Chapter 4

Paul slid his key card into the slot and cursed under his breath as the light flashed red. God knows he could never get the hang of these damn things no matter how many hotel rooms he stayed in. Swiping it once more, he felt relieved when it actually changed to green. And as he turned the knob and walked into the room, his mouth lifted in a surprised smile and his footsteps faltered in the doorway. Stephanie was sitting on his bed, her head bowed over her laptop. It balanced over her long outstretched legs and her fingers were moving furiously over the keys as the frantic click of the buttons echoed around the four walls of the room. Paul stood just watching her for a moment wondering how the hell she got here. Only this afternoon she'd called him and she had been at the office in Stamford. She never said a word about seeing him. Instead she'd told him she was planning an early night and she would call him later after the show. Now a mere four hours later she was here, two hundred miles away in his hotel room. Not that he was complaining. Hell no. He'd be with Stephanie twenty four seven if he could. He simply couldn't get enough of her. Unfortunately though their hectic schedules meant they were more often apart than not which was why he cherished every moment they did get to spend together including unexpected moments like this one.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Paul walked towards the bed and dumped his black gym bag on the floor. He knew Stephanie hadn't notice him come in yet. She was still typing away, her glasses pushed into her hair, oblivious to the fact he was there. Not that he was surprised. He had quickly learned that when she was focused on something, particularly work, everything else just ceased to exist. The entire world slipped away. Well the entire world with the exception of him of course. Personally he liked to make his presence felt. He was just that type of guy especially when Stephanie had taken the time out to make the effort to see him. It would be complete rudeness on his part not to show his appreciation.

Tiptoeing towards the bed where she sat, Paul crept up close to her. Stephanie's hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and his mouth sought out her exposed neck. His lips brushed over the warm skin of her throat tasting the faint trace of vanilla that lingered there. Her surprised intake of breath turned into a soft whimper as her fingers stopped moving and her hand lightly pushed the laptop away.

"Hey beautiful." he breathed into her ear.

"Hey yourself, handsome!"

Stephanie's bright smile greeted him as she turned her head in his direction. Paul's lips instantly found hers as he began kissing her slowly, unhurriedly. His big hands cupped her face as he dropped to the bed seeking out the space beside her. Stephanie's mouth parted, deepening the kiss, unable to get enough of him knowing she had missed this. She had missed Paul. The four days he had been on the road felt more like four weeks to her. She had been like some pathetic school girl pining for him, waiting for his calls, desperate to hear his voice. And usually his voice was enough to ease her longing for him but for some reason that wasn't the case today. Hearing his voice today only made her miss him even more. In fact she had physically ached for him which was why the second Paul had hung up the phone to her she had fled the office and decided to surprise him with a visit. She simply couldn't wait another two days to be with him and see him. Her heart just wouldn't allow it.

"Hmmm." Stephanie moaned into his mouth as Paul sucked on her bottom lip, gently pulling on it before breaking the kiss and smiling at her. It was a smile that made her knees weak and she knew every single effort she'd made to get here was worth it and then some. It was even worth her father chewing out her ass for stealing his car and driver. Apparently he'd had some important network meeting to attend to. Feeling terrible that she had completely forgotten that meeting, she had apologised profusely and then had reluctantly explained her reasoning behind the hijacking. And surprisingly, her dad had been okay with it. He swore she even heard the smile in Vince's voice when he had told her to say hello to Paul and have a good time. It seemed her father wasn't immune to a bit of romance after all.

"So am I a nice surprise?" she asked Paul as his fingers toyed with the ends of her ponytail.

His brown eyes sparkled with warmth as his thumb traced her cheek softly and his smile slowly erupted into a delighted grin. "You can say that again."

Paul's eyes gazed happily into hers before he kissed her once more, lightly rubbing his nose against hers.

"How the hell did you get here anyways?" he inquired as his hands dropped to her shoulders. Stephanie tossed the laptop to the bed, scooting her body round to face him as her fingers sought out Paul's thigh, caressing the hard muscle that lay hidden beneath the black track pants he wore.

"Well being the boss's daughter, I do get the odd perk here and there." she grinned.

"What? So you borrowed daddy's plane?"

Stephanie shook her head. "Nope. I thought if I still wanted to be employed at the end of this little road trip, it would be better if I was a little more frugal in my attempt to woo you. So the minute I ended my call to you, I hijacked Dad's chauffer instead."

Paul raised his brow, impressed as he let out an amused snicker. "You really are a naughty girl, Stephanie."

"Naughty, huh? Feel free to punish me later." she teased as she leant forward seeking out his mouth with hers.

