A few hours and an entire bottle of Arbor Mist later Stephanie and Paul sat side by side cross-legged on the kitchen floor against the island laughing and reminiscing about days gone by. Stephanie was feeling pretty good she had both started and finished the bottle of wine, all by herself. Paul had a couple of beers but was just glad to see the old Stephanie poking through. She was smiling and making fun of him it was almost like it used to be.

"You remember how my dad reacted when he caught us making out at the company Christmas party shortly after we started working together."

Paul smiled at the memory. "How could I forget? He was livid he threatened to fire my ass."

"I smoothed things over though. Didn't I?"

"Yea, you told him that we were going over lines for Monday. We had to practice the kiss so that it looked real. 'Ya know for the fans."

"Well it was truth for the most part." She said with a crooked grin.

"And what part of it was the truth?"

She thought about it for a moment. "Hmm I don't remember but we hardly knew each other then so if we wanted the fans to buy into what we were doing then I needed practice."

"Oh bull, you just wanted to kiss the Game for real."

She blushed a little. "Hey I'm not the one with the cheesy come on lines. And by the way; you don't use them anymore do ya? Because if you do that's probably why you're single still."
He faked being offended. "You're the one that fell for it."

She smacked him on the knee. "What do you say to getting off of this damn floor? My ass is pretty damn numb."

"You read my mind." He stood up and held out a hand to help her up.

"Who's idea was it to sit there?" she asked rubbing her butt in attempt to regain the feeling.

"That'd be you, you said that it was closer to the alcohol."

She laughed "Well I gotta pee, make us some sandwiches and meet me in the living room."

"Yes ma'am!" he said saluting her.

She giggled and headed up the kitchen stairs.

Paul made two turkey sandwiches with pickles…exactly the way the Stephanie liked and went back into the living room. He smiled and stretched his feet out onto the table. A few minutes later Stephanie came back down with two bottles of water and shoved Paul's feet off of the table.

"Tables are made for food and glasses not feet and asses." She plopped down next to him on the couch.

She had changed into a pair of black sweats and a white tank top, her hair was down and her make up was off. She looked absolutely gorgeous to Paul. She was still smiling and the puffiness in her eyes had gone down.

She reached across him to the end table and took one of the sandwiches. "You put pickles and mayo on here?"

"Yes, of coarse."

"So Paul," She asked with a mouthful "We know why I am suddenly single but why are single?"

"You know why I'm single."

"Because you waiting around for the right women to come along to capture your eye, your mind and your heart." She took another bite of her sandwich. "I think your going to be waiting forever, man lower your standards a little."
"Why would I do that? I've had enough of the pretty girls with no brains, the smart girls that make you feel like an idiot and trust me something everywhere in between. I want more than great sex. I want someone to make love to and have a conversation with in the morning. I'm 40 years old I want something real." He looked over at her. "I want to settle down get married and have a family. It isn't too much to ask for."

"I just want great sex." She said casually taking a drink of her water.

He almost choked on his sandwich "Oh yea?" was all he could manage.

"Yea, back scratching, toe curling, multiple orgasm sex." She finished her sandwich and set the plate on the table. "It's been years since I've had good sex, it was never great with Alex and for the last year or so it's been none at all."

"Really?"

"Yea but that's good in a way, because he was fucking a whore the whole time. And not because I'm not attractive anymore." She paused "So since I'm not getting any you should at least."

He laughed. "I'm not sure it works that way Steph."

She thought about it for a moment. "It could."

He set his plate aside. And she cuddled closer to him and laid her head on his arm

"Getting tired?"

"No, not really just enjoying being here with you."

"Yea, same here." He wrapped his arm waist around her a little tighter and kissed her on top of the head. "What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?"

"I don't know probably just going to hang out around here, get the rest of Alex's stuff boxed up and moved to the pool house so the salvation army can come and get it and Sunday I have to pack and get Riley ready to go back on the road. I'm just going to enjoy the quiet. Why?"

"Just wondering. Why don't we get together tomorrow for dinner?"

She looked up at him. "Why don't you just stay the weekend? I'd enjoy the company I mean if you don't have anything pressing at home?"

"Sounds good to me. I have a mountain of laundry but it could wait."

"Just bring it over tomorrow your gonna have to go get a change of cloths anyway, I'll do when I do mine."

"Now how can I refuse an offer like that?"

"So you'll stay?"

"Couldn't think of another place I'd rather be."

"Good." She laid her head back against his massive arm and sighed with contentment. The evening that could have been the worst night of her life had turned out to be not so bad. Sure, she was upset that her marriage was over but as Paul had pointed out she had never really been in love with Alex, she loved him as Riley's father but at the end of the day she wanted more. She wanted the chance to love some one unconditionally with her entire heart and soul and no matter how much she tried or how badly she wanted it to, that person was never going to be Alex. Plain and simple.

Sitting there in Paul's arms just felt right. Like it was just supposed to be that way. He had always been there for her, no matter what the situation was, no matter how trivial it may have seemed he was there no question asked. He was the one of the few people who really accepted her for who she was and not what they wanted her to be. He was the greatest friend she had ever had.

