DISCLAIMER: As much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I do not own anyone or anything connected to Vince McMahon and his awesomeness. I can only claim property rights of OC.
Claire woke up by slow degrees. Her head hurt, in a dull-achy rhythm. The sunlight coming in from the sliding-glass door fell over the bed. She snuggled deeper under the blankets, enjoying the quiet of the room. Very rarely did she have a chance to sleep late and relax. Too bad she had to be dumped on her head to get this little luxury. She stretched slowly before sitting up against the headboard. Her eyes moved slowly around the room, looking for any sign of Randy. He had been here when she'd fallen asleep. Where had he disappeared to? Claire pushed aside the covers and placed her feet on the floor. She waited a moment before slowly standing. She was relieved when the room didn't start spinning and she didn't feel an urge to run for the bathroom. Claire moved to the door and opened it. Glancing down the hall, she saw nothing but the laundry cart. She closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed.
As she sat there, the events of the day before came back to her. Everything happens for a reason, or so the old saying goes. Some good had come out of it. She had finally gotten a chance to talk to Randy. And he had opened up to her. Sorta. He had at least answered a few of her questions. She wasn't any better off than she was before. She still had a deadline to meet, only now it was roughly 24 hours away. She was still pretty much up shit creek without a paddle. She had no idea what she was going to tell Stephanie. Claire sighed and looked at the bedside clock. She'd think up an explanation later. She watched in surprise as the door opened and Randy stepped inside, "You're up."
Claire nodded as she sat down on the bed. Randy came to stand before her. Without a word, he handed her a plain, white paper bag. She took it and peeked inside. Randy had brought a selection of breakfast pastries. Claire arched a brow as she looked at him. Her gaze moved back to the bag as she picked up the oversized banana nut muffin. She handed the bag to Randy. He took it from her before sitting down at the little table. He pulled out a croissant and took a bite, "Feeling better?"
Claire nodded as she pulled the paper from around the muffin, "I've got a headache. Nothing I can't live with."
Randy nodded as he handed Claire a bottle of orange juice, "That's good."
Randy leaned forward in his chair, his eyes moving over her face. Self-consciously, Claire put a hand to her forehead. She winced as her fingers traced the knot she found there. She didn't even want to think about what it looked it. "It doesn't look that bad." Claire looked over at Randy, wondering if he had read her thoughts.
"You should try to take it easy today." Randy leaned back in his chair.
Claire nodded as she took a bite of her muffin, "I agree. I probably should stay here and try to work anyway."
Randy nodded once, "Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?"
Claire smiled. Being alone sounded like a good idea. She needed time to think, "I'm sure."
"You'll call me if you need something? Anything?" Randy prompted as he stood.
Claire nodded as she picked part the last of her muffin, "Yes."
"Promise me." Randy came to stand in front of her. Gently he pushed back a lock of her from her forehead.
Claire swallowed hard, "I promise."
Randy nodded as he moved to the door. He opened the door then turned to look at her, "I mean it, anything at all." Claire watched as the door closed behind Randy.
What gives? