Author's Notes: We'd like to thank Jewelgirl04, Inday, cena-holic8, purplefeather21, Takersgurl35, xxHungryeyesxx and Laffy.x.Taffy for your awesome reviews for chapter seventeen! We're so pleased y'all are still enjoying the story, and we always appreciate you comments and support.
Well, here's the chapter you've all been waiting for... We hope y'all enjoy it!
Chapter Eighteen: Like You Wouldn't Believe.
Marissa froze momentarily, as though the door bell ringing had knocked all comprehension of what was going on out of her head. From the living room she could hear Kate, Dave and John chatting, and when the WWE Champion let out a hearty laugh, the redhead wanted nothing more than to rush in there and see his amused smile. A second ring of the door bell snapped Marissa out of her daze, and she quickly answered it.
Standing on the porch was Carlito – dressed as a member from the Jackson Five, with glitter sprinkled in his Afro, and dressed in a wide collared yellow shirt, black waistcoat, flared pants and platform boots. The redhead could barely contain her laughter at his appearance until Jeff Hardy appeared from the car.
If the video tech though the Puerto Rican's appearance was amusing, it was nothing compared to the costume of the 'Extreme' superstar. Jeff was dressed as Steven Tyler from the rock band Aerosmith in a skin-tight cat suit, and long trailing coat with multi-coloured scarves ties around his waist. His usually vibrant hair was dyed brown, and he was sporting large purple sunglasses on his forehead.
"You two look hilarious," Marissa said as she showed her guests in. "Wait until the others see you."
"I thought we should make an impression," commented Carlito. "What's Dave and John come as?"
"Please tell me 'rap boy' isn't dressed as Vanilla Ice again?" teased Jeff, recalling the Halloween costume the WWE Champion wore when the WWE had a party a few years ago.
"No, thankfully he's gone for a more heroic look for tonight," replied the redhead with a grin.
Marissa, Carlito and Jeff entered the living room, and as they did, everyone gathered started laughing and commenting about each others costumes.
"Real smooth look, dude," Carlito said to Dave, with an amused wink.
"Yeah, you too, mate," teased Dave, ruffling the Puerto Rican's Afro.
"And look at these two vixens," said Jeff, gesturing to Kate and Marissa. "The Divas are going to have some competition now."
"I know, aren't I lucky?" said Dave with a smirk, as he laced his arms around the brunette's waist.
"And how about you John? Hoping Batwoman will need rescuing?" teased Carlito, shooting expectant glances between the WWE Champion and Marissa. The redhead blushed deeply, and tried to sink gracefully into the sofa as Cena uncomfortably shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
As if answering the video tech's unspoken request for a distraction, the door bell rang again. "I'll get it," she announced, practically jumping from the sofa. Racing to the front door, she swung it open to be greeted by Josh and Brad, who had come as Wolverine from X-men and Superman, respectively.
"Hey, guys," she said with a wide smile. "Come on in. Dave, John, Carlito and Jeff are already here, and I'm sure others will be arriving soon."
"Jeff is already here?" asked Brad with a hint of a blush, to which the redhead smiled knowingly.
In a lot of respects, she and Brad were alike – both of them harbouring feelings for people they hoped would return them. "Yeah, he's dressed as Steven Tyler," she informed with an amused gin. "You should ask him if he's looking for some love in the elevator."
"Marissa, that was so terrible I'd consider throwing you out," teased Josh. "That is if it wasn't your house, and you didn't look so domineering as Batwoman."
This time it was the video tech's turn to blush, but then she countered saying, "Just because you've gone all superhero on us, and doesn't mean I still can't kick your butt."
Brad and Josh laughed at the comment and then entered the living room. The redhead stayed near the door, wanting to avoid any more awkward questions about herself and Cena and hearing a car pulling up the drive way.
Her body froze as the vehicle stopped and from it emerged Mr. McMahon. She was sure everyone had been discreet about the party and wondered what the CEO of the WWE was doing turning up at her house.
Maybe Maryse had actually said something about her relationship with Cena, the video tech feared. As the figure approached, Marissa shook, wondering how much trouble she was about to be in. But then her worries melted and turned to amusement when she realized who it actually was.
Given Ken Kennedy's stature and usual blonde hair, it was surprising the wrestler looked so much like the WWE Chairman. However, his grey wig and expensive suit were very convincing.
"My goodness, you almost gave me a heart attack," chuckled Marissa as he approached. "I actually thought Mr. McMahon had found out about the party."
