Chapter 21
Making side dishes was something he could do. He wasn't the world's best cook, but generally it was edible. 'Taker froze in pulling down dishes from one of the cupboards, his head turning to find her watching him, a quizzical smile on his lips.
"What's under the robe?" He asked, wondering if she was ready to skip dinner and go straight onto dessert.
"Nope, you're going to have to wait until we eat dinner before you find out, Deadman." She smirked, walking around the island, her violet eyes glittering wickedly as he kept chasing her. "Now if you don't be patient and stop chasing me, you won't see what's under this robe and you won't have me." She sighed when he growled, placing her hands on her hips, the robe going to her knees. "It's a surprise, just go with it, alright?" She slid on the island stool, making sure the robe wasn't showing anything, and crossed one leg over the other.
Considering that it would be nothing to just literally tear that robe off her lush body and leave it a pile of rags on the floor...Sighing inwardly, he backed off, hands in the air in a 'I surrender' gesture. Though his green eyes were glittering with wicked intentions. "Want a drink?" He offered, opening another cupboard with a glass panel in the center, revealing his personal mini bar.
"Sure." Alexis answered, seeing he was going to listen to her and sighed with inner relief, still not believing they were here.
Alone. Never in her wildest dreams did Alexis think she would get to this point. It was amazing considering how much she used to detest this man. Things changed though, life happened, and the further she drifted apart from Christian -with 'Taker's help- the more she began to see that she was never really meant to be with him. She was meant to be here, in this moment, with the man from the dark side. The Undertaker. The most shocking part about it was there was no place on earth she would rather be than here.
Not entirely sure what she preferred, he dropped a couple of ice cubes into a glass tumbler, filled it with his favorite Scotch and handed it to her before making himself one. "Dinner won't be too much longer." He said, leaning back against the counter, swirling his drink for a moment as his green eyes perused her, still debating on if he wanted to rip that robe away. Shrugging, 'Taker took a drink, an evil smirk on his face.
Not minding Scotch, Alexis took a sip and set her drink down, just looking around the place, admiring it. The kitchen had black onyx flooring with a bluish tinted countertop and matching island. It was almost as big as a hotel suite, plenty of space to move around in. The stove and fridge were also black, which she really liked, along with the appliances.
When walking out of the kitchen, there was a huge dining area that had an antique looking black iron glass table with matching chairs. The windows all had white curtains in them and the carpet was light beige. Definitely not what she had been expecting.
The living room had black leather furniture, from what she noticed when she first walked in, with a big screen television and what looked like an awesome entertainment system. If 'Taker let her out of the bedroom, she would definitely be trying it out, though she doubted it, knowing he wanted her all to himself for the weekend. They would be back, no doubt, considering how little alone time they got when on the road to begin with.
His house had been furnished according to his tastes; no doubt the wide space and even the white curtains were startling for people who knew him, the Undertaker and all that. Now his ranch in Texas was the complete opposite of this house; this was the one he preferred usually. He set the table quietly, letting Alexis explore. After all, it would very likely be the only glimpse of the house she got until they left.
Alexis had ventured out of the kitchen and into the living room, looking at the pictures on the walls. Some were of him at signings, others were personal. She smiled at one of him and Paul, 'Taker having his arm wrapped around the man's throat, choking him. Paul was definitely a father figure as her eyes moved onto the next picture. They were mostly from appearances, but it was nice seeing a side of 'Taker that was personal. She didn't know the man behind the Undertaker. She knew that couldn't be his real name, unless his parents were seriously morbid. She wouldn't question it though and kept looking around, taking and breathing it all in.
'Taker walked out into the living room, seeing her examining his walls and smiled, leaning in the wide archway, arms folded across his chest as he watched her. He admitted it; he could honestly picture this as not only his home, but hers as well. Now there was a thought he never would have believed he could have. One black eyebrow arched when she picked up a photo from a table stand, one of him with his mother.
"How such a tiny woman gave birth to me, I'll never understand." He said, letting her know he was there.
"She's beautiful. You have her eyes." Alexis quietly commented with a smile.
The woman had to be in her sixties and 'Taker was bending to get in the photo, actually smiling. That was different. Though those unmistakable green eyes she couldn't miss. She had a long face and her hair was white with curls, glasses on her face. 'Taker was in all black of course, though his hair was a deep dark auburn. Now THAT was shocking. Alexis briefly wondered what other secrets 'Taker had, but then quickly shook herself, slowly setting the picture back on the stand.
He couldn't mistake that shake of the head, glancing down at the picture and smiled in spite of himself. His mother had heard him being called 'Taker and staunchly refused to call him that herself. "My name is Mark." He said after a moment, wondering just why he was telling her that, damn picture. He seen the shock flit across Alexis's face and couldn't help smiling. "Now you really didn't think my birth certificate read The Undertaker, did you?"
