Chapter 21

"I don't know. It's too soon to really tell, which is why I want to spend some quality time with him and get to know him again. He said he'll talk to me about the past, our childhood, which can only help with my memory problem." Anciana REFUSED to tell him what Steve said regarding their marriage or Mark. The last thing she needed was to stir the pot between them when it was clear they despised each other enough on their own. "But I do know how I feel about you." A sultry smile curved her lips as her hand slid up his chest to rest on his shoulder. "And he'll have to get over it since he's not happy about us being together."

"Understatement of the year." He snorted, letting his hands drop to her hips, pulling Anciana completely flush against his body.

"Okay, writing has incorporated your ideas and Vince says this is final pending your- no sex tonight." Paul had been running back and forth as this promo was hashed out to suit everyone, knowing Taker wasn't thrilled with the idea of going 'real' and against the character he had been building over the past few years.

"What if my luscious wife is on top?"

He pulled a face. "That would be fine, but gross… Not you, dear, him."

Anciana giggled softly, not taking offense to it and shook her head at her husband. "As much as I'd love to be on top of you, Bill is right. No sex tonight. You need to rest your back and I'm not gonna be responsible for hurting you further. I was already planning on no sex anyway."

She wanted to make it clear the man didn't put the idea into her head. If he didn't listen to her and tried coercing her into bed, she wouldn't hesitate to sleep in the living room of the suite since it had a couch. Bill had definitely splurged a little with the room and the jacuzzi would work wonders on Mark's body after Steve's attack.

"You should listen to your wife, she's the one with all the common sense." Paul advised with a smile, chuckling under his breath when Taker simply rolled his eyes. "I don't think you should need me tonight… it's just that promo. I'll arrange for Epsom salts and more painkillers to be waiting for you back at the hotel."

Then he was taking off for the night, put his ear to the ground, so to speak. Not to mention, he had other business to finish on the Phenom's behalf. He hadn't anticipated Taker being injured the way he had been tonight, but apparently that hot tub was still a brilliant idea.

"Thank you, mother."

"You should be so lucky." He was gathering up his few things, finally glancing at Anciana. "Do you want a ride back to the hotel or shall you be staying with him until he's finished?"

Mark was contemplating tattooing 'MOTHER' on Paul's forehead, though at that question, his emerald gaze moved onto his wife. Tonight had been one hell of a clusterfuck.

"I…um…" Anciana wanted to go back to the hotel and relax after everything that happened, but at the same time, she knew Mark needed her. Driving back to the hotel wouldn't be very comfortable for him and she could tell he was still in pain from that shot to the back. "I'll stay here with you."

Granted, she'd be stuck in the locker room for the duration of the night, but Anciana was alright with that. She had already had a talk with Steve, made plans to talk and felt marginally better about the situation. She still had to talk to Cameria, but that could wait for another time.

"Unless you'd rather I go back to the hotel?"

"You're fine whichever way, darlin'. This isn't my first injury, won't be my last." That was his way of telling her he'd make it without her, had done so prior to her, and was likely to continue doing so, when she wasn't on the road with him.

Reaching out, Mark pulled Anciana in between his legs since he was now sitting back down. Paul popping his back into place had relieved a lot of the pain and pressure he had been feeling, but he also knew he had to push water to help, on top of taking it easy for a night or so. When Anciana waved him off, Paul walked out of the room. He had an interfering bitch to go green light an accident for.

After kissing Mark goodbye quickly, Anciana ran up to catch up with Bill and joined him on the ride back to the hotel. On the way there, she admitted how much she missed Cameria, her only family she really knew besides Mark. Steve would get there, but not yet, she didn't know him well enough. Bill, much like Mark, warned her about Steve and implored her to be careful around him. Anciana agreed, kissed his cheek and went into the suite to start preparing for the after show, watching it on the television while cleaning up a bit. She also got the jacuzzi started, wanting Mark to dip in it as soon as he walked through the door because of his back. Sitting down, Anciana watched the show as it kicked off and, an hour into it, that's when Mark gave his speech, somewhat breaking character. It was mesmerizing and done perfectly; the emotion in his eyes and face were clear as day. This man, the Undertaker, deserved a world title shot against Steve Austin.

What he deserved was a chance to break Steve's spine. He was feeling it when he stiffly walked out of the arena, having already called for a taxi since Paul had taken the rental back to the hotel, along with Anciana. Not the agonizing pain Mark had felt when he had first taken the blow and then afterward, up until Bill had sorted him out, but still… painful. By the time he was dropped off at the hotel, he was in royal grouch mood. Cramped, stiffed, irritated… he made a mental note not to take it out on his wife and halted in the lobby, eyeballing the cart of fresh cut flowers.

When Mark walked inside the suite, the lights were dimmed with a few candles lit around, thanks to the front desk, the jacuzzi was bubbling with sweet smelling oils and dinner was already set up. Anciana looked up, her blonde hair piled on top of her head and all she had on was a white cotton robe, courtesy of the hotel. There was nothing underneath because they would be going into the jacuzzi shortly after eating dinner. She smiled at his baffled expression and felt her heart melt at the beautiful roses in his hand, padding over to him.

"I thought you could use some pampering since you've taken such great care of me." Taking the roses, she inhaled them and accepted a soft kiss from him, setting them down on the counter. "Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."