"Later?" Paul mumbled against her lips, breathing in Stephanie's intoxicating scent as she began kissing him again. Her mouth was warm and inviting and she smelled and tasted incredible. Already he could feel his desire for her pool in the pit of his stomach, craving her. It had been a long four nights without her and despite a few late night conversations turning decidedly x-rated in their content the phone calls just didn't cut it for him. Not when you compared it to actually being with Stephanie. The physical side of their relationship was simply incredible. He'd been far from the innocent virgin when they had got together but Christ he'd never been with anyone like her. It made him begin to wonder how the hell he'd managed to be a gentleman all this time and resist her for so long. Not only was there a wild abandon about her and a freedom with her own body that completely turned him on, there was something else too. There were emotions he felt with her that made him struggle to breathe. A connection that he felt each and every single time he made love to her. A connection that was so strong he knew she was the one. Stephanie was his heart and soul. He belonged to her.

Just then her tongue brushed teasingly over his as Stephanie's fingers squeezed the top of his leg. The tip of her slender digits fleetingly stroked his crotch and Paul let out a low growl which quickly turned into a groan of protest as their embrace suddenly ended leaving his wet mouth prickling from her kiss. He shook his head in disapproval as Stephanie looked at him, biting down on her lip almost suggestively and looking sexy as hell in the process. Her hand lingered on his thigh and lightly stroking the leg, Paul decided Stephanie was obviously trying to kill him here. He was already as hard as a rock and it wasn't helping matters that her fingers were back at the top of his thigh, rubbing the flesh and tempting him even further.

"Screw later." he told her as his lips captured hers again and his hands firmly guided her onto the mattress. The fingers of one hand moved to thread and clutch the soft strands of Stephanie's hair as Paul began to kiss her passionately. The other hand slowly moved down her body deliberately taking it's time as it sought out and caressed her sleek curves. Her gentle warmth was enticing and his body rubbed against hers as he moved over her. Stephanie's fingers tangled in his blonde strands bringing him closer as his mouth made a wet trail along her jaw before it sought out her neck, sucking and nibbling along the column of her throat.

"Paul." Stephanie hissed in delight as his thumb brushed over her nipple. Her hand cupped his ass pressing his body against hers. She could feel his hard heat encompass her and she swallowed thickly, her throat feeling terribly dry. God knows she was struggling to catch her breath. She always did when Paul was around. One smile and her chest would flutter madly. One kiss and she felt weak inside. It was amazing the feelings he elicited in her with just a single touch. And when he was actually inside her no words could fully describe how incredible it felt. It was overwhelming to say the least. She'd just never connected with someone on so many levels before. It was like Paul knew her inside out, mind, body and soul. That was why there was no doubt in her mind that with him she had definitely found her soul mate and the person she was destined to be with.

"Steph."

His thick voice hushed against her ear sending a tingle down her spine. Stephanie arched her body into his as her fingers pushed up the hem of his shirt. Her head shifted on the pillow as Paul's hot mouth began assaulting her neck once more and her eyes briefly fluttered open. Stephanie's gaze fell on the laptop in front of her and hazily registered a box was flashing on the screen. A box which signalled she had a new email. Well screw the email. She had more important things on her mind like the gorgeous man currently on top of her and the man who she wanted more than anything because she had to face it. This was partly the reason why she had come here in the first place. She had come running after Paul looking for a booty call and it was all absolutely his fault. He was the one who had made her horny as hell with his delicious voice and those phone conversations they shared.

But as badly as she wanted Paul right now, her mind was betraying her. It kept niggling in the back of her mind that she had that damn email. It would be her father chasing her for that damn proposal. Although how she could even think of work right now was beyond her. She had to be crazy or insane or just plain stupid but she just couldn't help herself. Maybe it was the fact she had bunked off from the office this afternoon and she was feeling a tad guilty that in exchange for her romantic gesture she had promised that her father she would send that proposal the second she got to the hotel. And considering the fact she had also made him late for that network meeting, it wouldn't serve her well to piss him off right now even if all she wanted to do was make love to Paul. But they did have the whole evening together and she did have that draft practically done. All she needed was another five minutes and she would have her father off her back and she could give her gorgeous boyfriend every bit of her attention.

"Ignore it."

Stephanie winced as she heard Paul's voice and she turned her head looking at him apologetically. Of course he knew exactly what she was thinking. His brown eyes were staring back at her and mixed in with his desire, they also managed to hold a twinkle of amusement. He got her and knew how she ticked. It was amazing how well he knew her so much so a lot of the time she didn't even need to explain herself to him. Like right now. And once again Stephanie had to question her own sanity as she smiled at him meekly.

"Five minutes and I'm all yours. I promise."

Paul rolled his eyes and shifted his body as Stephanie moved from under him grabbing the laptop which lay lopsided on the comforter. "And who said spontaneity was dead?" he muttered.

