Tyger lay in the bed and looked over at Mark in the other. The last three days had been crazy. Her aunt had pleaded guilty to murder and interfering with a police investigation and giving false information to the police. The judge had sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Tyger was glad all this was behind her. Mark and her had a flight to Texas later today. She was going to say at his place till she could get her an apartment. Tyger was going to try to make her dream come true. She had decided to open a store a combination book/coffee/ bakery shop. She really thought she could make a go of it. The judge had ordered all of her aunts holdings over to her saying that would serve as restitution for all the pain and suffering that Betty had put Tyger through. It was quite a bit of money and she now had more than enough to start the business of her dreams. The only problem was Mark. He hadn't so much as touched her. Oh he would hug her or kiss her cheek but he showed no interest in her sexually. Tyger was truly confused. At the cabin he had made love to her many times. There passion had threatened to overtake them. Now he was treating her like his little sister or something. She sighed and looked at him. She wasn't ready to give up yet.
Tyger and Mark were on a plane headed for Texas. "Ya know Randy lives not to far from me so if ya need anything you can always call him." Mark was saying. "I'll be fine Mark." She said for the hundredth time. "Well just incase. You don't need to be in any hurry to find an apartment either. I'll be working most of the time. You'll have the house to yourself." He said. She nodded. "I'll be taking off again this evening so I have just enough time to show you around the house." He said. "You working on another case?" she asked. "Yea,. Something like that." He said. He was actually going to fly down to California. The WWE was in town he was going to show Tygers's Mothers picture around and see if he could get any leads on whom her father was. He hadn't told Tyger he didn't want to get her hopes up yet. He looked down at Tyger. She looked so tired. The last week had really taken a toll on her. Mark put his arm around her and pulled her to lie against him. She wrapped her arm around his waist and settled against him. "Get some sleep honey." He said. She closed her eyes and in minutes was lulled asleep by his steady heart beat. Mark stroked her hair and watched her. He didn't know exactly what he felt for her, he just knew he cared deeply for her and nothing was going to hurt her again.
"Well this is it baby, what ya think?" Mark said opening the car door for her. "It's great Mark." She said getting out. It was a two story brick house. There were flowers and shrubs all over the front yard. There was huge garage off to the left. "That's where I keep all my bikes. I'll take ya for a ride sometime." He said. Mark took her into the house. The entry way led into a spacious den. Then he showed to the back where the kitchen was. It was beautiful with a large bay window. "There's a pool out back too darlin." He said. Tyger peeked out the window. He had a large in ground pool surrounded by a wooden deck. "Your house is beautiful Mark." She said. "Thanks honey." He said. "Lets get your luggage and I'll show you to your room." He said. Tyger followed him back to the front of the houe where they grabbed the luggage. Tyger followed him upstairs and down a hallway. He stopped in front of a door on the left side. "My bedroom is right across the hall." He said. He opened the door and Tyger followed him in. It was a beautiful room did in light blue. The bed was huge and there were bay windows with seats built on them so you could set and look out the window. There was a huge entertainment center with a Tv and VCR and a stereo. Then on the other side a desk with a computer on it. "Mark thank you. The room is great. But your going to spoil me ya know?" she said. Mark set her luggage down and pulled her into a hug. "You deserve to be spoiled." He said. He took out a set of car keys and handed them to her. "There a truck in the garage for you to use. Randy is coming over tomorrow to show you where that building you rented for your shop is. He can help ya with anything ya need. He said he already had a list of suppliers and applications from people to work in the place. So call him tonight." Mark said. "What would I do without you and Randy?" she said. "Well now ya won't have to find that out will ya?" he said grinning. "I'm going to get a shower and rest for a couple of hours. I got to leave for the airport about 5:00pm." He said. "Okay, I'll fix you some dinner." She said. "That would be great honey, Thanks." He said giving her a hug before he left.
Tyger rambled around in the big kitchen. She was fixing lasagna and garlic bread and salad for dinner. She turned on her CD player and put her headphones on. She cranked up some Eminem while she got dinner ready. She thought about what she was going to do about Mark. She wanted him and as more than a friend. She loved him. Maybe he just needed time. Tyger knew he had been through to bad divorces. Hr was probably just scared of another relationship. She sighed. She would be here waiting when he was ready.
Tyger bent over Mark. "Wake up Lurch." She said. Mark yawned and looked up at her. "It's getting late, come have dinner." Tyger said. Mark closed his eyes again. Tyger grinned and pounced on him. "Don't make me get mean dude." She said tickling him. Mark started laughing. "All right brat I'm getting up." He said. Tyger sat back. "That's better mister." She said kissing him on the lips. Mark pulled back and sat up. "Tyger we need to talk." He said. She scooted over beside him and looked up at him. Mark looked into her big brown eyes. He didn't want to hurt her. "Tyger I'm your friend. I care about you deeply. But that's all that can be between us any more. You deserve a guy your age who can love you and marry you and give you a family. Tyger I'm a lot older than you. I have been around the block a couple of times. I have done the marriage thing a couple of times. I can't give you what you need. You deserve a man who is going to be with you everyday. The sex between us is incredible, but that's all I have to offer you and you deserve so much more." Mark said. "Mark I love you." She said. "I know sweetie, but believe it or not one day your going to meet a man who will make you forget all about me." Mark said gently. Tyger lifted her hand and gently caressed his cheek. "I'll never love anyone the way I love you Mark Calloway." She said. Mark sighed and kissed her forehead. "Come on lets eat before it gets cold." She said. Mark got up and followed her downstairs.
