Readers: I'm keeping Mark's American badass persona throughout this story =)

Chapter 10

Five Years Later

The sun shined brightly as I turned up the music in my shop. Customers were piling up by the hour and many calls were coming in. I was now living in Las Vegas and had the most popular tattoo shop in town. I was also the youngest person in town, twenty-five to be exact, that owned their own shop. Every morning since the shop opened a year ago, I had woken up with a smile and new goal to reach. So far I had made so much money, that I had my own condo that sat at the top of a hill and over looked the city. I had my own pool in the back of it, along with a huge living room, dining room, kitchen, and two bedrooms complete with a huge bathroom.

That wasn't the only thing that had changed about me though. I colored my hair so that it was a lighter brown and added honey colored highlights throughout it. I also had it cut and layered so that it still fell just below my shoulders but it had lightness to it that I loved. I also dressed a little sexier. I wore low hip huggers that were normally ripped in some areas and small form fitting t-shirts that were normally low cut to show off a little cleavage. My tops were normally all black or white at work, but whenever I went out, I normally wore dresses.

I had made some real good friends including a few stars like Criss Angel. My favorite customer, Randy Orton was coming in for his next tattoo that morning and I couldn't wait to see him.

"Serena!" my co-worker Justin yelled from the back of the store where I sold clothing.

"Yes?" I said as I cleaned up my station.

He came up front with a look of worry, "I think we're all out of those black shirts with the rose print on the front."

I sighed, "Oh really…ok well I'll get them ordered right away then."

He nodded, "Ok and I also wanted to tell you that we have three new guys coming in for tattoos tonight around 5. They're high class guys so we'll have to close to shop up to keep out customers."

I nodded, "No problem, hey where is Lilly? She's supposed to be here right now."

He sighed in annoyance. Lilly was one of our best and fastest tattoo artists but she had a real issue with being late or not showing up at all.

"I bet she's still sleeping…" he said. "Hold on I'll give her a call."

I smiled, "Don't worry about it. I'll talk to her later."

He nodded, "Ok."

As I was finishing up with my station, the phone rang. I sighed wondering if it was Lilly, but there was a number I didn't recognize. I picked it up and answered pleasantly.

"Serena's Tattoo Shop, how may I help you?"

A first there was no answer so I waited a few seconds. "Uh…hi…I was calling about an appointment I made for 5 this afternoon." Said the man on the other end. I wasn't too sure but I thought I recognized the voice. It couldn't be though….

"Uh yes, did you need to change it?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am…um…there's only two of us coming now and we'll be there at 3." He said.

I nodded as I changed the appointment in my computer. As I was changing it I noticed the name in the screen was under Mark Calaway. Wonderful…he would pop up during a happy time in my life. Then I gave it some thought, maybe he was the one who wasn't coming.

"Um ok I've got that all changed for you. Now I must warn you that Lilly isn't in today so did you care if someone else does the tattoo?"

"Uh, sure that's fine. I've never been to your shop before so it doesn't matter to me." He said.

I bit my bottom lip as his voice became a little clearer. It was definitely Mark…and he was definitely coming. I didn't want him to know it was me though, so I acted like I didn't recognize him at all.

"Ok sir, I'll see you at 3 o'clock then." I said.

"Ok sounds like a plan." He said.

"Bye-bye," I said before hanging up.

Justin came back up front and glanced at me, "Are you ok?"

I hadn't noticed that I was staring off into space as memories of my past came back to haunt me. I thought about the way we made love in that cabin…how he kissed and touched me like I was a delicate flower. I hadn't slept with anyone else since that moment…

"Oh..yeah I'm alright."

"Are you sure? You look kind of worried about something." He said.

I smiled and then shook it off, "No I'm good, I was just thinking about something."

"Oh well if you want to talk let me know. I'm here for you girl."

I nodded just as Randy Orton came through the door. "Hey girl!"

I giggled, "Hey there Randy, how are you?"

He walked over and hugged me, "Oh I'm good, just ready to get another tat."

"Good, well come on over here so I can get you started." I told him as I pulled my curtain around my station for privacy. He smiled and pulled off his shirt, watching me get set up as he did so.

"Damn girl, you look finer every time I come in here." He said as he sat down backwards.

I giggled, "Thanks. Now you want it across your shoulders right?"

