Ch 8

"I'm so happy Vince put me in your storyline," Paul hugged Lisa as they waited for Mark.

"Me too. Vince keeps changing the storyline so much I'm afraid of getting confused," Lisa wrapped her arms around herself feeling a chill run through her bones for some reason she didn't understand when she thought of the ever changing storyline.

"You will get used to that after a few shows," Paul smiled at her. "You want to have a few drinks with me and my girlfriend tonight?"

"Sorry no. I'm going straight back to the hotel to get some sleep," Lisa said feeling exhausted after the long day.

"Or are you going out with Mark and Glen?" Paul's stared down at her with curious eyes.

"I'm going back to my room and would appreciate it if you stop reporting my every move," she said as Mark came through the curtain feeling the tension between Paul and Lisa. Paul stopped himself from responding to her only giving her an annoyed look.

"Everything ok?" Mark asked.

"Yes. I was just saying good night to Paul," Lisa said hugging Paul.

"Good night. I'll see you on Sunday night or Monday morning," Paul kissed her cheek. "Good night Mark, have a good break." Paul waved goodbye to them.

"You really ok?" Mark lightly touched her shoulder.

"Yes, I just really want to get out of here and get some rest," Lisa smiled at him.

"Would you like a ride?" Mark asked hoping he wasn't being to pushy with her.

"Yes, thank you," Lisa felt relief that she would finally be able to chill out for the evening back in her room.

Mark shut his hotel room door feeling a little down that Lisa had went to her room so fast. He was looking forward to hanging out with her for a few hours. He wanted to ask her back to his room but when he saw how tired she was he knew it was wrong to do that. He surveyed the room resting his hand on the adjoining door that lead to her room.

"At least she is only next door and you will see her tomorrow," he said out loud smiling about the plans they made to travel together to WWE New York for an autograph signing. Mark couldn't stop smiling as he turned on the water for his shower. He let the warm water caress his body as the thoughts of her filled his head.


Lisa changed into a night shirt pulling her hair into a ponytail after her shower. She was about to lay down when she remembered she had a call to make. She slowly dialed the number hearing the endless ringing wondering if he was already asleep. Suddenly he answered with loud music in the background.

"Hey about time you called," his voice was slightly slurred. She wasn't sure if he had been drinking or not. "Where in the hell have you been?"

"I took a shower before I called," she tried to stay calm listening to him huff and puff.

"I hope you're telling me the truth for your sake," he said as she heard the music die down.

"I am. Why do you always doubt me?" she said biting her lip afterwards realizing it was wrong to say.

"Why? Let's see you're a sexy beautiful woman all alone right now. How easy is it for you to find a boy toy behind my back?"

"I wouldn't do that. Is that why you have Paul babysitting me? I bet you even called Vince having Paul put in my storyline," she started not to care about him getting angry.

"Damn right until I'm back with you Paul will be keeping an eye on you."

"Thanks for all your trust. You're the one that wanted me to take this job now you're acting like a jealous ass but than again that is normal. This is why we broke up last year while I was still cheerleading. When will you ever trust me?" she felt her hands start to tremble listening to the way he drew in his breathe sharply.

"Our break up was your own damn fault. I told you to quit that god damn cheerleading a hundred times."

"That is it you told me instead of trying to talk about it," she felt the tears brimming in her eyes.

"Save the girlie shit. I got you this job so we could be closer and I wouldn't have to worry about you sleeping with the football jocks anymore. I'm a jackass because now I have to worry about you cheating on me with my own coworkers," he raised his voice.

"I never cheated on you," she was hurt by his accusation once again. She couldn't stop her voice from trembling.

"Here comes the crying fit. Come on babe let it out tell me what a mean nasty bastard I am. You know how hard this rehab shit is on me. Now my girlfriend is being a bitch," his voice told her immediately she needed to end the conversation.

"I'll go be a bitch by myself," Lisa said slamming down the phone. She stormed around the room wanting to scream. She went out onto the balcony trying to calm down. Her body trembled as the tears started to flow.

Mark had just finished his shower wrapping the towel around his waist when he heard crying from outside his balcony. He approached the balcony door peering out seeing Lisa curled up like a ball on a lounge chair. Her tears glistened in the moonlight as she tried to brush them away. Mark quickly pulled on his jeans going out on his balcony.

"Hey stranger, beautiful night huh?" he leaned on his balcony rail pretending not to see her tears.

"Yes, very peaceful," she brushed her tears away. She didn't want Mark to see her upset.

"You have a few minutes to talk? Or are you heading to bed?" Mark asked pulling up a chair to the rail hoping she would stay. He hated seeing her so upset.

"I'm not tired right now. Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No, just want to get to know you better," he smiled resting his hand on the partial wall separating their balconies. "This is kind of awkward. Do you mind if I come over there or you can come here?"

"I'll come over there if you help me," Lisa said pushing one of the chairs near the balcony rail.

"What do you want to do?" Mark watched her with amusement as she climbed onto the chair smiling at him.

"Just give me your hand," she put out her hand to him. He took hold of it as she put her foot on the balcony rail.