Mark gathered all his luggage in the entry way. He turned around and about ran into Tyger. "Damn girl ya snuck up on me." He said laughing. She grinned at him. "I'll call ya when I get to Los Angeles." Mark said. "Okay." she said. "Thanks for dinner baby, It was great." He said. Tyger put her arms around Mark. "Be careful." She said. "I will, remember Randy is here if ya need anything." He said. "I called him earlier. Were going to look at the building I rented tomorrow. I got a lot of stuff being delivered tomorrow." She said. Mark nodded. "I know you'll do great kid." He said. He kissed her gently. "See ya soon." He said and left. Tyger stood at the door and watched him. You can run Mark but you'll be back and I will be here she thought.
Randy and Tyger walked around the large building she had rented. "This is a great location Tyger. I think this place will be a hit." Randy said. "I hope so. I am going to sell books and CD's. Then on the other side a coffee house and fresh baked pastries and stuff." She said. Randy nodded. He gave her the list of suppliers. The workmen were already here setting up the bookshelves and the racks for the CD's. "I figure I will be able to open in two weeks hopefully." She said. "Well hers the applications. You can call them in and do interviews tomorrow." Randy said. "I got to get going. If you need anything call me." He said. "Thanks Randy." She said giving him a hug. "Anytime sweetheart." He said. "Have you heard from Mark?" "Yea he called this morning to let me know he got there alright." She said. Randy looked at her. "Honey, don't give up on Mark yet. He just stubborn. He will come around." Randy said. Tyger grinned up at him. "Oh I aint giving up on him not by a longshot." She said. Randy laughed. "I don't think Mark has any idea what he's up against." He said. Tyger just smiled. "I'll see you sweetie." He said. "Okay bye." Tyger said. Tyger rolled up her sleves and started hauling out boxes of books. She wanted to get this place open as soon as possible.
Mark arrived at the arena about 4 that afternoon. Most of the wrestlers should be here. He headed down the hallway to the dressing rooms. He stopped in front of one door and knocked. The door opened. "Hey ya big bastard." Mark said grinning. "Mark, what the hell ya doing here?" Glen asked pulling the big man into a hug. Mark returned the hug and slapped Glen on the back. "Ya come back to wrestle?" he asked. "Oh hell no, I'm out of this racket for good." Mark said. "Actually I here on business." He said. "Sit down Glen I got a story to tall ya." Mark said. Mark told him all about Tyger and what had happened. Mark showed him a picture of Amber Matthews, Tyger's mother. "Sorry buddy I don't recognize her or the name. But ya know if I would go to Vince. I bet he knows a lot of the guy's secrets around here. He might know something. "Good idea." Mark said getting up. "Mark you got it bad for this girl don't ya?" Glen asked. "Glen we're just friends. I'm trying to help her that's all." Mark said. "Okay, don't get your shorts in knot." Glen said laughing. "I'll be back later." Mark said. Glen watched him leave. Oh Man he had it bad and he don't even know it.
Mark stopped on the way to see Vince and asked several Wrestlers if they recognizes Ambers picture. So far he had come up empty. Mark took his time visiting with his old buddies. He was actually having a good time seeing old friends. He ran into Jeff Hardy and stopped and talked to him for a while. He was to young he didn't figure he knew anything but he showed him the picture anyway. "Naw I don't recognize her, but that was probably before my time." Jeff said. "Do you have a picture of Tyger?" he asked. "Yea." Mark said and took it out and showed it to Jeff. "Damn man she's hot, can I have her number?" Jeff said. He looked up and seen the look on Mark's face. "Hey man chill just kidding." Jeff said. Mark relaxed. He didn't have any right to react that way, Tyger wasn't his. He needed to stop acting like a pit bull over her. "Sorry Jeff, she just a good friend, I'm just really protective of her." Mark said. "It's okay man." Jeff said. I'm going to go see Vince. I'll see ya later." Mark said. "Okay, take it easy." Jeff said.
Mark knocked on Vince's door. "Come in." Vince said. Mark walked in. "Mark it's great to see you." Vince said. He stood up and shook Marks hand. "You to Vince. How's it going?" Mark asked. "Great, be even better if you tell me your hear looking for a job." Vince said sitting back down. 'No sorry Vince. I'm here on business and I hope you can help me. "Well tell me what I can do for you Mark. Mark told Vince about Tyger and how he was looking for her father. "I have reason to believe her father was a wrestler or involved in wrestling." Mark said. "Poor kid sounds like she has been through hell." Vince said. "Yea , she has that's why I'm trying to find her father, she needs him she needs a family." Mark said. Mark handed Vince the picture. Vince studied it. "No I don't recognize her." Vince said. "What was her name?" "Amber Matthews." Mark said. Mark saw the look on Vince's face change. "What is it Vince?" he asked. "Let me make some phone calls and I'll get back to you. I might be able to help you." Vince said. "What do you know Vince?" Mark asked. "Listen this involves other people, let me make some phone calls and see if my suspicions are correct and I will get back to you." Vince said. Mark sighed he knew that was the best he would get from Vince right now. He gave Vince his cell number. "Call me when you know something." Mark said. "I will." Vince said. Vince watched Mark leave and picked up the phone and dialed. "Hey Kev, I got a picture I want you to look at." Vince said. "You remember Amber?" He said. "No don't say anything to him yet. Just get down here as soon as you can to take a look at the picture. If it is her you can decide what to tell him." Vince said. "It's a long story; I'll let Mark tell it. Just get on down here." Vince said. He hung up the phone and waited for Kev to get there.