THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH FOR MY WONDERFUL & LOVELY REVIEWS! KEEPER OF OZ, THEJOKER122, BLACKWIDOW101, KANE09LISA, TAMMY, KEPOUROS, RANDYORTONRULES62, & TANYA2BYOUR21: YOU GUYS ARE TOTALLY AWESOME! THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS STORY ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES AND FOR FOLLOWING! THANK YOU FOR READING!

Author's Note: This chapter did not go as I had planned. Mr. Phil 'CM Punk' Brooks took over. So if you have any complaints... talk to him! :-)

Warning: Paul & Brock do not fair well in this story.. and Yes I will keep warning you every chapter. I don't want any surprises.

Enjoy!

Chapter Four
The Ice Broke & It Flooded

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

"I want the pie."

Her eyes sparked with anger. "You want the pie?" She asked a little shocked.

I nodded. "You made it for me so I want it."

"You seriously want it?" She asked me.

I nodded again. "Of course I want it. It's mine." I snapped.

She gave me a saccharin filled smile. "Yes it's all yours." She replied sweetly. Almost too sweet. Before I could ask her what she was up to, the peach pie was smashed into my face and peaches went everywhere.

In reflex my eyes slammed shut. I truly didn't know what to think. She threw a pie in my face. I can't believe she threw a peach pie in my face. I licked my lips and groaned. It was a good peach pie too. And she threw it in my face! Okay so maybe I was somewhat out of line with demanding the pie after I had insulted her as I had, but she threw a pie in my face! The thing was I wasn't even really mad. In fact I wanted to laugh. Actually I wanted to rake the peach pie off my face, eat it and then laugh. It was really damn good. Through my peach pie face mask, I heard a small girlish snicker and I knew it was Ashley trying not to laugh. I was fixing to show her and I was going to enjoy it.

I covered my face with my hands and grabbed two handfuls of what was left of the pie. I finally opened my eyes. Ashley's eyes were wide with shock and dancing with amusement and mischief. Her hands were covering her mouth in an attempt to cover her girlish little giggles. I still wasn't mad. Anyone who could do this to me was alright in my book, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to get my revenge and I was definitely going to enjoy watching the perky little peanut squirm.

"I am so sorry. So so sorry." She spoke through her hands and I could hear the humor in her voice.

I licked my lips again, looking down at my hands which were covered in peach pie remains. "Ashley, do you like peaches?" I asked softly, meeting her eyes.

She gulped and slowly nodded.

I gave her somewhat evil grin and her eyes went even wider. Before she could move I had her face in my peach covered hands as I rubbed peaches, crust, and juices all over her face and in her hair. She screamed in outrage and tried to get away from me, but I held her too firmly. When I finally let go of her head, she stepped back away from me and sputtered in more outrage. As her eyes opened and settled on my face, I was licking the sweet nectar of peaches off my fingers.

Her face was now covered as mine was, her eyes were flashing fire, and she was breathing erratically. Oh she was spitting mad and sexy as hell. And then suddenly she was laughing. Her eyes were now shining with laughter and she was doubling over in a full blown belly laugh. She was most certainly beautiful, but I didn't understand why she was laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked with a smile on my own face.

She shook her head and got her laughter under control. "I can't believe I did that. I've never like confrontation and here I am throwing a pie in your face and you want to know what the funny part is?" She spoke through fits of giggles.

I cocked an eyebrow, keeping my hands at my sides. "What?"

She straightened up and met my eyes. "I'm not sorry I did it and I would do it again."

That honestly surprised me. "Really?"

She nodded. "I'm shocked too."

"Well, you know what?"

She blinked at me. "What?"

"I'm not mad." I admitted.

That surprised her. "You're not?"

I shook my head. "I'm not. How can I be? I deserved it."

Her eyes once again went wide as saucers. "You did?" She shook her head. "I mean, you did deserve it."

I chuckled. "You were right. I was curious and instead of asking questions I just jumped to conclusions. How about we meet back here in thirty minutes after getting cleaned up? I'll order a Chicago pizza and I'll ask my questions." I offered, hoping she took it up.

She eyed me for a minute before finally nodding. "I will gladly accept a Chicago pizza as an apology."

I laughed. "Good, now what do you like on your pizza?"