This was a first. Mark had expected the jacuzzi to be going, but not… this. She had thought of everything. It smelled delicious, thanks to the candles, the light was perfect: he could see everything without it being overwhelming and there was food. Not to mention, Anciana looked like dessert and his eyes slowly skimmed up her bare legs to the hem of that robe, hazarding a guess that she was not wearing anything beneath it. Mark inwardly cursed wearing the sweat suit outfit still because he could feel his dick going half-mast, mentally eye-rolling at himself. He could not recall anyone ever doing this for him. Mark had done it as a seduction tactic, but nothing like this had been done for him. He thought the roses were woefully inadequate now.

"Darlin'… this is amazing."

"You've had a hard day and…I wanted to do something nice for you. I'm glad you like it. Now sit down, relax and eat." Taking his bag, she dropped it in the corner where he usually did and took his hand, guiding him to the table. "I had them prepare us a steak dinner with all the fixings. I figured you could use a good hearty meal before soaking in the jacuzzi and then getting a good night's sleep."

There was no seduction involved; all of this was done from her heart and Anciana could see the surprise in his eyes at what she'd done. It wasn't nearly as much as what he'd done for her, but definitely a start. While he began fixing his baked potato, Anciana put the roses in a glass vase that was in the makeshift kitchen, making sure to cut the bottom of the stems before immersing them in water. Then she sat down with her husband and had an amicably quiet meal.

This woman was… a mind fuck, he mused, as he ate in silence, studying her thoughtfully across the small table. On one hand, he could see the physical and personality traits that she shared with her twin, which was not a good thing. Personality anyway, she was gorgeous physically. Though those traits hadn't manifested until tonight. Mark was hoping to avoid that again because he had actually felt the urge to snap her neck in half; that was how much he hated Steve Austin. As she was now, with barely any of her memories or who she was before the accident, he could see himself keeping her. Well, Mark planned on keeping her regardless, but this woman as she was right now, he WANTED. Mid-meal, he had pushed back enough to peel off the sweatshirt. The hotel room was comfortably warm, and he preferred being bare-chested, to begin with, his eyes lit up in amusement when she raked her gaze over him.

"You look tired too, Ciana." He observed, taking in her posture. She had had a seriously overwhelming, messed up night. And yet somehow… she was still here with him.

"I am." Anciana couldn't deny it, taking another bite of her meal and pushed it away, unable to eat anymore.

It was mental and emotional exhaustion that rendered her not having much of an appetite. Mark, on the other hand, ate every bite, which wasn't a surprise and Anciana cleared the table, rolling the tray out to set against the wall outside of the room. While she did that, Mark busied himself with the jacuzzi, shedding his clothes and sank down into the water. She joined him moments later, removing her robe and let the jets and bubbles rush all over her naked body. Mark pulled her gently but firmly until she straddled his lap, a soft moan escaping her the moment his mouth captured hers.

"No sex remember? Your back…" She reminded in a mumble, caressing his arms and shoulders, her breasts pressed against his chest.

"I'm not hurting my back." He contended, his lips brushing against hers and then moved his lazy kisses down along her jawline, to the column of her beautiful throat.

Against her words, Anciana was tilting her head to the side, giving him full access and he smirked. His good little wife was worried about his physical well-being, but she was also freshly new to the delights of sex, he bet that was an interesting conflict of interest. Mark ran his hands up along her back, feeling her shiver in the wake of his palms and didn't stop his administrations. The jet right against his lower spine felt great, soothing the soreness away and her on his lap, responding to his touch… well, his back was the last thing on his mind at the moment.

"I'm fine, darlin'… this is fine."

She was emotionally depleted and probably feeling conflicted; Mark knew he would be if he were in her shoes. He wasn't risking losing her to her own thoughts, focusing on making her feel loved and desired, get a physical reaffirmation from her so to speak. No force of nature or act of god could stop her from responding to him and, honestly, Anciana needed this. She needed his attention and to feel his desire for her after tonight.

As much as he needed her, she needed him even more and lost herself in him. It was easy to do it and scary all at the same time, losing herself in someone like this. Steve's words rang through her mind about him being dangerous and Anciana squashed them, not believing that for a second. Mark wasn't dangerous and, if he was, it wasn't with her. She wanted to believe with every fiber of her being she hadn't married a man who was dangerous and cruel. If she was being even more honest, yes, sex with Mark was invigorating and addicting. When he rumbled in her ear if she wanted him, Anciana nodded and could feel his dick pulsating against her under the hot bubbly water.

"Yes…" Pulling back, she rested her forehead against his and kissed him softly, sliding her fingers through his slightly damp hair. "We go slow though. I won't hurt you further, okay?"

"Course, darlin'." He murmured, more focused on the feeling of sliding up and down against her wet cunt, remembering that game of Monopoly they had played.

Now that had been sexual tension and frustration at its finest. Worth the wait as far as he was concerned, discovering she had been a virgin. Mark had been her first and he was damn sure going to be her last. That had brought out something dark and possessive in him, not that he had let her know that, it wouldn't do their relationship, or his grand game, any favors.

"How's that feel, Ciana, hmmm?" His hands were on her hips, guiding her against his length without actually penetrating her.

"So damn good…" Anciana moaned out, not understanding why her body hungered for his touch and sex as much as it did.

It was almost as if her body was starved for attention, affection and Mark was willing to give it all to her. Slow…she had to keep reminding herself…they had to go slow because of his back. This man was chiseled out of stone, but Steve wore knee braces and that knee to the back had to hurt. Those braces were meant to absorb impact, so she could only imagine what they were made out of. Probably some kind of metal, especially in this line of work. Pushing that thought of her mind, Anciana focused on the feelings Mark erupted from her and began kissing his neck, teasing him as much as he was her. Then, Mark pushed her back enough to turn her around to where her back was against his chest and slowly slid inside of her, giving her an all-new experience with both sex in a jacuzzi and position.