"No, I knew that couldn't be your real name, unless your parents were seriously morbid." She said truthfully, voicing what she'd thought earlier while looking at the pictures, staring up into his green eyes with a soft smile on her face. "Mark." She nodded, taking his hand in hers, seeing the hesitation in his eyes and squeezed. "I will call you whatever you want me too. Judging by the look on your face, you hate your name, though I don't know why. I've always loved the name Mark." She shrugged when he raised a black eyebrow at her. "I've always found it sexy, what's wrong with that?"
"I'm used to 'Taker. But you may call me Mark." He said it almost imperiously, like he was doing her a favor. Then 'Taker caught himself, seeing the 'oh really' expression on Alexis's face and grinned. "Sorry, old habits die hard. Dinner's ready by the way." He cleared his throat, turning and heading back into the kitchen to pull the chicken out of the oven, trying not to chuckle.
"So if I scream out Mark instead of 'Taker during sex, you won't get mad?" She asked bluntly, seeing him freeze and giggled as she sat down at the table, biting her bottom lip, but her shoulders were shaking as he walked over and set the pan on the table. She seen he brought her glass of Scotch and took another sip of it, acting nonchalant, like she hadn't just asked that question, her violet eyes sparkling happily.
"Well...so long as it's Mark or 'Taker and nobody else's name..." He said slowly, looking dead serious, like she might call out for some nobody, though his green eyes showed his amusement. "Though if by chance I call you Strawberry, well..." 'Taker shrugged, setting out the food, ignoring the disgusted expression on her face. "You really hate being called that, don't you?"
"Yes I do, it's just...I don't know. I love strawberries, they're my favorite fruit, but it just sounds...abhorrent, I guess, is the word I'm looking for." Alexis stared down at her glass of Scotch thoughtfully before taking another swig of it, not a big drinker, but she definitely could hold her alcohol. "Why don't you like being called Mark?" She asked softly, finally looking up at him, pure curiosity in her eyes, watching as he set the sidings on the table, mashed potatoes and a vegetable mixed dish.
"For the same reason you don't like being Strawberry, I find it repugnant." He said bluntly, finally dropping across the table from her, gesturing for her to begin serving herself. 'Taker drained half his remaining Scotch, watching her thoughtfully. "I'm used to being called 'Taker and it suits me."
Alexis wanted to point out the fact that Strawberry was a nickname, just like 'Taker, but chose to keep her mouth shut, instead draining her own glass of Scotch. Mark was an actual name, just like Alexis, but again, she chose not to voice her thoughts. Instead, she simply nodded at him before serving herself, not believing he actually told her what his real name was. Why on earth he hated it was beyond her though. Mark was a lot better and sexier than 'Taker, though she would never tell him that. She really wanted to enjoy this time and not have the state of Florida explode with his temper, which was likely to happen, due to how agitated he sounded when it came to that subject.
"This looks delicious." She smiled at him before digging in, starving from the plane ride.
It ought too, he hadn't made it, but she didn't need to know that. No doubt she'd eventually find out about his limited cooking skills over the weekend. Hmm...Take out would definitely be on the menu. 'Taker fixed his own plate, studying her thoughtfully.
"I find it odd that you won't say what's on your mind." He commented conversationally. "Especially since you've never hidden what you were thinking before."
"I'm trying to avoid a confrontation. No matter what I say you're going to think your way so is there really a point?" She retorted softly, taking a bite out of her mashed potatoes, staring back at him curiously.
Why would he want her to say what was on her mind when it would only piss him off? She stood up from the table and walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine before taking her seat and took another bite out of the chicken. There was no way he made this, there wouldn't be enough time, and smirked inwardly at the thought. Sneaky bastard.
He contemplated that, taking a bite of chicken and inwardly made a note to give his maid a raise. This was delicious. After chewing slowly and appraising Alexis thoughtfully, he finally spoke, "Because a relationship cannot be dominated by one person. Even if that person is me." It was arrogant, he knew it, but that was him. "If you don't speak your mind, then I'm going to assume you're mindless."
He had a point as Alexis slowly set her wine glass down and swallowed her food before speaking. "Alright, fine. I think Undertaker is a nickname just like Strawberry. It's not your real name. Alexis, that's my name. I was born and raised with it. You were born and raised with the name Mark, not Undertaker." She was contradicting him and she knew it, but she didn't care either as she took another sip of her wine, sighing softly. "It's like I said before, I will call you whatever you want me too."
"I never said the Undertaker was my real name, I just said I find it as repugnant as you find Strawberry." He said, not showing any signs of being angry. If anything, he was pleased she was actually speaking her mind. Again. "I prefer my nickname to my real name, while you prefer the opposite. And as I've said, you may call me what you wish. I'll answer to Mark."