Forty minutes later, Ashley and I were seated on my white leather sofa eating a large all cheese pizza and drinking Pepsi. Ashley said she liked cheese on her pizza and cheese only. I was satisfied with that. I told her I didn't drink and she said she didn't either unless it was water or filled with caffeine. That made me laugh. The pizza didn't take but twenty minutes to be delivered, but it took over thirty minutes for Ashley to get the peaches out of her hair. But she showed up at my door looking clean, fresh, cute as hell and sexy too.

Her hair, still wet from her shower, was falling down around her shoulders and curling at the ends. She was dressed in a matching pajama set. The top was a light pink tank top with the word angel written in silver script. The shorts were the same light pink that contained a small heart on the hem. I was sure the initials VS meant Victoria's Secret, but I couldn't be sure. Her feet were bare and toenails were still pink to match her pajamas. I wonder if she did that deliberately. She was dressed modestly even though she was showing a lot of skin. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Original, right?

Ashley munched on her large slice of cheese pizza as she looked around her. She nodded towards the wine cabinet. "Do you have any ideas of what you're going to with that?"

I looked at the wine cabinet. The top half had three separate cabinets with glass doors to show off the wine glasses. The bottom half held two doors and two drawers with solid redwood. The doors held refrigerators that should hold wine while the drawers held wine accessories. All of it was empty. There was space between the top and bottom halves that held a light colored granite countertop and a small sink. Chances were it would never be used.

I shrugged, too busy to answer as I was eating my pizza.

"The one we have is used because Terry uses it." She replied, slowly nibbling and munching on her pizza.

"You don't drink?" I asked sounding doubtful.

She shook her head. "Nope."

"Why not?"

She stopped in mid bite and looked at me. "My mom was an alcoholic."

I nodded. "And you decided that you didn't want to be like her." I stated.

Ashley shrugged. "I guess."

She wasn't telling the whole truth and that bothered me. I wanted to know what she was hiding, but I wasn't able to ask any more questions because someone was knocking on my door. I didn't know who it could be, but I wasn't happy. I excused myself as I apologized to Ashley. She gave me a reassuring smile as I got up to answer the door. Imagine my shock when Paul Heyman stood on the other side. This couldn't be good.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Paul frowned. "I've got a few hours before SmackDown and I needed to talk to you."

"Did you drive?"

He shook his head. "I did not and I have a plane to catch in two hours. Can I come in?" He questioned giving me a funny look.

Normally I wouldn't mind him coming in because he was a friend, but Ashley was here and something told me to keep her presence a secret. Something told me that Paul wouldn't like if he saw Ashley here in my condo in her sexy little Victoria Secret pajamas. I was about to push Paul back and go in the hallway when Ashley stood up and made her presence known.

"I'll just go since you've got company." She replied, her voice soft and sweet.

Paul's face turned red and his eyes bulged. She came into Paul's view and his eyes got even bigger as they raked over her small form. Ashley, completely ignorant of the dirty look Paul was giving her, gave him a huge smile and greeted him. She then gave me an even bigger smile.

"I'll just talk to you later, Phil." She waved good bye before stepping around Paul and disappearing inside her condo. I stepped back to let Paul enter and he did so with a flourish of anger and sputters.

"What the hell was she doing here, Punk?" He bellowed loudly.

"It doesn't matter what she was doing here, Paul. It's my business."

His face got even redder. I didn't think that was possible. "I came over here to apologize because I thought I knew in my heart that you would never do anything to jeopardize your career, but I can see now that I was wrong."

Apologize for doubting my career goals but not for maybe sicing Brock Lesnar on me. I wanted him gone. I didn't even want to have this conversation, but I knew he wouldn't leave until he was finished bellowing so I was going to have to let him. "Nothing or no one is going to stand in the way of my career. You should know this." I replied slowly.

"I thought the same thing until I get here and see that little slut getting comfortable in her pajamas. Her pajamas!"

The insult towards Ashley bothered me. I didn't really know her, but something told me she wasn't a slut and I didn't like Paul calling her that. "You don't know her so stop with the insults."

"Why was she here in your pajamas?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

I was torn. Did I tell him why she was here in her pajamas or did I tell him to fuck off? Telling him to fuck off was more appealing. "Paul, you're my friend and a confidant, but my personal life is just none of your business."