He nodded and eyeballed me as I came closer. "Yes ma'am…"

I laughed and then put on some gloves and got my equipment ready.

"So tell me Serena, why don't you have a boyfriend?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I don't really trust guys that much."

"Oh…so you trust women then?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

I laughed, "No! I only meant that a lot of guys have hurt me in the past and I can't really seem to let that go just yet."

He nodded, "Ah…I understand. Well I'm sorry to hear that. Guys are assholes."

"You actually agree with that statement?" I asked as I started his outline.

He nodded, "yea. I mean I am a guy and I know how men think."

I nodded, "Well…then you would understand why I feel the way that I do."

He smiled, "Of course…maybe you should let me take you out one day. It doesn't have to be a date or anything but, I do want to get to know you better."

I smiled and gave his question some thought. I then remembered that Mark used that same line on me before I let him into my pants. I had to play this one safe. "I don't know Randy, can I have some time to think about it?"

"Yes you can. I've got nothing but time baby."

"Alright then." I said.

I finished his tattoo up within that hour. Once I got him all cleaned up, I rang up his tattoo at the register and then said my good-bye. He was definitely a nice guy…but I was real worried about getting hurt again.

"Girl you should totally go for that." Justin said. "That man is dying to get with you."

I sighed and started cleaning up my station. "Oh I don't think I can Justin."

"Why not?"

"Because…I've been hurt many times…and I don't want to get hurt again." I told him.

He nodded, "I understand girl but you've got to let that go at some point. I mean he's one hell of a stud, he's educated, and has a good job working for the WWE. How can you pass it up?"

I flipped my hair over my shoulder, "Yes you're right…maybe I'll think it over and call him tonight."

"Good."

The two of us stayed busy up until two-forty five. By then I was biting my nails hoping to God that Mark wasn't going to show up. About five minutes til…a familiar black truck pulled up in front of my shop. A huge smile formed on my face when I saw Steve get out of the passenger side. I gasped as he came through the door.

"Steve!" I yelled as I ran and jumped into his arms.

"Serena? Oh my God look at you!" he said. "You look amazing girl!"

I laughed as I backed up from him. "Thanks."

"No I'm serious, you look so grown up now." He said.

I sighed, "Well it has been five years since the last time you seen me Steve."

"Damn really? How old are you now?"

"Twenty-five." I said.

"Wow…and Austin is 13 now." He said.

"How is he doing?" I asked.

"Oh he's good. He really misses you though." He told me as someone came in behind him.

I sighed, "I miss him too."

Steve smiled and then moved in so that the driver of the truck could come inside. I wasn't shocked at all to come face to face with my cousin's ex-husband…Mark. He still looked the same but the cold expression I had remembered, was now a soft and gentle look.

"Hey Mark." I said quietly as he stared at me in shock.

He finally smiled after a few minutes, "Serena…wow."

I couldn't help but giggle at his amazement at my changes. "Welcome to my shop."

"Damn…you really did it girl." He said.

I nodded, "Yes I did…now did you boys come here to admire me or get some tattoos?"

They smiled at each other, "Kind of both. We heard this was the best place for the tattoos so we figured we drop in for a private session."

I nodded as Justin appeared next to me, "Oh my goodness, you two are Stone Cold and the Undertaker…"

They smiled at him before shaking his hand.

"This is my assistant, Justin." I said.

"It's nice to meet you Justin," Steve said. "I'll tell you what, why don't you do my tattoo for me son?"

Justin's eyes widened as he looked at me, "Go on if you want."

"Awesome, follow me sir." He said as Steve walked past me to go with Justin.

Once they were gone, I walked past Mark and locked the door and pulled the curtains. He watched me with a strange look of enchantment on his face.

"So..I guess that leaves you with me." He finally said.

I shrugged, "I guess so. What do you want?"

He didn't say anything at first, he just watched me.

"Hello? Are you getting a tattoo or not?" I asked with my arms folded.

He chuckled and then took off the leather jacket he was wearing. I tried not to notice how toned his muscles looked…my my my…he was a God. He unbuttoned his sleeveless shirt and pulled it off, showing off more than I wanted to see. I shivered slightly as he made his way over to my chair. I had no idea how this was going to play out, but I knew it wouldn't end in a good way.

Sorry for the cliffhanger…but I had to do it.