I smiled and kissed his cheek."Same goes for you."

"If ya say so. I'm hungry." He stood up with me still holding him. I let out a yelp and clung to him tighter. Mark chuckled and began downstairs until he found my kitchen. I hopped off of him and patted his back.

"Riding you is weird...That didn't come out right."

Mark nearly toppled over laughing

"Don't make me club you with this,"I said holding up the frying pan I'd pulled out. He was smart and stopped.

"I'm sorry, but I bet it would have been less weird if ya had ridden the front side of me."

"OUT! Go get dressed or something before I stab you."

"Yes, ma'am!"he yelled laughing and leaving. I sighed and chuckled at bit myself.

~~Mark's POV

I sighed and licked my lips. Vanessa could cook better than Sara ever could. I was now showered and dressed stretched along her couch. The rain had stopped some time during the night, but I didn't want to leave her. I looked up and saw her dressed in black slacks and a blue blouse with her hair still down like I liked it. She also had a camera around her neck and was placing a folder in a satchel.

"Headed to work, darlin'?"

"Yep, and I'd like to take you up on your offer,"she said holding up her camera.

"Really?"I asked slightly shocked.

"Yes, and I know exactly how I want you to pose to."

I stood up."How?"

"Sitting on your bike. Bandanna, shades and all. The red hair's a nice touch, too."

"Red ha...Shit!"

I ran to the hallway mirror and saw that my hair was indeed back to it's normal color. I hadn't dyed it in weeks, and the shower I took must have rinsed the last of it out. I know I should get permanent dye, but my mom used to love the the fact that my hair was red like hers. I'm a sentimental SOB, so I refuse to change it completely black. I should have looked in the bathroom mirror first.

"Just great,"I mumbled. I heard Vanessa laughing a me.

"It's not that bad. I kinda like it better than the black. It explains the freckles on your back."

I stopped dead."Ya saw those?"

"Uh-huh. It's cute."

"Just let me take the damn photo,"I grumbled tying my blue bandanna back around my forehead. At least I'd braided it so it looked brown."and if ya call me a ginger, I'll kill ya."

She lead me to the garage, and I rode my bike halfway down her driveway. I posed exactly how she wanted, and I was thankful that I didn't have to do to much. She wanted me for me, and that was a shock. She took a few shots and promised to send me a developed one.

"And just so you don't forget me, here,"she said handing me a slip of paper that had her phone number.

"We seem to have had the same idea,"I replied pulling out a slip of paper that I'd written my own number on earlier."Call me any time, day or night. The only way I won't pick up is if I'm getting ready for the show or in the ring."

"The same goes for you. If I don't answer, I'll likely be shooting something."

She rested her hand on my head and tilted my head back. She then planted a kiss on my lips that almost made me fall off my bike. Her hand slid down my neck and rested on my shoulder allowing her to lean into the kiss. I didn't want it to end. She tasted too right, but she eventually pulled away. She did, however, give me a peck on the lips.

"I gotta head to Little Rock the day after tomorrow, and I have an autograph signing today that's probably gonna run late, but I will be by tomorrow,"I whispered with her forehead touching mine.

"I get off at 5,"she whispered back

"I'll see you Tuesday then."

I kissed her one last time and slid my shades down. I revved up my bike and left feeling better than I had in years.

I made it back to the hotel around 10 and entered my room only to find my brother, Glenn, passed out on his bed. I closed the door quietly and raised my foot. With one sharp kick to his side, I knocked him of off the bed along with his sheets.

"AAH!"he screamed, and I started laughing.

His bald head eventually came up and looked at me glaring."You sorry son of a bitch, I was sleeping!"

"We have the same mother, dumbass, and does it look like I care?"

"No, but you do look like you have two foreheads instead of one normal one."

This was routine for us. We'd trade insults for no good reason all the time. I hopped onto my made up bed and closed my eyes. I'd lived him enough to know that he slept naked, and there were somethings I could go without seeing.

"Says the caveman look-a-like."

"Like I haven't heard that one before, ginger boy. You seem awfully happy. Who'd you sleep with this time?"

"Beautiful blonde,"I said. It wasn't technically a lie since we did sleep together just not the way he was thinking."I don't need to ask what ya did. Ya smell like a damn brewery."

I didn't like lying about Nessa, but I wasn't used to dating. Glenn knew that and would no doubt roast my ass if he found out now. Besides, I wanted to see how serious we'd get first. Long distance marriages often didn't last in this company, and a relationship is even harder to keep steady.