But she couldn't help but wish there was more between them. She often wondered what it would be like to be more than just a friend. She had always loved him secretly and true they had been more touchy feely than most friends but the occasional cuddling was as far as it had ever gone.

"You got quiet all of a sudden you okay?"

"Yea I'm fine just thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"Do you ever wonder what it could have been like if my dad had never caught us that night? If we had been given the chance to discovery any romantic feelings that may have been there. Do you think we would have ended up together or was I just out of your league?"

He kissed her on top of her head. "If we had been free to do as we pleased then yea, I'm sure we would have ended up together. Hell we'd probably still be together."

"You think so."

"Absolutely with out a doubt. But with the way that the things had to be I stood off to the side, no matter how badly I wanted to be the one that came home to you every night. There was that unwritten law about the guys in the locker room getting involved with the lovely Stephanie McMahon. And besides we were both spoken for and around the time that I and Joanie split you got pregnant with Riley and I figured I'd missed my chance."

"I wish you would have told me."

"You were a married women and it would have caused a lot of problems within your family. There was just no easy way for us to be together. And if we went for it and it didn't work out then we would have never had the chance to know each other on the friends level. "

"Well, I am no longer a married women or in a few months I will no longer be a married women. And it's about time my father realized I am a grown woman and I need to make my own decisions weather they are good or bad." She looked at the empty wine bottle on the counter in the kitchen and then back at him. "I'm feeling a little reckless tonight it may be the alcohol speaking but I want to say fuck it all and just go with it. What ever happens happens and no matter what at least at least on my part at the end of this weekend we will still be great friends. I'd like for it to be more but if it turns out to that it just isn't right then I don't want to lose you all together."

Paul looked into her deep blue eyes and considered all the consequences and possible outcomes. She was absolutely the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, there she sat all natural in her pajamas with that crooked grin of hers and he knew, had known for a long time that she held every little piece of his heart. This very could be his only chance with her if her didn't take it he's forever wonder what could have been.

"Just as long as we're agreed come Monday morning, we're still friends."
"If not more."

He smiled "If not more." She moved over to his lap and he held her close. It felt amazing to have her in his arms like that, sure over the years they had hugged and cuddled but never like this. Her skin was so warm and soft to the touch and she smelled uniquely like Stephanie that intoxicating aroma of Victoria Secret's 'Love Spell' and what ever shampoo she used. She fit perfectly to him her softness matching the hardness of his upper body. He had waited nearly a decade to express his true feelings to her and he had finally opened himself up for the most part. He wanted so badly to tell her how much he loved her, but he wasn't sure she was ready to hear it. He was just content to finally be able to hold her in his arms and even if it was only for the weekend she really was his and even if it didn't last he'd always treasure this time with her.

They sat in silence for a while, Stephanie had leaned her head on his shoulder, with his hand in hers gently running her thumb over his scarred knuckles. "You know something?" she asked after a few minutes.

"What's that?"

"Tonight started off as one of the worst nights of my life and you came and turned everything around and sitting here with you now, I honestly can't remember the last time I was this…" she paused trying to find the right words to describe it "happy. To think that I spent all those years with Alex being unhappy when you were right there under my nose. We both held back too much for too long. But I'm glad we're here now." She laughed "did any of that make any sense to you or am I just babbling?"

"Yea I got the gist."

She looked up him and their eyes met. Stephanie could see the gauntlet of emotions going through his mind. He smiled and moved a strand of her hair from her face. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. At fist the kiss had started off slow and gentle, they took their time taking each other in. His lips were soft and tender and sent tiny electrical shock waves through her body. She had never felt this with anyone before it was just a simple kiss but she already felt as if her body was on fire.

She ran her hand through his long blonde hair and deepened the kiss. His tongue exploring her mouth, a soft moan escaped Stephanie's throat and she shifted her hips so that she straddling him. His massive hands found their way to her ass and he gave it a gentle squeeze.

She smiled and slowly opened her eyes to see the passion in his eyes. "That was better than I remember it being." He whispered his forehead still pressed to hers their lips barely separated.

"Yea me too." She kissed him again this time just a quick peck. "Do you have any idea of what you are doing to me?"

He chuckled a little "I have a pretty good idea." He had his hand up the back of her shirt gently rubbing her lower back. He kissed her gently again. "But before we cross the line here I need to know that you are absolutely certain that you're not going to wake up in the morning and hate your self and me."

Stephanie took a deep breath and looked over at the fireplace he was running his hand up and down her spine. "I don't think that I have ever been more sure of anything. I have had feelings for you for a long time probably since our first kiss and I have always wondered what if. What if the timing had been right what if I wasn't a McMahon what it would have been like to wake up in your arms just one time? And honestly Paul I don't want to wait anymore. This has nothing to do with my divorce this has nothing to do with my family this is only between you and I. I'd rather have 10 minutes of wonderful than a whole life time of what if's."