"I have a better idea," he swiftly put his hands on her waist lifting her over the rail. She laughed as he put her down.

"Your way was much better," she rested her hand against his bare chest sending electricity through his body.

"Have a seat. Do you want anything?" he motioned to the lounge chair.

"No thanks," she sat down pulling her slender legs under her body. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I really want to know everything about you," his caring green eyes enchanted her as he sat at the end of her lounge chair.

"Well how about we start simple," she smiled feeling like she could tell him anything.

"I was born in New Jersey grew up in Cape May with my older sister Christina and our mom. I never knew my father he passed away two months before I was born," Lisa paused thinking of her father.

"I'm sorry," Mark said softly lightly resting his hand on her knee.

"My mother did her best to raise my sister and me but every night we would hear her crying for my father. She would never cry in front of us always acting so tough when we were around. About a year after my father's death she opened her first bed and breakfast in Cape May. By the time I was a teenager she had opened five of them and an antique store. We grew up in the original bed and breakfast helping her tend to the guests and spending every warm day we could on the beach," Lisa smiled thinking off all the hot summer days her and Christina spent walking the beach for hours. Lisa truly was missing her big sister.

"Does your family still live in Cape May?" Mark asked loving the smile she had on her pretty face.

"My mom does with my step father Eric. The two of them keep the businesses running there while my sister Christina oversees a bed and breakfast in Ocean City. Christina is in the process of opening a hotel there too," Lisa said shivering slightly when a cool night breeze started up.

"So why didn't you get into the family business?" he asked feeling goose bumps on her skin under his hand.

"It just didn't feel right to me. I wanted to do something different so I went to college and earned my degree in early childhood education. I was already to become a teacher when I went with one my friends to a cheerleading tryout. I just tried out for the fun of it never thought I would be picked. I was going to turn it down but my friend begged me not too. So for almost the last five years I have been an Eagles cheerleader and I would teach preschool on my time off," Lisa sighed.

"Preschool? That must have been an adventure with those little rug rats running around," Mark's deep laugh gave her even more goose bumps.

"I loved every minute of it. I love kids. I would love to get back to teaching one day maybe open up my own nursery school," Lisa shivered more wishing she would have put on warmer clothes.

"I'm sure you will one day," Mark gave her a handsome smile. "Are you cold?"

"A little bit," she wrapped her arms around herself.

"Do you want to go inside?" he asked wishing he could keep her warm but he knew that wasn't right.

"I should turn in for the night. We have an early flight tomorrow morning," Lisa slowly rose. Mark didn't want her to leave yet. Damn it I know this wrong but I can't let her go, he thought reaching out lightly grabbing her wrist. She looked down at him with surprise in her eyes.

"Do you mind staying a few more minutes?" Mark searched her blue eyes feeling powerfully drawn to her.

"I guess there is no harm in that," she softly said.

"Is there harm in keeping you warm?" Mark spoke what was on his mind hoping she wouldn't get upset with him.

"Mark, I don't know," she sighed wanting to be close to him but knowing it was wrong.

"Come here," Mark leaned back in the lounge chair motioning for her to come close. She hesitated for a minute looking away from him. I can't deny him and what I'm feeling, she thought letting him gently pull her on top of him. She nestled against his chest feeling the soothing warmth of his body. "Lisa, just relax nothing is going to happen beyond this. I just want to feel you close. I think you wanted the same thing, am I right?"

"Yes," she said looking up into his eyes.

"Good, then let's just enjoy this stolen moment and forget about the rest of the world. It's just you and me here," Mark's voice comforted her as she concentrated on his heart beating. They cuddled close together in silence enjoying the moment. Lisa ran her fingers over his bare chest until she heard his light snoring. She smiled running her fingers along his chin. I wish I would have met you years ago, she thought watching him sleep. She rested her head back on his chest knowing meeting him was going to change her life forever.


Mark slowly opened his eyes not wanting to wake from the wonderful dream he was having about Lisa. His eyes shot open with surprise realizing it wasn't a dream she was asleep in his arms. He cautiously touched her hand afraid she wasn't real and he was still dreaming. It's not a dream idiot she is here, Mark thought running his hand slowly through her long hair.

"Mark, your wake up call is here," Glen's voice bellowed through the room as Mark silently cursed remembering giving Glen a spare key to his room. Glen always had perfect timing. Lisa slightly stirred against Mark.

"Mark, where the hell are …" Glen stopped yelling when he saw Lisa asleep on Mark. "You devil," Glen broadly smiled as Mark turned red.

"It's not what you think," Mark said softly as Lisa stirred more opening her eyes. She smiled at him.

"Good morning Mark," she looked up at Glen. "Good morning Glen." Lisa moved off of Mark. He instantly missed the warmth of her body. Glen couldn't stop smiling as Lisa brushed past him.

"Care to explain why Miss Bradley is in your room this fine morning," Glen followed Mark into the hotel room.

"We were talking and fell asleep. Its no big deal," Mark said as Lisa came out of the bathroom.

"Mark, I need your help again," Lisa motioned for him to follow her to the balcony. "I need to get back in my room and this is the only way."