"God, can you imagine if he had of?" laughed Ken. "It would have been like that time in The Simpsons, when Mr. Burns showed up at Homer's to watch the game." Both the wrestler and video tech, unaware that the other watched the cartoon show, laughed at the slightly horrifying thought as she showed him into the house.
After the initial shock and then amusement at Kennedy's outfit, the quickly growing gathering of party guests began chatting, and Marissa started to bring out the alcohol. Already feeling tense from Carlito's earlier comment about Cena and anxious at the amount of people who were expected to turn up that night, the redhead helped herself to a large glass of vodka and coke. It wasn't very often that Marissa drank alcohol, and usually she stuck to wine. However, given that it was a party, the video tech felt she was allowed to.
As Marissa set the drinks on a table in the living room and Kate began playing more Halloween themed songs on the piano, the guests mingled about, chatting, laughing and generally enjoying being away from work. The door bell didn't seem to stop ringing, and Marissa hardly had a moment to think in between greeting more guests and offering out refreshments.
The redhead got the surprise of her life on one occasion when she answered the door and she found herself face to face with Austin Mitchell. "What are you doing here?" she asked in shock.
"Kate invited me, and I thought seeing as it's a holiday, maybe you could forget the past? At least for the night," he replied, looking hopeful.
"Well, if Kate said it's alright, then I have no problem," she returned hesitantly. "Just don't cause any trouble."
"I won't," the singer promised, with an innocent look as he entered the house.
Kate's fingers were starting to cramp but her audience didn't seem to be dissipating. Part of it was probably that Dave Batista, one of the hottest and most popular wrestlers, stood in the crook of the grand piano, and Austin Mitchell, lead singer of the newest bands on the music scene, was situated on the piano beside her.
While Kate hadn't exactly invited him to sit down beside her, she couldn't resist the extra pair of hands on the ivory keys. The Phantom of the Opera overture had been a request and the Phantom had indeed appeared with a flourish. Austin had swept into the sitting room dressed in a black suit, flowing black cape, and trademark Phantom mask. When Marissa had let him in, he had heard the theme from the movie Jaws and knew if it was a piano being played, then Kate was there. The spark in her eyes at seeing him gave him hope, even if Batista was close by, dressed in a tuxedo and holding a martini glass. When Kate began playing the overture, he slid in beside her and her fingers flew to the upper register and he stayed on the lower. She pushed the bench back with her butt and they pounded out the haunting melody, performing for those gathered around.
Batista had tried to watch with a disinterested gaze. The two of them apparently had a history performing together and were obviously enjoying it, along with their audience. But he didn't like the way Austin was watching her, like he was claiming possession of her. Realizing his martini glass was empty, he reluctantly slipped away to pour himself something else. Remaining calm was only going to happen with more alcohol.
With Dave gone, Austin scooted closer to Kate and began to caress the keys with a song that he claimed he wrote for her. She closed her eyes and let her fingers wander over the ivories, plucking out the counter melody. Before she realized it, his hands were on hers. Immediately, her eyes popped open and she jerked her away.
"Hand cramp," she announced to those listening and held up her hands like claws. "I'm done. Go enjoy the music Marissa picked out for us."
Disappointed faces trailed off into the kitchen and living room, looking for friends and alcohol. Now that they were alone in the alcove, her former boyfriend took her hands in his and began massaging them.
"Kate, I don't want to be just friends," he breathlessly started.
"No," she interrupted, pulling away. "I don't know what you're doing but no."
"Katie, baby, this is always what you wanted. Me and you and the big-time," he said, pushing a lock of her hair over her shoulder. She had abandoned the black wig right after she had begun playing. "I saw that look in your eyes when I showed up."
"That look was one of being glad a good friend showed up. But apparently we can't be friends either."
"Katie," he sighed, taking her hands in his again. "Don't say that. Think of all I can give you. Think of all those years you slaved away behind the scenes for the band, all those years we spent together."
"No, Austin. You just can't stand to be turned down. I know your bullshit and you also know the feel of the palm of my hand on your face," she angrily replied and started to jerk away but his hands clenched on hers. "You are exactly what you claimed you never wanted to be—an arrogant bastard too caught up in his music to see the people around him."
"You'd prefer that steroid-filled muscle head to me?"
"More than you'll ever know," she replied, this time successfully pulling her hands away. The brunette slid off the bench but Austin caught her cape.