He took her mouth, stealing her breath with the passion of the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. So close that she could feel his heart beat. She wrapped her arms around his neck and molded herself into him. Wanting to get lost in the moment and in the man who had been her best friend, the one person on the planet that knew her better than she knew herself. The man she had secretly loved for so many years. She opened her mouth to him she not only allowed him the access to deepen the kiss but rather deepened it herself. Sliding her tongue in and out of him. A low moan escaped her.

It was then when the phone rang. "Just let it ring" Stephanie said barely breaking the kiss. It continued to ring and she reluctantly pulled away from Paul and looked over at the caller ID on the end table it was her mother's cell. "Perfect timing mom." She muttered and reached over and pressed the speaker button. "Hi Mom."

"How are you Stephanie? I've been a mess all evening I think we should have stayed there in Greenwich."

"Mom, I'm fine I really am. I confronted him on the information I had and he never even tried to deny it, I asked him to leave and he did. That was the end of it. I think that this is a good thing; the feelings that should have been there just weren't. The divorce will be amicable for the most part at least and yes I really am alright."

"Are you sure? You don't have to put on a brave face for me."

"Yes I'm sure this is a new beginning for me. The only thing that I'm concerned about is telling Riley. I don't want her to think that any of this is her fault. As for Alex he's gone and that's okay."

"Alright honey. Riley will be alright do you want your dad and I there when you tell her?"

"No mom I think that this is something that I need to do on my own."

"Okay well, Riley would like to say good night and I think I hear her coming down the stairs." There was a pause and a muffled noise as if Linda had put her hand over the receiver to say something to Vince.

"Hi Mommy!" Riley exclaimed excitedly.

"Hey Riley Roo. How's my girl?"

"Good I am having so much fun we went out on the boat today. Me and Grammy Papa Uncle Shane and Declan."

"That sounds like it was fun did you catch any fish?"

"No Papa forgot to grab the poles so they couldn't fish but we went swimming. And you know what?"

"What baby." Stephanie leaned her head against Paul's shoulder he was running his fingers up and down her spine.

"Declan is a jackass.'"

"Riley we don't say things like that. But what did he do?"
"Put my head under water but Uncle Shane saved me."

"Okay mommy Grammy says I have to take a bath so I have to go."

"Alright baby girl goodnight."

"Night Mommy I love you."

"I love you too."

A few seconds later Linda came back on the line. "What are you doing with that big empty house all to your self tonight?"

"Oh Paul's over we're just hanging out."

"Paul?"

"Yea."

"I've always liked that boy."
"Mom."

"Just saying. Stephanie you're a big girl and you have been very unhappy for a very long time and now I just want you to follow your heart."
"We're just friends." Paul's hands disappeared down the back of her sweats and cupped her ass. He gave her a mischievous grin.

"I know. But okay have fun, be careful and do everything I wouldn't."

Stephanie sighed. "Good night mother."
Stephanie hung up the phone. "You can be very distracting do you know that?"
"Uh huh. Now that I have you all to myself." he lowered his mouth to hers, the taste of her lips against his igniting a level of desire he'd never known existed. She threaded her hands through his hair as the kiss deepened, her lips parting as his tongue pressed against them. In a rush he complied, his moan of pleasure making her body tingle in places she'd almost forgotten. Seconds melted into minutes as they clung to each other, the heat of their kiss and the strength of their embrace building in waves of intensity that made it hard to breathe.

Stephanie ended the kiss and pulled back slightly. "That was amazing."

"It was." He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.

"Paul?"

"Hmm?"
She looked up at him. "This maybe a little premature because I don't know where we are going to be after this weekend. I don't know how we are going to make this work and I have a million questions rolling around in my brain but I just wanted to let you know that I love you. I have for a very long time and I couldn't hold it in any longer."

He leaned his chin on top of her head and hugged her tighter. "I love you too baby, I always have and I always have and I will forever regardless of what happens after this weekend."

"So what if come Monday morning we wake up, presumably in the same bed and I decide that I can't go back to just a friend do you think that you'll be able to put up with me and all of my baggage?"

"I don't see any baggage all I see is a beautiful women whom I love and have loved for a very long time and look foreword to going where ever this here path takes us."
"You know what I mean, I have a seven year old who is always my number one priority and of coarse is the obvious I am a McMahon and even if the family is okay with all of this and that is a big if, what about the guys in the locker room what if they act differently toward you and start shunning you talking behind your back. These are guys you have worked with for many years they respect you and what if all that changes just because of me. What if it's too much?"

"It'll take some getting used to on the guy's in the locker room's part it isn't like I am suddenly going to have all this extra pull in the company I will be the same guy I have always been but with one added bonus of getting kiss the boss's daughter for those who don't get that then that is their problem. I don't care about anything other than being with you and making you the happiest you can be. And as for Riley you know that I love her as if she were my own kid and I'll do everything in my power to let her know how much you both mean to me. Stephanie everything will work out the way that it should."

"Okay, but don't say that I didn't warn you I don't want you to get in over your head."
"We'll just wait and see where this takes us." He leaned down and kissed her passionately. "You think too much"

She smiled "Then why don't we call it a night and head up to bed?" She asked with a seductive smile.