"Yep. Unlike you dear brother, I care about my balls. I'd rather be lonely and safe than have a quick night and be itching for weeks or worse."

"The fact that most women used to mistake ya for Jason without his mask on at first sight helps, too."

"Fuck you."

"It's true, and ya know it. Besides, ya love Halloween anyway. You don't even need a costume to scare children."

I heard a door open and close. I opened my eyes, finally, knowing that it was safe. Glenn was a bit of a germophobe. Getting lice was what made him shave his head, and he showers like mad. Then again, he rarely gets sick, so it must be working for him.

"That doesn't mean you have to remind me, you ass!"he yelled."Vince wants to hold a meeting at the conference room downstairs about Friday in about 10 minutes."

"Evil old bastard,"I muttered.

I groaned and sat up. His meetings were like watching paint dry, but at least I was on Smackdown. Jeff Hardy and John Morrison could liven up a funeral. Vince also hated when we were late, but I really didn't give a damn. I took my sweet time getting changed knowing that Glenn would be busy shaving his head again like always.

"Looks like you have another number one fan,"Glenn said with a smirk as a fan girl walked away smiling and hugging an autographed picture of me.

I groaned and kicked him underneath the table. We'd been here for over and hour. My hand was cramping up and my ass was almost numb. At least my hat protected me from the flashing lights. I had half a mind to go to sleep with over my eyes;No one would be able to tell. However, my loving little sibling made it his mission to keep me up. He, on the other hand, didn't have it so bad. Almost everyone hated him. My line was nearly 20 feet long while he got breaks, and his line got no longer than 7 feet at the most. It wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't gloat. Cheeky bastard.

"I love being loathed by the world, and the best part is I'm getting paid the same amount you are for this."

This time I stepped on his foot. I heard his teeth clench and grinned.

It's official;I hate my life. Vince decided to let the fans pose with us for a price. The screams were deafening. And guess who had one of the longest lines in the entire building? Not Glenn. The bastard got to go free early after 20 minutes and no one coming towards him.

"Good luck, Deadman,"he'd said."You're gonna need it." He laughed that creepy laugh of his and left.

I hate him...I hate him. I hate him. I hate him! He even stole my bike. I was now stuck with the truck he'd rented. At least now, I'm free and alone. However, instead of going to the hotel, my mind made me turn towards Vanessa's house. She got off at 5 and it was almost 10 now. I knocked, and my jaw nearly dropped when I saw the small gown she wore.

"Quit staring and come in,"she said moving back."Long day?"

"Ya don't know the half of it, darlin',"I mumbled."I couldn't wait until tomorrow to see ya, so I came on over."

"That, and you wanted to sleep in my bed again."

I bowed my head. She knew me already."Yes."

"I don't know. You might keep coming back like a stray dog if I do."

"Then keep me as a pet."

"You'd be a big pet,"she said sitting on the couch.

"I'll be good. I'm house broken."I then stretched out with my head in her lap."I promise I won't turn into the big bad wolf."

Her fingers found my, once again black, hair. I felt her begin to comb through with her fingers and braid it. I looked at the TV and saw that she'd paused XXX, and I couldn't complain at the choice.

"What big ears you have,"she remarked tugging one. I grunted and shook my head.

I then felt Vanessa trace the tattoo on my neck then behind my ear. I shifted so that I was on my side pressed against her. I was shocked when she threw her other arm over me. I wasn't the lightest guy, and she wasn't that big, but she let me lay there with no complaints. I also noticed how she smelled. It was strange but sweet. Pomegranates. That was it. My eyes lids started to droop as I watched the movie. As if sensing this, Vanessa patted my head.

"Come on, boy. Time for bed."She even whistled at me.

I growled at he as I sat up, but she kissed me quickly and tugged my shirt, changing my mood fast. I made it upstairs before she did and collapsed. I heard her laugh and felt her rub my back. I didn't care. It felt good actually. Her bed was just what I needed. I notice how it smelled just like her. I could learn to love pomegranates.

"Aww, is my big dog tired?"

"Uh-huh,"I replied drowsily shaking out of my pants.

My sacred hat and coat were in the backseat of the truck leaving me in my black T-shirt and pants while my boots sat by her front door. She laughed and slid into bed. She helped me get off my shirt, and I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Mark."

"Shush, I'm sleeping." Her laughter was the last thing I heard before drifting away.

TBC