"Do you love him? Like you loved me?" he asked, a last ditch effort because he wasn't about to be turned down.
Kate opened her mouth to reply, to tell her ex-boyfriend that it was none of her business when she noticed Dave watching them. She clamped her teeth together and pried the cape from his fingers. The brunette stalked away, the wrestler turning with her and following. Feeling Dave's presence behind her, she stopped in the hallway. "Did you hear all of that?"
"Most of it."
"You shouldn't eavesdrop," she angrily replied, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
"What do you think I should do when I see my girlfriend holding another man's hands?" he retorted, cocking his head sideways.
"Touché," she defeatedly responded, her shoulders sagging and her eyes dropping.
"So?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"So…what?"
"What's the answer to his question?"
"Dave," she replied with a sigh and turned away. Love hadn't been on her radar since she thought Austin was going to propose to her almost four years ago. "I—"
Before she could reply, Jeff Hardy appeared in the hallway. "Kate, hey, sorry to interrupt," he sheepishly said. "Marissa said to come get you. We're kinda out."
He held up his red Dixie cup and she nodded before turning to Dave. "Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back."
"You need any help?" Jeff asked, following her back through the living room as she twisted her hair and tucked it back up under the black wig, resituating the devil horns.
"What are we out of?" she asked but didn't listen to his answer as she spied Brad Morrison watching them from across the room. She knew that look. "Um, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah," he answered, edging along with her as she now slowly headed for the kitchen.
"Are you seeing someone?"
He shook his head and added, "But there's this guy…" Kate bowed up and stopped, hoping for the best. The two were always hanging out together but never just the two of them alone. "I don't know."
"Who is it?"
"No, you'll just interfere and tell him and I don't know if he likes me. I know your reputation."
Kate just laughed, hardly offended at something she knew was true. "I may know something you might find interesting."
Jeff looked doubtable but then finally answered with a sigh. "Brad Morrison."
"Ha!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together and giggling. "He has a major crush on you."
The wrestler's eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. "Really?"
"If I'm lying, I'm dying," she replied, crossing her hands over her chest. "Dude, you can put me in a ring and beat the shit out of me if I'm setting you up. Go talk to him."
"What do I say?" Jeff nervously asked.
That's a question I have to answer, Kate thought in regards to Dave. "I don't know. Just kinda walk up to the group and start talking. He's really shy. You can't go wrong."
The wrestler brought a hand up to his mouth and nodded in thought. "Alright," he said with a convinced bob of his head and started off. "Thanks," he called over his shoulder.
Now maybe I can get my relationship set straight, she thought, hefting up one of the buckets that held only melted ice. In two trips, she had all the metal buckets refilled, caring less about emptying the water in all of them but one. Then she hauled back as much beer as she could carry in one of the tins, followed by chilled wine. It seemed they were out of tequila, vodka, and rum and Kate could only hope there were more in the pantry.
John Cena was sick and tired of Marissa ignoring him. She wasn't backing out on him after her sending those text messages and inviting him to both her and Maddie's parties. Every time he tried to get away to talk to her, she seemed to be involved in something else or with someone else. Claiming he was going to get another beer, he headed in the direction of the kitchen. Seeing the red cape and black hair disappear around the corner, he knew he had her alone. The pantry door closed and he peeked in to see his quarry perusing the shelves. If she wouldn't listen to him, then he would just have to show her how he felt. He flicked off the light, stepping into the small space behind her.
Marissa drifted by the table that they had set up to hold the drinks to check on the supply. Jeff Hardy was rummaging through the empty bottles and buckets. "You got anything else?" he asked, holding up the empty rum cask.
Kate was completely in charge of alcohol and the redhead was clueless as to where she had put all the bottles but she supposed she could attempt to find all of it by herself. Seeing Brad Morrison approach the table and then do a one-eighty upon spying Jeff, the woman changed her mind. If Brad kept running from Jeff, the two of them were never going to even speak to each other. Jeff might give up on him. "Uh, yeah, we should. Kate's in charge, so you should probably talk to her. I would but there is something I have to take care of right now. I'm sorry."
The wrestler just shrugged as Marissa walked away. Finding Brad, who had only retreated into the next room, she pointedly asked, "Are you interested in Jeff or was that something else I saw earlier?"
Brad sheepishly looked down at his feet and muttered, "Yeah, I like him…a lot."
Her confidence fuelled by alcohol, she replied, "Then talk to him! Don't keep running from him."
"What if he doesn't like me?"
