Over the next week, Hunter became the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship. He battled Undertaker for the chance, but before a match between Hunter and Brock could be set, Stephanie announced that Brock would be exclusive to SmackDown only. There would be no title shots for RAW members. Hunter was not happy about this and had spent a good deal of time yelling at Bischoff.
During the next few days, Evie noticed that Hunter was spending a lot of time on his phone and occasionally he would tell her he was going out and not to wait up. He never told her who he was talking to or where he went and she didn't ask. Things between them had been fine since he had apologized and she had no desire to ruin that.
She had also caught him talking to Ric Flair in his dressing room. She had gone down to Bischoff's office to fax some things to Linda McMahon. They quickly hushed up when she walked in and Ric left before she had a chance to ask him how he was doing.
They had just started to pack up their things, when there was a knock on the dressing room door. Hunter opened it to find a go-fer on the other side.
"What do you want?" Hunter demanded.
"M-Mr. Bischoff would like to talk to you in his office," stammered the go-fer.
"I'll be there in a couple of minutes," Hunter responded.
The go-fer walked away and Hunter shut the door.
"What does Bischoff want?" Evie asked innocently.
"Hell if I know." Hunter looked over at her. "You haven't punched Jericho out lately have you?"
Evie smiled. "No. All though I'd like to."
"Makes two of us." Hunter reached for the doorknob. "I'm gonna go see what Bischoff wants. I suppose I don't have to tell you to wait here do I?"
She shook her head as Hunter walked out. The door to Bischoff's office was open, so Hunter walked right in. Bischoff looked up from some papers on his desk.
"What do you wanna see me about Bischoff?"
"Triple H! Close the door and let's talk."
****************
They checked into their hotel in Milwaukee without any problems. The clerk gave them their keycards and they piled their luggage onto a cart and headed for the elevators. Once they were in their room, Evie collapsed onto the bed. She was glad to be out of the car. On the way to the hotel, Hunter had teased her mercilessly about anything he could. His mood had improved since he had come back from Bischoff's office that night. She had seen Hunter talking to Ric again the day after he had talked to Bischoff, but said nothing to him. He was up to something. She only hoped it was about Jericho's payback.
Hunter put her suitcase down and looked at her. "You know, with the mood I'm in, you shouldn't be lying on a bed."
She opened her eyes to find him smiling suggestively at her. She rolled over on her stomach with a groan.
He walked over to the bed and crawled up over her. He pushed aside her hair and leaned in to kiss her neck.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked in a muffled voice.
"Oh nothing," he responded as he kissed her again and then moved to her ear. She giggled as his tongue tickled her earlobe and she tried to roll over.
"Hunter," she protested as she pushed at his arm. "Would you move please?"
"Okay, fine," he huffed as he got up.
Evie turned over and sat up. "Thank you." She began unbuttoning her shirt.
"Now that's more like it, "said Hunter as she removed her shirt.
"Don't get too excited Tiger. I'm going swimming."
"Swimming?"
She looked at him as she unfastened her jeans. "I've been dying to get in a pool all day." She pulled her jeans off and stood there in her bra and underwear and bent over to pull her bikini out of her suitcase.
Hunter felt himself becoming excited at the sight of her bent over in a thong. He had this sudden urge to throw her down on the bed. "Maybe I don't want you to go swimming." The urge intensified as she continued to rifle through her suitcase.
Evie straightened up and laughed as he came closer to her. "Is that so?"
Hunter nodded as he wrapped his arms around her. "Yeah, that's so."
"Well, who died and made you boss?"
Hunter leaned in and kissed her, running his tongue across her bottom lip. She eagerly parted her lips and his tongue slid past them and into her mouth. He kissed her deeply, tasting her as hands splayed across her back, pressing her against him. As she continued to respond to his kiss, Hunter slowly maneuvered her towards the bed. Once he was there, he carefully laid her down and removed his own clothing and then proceeded to strip Evie of her bra and thong.
He traced one finger down the side of her face, over her breast and across her stomach, stopping at the tangle of curls between her legs. He then stretched over her and began retracing its path with his lips, moving upwards. His tongue made tiny circles as he crossed her stomach to her breast. She moaned as his mouth enveloped her nipple and she involuntarily arched upwards. He flicked his tongue over the hard flesh slowly then increased the movement when she moaned again. Kisses traveled slowly over her collarbone and up her throat. Evie's hands slid down his back and grasped his tight buttocks. He fell against her, pinning her mouth with his in a fierce kiss. Desire coursed through her like a lightning bolt in response. He felt her tremble as his tongue pushed into her mouth again.