"I'll make it up to you." Stephanie offered as she settled into the pillows and fixed the glasses which were miraculously still perched in her hair.

"Oh you will and then some." he smirked as Paul raked his blonde strands back from his face and let out a calming breath. He tried to ignore his raging hard-on as he sat beside Stephanie mentally urging her to hurry the fuck up. While he admired her dedication to her job sometimes it was a pain in the ass, like right now. If he didn't know better he might question his skills in the sack when an e-mail from daddy became higher on the priority list than getting some from him. But he knew Stephanie and more important than that, he knew Vince. He knew what his expectations were and for Stephanie and Shane those expectations were even higher because they were family. Vince didn't want anyone thinking his kids got an easy ride because their father owned the company. Stephanie got that and that's why she worked even harder to prove she was there on her own merit. Shane did too and personally he had a hell of a lot of respect professionally for both of them. They were both so passionate and driven. And now that he was in a relationship with Stephanie he realised the same rang true for their personal lives too. He knew that despite all the odds against them, she was committed one hundred percent to him and to making this work and travelling over two hundred miles so they could be together tonight only proved that for him.

Paul smiled to himself feeling extremely fortunate that a girl like Stephanie loved him like that. And she did love him. He could see it in her eyes and he could feel it each and every time they were together making him wonder how the hell he got to be so damn lucky.

Dropping his chin on her shoulder and letting it rest there, Paul watched Stephanie as her fingers moved furiously over the keyboard once more.

"Whatcha doing anyways?" he asked as he stared at the jumble of words on the screen.

"Oh it's some proposal Dad wanted me to pull together." she replied as she turned her head to smile directly into his eyes. "It's my penance for borrowing his limo."

"A proposal, huh? Well I've got a proposal for you." he smirked.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. It involves you, me and this bed you happen to be sprawled all over."

"Paul!" Stephanie squealed as he pulled her backwards towards the pillows once more. Her giggling was silenced by his kiss as his body moved over hers, his leg sliding deliciously between her parted thighs making her moan softly.

"God I missed you." Paul admitted when they broke apart. His thick fingers began to toy with the end of her hair and his brown eyes were gentle as they watched her.

"I missed you more." Stephanie told him softly.

"So is that the reason why you're slumming it here?" he grinned. "I mean it's not every day a guy like me finds a girl like you in his hotel room. I mean it's not exactly the penthouse quality you're used to now is it, Princess?"

Stephanie clicked her tongue, chastising him as she shook her head playfully. "Such snobbery, Levesque. I happen to find this little room of yours quite charming actually."

"You do, huh?"

"The occupant's not too bad either." she grinned and that grin turned to a sigh as Paul began kissing her once more. His lips were so soft and warm and she could taste the hint of mint on his breath. It was a kiss that was so exciting yet so familiar to her. A kiss that made her feel she was coming home.

"Hmmmm." Stephanie murmured into his mouth. "You're very distracting. You know that don't you?"

"And you're very beautiful. You know that don't you?" Paul teased back but his brown eyes were serious as they stared at her adoringly making Stephanie feel like the most luckiest girl in the world.

"You're crazy." she smiled.

"Only about you McMahon."

"You're such a suck-up."

"Yes I am." Paul grinned making Stephanie's chest flutter madly. Her heart was racing as she let her fingers thread through his hair lightly gripping his soft blonde strands.

"Do you think we'll ever lose this?" she wondered as she looked at him.

"Lose what?"

"Us. This."

Paul pressed his lips together thoughtfully as he seemed to ponder over her question. "By this do you mean will I always want to have sex with you?"

His wicked grin lit up his handsome face and Stephanie burst into laughter.

"No." she snorted as she playfully smacked him.

"Well just for the record, I can swear on my life that I'll always want to have sex with you."

"Even when I'm all wrinkly and grey." she shot back.

"Especially when you're all wrinkly and grey."

"Charmer!"

"It's the truth." Paul told her matter of factly. "You're stuck with me, Steph. You know that don't you? There's no escape."

His brown eyes twinkled back at her mischievously but despite Paul's teasing, Stephanie suddenly felt terribly serious as she realised she wanted him to mean what he said because she didn't want to escape. She wanted this and she wanted Paul so badly. She needed him forever.

"Promise?" she asked him

"Promise." Paul nodded and his smile faded as he watched her carefully, his thick fingers absently twirling around the locks of her ponytail. "Honestly, I don't ever want to be without you again."

Stephanie's slow delighted grin lit up her pretty face. "And I don't want to be without you either hence the whole hijacking thing this evening." she chuckled.

Paul raised his brow in admiration. "I have to admit that did impress me."

"Yeah? Well there's no end to my talents you know."