"You'll never know until you talk to him. Wallow in the question of 'what if' or find out. Then you can move on with or without him," she explained, realizing how much those words were meant for her instead of Brad. "Promise me you'll at least talk to him tonight or I will remind Kate about your crush and you know exactly what she'll do."
"Alright, alright, just don't sic Kate on me," he pleaded, knowing full well what her meddling could result in.
"Good," Marissa replied with a final nod. "Now if you'll excuse me…" The redhead wanted to go to the bathroom to freshen up before she went to find John to talk to him. She realized that she was going to have to find some resolve or wallowing in wondering what could happen if she never told him the truth.
After reapplying her lipstick and straightening the black wig, Marissa wondered through the rooms, looking for John. She had yet to find him but noticed that Kate had set out fresh ice and more beer and wine. All of the liquor was still missing. With a sigh, she decided to do it herself since John obviously was engaged elsewhere and Kate was being her half-assed self.
Kate could feel his presence behind her before the light went out. She was about to whip around, ready to nail whoever it was in the balls if they attempted to assault her when a warm hand ran over her shoulder and up to the faux locks to sweep them aside. Apparently, Dave wasn't too concerned with what he had witnessed between her and Austin, she thought when he kissed her shoulder.
The brunette turned around in the tight space, running her hands up his chest and to his neck at the same time as his lips brushed her cheek. Just as his lips descended on hers, Kate realized something wasn't right. This wasn't Dave. Austin had come after her and cornered her.
Everything happened so quickly—the struggling to get the pantry door open by someone on the other side, the overhead lamp coming on, and Kate's eyes flood by the light, barely adjusting to realize that she was staring at John Cena and a high-pitched voice was yelling at her.
As Marissa pushed open the pantry door, it stuck a little, and she flicked on the light to see what was jamming it. As the small store cupboard was illuminated, the redhead's heart froze in horror. Standing arm in arm, their lips almost touching, were Kate and John. The video tech couldn't believe her eyes. How could her best friend do this to her? Kate knew that Marissa was going to tell John how she felt about him tonight.
"You bitch," cried Marissa, then turned on her heel and stormed off before either person had a chance to explain anything.
"I...you... but..." stuttered John in disbelief at what had just happened.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Kate asked, hurriedly backing out of the closest. "You know how Marissa feels about you, and you know I'm seeing Dave."
"I thought you were Marissa," answered the wrestler honestly. "With the black wig and the cape, in this light it was hard to know. Besides, you kissed me back."
"Well, I thought you were Dave. When someone sneaks up behind you and starts kissing your neck, you assume it's your boyfriend, and not the guy your best mate is interested in," retorted the brunette.
"Shit, and now Marissa thinks we're up to something. Kate, you've got to help me sort this out," begged Cena.
"No, what I have to do is find Dave. I don't want him getting the wrong idea if Marissa mentions anything," insisted the sound engineer. "We wouldn't be in this mess in the first place if you idiots had just been honest about how you felt. So, stop acting like a teenager and speak to Marissa."
"That's what I thought I was just doing," protested the wrestler.
Kate just gave him a look and he immediately understood this wasn't the time to argue with her.
Running in the direction Marissa had just gone, Cena followed the redhead into the kitchen through the patio door and out into the back garden. The WWE Champion found her sitting on a bench – which over looked a small pond and fountain – at the back of the large green lawn. He hesitated for a second, because it appeared the video tech was crying, and then took a seat besides her.
Marissa sniffed and looked up at him through narrowed eyes. "What? Kissing my best friend isn't enough for you, so you've come to taunt me more?" she asked angrily.
"I wasn't kissing Kate," he began, but when she scowled at him her changed track. "Okay, I was kissing Kate, but until you turned the light on I thought she was you. You know, in the dark, with both of you wearing a black wig and red cape, you look a lot alike."
Marissa didn't reply, but just made a noise that told the wrestler she didn't believe him.
"I meant it, Cissa, I thought she was you," insisted John. "When you said you still wanted me to come to the party, well... I thought that meant you wanted to get together. Then you've spent all night ignoring me and I didn't know what to think. So, when I saw who I assumed was you going into the pantry, I followed. I hoped if I could get you alone maybe we could talk about things."
The redhead looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and hope.
"Oh, John, I've been such a fool," she sighed, pulling off her wig and cape and throwing them both on the ground as though the costume was stopping her from thinking properly. "I should have been honest with you right from the start instead of getting into this mess."
