CHAPTER THREE

Carlito sighed contentedly, stretching out on the lounge chair. He glanced over at Gianna, smiling when he seen her nose was buried in a book. "What's that you're reading, Cherry?"

She reluctantly tore herself from the pages and smiled at him, flashing the cover.

"Jane Eyre?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Would I like it?"

"I don't know. They don't say a thing about apples in here."

"You're funny."

"I know." Gianna laid the book aside, turning on her own chair to face him, lying on her side. "I'm glad we got to spend today together."

"So am I, a little sore though."

She got to her feet. "Roll over and I'll give you a massage."

Carlito wasn't about to turn that one down. He flipped onto his stomach, grunting when he felt her weight settle just below his lower back. "Cherry, you're losing weight."

"I don't eat much." Gianna murmured, the scent of coconut oil filling his nostrils.

He knew better then to say anything about it. Gianna hardly ate anything on the road period. She preferred home cooked meals over the fast food and questionable room service. If he didn't get her home soon, she might become nothing more then skin and bones.

Carlito shivered at the thought.

"What's wrong, Cabana Boy?" Gia asked softly, her hands freezing. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, just thinking." He fell silent, arching his back under her feather light touch.

When Gianna realized her husband had fallen asleep, she smiled and laid down so she was sprawled out on top of him.

Soon, she too was out.

***

"You look refreshed." Ashley commented when Gianna arrived at the motel room they would share Tuesday morning.

"I am. I got to spend two nights with my husband."

"See? PPV's are wonderful, aren't they, kid?"

"They are indeed."

"Get your nooky nooky in?"

"Ashley!"

***

"I hate it when they make me dress before even arriving." Gianna muttered later that night., she was still at the motel, minus Ashley, getting around.

She had been surprised when one of Teddy's assistants had shown up bearing a garment bag. Even more surprised at what lie in it.

It was a simple white -of course- dress that fell to her ankles. The bodice was tight and low enough to just borderline modesty, the front needing to be laced up. Factor in the long, flowing sleeves and it resembled something from a fantasy, medieval era.

Matching the look, Gia had pinned her hair on top of her head, leaving a few heavy spirals down to frame her face. A pair of pearl earrings and her ballerina flats completed the ensemble.

"Okay, about-" Gia halted mid-sentence -yes, she talked aloud to herself- when she heard a rap on the door. "Ashley?" She murmured, wondering if maybe the other woman had forgotten something. A ball cap maybe?

Sighing, Gianna answered the door, expecting to see her roomie. Imagine her surprise when she seen 'Taker. "Is something wrong?" She asked meekly, stepping behind the door so only her head was showing.

He stared down at her, in his wrestling hear, minus his hat. Instead his hair was held back by a black bandana wrapped around his head. "Nothing is wrong." He finally said, his deep baritone almost sounding amused. "I'm here to pick you up."

Which is how Gianna wound up on the back of his motorcycle, holding on for dear life. Her hair and dress streamed behind her, her face buried in his broad back.

When they arrived, 'Taker had to gently pry her fingers off of him, smoothly dismounting and pulling her up with him. "Are you alright?" He asked gently, holding her under the arms like a limp rag doll so she wouldn't fall.

"Never, never again." She managed to choke out, shaking like a leaf on a tree.

"Come on, Angel." He scooped an arm under her knees, the other slithering behind her back.

Gianna didn't care, all she could was inhale and exhale. She was the first to admit she was a wimp. Never let it be said she'd deny it.

***

Gianna stared at Teddy, arching an eyebrow. "I'd really like to know where this line is going."

Teddy stared at her for a long minute. "That dress looks beautiful on you, baby girl."

Gia sighed, knowing that was the only answer she was likely to get from him.

***

"I'm about to say screw this."

Ashley watched as Gia tossed her script over her shoulder and shook her head. "Chill down, kid. You got to admit it's a lot more interesting then it was on RAW."

"On RAW I knew what to expect, I didn't have to worry what the GM was planning on doing to me." Gianna protested.

"On RAW, the GM was more interested in burying your career." Ashley said firmly. "Teddy is giving you one."

***

"You realize 'Taker isn't going to have your back all the time."

Gianna tensed when she heard David's low growl. He wasn't stupid enough to try anything, not in a crowded hallway, but that didn't stop her from fearing him.

And rightly so.

David's eyes shifted, a sickening smirk on his face. He reached out and latched onto her wrist, puling her into the men's bathroom.

Gianna let out a shrill scream that was cut mid-shriek by his hand. It didn't take long for tears to make their appearance as she was roughly backed into a damp patch of wall between urinals.

If she had the time, Gia would have been totally revolted instead of frightened. She was going to be raped in a men's bathroom, of all places between the nasty as hell urinals. The room reeked of piss, the lighting was shit, a cracked mirror accented with harsh, flickering florescent lights were her surroundings.

Gianna was in hell.