Hey guys, i know it has been a while since i posted a chapter. My husband passed away from cancer about two weeks ago and things have been difficult. i just wanted to say thankyou for everyone who has read and reviewed my stories. i will post more chapters as soon as i have chance to type them up. Please read and review, i love knowing what you guys think. Mel

Thirty Minutes Later…

Mark stepped into the elevator and was alone with Cassie again. She was wearing long denim shorts, a black wifebeater, a University of Texas jacket and her trainers, it was a simple and casual outfit but it was stunning none the less.

Cassie looked across at Mark, he was in jeans, a black 'deadman inc' hoodie and trainers. Her brain was going a thousand miles a minute, thinking how good he looked. How much she'd like to kiss those lips and be held by those huge strong arms. Looking up she saw him watching her and blushed.

"I'm sorry about Michelle, Darlin!"

"It's alright, I have no idea why she hates me though. I have no idea who she is."

Mark watched her blush recede and saw hints of her temper return. He'd have to prod it later when he could try his hand at distracting her from it. And see just how susceptible she was to him.

"Michelle is the woman who I dated after my divorce, it was completely dumb but I was at a very low point."

"Mark you can't be blamed for her treating you like a bank account."

They got off the elevator and sat waiting for Glenn and Jess and Jackson to join them. Twenty minutes later Cassie's phone began to ring, looking at her caller id she saw that it was Jess.

"Where the hell are you?"

"Umm…" Cassie heard her moan. "We won't be able to make breakfast."

Jess hung up in Cassie's ear and she had no idea how to tell Mark.

"Jess and Jackson decided to get room service."

Mark had an inkling or what exactly was happening, all he needed now was Glenn to call and shy off. He knew that they were giving him and Cassie time to get to know each other a bit better. Just as he was thinking it Glenn and Natalya stepped out of the elevator, walking over to them Nat giggled.

"Umm sorry to pull out but Nat wants to see the walk of stars, so I'll see you both later on."

"Have fun." Cassie said as the couple walked off. "They're cute together."

"So do YOU still want to have breakfast with me?"

"Sure, couldn't have you getting self confidence issues could we!" Cassie with a grin, the sound of his chuckle sending shivers down her spine.

"Darlin I don't think I've ever had issues with self confidence." He guided her into the restaurant and into the very back where he knew they would have privacy. "But I promise if I do you will know."

She laughed as they sat down facing each other, the waitress cam over to take their order.

"Why did Michelle bother dating you if she was screwing someone else?"

Mark loved her honesty and abruptness.

"I'm pretty sure it was so she could get higher in the company or more popularity. I honestly still don't understand why myself."

"She really does sound like a selfish bitch to me." Cassie watched as his face fell and she felt really bad. "I'm sorry Mark that was rude."

"Darlin' I like that your so honest. She is a bitch, Jess and her almost got into a fight. Michelle was my depressed and mostly drunk stage."

"Mark I understand, except I got tattoo's and into fights instead of sleeping with Barbie dolls." Mark grinned at her.

"What was your first tattoo and why?" Cassie was still thinking about it when the waitress brought their coffees. The waitress tried to flirt with Mark and get his attention but his eyes never left Cassie.

"My first tattoo was the cross on my left hip, I got it when I was thirteen. A chick I was at school with died, she jumped off a bridge outside our class." She sipped her coffee. "What about you?"

"My first tattoo was the dancing skeleton on the back of my neck, I got it when I was twenty. I'd just had my first major math with Vince's company and I realized that he was the puppet master. I was the puppet and he was making me dance to his tune, plus I'm the Deadman so I got a skeleton. I saw your new one, its beautiful."

"Tanks Mark, I like it. A guy named Shawn Dempsey at the INK FACTORY did it."

"Shawn did a few of mine. Does it mean anything?"

"Yeah it represents my life the water and the clouds behind it are my past. Being attacked and my family being assholes. The water in front is where I'm headed, where I wanna be and what I want to do." They'd both ignored the waitress as she brought their food. "it basically means where I've been I won't go again, because like a ship you may revisit the area…"

"But the water's never the same. It's beautiful Darlin'." Cassie blushed deeply and began eating her scrambled eggs.

"I'm not sure what Jess told you but I'm not scared of guys that are bigger than me, more how they act. And thunderstorms too!"

Mark nodded and sipped juice.

"Jess told me that you'd been attacked twice by guys that were bigger than you. Once in Australia and once in L.A."

She smiled softly and watched him.

"But I'm glad your not scared of all big guys, well especially me. Then I would get self confidence issues."

Cassie laughed and watched the natural smile across his face, he was stunning when he smiled.

"Definitely not scared of your Mark."

"Good!" As he grinned Michelle slid into the booth next to him, laying her hand in his lap she whispered in his ear. Michelle had no idea he wasn't paying any attention to her only to the woman across the table. Cassie was watching his face as he watched hers.

"Mark why are you single?" Cassie asked as their eyes locked blue on green.

Mark was amazed at this young woman, she was going to help him through this confrontation instead of storming off.

"Because since Sara no one has loved me, they've loved Taker. I'm not even sure if Sara loved me now. I've just been used time after time."

"I don't understand how people can get you and Taker confused."

"Taker is the guy who everyone wants to see, he is the only man the fans are allowed to see. Mark is the man who loves his daughter and tattoo's and spending time at home not at clubs."

Their eyes were still locked and Cassie was willing Mark to stay strong and not snap. As long as he retaliated against Michelle the more she would push him. Before Cassie could speak again Michelle slid out and stormed off, the two broke eyes contact. Mark knew he wouldn't be able to stand for a a while or he'd risk mortifying embarrassment. He had gotten harder than he thought possible just by looking into her eyes, the pools of blue were mesmerizing.

"Michelle likes the fact that she can still get under your skin."

Cassie was looking out the window hoping Mark had no idea of the effect he'd just had on her. She felt a fever and the butterflies were going mental in her stomach.

"Thank you Darlin'."

Cassie smiled and returned to her breakfast, tonight was the Hall of Fame ceremony and Jess had invited a group of Diva's to come and get ready with them. So after 2pm she would be surrounded, Cassie just decided to enjoy her time with Mark.

"Does anyone know you're retiring?"

"Just the important people!" A rush of giddiness went through her, being classed as one of the important people. They sat talking for another two hours until Cassie's phone rand, seeing it was her brother she had to excuse herself. Mark said him and Glenn would meet them at Jess's room later that day. As she disappeared Mark stayed seated and Dave came over to join him.

"What's going on Mark?"

"Nothing, why?" Mark tried to look innocent but it didn't work.

"You seemed to enjoy your breakfast with Cassie, she bitched back at Michelle for you and you can't tear your eyes away from her." Mark glared at Dave making him chuckle,

"She's friends with my daughter."

"That doesn't explain anything other than how you got her here."

Marks hardness had finally disappeared so he just got up and walked away. Dave stared after him with a huge grin on his face, the Deadman was definitely whipped.