Cena reached out his hand and held her own trembling fingers, looking deep into Marissa's eyes; he nodded that she should go on.
"I never wanted to end things with you, but it all got a little crazy and I got scared. You know a few weeks ago when we were at the club and Kate was playing piano and I sang?" she asked expectantly.
"Of course I remember, that's when I realized I was falling... I mean that I lov... liked you," stuttered the Champion in reply, his blue eyes sparkling at the memory.
"Well, after Kate and I got off the stage, Maryse followed me into the restroom," Marissa began and Cena was about to stop her because he thought he knew what the video tech was going to say, but she didn't give him a chance. "Wait, John, I need to explain it all to you properly. Maryse came into the restroom and threatened me. She said, I'm a nobody, a wallflower. That you deserve better than a whore with a kid. That you'd want someone with class, someone who's not tied down who can cater to your every whim, someone who looks as good as you do.
' She told me to stay away or else," she said, bitterly remembering the threat word for word.
"That bitch! I knew something had happened when Kate hit her in the club. She'd been clinging to me for weeks, and even when I told her I wasn't interested, she wouldn't give up," he explained.
"I know, I know all that, John. But the thing was, I was too scared to tell you about it," the redhead sighed. "Maryse threatened me that if I didn't end it with you, she'd tell management and I'd lose my job because of seeing a wrestler. I remembered Kate's predecessor being fired for dating a diva, and I didn't want us both to get into trouble."
"Wait, Darren wasn't..." Cena started to insist, but Marissa cut him off.
"I know, he was fired for having sex on the job, Kate told me all that after she'd gotten the truth out of me," replied the redhead.
"Then why didn't you just confront Maryse and tell her you knew the truth?" questioned Cena.
"Because, by then, I'd started to believe I wasn't good enough for you," answered Marissa. "There's something else you need to know, John. My father and I have a very bad relationship, and he's always convincing me that I'm a terrible person, that I'm a bad mother and no man would want me. After Maryse's threat, I found out that Maddie's father had another child with his wife. I'm not bothered by that, I've known for ages that Greg has moved on. I've moved on too. However, my father used Greg's new family as a taunt, insisting that he's got a new life, but I'm nothing. He was so ashamed when I had Maddie out of wedlock that he's spent the last five years convincing me I wasn't good enough for anyone."
A tear ran down the redhead's cheek, and Cena instinctively put his arm around her. "None of that is true, Cissa. You're a wonderful person, a great mother, and people do want you," he insisted. "I want you."
"I... well... that's what I hoped," she sniffed. "Last week, while you were on the tour, my father and I had another big fight. It made me realize that I can't let him keep controlling my life and that I should go for what I want. Then you left me that voice message asking if you could still come to the party, and I realized if I was honest about everything, we might still have a chance."
"I want the same thing, that's why I came today, Marissa," insisted Cena. "But then, you hardly spoke to me, and I thought you were still set on us being apart."
"No, I was just scared of telling you all this. I thought if you knew how weak and pathetic I am, you might not want me. And then I saw you talking to Rebecca's mum and well..." she trailed off.
The WWE Champion laughed and pulled the redhead even closer to him. "I was talking to Rebecca's mum, because I hoped she'd put in a good word for me, you know, tell you what a great guy I am."
Marissa laughed too and rested her head on the wrestler's shoulder. "I know what a great guy you are, John. I've known that all along and don't need another mum putting in a good word for you. I've always thought you were wonderful, and that's why I thought someone like me, with a kid, wouldn't be good enough for you."
"Marissa, listen to me now," said John, cupping her face with his hands, so that she had no choice but to look directly into his deep blue eyes. "I do want you, and you having Maddie doesn't change that. In fact, it just makes me want you more. While I was on the tour, I had an epiphany of my own too. I realized that I don't want all that single guy shit anymore. I don't want to go clubbing every night and hook up with a different woman. I want to settle down and start a family of my own. And I want that with you, Marissa. I want to get to know both you and Maddie and maybe one day become a father figure for her. I want to do stuff with you, like go on picnics and days out, and maybe one day..."
He stopped and they both looked at each other, knowing that something unspoken had happened between them and that they both wanted the same thing.
John stood up and, taking Marissa's hand, pulled her off the bench with him. Then, the wrestler lifted the redhead off her feet and held her in his arms.
"Cissa, what I really want is this. Us, you and me. I want the chance to fall in love with you, like I think I was before you ended it," he confessed and then covered her lips with his own.