Damn, his face got redder. "It is too my damn business because she is going to ruin everything you've come to work for." He bellowed once again.

"You're giving the little thing too much credit, Paul."

He shook his head violently. "I think you're not thinking. Your brain is in your pants right now and I am NOT going to allow her to ruin your life." His beady little eyes narrowed in on me. "She is not to be trusted. You'll see that I'm right."

That was the second time he technically threatened my little neighbor and I didn't care for it. "Paul?" I spoke his name evenly and got his attention.

"Leave Ashley alone. Do you understand me?" My voice was hard and harsh. I wasn't happy and he knew it. I gave him a look that he knew I meant business.

He wrenched open my front door. "Oh I do, but don't you worry I won't touch her." He replied before slamming the door shut behind him.

Friday June 21, 2013

This was the first time I would be knocking on Ashley's door. It was ten in the morning and I had just returned from running a few errands. I needed a few groceries and while I was out, I picked up the newest fighting game for my Wii video game system. I used my Wii game system often as a way to relieve stress and even work out. I could easily compete with a computer opponent but I just had this urge to involve my neighbor. I didn't know how I would be received since this is the first time I would be seeing or talking to her since Paul showed up on my doorstep Tuesday afternoon.

I haven't heard from Paul since Tuesday and when I tried to call him, he didn't answer. I'm not completely worried since he does have two clients, Axel and Brock and I'm sure they take up a lot of his time. We had a scene on Monday to 'perform' but to me, it was truth time for Paul. I needed to know if had set Brock on me last Monday. He had better hope for his health that he did not.

I knocked on Ashley's door and within a few minutes she answered the door and I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Her caramel colored hair was tousled and her chocolate brown eyes were still dull from sleep. She was dressed in a short nightgown that had Tinkerbell on the front of it. The nightgown was really very fucking short. Like barely covering her um… DAMN! And her toenails were a light Tinkerbell green, but I didn't give a shit about her toenails. I was thankful she didn't wear that Tuesday. I wouldn't have survived. I wasn't going to survive right now. I was thankful for the lose jeans because I was getting hard. Maybe this was a bad idea.

She rubbed her sleep-filled eyes. "Phil, is everything okay?" She asked drowsily.

Very bad idea, but I was here and I wasn't backing off. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you."

She shook her head and smiled at me. "I was up but I guess I fell asleep on the couch."

"Hard night?" I asked curious.

She shrugged. "Busy night." She replied. "Is everything okay?"

I nodded. "I had a question."

"What?" She was still smiling.

"Are you any good at video games?"

Confusion entered her eyes. "Video games?"

I nodded. "I picked up the newest UFC fighting game for my Wii and I need an opponent."

Her grin got bigger. "And you're asking me?"

Another nod. "I am."

Her hand found her hip and she cocked her head. "Thinking I'll be an easy target."

I grinned. "Not at all, peanut. In fact I think you'll give me a run for my money."

She laughed. "Oh I don't want your money. I want you on your knees begging for mercy."

That made me laugh. "Bring it on, little girl."

She giggled. "Oh I will!" She replied winking. "Give me twenty minutes and I'll be knocking on your door."

"See ya in twenty." I replied smiling.

"I can't fight a girl."

She laughed. "Why not? It's only a game."

I shook my head. "I'll feel like I need to take it easy on ya because you're a girl."

She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Fine, I'll be this guy."

She picked a big ugly brute with nappy hair and sunken eyes. He was probably twice as big as the guy I had chosen. He was definitely ugly as hell. I grinned.

I raked my eyes over her small form. She had shown up at my doorstep exactly fourteen minutes later, her hair in a ponytail, shoeless; wearing a baby blue tank top and gray yoga shorts. Her toenails matched her top. Of course, they always matched.

"You do look a little like him." I commented.

Her mouth dropped opened and her eyes narrowed. "Oh you're asking for it, Mr. Brooks." She warned me.

For the next hour we played the UFC fighting game and Ashley gave as good as I gave her. She never let up even when she began to get tired. And she was getting tired. Her punches were losing their jab and her kicks were losing their height. After a few minutes, I knocked out her character and she flopped down on the couch in defeat.

"You won fair and square, Mr. Brooks."

I turned off the game and came to stand in front of her. She looked up at me with nose wrinkled. "I did win and now I will claim my prize."

