It had been two weeks since the incident at the hotel with Eric. and Stephanie was finding it hard to concentrate since then. She felt so much guilt for what she did, but at the same time, she felt even worse for realizing she had feelings for the man she was supposed to hate. Stephanie tried to think about the matches for the night, keeping her pen pressed against the white paper attached to the clipboard.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, Stephanie sat up straight and looked over. "Come in," she called out with a hint of worry in her voice. She was hoping to be left alone for a while, but being the GM of Smackdown, she knew there would be no such thing as privacy at work.

Slowly Torrie Wilson entered her office. Stephanie forced a smile on her face. "Hello Torrie, is there something I can do for you," She asked.

"Stephanie, I noticed that lately I haven't been getting enough matches. I was hoping you could do something about that because I'm tired of coming here week after week and finding out that I don't have anyone to face in a match that night. Just because we don't have the Women's Championship here on Smackdown.."

"First of all Torrie, just because RAW has the Women's Championship doesn't mean that.." Stephanie then realized what kind of argument she was about to start, then decided to stop before she got too ahead of herself and decided to let Torrie have a match.

"How about this Torrie.. you can face anyone you would like to tonight." She calmly said.

"Really? That's great Stephanie. Thank you so much."

"You better get ready for your match, cause it's up next."

Torrie finally left Stephanie's office, she let out a sigh of relief. Finally She thought to herself. She leaned back and stretched for a moment then went back to the schedule for the night.

An hour later Stephanie sat at her desk, tapping her pen against the table trying to collect her thoughts, but all she could think about was Eric. She looked over at the clock. It read 9:45. Stephanie decided it was time for her to leave. It wasn't like her to leave when there's 15 minutes left in the show, but she couldn't sit in the office and think for another 15 minutes, especially about the General Manager of RAW.

Stephanie grabbed her purse and keys then headed for the door, but when she opened the door she found an unwanted visitor standing in the hallway leading to her office.

"Eric." She said softly to herself.

Maybe he didn't see me. She thought to herself as she quickly took a few steps back and shut the door quietly. But Eric's eyes darted over to the door suddenly.

Stephanie kept her back pressed against the door as she tried to think of a way to get out of this awkward situation. Meanwhile Eric walked closer to her office and then put his hand on the doorknob, slowly turning it. Stephanie felt the door pushing against her and quickly turned around.

Once Eric was in and he spotted Stephanie, his eyes never left hers. There was a moment of silence between them until Stephanie decided to break the ice.

"Hello Eric," she said calmly.

"Stephanie," he said coldly.

"What are you doing here," she asked, even though she knew the answer.

Eric moved closer to her so they were barely inches away from each other. "Why did you leave the hotel Stephanie," he whispered.

"Because Eric, I can't do this." She started but noticed the confused expression on his face. "What? Did you think that we could actually start dating, then God forbid, get married someday and live happily ever after?" She laughed. "I just don't see that happening." I can't fall in love with you, don't let me fall in love with you.. she thought to herself.

Eric took a deep breath, he knew it was time to tell her the truth. "Stephanie, I have something to tell you, you might want to sit down."

Stephanie had a very worried look on her face.

"Stephanie, please.." he took her by the hand but she quickly removed it and walked over to the couch, crossing her right leg over the left. Eric walked over and sat down next to her, trying to figure out a way to tell her. "I've been reading you're mind the past month Stephanie."

Stephanie looked at him, trying to figure out if he was trying to be serious or if he was just trying to make her laugh. "Okay, sure Eric, you can read my mind." She laughed.

"Not just your mind, any woman that walks by me! I can read their minds! And it's not a pretty thing either. I thought it would be a wonderful gift but.."

Stephanie cut him off. "Let me guess, they had some horrible thoughts about you that you didn't even want to hear?" She continued laughing.

"Actually yes, and it's not funny. It's true. Think something right now and I'll tell you exactly what you just thought." He gave her that "go on" look.

"Okay, fine." She smiled. what kind of idiot does he take me for? I'm not going to believe this bull shit.
"What kind of idiot does he take me for? I'm not going to believe this bull shit!" Eric repeated.

Stephanie's eyes widened. "No.." This can't be happening. Oh god, that means he knew what I was thinking while we were sleeping together, oh no.. She thought to herself.

"Actually it was pretty nice knowing what you were thinking during sex, because then I knew what you liked and wanted more of..." He commented with a grin, and one eye brow raised.

Stephanie quickly stood up. "Stop it Eric!" She demanded.

Eric stood up as well, "Stop what? I can't turn it off! I'm stuck with it! It's a curse, but at the same time, I heard some things you've thought that I've been wanting to hear for the longest time." He said as he got closer to her, reaching out to touch her.