Marissa felt like she'd just died and gone to heaven, as their lips brushed. Slowly, the kiss became more passionate as the woman slipped her tongue into Cena's mouth. A jolt ran through her body as the kiss deepened. The video tech was about to pull away but felt a hand cupping her head and holding it in place. The embrace became more heated and Marissa swooned, feeling like 200 volts had just run through her body.
When they broke apart, the redhead remained with her eyes closed, letting out a deep breath. Wow, she sighed to herself.
Placing light kisses on her lips, and trailing across her jaw, John set Marissa back down on her feet. "Ready to go back in there and face the world together?" he asked, taking her hand.
"You bet I am," she replied with a grin.
Dave was waiting on her anyhow, Kate thought, better she tell him what just happened than to hear from either Marissa or John, even they did tell him the truth rather than what each of them perceived. "Bet you didn't think I was coming back," Kate said, her face flustered.
"I thought you were avoiding my question," he matter-of-factly replied, again crossing his arms but this time with the martini glass empty.
"Question?"
"Austin's question."
"Which one?" Kate asked, stalling for time. He pointed at her and then back at himself a couple of times. Both of them unwilling to even say the word. "Uh, well…could be…maybe…it's a distinct possibility," she answered, skirting the topic. Was she in love with him? No. Could she fall in love with him? Absolutely. Did she want to? Probably so. But then the frustration of not knowing what to say took over and she blurted out, "Why does it matter? We haven't even slept together."
Batista wasn't exactly looking for that answer. He wanted to know where he stood with her in regards to Austin Mitchell. Would she admit that no one could replace Austin or was she indeed through with him like she said? He would be in no man's shadow. But her answer had thrown him off. He had had women confess their love on the second date but she was honest, seeing beyond the fame and money. Still, their relationship seemed to be going somewhere. She admitted that falling in love with him was a possibility and if it wasn't one of him falling for her, he would never have been so jealous of and so enraged at Austin Mitchell. And now all he could think about was 'we haven't even slept together.'
"I can remedy that," he suggestively responded before he could stop the words.
Kate blinked several times at him and then took the martini glass from his hand, setting it on the shelf of the corner hutch at the end of the hallway. She reached for his arm but he clasped her hand in his, letting her lead him up the stairs and then into her room. She shut the door behind him and turned the lock in place, tossing the black wig and devil horns aside on her bureau. When she faced him, her seductive grin said it all.
The air crackled between them. The blood coursed through her, setting every nerve on edge. Her breath began to speed up as she crossed the floor, closing the space between their bodies. God, he smelled as good as he looked. She could drown herself in his scent while staring at him.
Dave slid his hands up to her jaw and then pulled her face up to meet his. She grasped the lapels of his tux and tugged him towards the bed, her mouth never leaving his. When they pulled away, his breath was coming hard. She placed a finger on his lips and he nipped the tip. She huskily laughed and turned to the sound system beside the bed, flicking a couple of switches and a heavy R & B tune filled the speakers, drowning out the thump of the rock music from the living room and the cheers going up for some poor drunken soul trying to dance.
"Does put a little damper on things," he said, sweeping her hair away and untying the cape from behind before she turned to face him.
"Speaking of dampers, just so you know, I'm on the pill," Kate added, trying to keep her hands on his chest when they really wanted to roam over all of his body.
"And just so you know, I don't have some funk diseases," he replied, his fingers trailing down the low cut neckline of the dark red dress.
"Me neither," she replied, her breath caught in her throat as his calloused hands skimmed the exposed skin of her chest.
"Well, then, formalities aside," he stated matter-of-factly and roughly drew her to him. He lowered her to the bed, pinning her arms above her head as his lips left a hot trail down her neck to her cleavage. He slid to his side, pulling her with him so he could reach the zipper on the back of her dress.
She slithered out of the dress but then he stopped her, taking in the black lingerie, the garters, and the red thigh-high boots. It was almost too good to remove but then it was too delicious to not partake of.
She swallowed hard as his dark eyes took her in. Her own brown ones searched his face and then their gaze met. She reached for his tie and clothes were hurriedly tossed aside. The romantic notion of soft and slow was lying beside them on the floor.
Dave wanted to touch her everywhere, to see the tattoo on her lower back, or any others she might be hiding. He momentarily paused and chuckled as he traced the 'K8' on her hip with his finger. "Any more?" he suggestively asked.