Her body arched into his, enjoying the contact. Her hands moved from his buttocks to his arms and she trailed her hands up them, feeling the muscles coiled beneath bare skin. One leg wrapped around his and she felt his hardness nestled against her thigh. Her fingers buried themselves in his hair and pulled his head into the curve of her neck. As he began kissing the warm skin, his cell phone rang.
"Dammit," he muttered as he pulled away.
"No Hunter, leave it. They can wait," she said as she reached for him.
He stood up, extracted the phone from his pants pocket, looked at the display and then looked at her with regret. "I'm sorry Evie, but I gotta take this call." He headed into the bathroom as he answered it.
"Oh that's just wonderful. Leave me lying here like this Hunter." Her fist thumped the mattress in frustration. "It better be a damn good reason too," she muttered as she got up and collected her bikini. "Might as well go to the pool now."
Quickly she pulled the garments on and grabbed her beach towel from her bag. She knocked gently on the bathroom door. "I'm going to the pool. I'll be back in an hour."
There was no response, just the low murmuring of Hunter's voice as he spoke to whoever was on the phone. Evie left the room, taking a keycard with her.
*******************
Eric Bischoff stood in the ring, a briefcase in one hand and a microphone in the other. "Well, since Stephanie McMahon convinced Brock Lesnar to be exclusive for SmackDown, and that denies any RAW superstar from holding the Undisputed Championship, I think the fans for RAW deserve their own champion."
Bischoff waved towards the ramp. "Triple H is the real number one contender for that title. Triple H, why don't you come on out."
Hunter's music blared from the speakers as he walked down the ramp and climbed into the ring. He shook hands with Bischoff and was handed another microphone.
"You know Eric, there is one thing you forgot to mention. The real reason Brock Lesnar went to SmackDown. That reason is me. Brock knows he doesn't belong in the same ring as me. The exact second I beat Taker to be the number one contender, Brock knew his days as the Undisputed Champion were numbered." Hunter smirked. "I guess it turns out that 'The Next Big Thing' has no balls."
"Triple H, my biggest regret is that I didn't sign you to Nitro a few years ago. You are truly 'The Game' and you are that damn good." Eric opened the briefcase and pulled out the WCW title belt. "As you know, legends have held this title and now it is the official title for RAW." He held the title out to Hunter. "And now you are the official World Champion."
Hunter took the title from Bischoff and hoisted it over his shoulder. "A lot of guys would come out here and say they didn't deserve this, but I'm not a lot of guys. You're right Eric; I am 'The Game and I am that damn good. No one deserves to be World Champion more than I do."
Before Hunter could continue, Ric Flair came out. "You've only held that title once Triple H. I held it 16 times! No one awarded me that title! I busted my ass for it! I have paid the price for that title! You need to earn the right to wear that title!"
Bischoff interrupted. "Okay, okay. So if Triple H has to earn the title, how about a match between the World Champion and the Nature Boy? Tonight!"
"You know Eric, it would be an honor and a privilege for me to face Ric Flair tonight," responded Hunter.
"And it would be an honor and a privilege for me to be your first opponent for that title," answered Flair.
Bischoff held up his arms. "It's official! Tonight, the World Champion, Triple H, defends his title against Ric Flair! And win number 17 may right around the corner for the Nature Boy!"
Before Flair could respond, Hunter punched him in the face and left he ring, heading for his dressing room.
Evie sat up as he came in. "What the hell was that all about?"
Hunter dropped the title belt on the sofa. "What the hell was what?"
"That punch you gave Ric."
He looked at her. "Don't worry about it."
A quizzical look appeared on her face. "Is this what you two have been talking about in secret?"
"The less you know the better, so drop it Evie," he said quietly.
"Fine, consider it dropped. Not that you'd tell me anyway."
A predatory grin suddenly appeared on Hunter's face. "Oh, and don't worry about Jericho. He'll get what he deserves when he's not expecting it."
Hunter's cell phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at the number on the display. "I'll be back in a minute or two," he said as he walked past Evie and out into the hallway with his phone.
*************
Shawn was on the monitor being interviewed by Lawler and J.R. He was speaking via satellite from San Antonio.
"How's your health Shawn?" asked J.R.
"Well J.R., I have some feeling in my legs, but I won't be getting up from this wheelchair until I'm back in shape."
"Do you have any regrets about that match with Triple H?"
"It was worth it J.R. The fans loved it and that's what matters. But it's not the match that put me in this wheelchair, it's the hit Hunter gave me after the match."
J.R. leaned forward slightly. "Is there anything you want to say to Triple H?"
Shawn narrowed his eyes. "Don't hunt what you can't kill." The camera panned back a bit to show Shawn holding a sledgehammer and then the screen faded to black.
Hunter said nothing as the monitor went back to broadcasting the show. He slung the title over his left shoulder and headed for the door. His match with Ric was up next.