Stephanie pulled away. "Those are my private thoughts Eric, I didn't want anyone knowing them. Especially you." She held back the tears. Don't cry, don't cry.. damnit stop thinking.. he can hear you.

Stephanie turned away from him, Eric found that to be his only chance. He grabbed her and pulled her to him tightly. Stephanie finally let everything go and cried as he held her. A few moments passed by before Eric pulled away and touched her face gently.

"Stephanie, I understand now. I know what you've meant by the way I've been treating women and especially the way I've been treating you. I knew it was all fun and games, the teasing and comments about your body but.. Stephanie.." Eric knew this wasn't like him at all, but he felt like this was the reason why that curse to read women's minds was brought upon him. To understand women. And the one woman he could never quite figure out, he finally understood her.

But for some reason he couldn't let those three little words escape his lips that he'd longed to say to Stephanie for the longest time. Pride was in the way, and he couldn't fight it off. "Would you like to come back to my hotel room with me?" He asked.

Stephanie gave him the glare of death. "Is that what you were trying to do? Sleep with me again?" she was outraged.

"Stephanie, it's far from that, I just thought you might want a little company tonight." He said innocently.
Stephanie thought about it for a moment. What does he mean by far from it? He doesn't think I'm attractive anymore? Eric sighed. "Stephanie, I've always found you to be very attractive - believe me. I'd sleep with you tonight but I realize that you're in an emotional state right now and you can't figure out things quite yet, so I wouldn't want to take advantage of you."

He then rolled his eyes at himself for being so caring and considerate.

"Okay Eric, I'll go with you." She said calmly as she walked up to him and looked him in the eyes. "You really have changed, Eric. I think you getting the ability to read women's minds was a sign that you needed to change your ways. Everything happens for a reason." She said in an as-a-matter-of-fact way.

Eric walked over to the door and opened it for Stephanie, motioning for them to go. Stephanie and Eric left Smackdown together and headed back to his hotel room, but the ride there was the most uncomfortable silence he had ever experienced. Once they arrived at the hotel they both got out of the limo and walked to the elevator.

Eric looked over at Stephanie, she was wearing a black, low cut t-shirt and a red skirt with black high heels. He let his eyes wander a bit longer before he heard the loud ding signaling that it was time to get off the elevator.
Stephanie and Eric stepped out of the elevator and walked to room 218. He took out his key card and slid it through the door quickly, opening it for Stephanie to enter first. As he entered he turned on the lights and led her to the bedroom as he took off his black leather jacket and threw it on the chair. Stephanie paced around a little bit before finally sitting down on the bed, images of them making love in his hotel room 2 weeks ago running through her mind.

Eric took out one of his long, black t-shirts from his bag and threw it to Stephanie who caught it quickly and held it up. "It's for you to wear tonight. Unless you brought a night gown with you in that tiny little purse of yours," his eyes traveled down to her tiny Dooney and Burke bag. Stephanie smiled. "This'll do."

Stephanie went in to take a shower as Eric started taking out his t-shirt and boxers to wear to bed. He still had some time before Stephanie was done so he sat down on the bed and turned on the news. Twenty-five minutes later Stephanie walked out of the bathroom in his t-shirt, her hair tied up in a black scrunchy. Eric couldn't help but look her over as she walked toward him. "I think you look a lot better in that t-shirt then I do." He smirked.
She ignored his comment and slipped under the covers. Eric grabbed his boxers and t-shirt, then walked into the bathroom and turned on the water. Stephanie turned off the tv but turned on the light on her side of the bed as she looked up at the ceiling.

Eric walked out of the bathroom and ran the towel through his thick, dark hair for a moment then placed it on the counter before walking over to the bed and slipping under the covers next to Stephanie. Slowly he moved closer to her, placing his hand on the side of her hip. Stephanie got the hint and turned toward Eric, locking eyes with him for a moment before he put his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead, then once on the lips.
Stephanie laid her head against Eric's chest and closed her eyes.

"Good night Eric," she whispered.

"Good night Stephanie," he replied.

"Stephanie.."

"Yes Eric?"

There was a short pause before he finally spoke.

"I love you."

Author's Notes: I'm back! I know I've been horrible and haven't updated in 6 months, and I feel really bad about that.. my story has been neglected! But I have one or two more chapters and that's it, then I'm going to start some new fanfiction. I feel a little rusty, but I know I'll get back with it again. If this chapter was a little sappy I apologize, I had to put in the important stuff like the fluffy moments. Thanks for the reviews everyone!