"Keep looking," she responded with a smirk but then squeaked when he nipped her inner thigh.
Their entire relationship had been foreplay, from the moment they first danced together, even up to last night. She didn't want to wait, she was ready for him now. "Please," she breathlessly begged.
Dave already was trying hard not to be too rough or rush her. It took every fiber of his being to hold back but when she began to plead, he gave in, running his hand under her hips to raise them to meet his. She locked her legs behind him, clenching her muscles around his hardness. He groaned and thrust harder. Gripping the blanket brought no satisfaction and she ran her hands over his chest and then gripped his arms where he braced himself above her.
Despite his strength, he began to tremble, feeling the tension mount within. Her arms were shaking where they held him tight. Spasms were radiating from her core and she gasped for breath, his name on her lips.
"God, Kate," he moaned, slamming into her and then collapsing beside her.
"That's new," she murmured.
"Huh?"
"Never been called 'god' before," the brunette murmured into Dave's neck. She loved the feel of the vibrations of his laugh in his chest.
"Next time, I'll make you say it," he drowsily replied.
"Can't wait." Kate lay snuggled against him but suddenly the thought of Marissa popped into her head. She had just had sex with Dave Batista and she was thinking about Marissa? Probably because she felt bad that she had left her best friend to play hostess alone. The brunette struggled up, attempting to disentangle herself from the wrestler.
"Where you going?" he whined.
"Crowd control," she replied, gesturing towards the first floor and heading for the ensuite bathroom.
Dave figured he should get up and join her but just couldn't find the strength to move. When she came back, he watched her every move, this time lazily taking in her body. Much better than those skinny ass bimbos that chased him, the ones that would stab him with their hipbones. She tossed him a wet washcloth and told him it was so he didn't have to hunt for one. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up, reaching for her when she unintentionally turned her back on him to slip her bra on--she wasn't in the mood to mess with the teddy and garters.
Dave admired the monarch butterfly tattooed on her lower back just above her panties and pressed a kiss to the curve of her spine.
Kate turned in his grasp and then slipped to her knees. What would it hurt if she was a few more minutes? The woman didn't get a chance to do what she wanted with those thighs. She massaged the muscles and he ran his hands into her hair. "I thought you had to go," he joked.
"I can always quit," she replied, nibbling along his inner thigh. She just wanted to sink her teeth into the flesh.
"No, that's alright," he responded.
As his thigh muscle clenched under her ministrations, Kate ran her tongue along the contours. A loud thump sounded on the other side of the wall and her head jerked up. "Marissa's parents will kill us if anything happens to their house," she replied, hurrying to her feet and pulling her dress on. Nobody should have been on the second floor, even if all the doors were locked.
Dave exhaled loudly and flopped back onto the bed. Zipping up the boots, she remembered she hadn't said one word about the incident in the pantry. That was more important than Glenna's wallpaper in the hallway. She sat down beside him on the bed and ran her hand across his pecs. The brunette did not want to leave. "I almost forgot to tell you. Something funny happened in the pantry while I was restocking the beer and liquor."
Hand in hand, Marissa and John re-entered the house just as Dave and Kate appeared from upstairs.
They both looked disheveled, and the redhead was in no doubt about what they'd been doing.
With a huge grin, the video tech turned to her friend. "Happy endings all round?" she asked with a wink
"Like you wouldn't believe," replied Kate, with a dreamy sigh. Marissa only chuckled in response.
Dave and John exchanged looks as if to say they were feeling exactly the same as their respective girlfriends, and then the two couples walked proudly into the living room.
A few people gathered around the door-way seemed to stop what they were doing, as Kate, Dave, Marissa and John entered the room. Carlito let out a loud wolf-whistle, then all gathered around him began clapping and cheering.
From the corner of her eye, the redhead saw Brad and Jeff making out on the sofa – the only two in the room who hadn't noticed the arrival of the two new couples.
The crowd dispersed and everyone went back to drinking and having a good time.
After kissing John again, the redhead returned to her duties as hostess and began setting out more plates of food. The night was shaping up to be a long and lively one, and the video tech didn't want anyone going without anything. Suddenly, Marissa heard a familiar high pitched laugh, which made her blood run cold.
Turning on her heel, the redhead saw Maryse standing near the buffet table, surrounded by a group of adoring males – thankfully John wasn't one of them. However, it seemed that Austin was.