She raised an eyebrow. "I've got some ice cream and Chinese food at my place." She offered.

I thought about it for a minute and nodded. "Chinese food sounds pretty damn good, but I don't eat meat, peanut."

Her smile brightened. "I've got some noodles and eggrolls that don't contain any meat."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Call it a hunch."

I didn't dwell on it. In fact I kind of liked it. "Let's go eat. I'm starving."

Together we walked over to her condo and while she heated the leftover Chinese food, I couldn't help but ask. "What exactly is it that you do?"

She cut me a look as she separated the food onto two separate plates. "I write children's books." She replied softly.

My eyes widened. "Really?"

She handed me a plate and nodded. "It's a series about a little black and white mini Rex rabbit named Sammy."

I frowned. "Sammy Goes To St. Louis. Sammy Gets A New Toy. Sammy Goes Sledding. Sammy Doesn't Like The Rain."

Her eyes went wide and her smile went from bright to blinding. "You've heard of them?"

I nodded in reply. Who hadn't heard of them? Sammy the Bunny was one of the number one selling children's books today. Sammy Is Sad sold over three million copies in less the six months and that was just the first in the series. Kids loved Sammy the Bunny, including my 'adopted' nieces and nephews. "I've read them actually to nieces and nephews. They're really good, peanut." I complimented her. The books were really good. She might even be better off than I was.

Once again her smile got so bright it was downright blinding. "Why do you call me that?" She asked shyly.

I met her eyes just as I took a bite of noodles. "You're small, pint sized. It just kind of slipped out."

She was chewing on her lower lip and I couldn't resist reaching over and plucking that lower lip from being chewed up. Her breath caught in her throat and I was sure I heard a whimper leave her throat. I was just as affected and I didn't get it. I've never been this affected by any woman.

"Phil?" She sounded unsure and whatever she was unsure about, I wanted to reassure her.

My eyes dropped to her mouth. "Yeah?"

"I've never had a nickname before." She admitted softly.

My eyes went from her mouth to her eyes at that statement. Was she serious? Looking into her eyes, I knew she was. I gave her lopsided grin. "Well, you've got one now, peanut."

Her smile just about blinded me.

Sunday Morning June 23, 2013

"Where are you headed?" She asked.

"Charleston in South Carolina."

She nodded. "Do you think Paul lied?" She questioned softly.

That was a good question, but instead of thinking about Paul and whether or not he lied to me, I focused my attention on Ashley. She was sitting in the middle of my bed, hair in a ponytail, toenails painted a bright purple and she was wearing the same outfit she was wearing when she first came knocking on my front door; the butterfly outfit. She was cute as hell, but what I had gotten attached to was that smile on her face. It was definitely addicting, that smile.

We had spent a lot of time together since Friday. She didn't like talking about her past just as I didn't so we didn't talk about the past. I also found out that James is her publicity agent and she called him her boss because he acted like he was sometimes. Well James had better watch the way he acted because now that I was around, no one would be messing with her.

"Phil?" Her quiet voice broke through my thoughts. That was another thing I liked about her. She never called me Punk. Always Phil or when she was teasing, Mr. Brooks. I liked it.

I shrugged. "I don't know, peanut, but if he is he'll regret it." I told her honestly.

She nodded. "I don't think he was."

I shot her a look as I continued packing. "Why is that? I thought you weren't a Heyman fan?"

She wrinkled her little nose. "I'm not. He's too arrogant and self-centered. But if he did lie than it's going to hurt you."

I let out a sigh. Damn, she was too damn sweet. She was slowly changing me and I didn't like it. In fact, I was glad I would be leaving for Charleston. I needed a break from all her damn sweetness.

I stopped packing to grip her upper arms and pulled her to me. We were now chest to chest and I was pleased to feel her nipples harden against my bare chest. She blinked up at me, her breathing coming in soft little pants. I was enjoying this immensely, but I wasn't letting her know that.

"What do you think of Brock?" I asked her out of the blue. I figured I needed to know just to be sure.

Her nose immediately wrinkled in disgust. "He scares me." She whispered.

I nodded. "Good. Stay away from him."

Her eyes widened. "When would I ever be around him?" She asked, looking at me like I've lost my mind.