"Stephanie, Stephanie." he scolded her shaking his head. "Didn't your parents ever tell you to show not tell."

The mattress creaked oddly as Paul rolled over the bed. His long legs swung over the edge as he got to his feet and turned to face Stephanie.

"Let's go." he instructed her as he held out his hand.

This time work was a distant memory and Stephanie had no hesitation as she tossed the laptop aside. Shuffling over the covers, her fingers gripped Paul's as he helped her up. Her bare feet sunk into the plush carpet as she smiled at him inquisitively.

"Where to?"

"We're hitting the shower." Paul said as he pulled Stephanie into his arms dropping a kiss on her perfect nose.

"A shower, huh?"

"Yep. You know how much I love getting you all naked and wet." he smirked sexily making Stephanie's stomach churn with anticipated pleasure.

"You just never stop do you?"

Paul lifted his shoulder in a playful shrug. "But you love me anyway."

"God help me, yes I do."

"Good answer." he grinned as he took his girlfriend by the hand once more and began to lead her in the direction of the adjoining bathroom. However he had only taken a couple of steps when a loud knock disturbed them. He felt the tug on his arm as Stephanie came to a stop.

"Ignore it." he told her.

Stephanie's big eyes looked at him unsure. "But….."

"No buts. It can wait."

But another knock soon followed and a voice drifted through the painted wood.

"Mr Levesque? Are you there?"

"I think you'd better answer it." Stephanie replied.

Paul scowled as he sighed heavily and letting go of her hand, he made his way across the small hotel room. "You do know that whoever is behind that door is getting their ass kicked." he threatened as he turned the handle.

Stephanie rolled her eyes dryly as Paul answered the door. He politely thanked the person behind it and she lightly chuckled to herself as the door closed over once more. Paul turned to her and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the bouquet of flowers he held in his right hand. It was a bunch of red roses. Paul was staring at them strangely and Stephanie wrinkled her brow curiously as she crossed the short distance towards him.

"Who on earth is sending you flowers?" she asked. "Should I be jealous?"

Her mouth upturned with her playful smile but that smile quickly disappeared as Paul just stood there silently.

"Paul?"

He lifted his head and his handsome face was serious as he held out the bouquet towards her. "They're not for me. They're for you." he told her.

"Me?" Stephanie asked confused as she took the flowers in her hand. "But how can they be for me? No one knows I'm here. Well except for Dad of course." she rambled as she lifted out the small white envelope partially concealed in the stems.

She let out a yelp as one of the thorns pricked her skin.

"Damn florist. Who leaves thorns on a rose stem?"

"Are you okay?"

Stephanie nodded her head and placing the flowers down on the dresser, she brought the sore finger to her mouth sucking on the small droplet of blood that seeped from the tiny wound. "I'll live." she smiled as her blue eyes inspected her injury. "Will you open this for me?" she asked holding out the envelope to Paul.

He took it and Stephanie waited for him to read it out. Her thumb and finger squeezed her wound and she lifted her head as she sucked on the bloody digit once more. That was when she noticed the look of trepidation on Paul's face. He appeared somewhat angry too and Stephanie suddenly felt an icy chill run down her spine and her anxiety knotted in her chest. She'd seen that look before. It had been only last week when she'd got another email. The same email quoting another line from that damn Disney movie.

"It's him again isn't it?" she asked panicked wondering why on earth that realisation hadn't dawned on her earlier the second she had seen those red roses.

Paul's expression was grave as he nodded his head.

"But how did he…?"

Stephanie's voice trailed off suddenly scared to finish the question. Because if she finished her question she'd have to try and answer it and right now she didn't have any answers. She wasn't even sure she wanted them because then she'd have to face up to the reality that some guy was sending her flowers and e-mails. Some guy who clearly wasn't just an admiring fan. Some guy who not only knew where she worked, he knew she was here tonight; some guy who was watching her every move or at least that's what it felt like to her because there was no other explanation for this. There was no other way he could have known she was here. He had to be following her around or something. Stalking her.

Suddenly Stephanie felt terribly frightened at that thought and a tear slipped down her cheek. Paul immediately reached for her pulling her into his arms and Stephanie gripped onto him tightly trying to find solace in his embrace. Because Paul made her feel safe and God did she need that sanctuary from him right now. The very idea that someone was stalking her terrified her. After all she'd seen the movies. She knew how these things worked. Someone out there was trying to get her attention and there was every chance he wasn't going to stop until he did. But who was he and why her? What on earth did this person want from her? Stephanie buried her head in Paul's chest squeezing him even tighter. One thing was for sure, she didn't want to find out. Her secret admirer had turned into a horrible nightmare. A nightmare she prayed she survived one way or another.