"So how far does that stretch?" She asked, looking at him with slightly narrowed violet eyes. She knew the Ministry wasn't allowed to call him Mark, or Paul for that matter. "What would you do if once we're back on the road I started calling you Mark in the dressing rooms and in front of the guys?" She seen him tense, raising a slow eyebrow, knowing she was probably angering him, but she was also making a point. "You don't want that. I know you don't. But I also refuse to bounce back and forth as far as your name goes. So you need to tell me honestly, do you want me to call you Mark or do you want me to just keep calling you 'Taker?"
Alexis briefly wondered what would happen if they were ever married, immediately pushing that thought out of her mind. Oh hell no! They weren't even CLOSE to that point yet and she honestly wasn't the marrying type. She could be devoted to one man her entire life without having a goddamn ceremony to prove it.
Now if he allowed her to call him Mark in front of his Ministry he would have several issues to deal with. Such as Paul chiming in and doing it again. The Ministry would definitely wind up slipping and call him that. Then he would be forced to beat them into the next decade. However, if she preferred Mark...He could handle Paul and anyone else who decided to aggravate him.
"Call me Mark."
If Alexis was shocked at hearing that, she didn't show it and simply nodded with a smile. "That still doesn't give you permission to call me Strawberry." She informed him with a smirk, taking another bite of chicken, winking when he just rolled his eyes.
She absolutely loathed that nickname, even when he said it. There was nothing red about her...much. She smirked and took another sip of her wine, remembering the surprise she had on underneath her robe. It would be ripped off and probably destroyed, she knew it, but for a brief moment, he would look at her with those darkened green eyes and drool. The thought made her grin as she continued eating.
Not even wanting to know WHY she was grinning like she was some damn cat who'd caught a canary, he finished his meal, enjoying the silence. Well, the background noise of the surf didn't count as silence per se, but he was so used to it. After a second helping of everything, 'Taker went to refill his Scotch glass, watching her for a moment before draining it, his eyes taking on a predatory gleam.
Alexis was staring out the window with a soft smile on her face, listening to the waves and sighed as she finished her glass of wine, setting it down gently on the table. This reminded her of home, North Carolina, and briefly closed her eyes. She hadn't been there in months and honestly missed it. She lived right by the ocean and woke up every morning to the ocean breeze blowing through her hair. Nothing made her more relaxed than that sound, she'd meant what she said earlier when her and Mark watched the sunset together after shortly arriving. She didn't even notice him stand up from his chair, mesmerized by the waves that crashed against the shore gently.
While she was lost in whatever thoughts occupied her mind, 'Taker quietly cleared the table. He put away the leftovers and rinsed off the dishes, popping them into the dishwasher, anything to avoid household chores. Finally, he moved to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"You said you live in North Carolina?" He murmured.
Alexis had moved from the table while he cleared it, having noticed that much, and walked over to stare out the window, nodding. "Yes." She whispered, leaning back against him, and felt her eyes drift closed at the mixture of his heartbeat and the ocean waves, feeling his chin rest on top of her head. "This reminds me so much of it." Her eyes slowly opened, snuggling further against him, resting her hands upon his.
"We could always go there if you miss it." He said gently, gathering from the slight sad timbre in her tone that she did.
If it would make her happy, he'd do it, just about anything actually. It was so surprising how this one woman, someone he had originally deemed insignificant, had totally changed his life about. Not that he let it show, but even if no one else was aware of it, he was. He was more considerate for one. He actually cared about what she had to say. Alexis had corrupted him completely.
"On our next getaway." She agreed with a bright smile, reluctantly turning around to face him, staring into his deep green eyes. There was no acid there, just pure emerald gems, and they were glittering back at her. He changed; she could sense it and feel it. He hadn't gotten angry with her for speaking her mind like he normally would have. He seemed...happy and relaxed, two traits she was not used too. They were nice though, probably due to the fact they were alone finally. "Thank you for bringing me here, Mark."
Alexis actually shivered when she used his name, feeling like something had lifted off of her shoulders and her violet eyes lit up a little more. It felt great calling him that and she didn't understand why. She wasn't going to question the feeling.
He had to at first stifle a wince at her using his name, but seeing the light in her eyes made him rethink it. Maybe Mark...there she went, corrupting his mind again. Somehow he knew he wasn't going to mind the corruption though.
"You're welcome." He said, his voice deep, smirking when she shivered for a second time. A moment later, he had picked her up princess style. "Now... let's go see what's under that robe, shall we?"
Alexis giggled softly and nodded; her arms wrapped around his neck, and softly kissed his lips as he carried her out of the dining room and up the spiraling staircase, finally arriving in the huge bedroom.