"I'll be back in a while. Make sure you don't go anywhere unless you have someone with you."
"Okay dad," Evie said sarcastically. She didn't need to be told.
Hunter didn't respond as he walked out. Evie flipped him off as the door closed. Why did he persist in treating her like she didn't know any better? Or keep reminding her not to go anywhere without an escort?
After she had come back from swimming last night, he was gone. He had left her a note stating that he was taking care of a few things and would be back late. She assumed that it had something to do with the phone call he had received earlier. He returned after 1a.m. smelling of cigar smoke, brandy and the faint scent of perfume. Evie pretended to be asleep. He didn't try to wake her, just slid into bed and turned so his back was to her. In the morning, she nonchalantly asked him where he had been. He shrugged and said it was business, but didn't give any explanation.
The thought that he might be seeing someone else briefly crossed her mind. He had been taking a lot of phone calls lately. Plus he had been going out on occasion, and last night, he had come back with the scent of perfume on him. Perfume Evie knew wasn't hers. Last night had been the first time since she accepted his apology that they had been intimate. Well, attempted to be intimate anyway. But that had been ruined by the phone call. Evie continued to ponder what was going on while she watched his match with Ric.
The two men exchanged blows and moves. Flair delivered chops to Hunter's chest and Hunter delivered a spine buster followed by punches. Hunter whipped Flair into the turnbuckle and Flair fell over the ropes to the outside of the ring. Flair was thrown back into the ring by Hunter and a sleeper hold was applied to Flair. Flair managed to wriggle out of it and gave Hunter a back suplex. Hunter went for a figure four when Flair missed the knee drop, but Flair worked it into an inside cradle and managed a two count before Hunter kicked out. They went back and forth for a few more minutes and then Hunter delivered a low blow to Flair, followed by a Pedigree and rolled him up for the three count.
As Hunter rolled out of the ring, Jericho came running down. He grabbed Flair and put him in the Walls of Jericho. Rob Van Dam came out and gave Jericho a spinning kick, knocking Jericho down. Hunter turned around and got back into the ring, but received a spinning kick from RVD that knocked him out of the ring and onto the floor. Flair quickly recovered and headed backstage, followed by RVD.
*************
Hunter barged into Bischoff's office. "I want a match with RVD!" he demanded.
Bischoff held up his hands. "Whoa! Not tonight Triple H."
"Dammit Bischoff! I am the champ here! I should get what I want!"
"Okay, okay," Bischoff said, trying to placate him. "I'll give you a match with RVD tonight. Since you are the champio-"
Jericho stormed in and interrupted Bischoff. "I don't give a damn if you're the champ or a chump Triple H! I am facing RVD tonight!"
"Okay fellas, how about this? I'll make you both happy. Tonight's main event will be Triple H and Chris Jericho against Rob Van Dam and Ric Flair."
Both men looked at him, then at each other. Finally Hunter spoke up. "I think I can put aside our differences for one night. How about you?"
Jericho narrowed his eyes. "You got it. But don't try any funny business Triple H. I'll be watching my back."
"So will I Jericho. So will I."
**************
Hunter and Jericho gained the advantage in the first half of the match. Jericho worked RVD over and choked him in the corner. RVD managed to wriggle out and tagged Flair who punched Jericho. Hunter gave Flair a cheap shot and was tagged by Jericho. Hunter and Flair exchanged hits and then Hunter tagged Jericho, who choked Flair on the rope. RVD and Hunter got the tag at the same time and RVD delivered a heel kick to Hunter. RVD threw Jericho to the floor and then used the top rope to launch himself at Hunter. RVD knocked Hunter to the mat and went for the Rolling Thunder but was nailed by Jericho with a steel chair. Hunter tried to cover RVD but got a two count. Somehow, Jericho and Flair ended up on the outside of the ring with Jericho locked in a Figure Four by Flair. In the ring, Hunter grabbed his title belt to hit RVD with it, but RVD delivered a spinning kick and the belt connected with Hunter's face and he fell to the mat. RVD climbed to the top rope and did a 5 Star Frog Splash for the win.
Hunter stormed into his dressing room, dripping blood from a cut on his forehead. He slammed the door shut, causing Evie to jump. He let lose with a string of profanity as he dropped the title on the couch. Evie got up and rummaged through the first aid kit that she kept in her bag. She said nothing as he continued his tirade against RVD and then Flair.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded.
Evie turned around with a bandage and a packaged alcohol swab in one hand. "I was getting these to clean up your face." He snatched the items out of her hand and went into the bathroom to clean up.
"You're welcome," she muttered under her breath as she started to pack her laptop away.