Anger rose up in the video tech's body until it was almost clouding her vision. After all that bitch had done, she had the cheek to turn up here in Marissa's own home on her big night. A lot had changed in the past few weeks since the love rivals had last seen each other, most of all the video tech's decision to no longer take any crap. Slamming down the plate of cocktail sausages that she'd been bringing into the living room and spurred on by the alcohol she'd already consumed, Marissa marched straight over to Maryse.
She tapped Austin on the shoulder, who moved to the blonde's side. "Pardon," she said and then stepped closer to the other woman. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?" she demanded, disgusted by the bimbo's appearance in a pink Playboy bunny outfit.
"Well, a lot of people were coming and I thought, you know, it'd be okay," the other woman replied with an innocent giggle as she threw back her blonde mane of hair and took another sip of wine.
"You thought it would be okay?" barked the redhead is disbelief, her eyes glowing with an angry fire. "After everything you did? After you stole John from me and threatened me, you thought it would be okay to waltz into my home and act as though you own the place?"
The room fell silent as everyone stopped to watch the two women fighting. No one, aside from Marissa, Kate, John, Dave and Maryse knew what had gone on between the diva and video tech. However, even those who didn't know the details were enthralled by the argument that was happening now.
"Come on Marissa, that's all in the past and forgotten now. You got what you wanted, why can't we be friends?" the blonde asked calmly, as though she were suggesting the redhead should pet a cute kitten. "Besides, I've found someone new." Maryse turned to Austin, her eyes searching the room for Kate, her next prey.
Austin was now regarding the blonde and the redhead with open curiosity. Apparently, he hadn't chosen the right woman to make Kate jealous.
"All in the past?" repeated Marissa, her eyes glowing dangerously as she stared down the other woman. "Unlike you, sweetheart, I find it a lot harder to forget some tart trying to steal the man I love, get me fired from my job and constantly throwing abuse at me. Be your friend? I'd sooner walk on hot coals thanks."
And with that, the video tech swung her arm around and slapped Maryse square in the face. The blonde staggered backwards, blood streaming from her nose, which the redhead had broken. As the blonde straightened herself up and got ready to retaliate, she realized she was surrounded by Kate, John and Dave. She looked to Austin for help but the man had been pushed back out of the way by Batista.
"I wouldn't try anything," the brunette warned, through narrowed eyes. "Unless you want a repeat performance of that night I kicked your ass in the night club."
"You bitch," snarled the diva, blood dripping onto her lips and into her mouth. "You're not going to get away with this, Marissa. The second I get into work on Monday morning, I'm reporting you for assault and your ass will be out of there faster than you can say unemployment benefit."
"You say anything, and I promise you, everyone in this room will back Marissa up and say you started it," threatened John, stepping forwards and placing his arm protectively around Marissa. "And that's not mentioning how I'll tell McMahon you've been stalking me for weeks. One word from the Champ, and he'll fire you in an instant."
The diva looked dumbly around the room, but everyone there just glared back at her.
"John, do you need a hand taking out the trash?" asked Dave. When the WWE Champion nodded, the two wrestlers grabbed Maryse by the upper arms and picked her up off her feet.
"Austin, help," she whined as they escorted her to the front door and dropped her on the front porch, literally throwing her out of Marissa's house.
The singer looked back and forth between Marissa and Kate. "I can't believe the two of you," he snorted and then his eyes zeroed in on his ex. "And to think I even gave you a second chance."
The brunette lurched forward but her best friend put an arm out to stop her. "If you think you can get back at Kate through Maryse, you are sadly mistaken. You're not welcome here anymore. Please leave before I have you escorted off my premises as well."
Austin glared at the two women but then his eyebrows shot up as he felt the presence of two hulking men flank him. He slipped sideways so that his shoulders were no longer touching the wrestlers and sidled out between them. Batista followed him to the door with a crooked grin and then shut it as Maryse stumbled up to Austin, who promptly stepped away from her and headed in the opposite direction.
With the spectacle over, Marissa realized what she had done and her cheeks turned the same shade as her hair. Kate noticed that the redhead's hands were shaking as she became very aware that everyone had been staring at them. The soundgirl clapped her hands together and turned to Dave. "Let's dance," she said in a tone that told everyone to go back to what they were doing.
Cena caught on to Kate's distraction and reached for Marissa's hands, dragging her to the middle of the crowded floor. The woman bumped against the brunette, who grinned wide and pressed closer to Dave.
"Just forget about it," John stated, pulling the redhead into his embrace. She smiled back at him and let her body sway to music.