I gave her a small shake. "I'm just saying Ashley, if you ever see him or Paul or even Axel, stay the hell away from them. I'm serious." I told her firmly. I still wasn't sure if Paul wouldn't do something completely stupid.

She nodded slowly. "I won't go anywhere near them, Phil. I promise."

"Good." I replied before brushing my mouth against hers. Now I've gotten use to the jolts of whatever kind of electricity that goes through me when I simply touch her, but I wasn't ready for what happened when my mouth touched hers. Her breathing stopped altogether, but I couldn't even control mine. My stomach was flipping, my head was pounding, and my ears were ringing. All from a simple brush of our mouths.

I pulled back and met her wide eyes. She licked her lips. "Phil?" My voice came out a whimper and I smiled.

"Let's try that again, shall we?"

She opened her mouth to protest, but I never gave her a chance. My lips were on hers before she could gasp. Her hand came up to rest at the base of my neck as my mouth coaxed hers to open. I dipped my tongue inside and touched the tip of hers and she whimpered. As my tongue explored the inside of her mouth, I was almost sure I was drowning. She was pure liquid fire and she was burning the hell out of me.

Her arms went around my neck and her tongue delved inside my mouth. Oh hell, she was going to fucking kill me. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed my way down her jaw line. Her hands went through my hair and she whimpered again.

"Phil?"

Something in her voice made me stop and I pulled back to look at her. "What?" I spoke, my voice harsh.

She licked her lips. "You have really soft hair."

I blinked in surprise. "That's why you stopped me?"

She shook her head and licked her lips again. My eyes dropped to her mouth and I leaned in to get another taste. She was exquisite. Her hand on my bare chest stopped me as did the jolt of awareness that went through me.

"You have to get ready because you're leaving in an hour and I've got to ready for tonight." She stated her voice soft and filled with regret. I had forgotten she had some kind of charity thing she was going to.

I brushed my mouth across hers and nodded. "I'll be back Thursday." I told her and she nodded mutely. "Friday at the latest." I added and she nodded again. "And when I return, we'll continue this." I warned her.

She nodded. "I'm not a ring rat though."

I grinned and smacked a kiss on her mouth. "Oh I know you're not." I replied as I quickly threw in a few more things and shut my suit case.

She stared at me for a few minutes. "You do?"

I nodded. "Of course."

I grabbed my suitcase with one hand and in the other hand I interlocked our fingers, pulling her into the living area.

"Oh."

I actually laughed at the confused look on her face. I dropped my suitcase by the door and then placed Ashley against the door and pressed my hard length against her softer one. I was moving so fast she was having a hard time keeping up. I gripped her chin between my thumb and forefinger and brought her eyes to meet mine.

"Phil?"

"I want you to stay at my place while I'm gone."

Her eyes widened. "What? Why?"

I dipped my head to lick the seam of her mouth and once again her breath caught in her throat. "I like the idea of you in my bed, waiting for me to return." I told her.

"Oh."

I chuckled. "Cat got your tongue?"

She shook her head. "I don't … I'm not…"

I grinned. "A ring rat, I know this."

She nodded mutely. Not sure of what to say.

"Do you want to know how I know you're not a ring rat?"

She nodded again.

"Because you're mine and I don't share." I told her because that was all that mattered.

She gulped. "W-w-what?" She stuttered.

"I want you and when I get back I intend to satisfy that craving."

"Oh."

She didn't seem sure and that bothered me.

"I'll tell ya what. If by the time I get home and you're not sure you want to take this to bed then that's okay. I'm not going to force you, but if you want me as much as I want you and I think you do, then be waiting for me in my bed."

She nodded. "Okay, I can do that."

I smiled and kissed her softly. "But I want to be clear, peanut. This isn't forever. I'm a better friend than a boyfriend or husband. We clear on that?"

"Friends with benefits."

This time I nodded. "Exactly."

"But we'll still be friends once the benefit part is over?" She questioned.

I kissed her again, slowly and fully. "Definitely." I muttered against her mouth.

She nodded as she wrapped her arms around my neck, through my hair, and opened her mouth. I groaned as my tongue dipped in to taste her. I hoped she was waiting in my bed come Friday. If I lasted that long.

Author's Note: Sammy the bunny was my little bunny. My husband got him for me for Valentine's Day in 2012. He died December 3, 2012. He was the best little bunny ever! I still miss him! RIP Sammy!