Disclaimer: I do not own any WWE superstars

When You're Around

Chapter 40

Sunday night Rachel was walking down the hall of the arena. She had just left catering and was headed back to the creative office so she could get back to work. Her head was down as she focused on a text message she was sending off to Jess, trying to convince her to come on the road next week.

Before she knew it, she felt a hand wrap around her arm and pull her into a dark room. She let out a gasp when she felt her back hit the wall and a pair of lips cover her own. She let out a moan as she instantly recognized those lips. Her eyes popped open as it sunk in who exactly was kissing her and she shoved him away. "What the hell are you doing you ass?" She asked angrily as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Adam grinned as he slid his hands to her waist. "I've been wanting to do that since I left your place yesterday," He explained as he leaned forward and attached his lips to her neck.

She pushed him away again. "Knock it off, I'm not interested."

He raised an eyebrow at her and put his hands on his hips. "No? Let me guess you're more interested in Stephen?"

"As a matter of fact, yes I am." She said, standing her ground. He had obviously been getting ready for his match later tonight as he was just wearing his ring gear. She tried not to let her eyes roam his naked torso but it was easier said than done.

"Yeah, I think I heard something about you two having a date tonight." He said, obviously annoyed.

She frowned. "How'd you know?"

He smiled. "People talk sweetheart." He said as he reached out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

She smacked his hand away. "Stop it and not that it is any of your business but yes I am going out with Stephen tonight."

"Why?" He asked curiously.

"Because he's a nice guy and he asked me out."

"You're really interested in him?" He asked in disbelief.

She nodded. "I like him,"

"Well Shit," Adam said as he ran a hand through his hair in embarrassment. "I thought you were just playing hard to get."

She could tell he was embarrassed and if he wasn't such a jerk, she would have felt bad. "I, um, gotta get back to work."

Adam nodded and waited until he heard the door close before chuckling. No way was he giving up that easy. He saw her checking him out. She didn't want to admit that she was interested in him but she was. It was only a matter of time before she quit denying herself.

"Hey, you're all dressed up." Chloe said to Rachel as she opened the door to the hotel room she was now sharing with Randy. "What's the occasion?"

Rach smiled at her friend and Randy as she walked further into the room. "You like it?" She asked of her outfit. She was wearing a simple navy blue silk romper with a cute pair of silver stilettos. "It's not too much?"

"No you look cute," Chloe said with a smile as she sat down next to Randy on the couch. "Where are you going?"

"I have a date with Stephen," Rachel explained as she pulled out her lip-gloss from her purse before applying it to her lips.

Chloe looked at Randy in surprise. "You're going out with Stephen?" Rach nodded. "But…you barely even know him."

"Well what I know of him I like. Plus isn't the point of dating, to get to know someone?"

Randy smiled at his girlfriend's friend. "I think it's great that you're getting to know everyone and Stephen's a good guy."

"Randy," Chloe said turning to him. "Should she really be going on a date by herself with a man she barely even knows?"

"Babe," Randy said as he ran his hand up and down her arm to calm her down. "He's a really good guy, there's nothing to worry about."

"But I think-" Chloe started but was cut off.

"Well gee mom and dad, I appreciate your concern but I'll be fine." Rach said sarcastically. "Seriously Chloe, it's not like I've never spoke to the man; We have spent a lot of time together."

"But, you barely know him," Chloe repeated herself, her concern for her friend evident.

Rach rolled her eyes. "I know him better than you do." She pointed out. "And Randy knows him better than both of us and if he says he's ok, then I believe him."

Chloe let out a sigh, realizing she was caught. She couldn't very well debate Randy's judgment when she knew he wouldn't lie about this. "Fine, fine. Go on your date, have fun."

Rach smiled. "Not that I was asking for your permission but good to know you're ok with it." She looked over at the clock and grabbed her purse. "Alright, I'll see you two later."

After she left, she headed down to the hotel restaurant where she had agreed to meet Stephen. She spotted him almost instantly at the bar upon entering the room and she walked toward him. He turned around right as she was a few feet away and smiled. "Hey, you look beautiful," He said as he looked over her outfit. He held out a hand for her, which she took, and he stepped forward to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you, have you been here long?" She asked as she sat next to him at the bar.

"Not too long, I put our name in so it shouldn't be too long before we are seated. Want something to drink while we wait?" He asked, indicating that he had already ordered himself a beer.

"Sure, I'll have a glass of red wine, please." Stephen nodded and ordered her drink.

"So how was the rest of your day at work?" He asked after the bartender went to go pour her drink.

She smiled. "It was good, really busy but that's how I like it." He gave a small chuckle. "How was your match tonight?"

"It was really good. I wrestled Evan Bourne; damn he's small but he knows what he is doing."

She nodded. "You know I think-" She was saying before a booming voice interrupted her.

"I don't believe it! Stephen, Rachel? Is that you?" The voice asked loudly from afar. The pair turned to see who it was and Rachel glared when she saw it was Adam who was sitting across from a pretty blonde. Adam's grin widened. "It is you. Come here," He said amicably.

Stephen looked at her, as if asking if it was ok if they went over there and she nodded. They grabbed their drinks and walked over to his table. "Hey Adam," Stephen said and reached forward to shake his hand.

"I think I remembered hearing something about the two of you going on a date tonight," He said as he looked at Rach. "Why don't you guys join us?"

Rachel looked at Stephen. She really didn't want to double date with Adam and some random fan girl but as she looked into Stephen's eyes she knew he was going to say yes. He looked a little hesitant, like he didn't want to, but he was kinda a rookie in the company and turning down one of the veterans might not be the best idea. She understood but she wasn't too happy about it. "Alright, sure." She said and noticed the thankful smile her date sent her. He sat down next to Adam's date and that left her to sit next to Adam.

"Great," Adam said excitedly. "This is my date Melanie,"

"Melissa," The girl corrected, visibly annoyed that she had to share her date with two other people.

Adam grinned, unaffected. "Right but my pet name for her is Melanie."

Rachel raised her eyebrow. "Really? Why's that?"

Under the table, Adam's hand slid onto Rach's bare thigh. "Melanie, you're sitting next to the champ, Stephen." He said, ignoring Rachel's question completely. Rachel put her hand on Adam's wrist to pull his hand up but it only made him tighten his grip.

Melanie, or Melissa, turned to Stephen. "Really? You're the champ." She was suddenly very interested in Rachel's date.

He shrugged as if it was no big deal. "I'm pretty proud of it."

"And this is Rachel, she's a part of the creative team." Adam introduced.

Rachel smiled politely. "Nice to meet you," In response Melissa glared at her. "Okay," She mumbled, obviously this young girl was only interested in getting to know the stars. The waitress came and took their orders a few minutes later and the table dissolved into a silence.

"So how did you two crazy kids meet?" Adam asked Stephen as he moved his hand higher on Rachel's thigh.

Stephen smiled. "She spilled coffee on me."

Adam turned to the woman sitting next to him, amused. "You sure do make good first impressions." She rolled her eyes and then he turned to face her date. "You should hear how we met. Apparently the hotel overbooked last week and they assigned me her room. I walked in and she flipped out on me."

"I wasn't expecting a man to come into my hotel room and claim it was his room." She defended herself to Stephen. She didn't want him to think she was some crazy girl.

He smiled back. "I'll bet."

A/N: Thanks for all your feedback, you guys are too good to me!