Hunter came back out after a couple minutes and began changing his clothes. He said nothing to her as he dressed. Stuffing his gear in his bag, he zipped it up vehemently and slung it over his shoulder. He picked up the title as he passed the couch and headed out the door.
Evie sighed in resignation as she followed him. I guess its going to be one of those nights.
Hunter remained silent during their ride back to the hotel. Once they reached their room, he stripped down and headed for the shower. Evie set her things down and pulled her cell phone out to check her messages. She had two. She dialed up the voicemail to retrieve them. One was from her sister; the other was from Shawn asking her to call him when she got a chance. She deleted them and shut the phone off for the night.
Evie stood up and began removing her own clothing. As she pulled on her pajamas, the bathroom door opened and Hunter came out in a towel, grabbed some clothes from his suitcase and went back in the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
She settled herself in bed, propping the pillow up behind her so she could read her book. She had read two paragraphs when the bathroom door opened again and Hunter came out. He was wearing a white button down shirt and black slacks. His hair was pulled back in his customary ponytail. She watched as he put a pair of dress shoes on.
"Going out?" she asked quietly.
Hunter glanced over at her. "Yeah. I won't be back until late again," he responded as he slipped on one loafer, then the other.
Evie tried to appear unconcerned. "Where to?"
"Bischoff wanted to talk to me, so he invited me to go out with him. You have a problem with that?"
"No. I was just curious."
Hunter stood up, grabbed his keycard and the car keys and headed to the door. "Don't wait up." He left without a backward glance.
Evie set her book down, having lost interest in it. Something wasn't right. Since when did Hunter get dressed up just to talk to someone? Even if the someone was the general manager? She hadn't seen Bischoff approach Hunter at all tonight. All though he could have said something to Hunter after that tag team match had been made.
Oh give it up girl. He's a grown man and can do what he wants. It's not like you have a serious relationship with him. I mean, face it, he only said he was attracted to you. Not that he was madly in love with you. You're his personal assistant.
Evie rolled her eyes at that thought. Yeah, and you're fucking him. Assistance can't get anymore personal than that. She snorted in disgust at herself as she turned the light off and pulled the blanket up. She pushed the thoughts aside, resolving to not let them get the best of her. She had no proof and she had no claim on him.
But you're in love with him. Doesn't that count? She started to wonder if it would. Evie tossed and turned for a while and then finally sat up and turned the light on. She had too much on her mind to fall asleep. She glanced at the book she had been reading, but had no desire to pick it up. Her gaze fell on her cell phone. She could call Shawn back. Looking at the clock, she realized that it was only 11:30 and he might still be up. Evie turned the phone on and dialed Shawn's number.
He picked up after three rings. " 'Lo?"
"Shawn, its Evie. I hope I didn't wake you."
"Hey doll. Nah you didn't. What's up?"
"Just thought I'd return your call. How are you doing?"
"Well I can't complain. I'm still alive. Workin' hard to get back to my old self."
Evie pulled her knees up to her chest. "I saw your interview tonight."
"Really? How did I look? Still handsome as ever?" Shawn teased.
"You looked good. I was kinda surprised after what happened. You two looked like you wanted to kill each other."
"Once you wipe the blood off, it doesn't look as bad," Shawn replied. "Course I'm a tough old dog too."
Evie chuckled. "Actually Hunter said once that you're a tough S.O.B., so I guess he wasn't too far from the truth."
"What did Hunter have to say about the interview?"
She leaned her head back against the headboard. "He didn't say anything at all. Actually, he hasn't been saying a whole lot to me."
"So what's the story with you and Hunter?"
Evie sighed quietly. "I dunno that there's much of a story Shawn. He apologized for what he did that night, but ever since Stephanie decided that the Undisputed title was only for SmackDown, his moods have been weird."
"Whaddya mean by weird?"
"He's been running hot and cold again. One minute he's fine and the next he gets all quiet and has that look on his face. You know, like he's up to something."
Shawn adjusted his phone. "You know what that something is?"
"Nope. He's not telling me."
A sigh escaped Shawn. "Look Evie, I like you. You're a good person. I dunno why you chose to get involved with Hunter, but I won't get into that. I just want you to watch your back. Whatever he has goin' could, and probably will, affect you too. And not in a good way."
A tiny smile appeared on Evie's lips. It was nice to know someone was concerned about her welfare. "I appreciate your concern. It means a lot to me."
"I'm glad. I know Hunter a lot better than most people. I know what he's capable of and I don't want you to suffer as a result of his schemes."
The small smile broke into a full one. As much as she had disliked Shawn when they met, she was glad she had him to talk to now. "Thanks Shawn."
**************
A/N: WOOO! Love the reviews! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Glad everyone is still enjoying this story. Jessi - made this one longer just for you. *smiles*