"No problem," Mark smiled at her. "When you're ready come back through the door between our rooms it's already unlocked.

"Ok, I insist that breakfast is my treat this morning," she smiled at the two men as Mark effortlessly picked her up putting her over the rail to her balcony. Glen kept staring at Mark with a big grin.

"Knock it off," Mark pointed at him. "We are just friends."

"Very cozy friends from what I saw," Glen kept teasing him. "I think you're falling for her."

"I already fell," Mark sighed feeling sad at the thought that he couldn't pursue a relationship with her as long as she was with someone else. "I'm going to get ready."

"Mark, don't give up on her. The feeling I get is her current relationship isn't a good one," Glen patted Mark's shoulder.

"We will talk about it later," Mark wanted to be changed before she returned.

Lisa finished getting dressed in a off the shoulder peach shirt and long matching peach skirt. She was brushing her hair when her cell phone started ringing. She hesitantly answered surprised at the voice she heard on the other end.

"Morning Lisa, did I wake you?" Christina asked her little sister.

"No, is something wrong?" Lisa asked not used to her sister calling her unless there was a problem back home.

"Nope, I just wanted to call to say wow. You looked amazing the other night on Raw. Mom and I had all the neighbors over to watch. We are so proud of you," Christina's approval meant a lot to Lisa.

"Thank you. I hope you and mom will come to one of the shows," Lisa said getting an idea in her head. "Hey can you take the next few days off from work?"

"Probably why?"

"How about coming to New York City tonight and having dinner with me," Lisa crossed her fingers hoping to hear yes.

"You know I hate driving there. All the congestion and the traffic drive me nuts," Christina whined.

"Then take the train I will pick you up at Penn station."

"Ok, that I can do. I will call you back later with the time I will be in," Christina said as Lisa happily smiled.

"I have to catch a plane in about two hours so I will be unreachable for a few hours."

"No problem. I'll leave you voice mail. Oh sis by the way that Undertaker is a real hunk you're very lucky to be working with him," Christina said as Lisa smiled wider thinking of Mark.

"His name is Mark. He is a really sweet sexy guy. I spent last …" Lisa stopped herself from telling Christina about last night.

"What? Don't tell me my prediction is coming true," Christina got excited at the thought of her sister falling for someone else and finally getting rid of her current boyfriend.

"I don't know. I just feel so different around him. I never felt like this before so comfortable like I could tell him anything. I did something really bad last night," Lisa bite her lip.

"Come on tell me. I know something is up."

"I spent last night with him. I woke up in his arms and the feeling was amazing. There are no words to describe how good it felt," Lisa was blushing at the thought of his arms around her.

"That's not bad that is wonderful," Christina was so happy for her little sister. "I think its time to rethink your current relationship and finally kick that loser to the curb where he belongs."

"You might be right I don't know. We can talk about it when I see you tonight. We can have a late night chat like the good old days."

"Cool, I can't wait. I'll call you later. Bye sis," Christina hung up as Lisa held onto the phone for a minute. It was no secret her family hated her boyfriend especially Christina. He was the reason Christina and Lisa had grown apart over the last year. Why am I so afraid to leave him, Lisa thought as she pulled her hair back with the peach headband, maybe because he keeps telling me I will regret it if I do.

"Damn it, stop thinking about him," Lisa said to her reflection. "I will deal with him over the weekend." Glen's deep laughter from the other room broke her thoughts. She grabbed her bag opening the adjoining door. Her eyes went immediately to Mark sitting on the sofa looking irresistible in a black tight t-shirt and black jeans. Glen felt the attraction between them immediately.

"You look beautiful," Mark said loving the way she looked in peach.

"I agree with that," Glen chimed in.

"You ready to head to New York?" Mark asked her.

"Yes, more than ready. My sister Christina is going to meet me there," Lisa's smile lit up the room and Mark's heart. He wished she was always that happy.

"You have a sister?" Glen hoped he heard her right.

"Yes why?" Lisa saw a glimmer in Glen's eyes as Mark started to laugh.

"Oh man, you're hoping she is single so you can be fixed up," Mark hit Glen playfully in the back.

"I wasn't thinking that at all," Glen tried not to laugh at how well Mark knew him.

"Well it's your lucky night. She is single and if you would like to meet her you can come to the train station with me," Lisa said wondering how ticked off Christina would be about Lisa setting her up. It had been over a year since Christina had been in a relationship.

"Baby girl wait a minute. How about Glen and I take you and your sis to dinner tonight after we all pick her up," Mark silently kept wishing Lisa would agree.

"Ok, that would be nice," Lisa smiled at him. "We better getting going or we miss our flight."

"Yes let's hurry," Glen grabbed Lisa's bag eager to get to New York and meet Christina.

"I've never seen him move so fast," Mark laughed as Lisa brushed past him.

"That's a good sign," Lisa stopped in the doorway looking up into Mark's eyes. "Thank you for last night. I haven't been that warm and slept that good in a long time."

"Anytime baby girl," Mark meant what he said.

"Come on you two. You can make goo goo eyes at one another on the plane," Glen held the elevator yelling for them. They both laughed joining him in the elevator looking forward to the trip to New York.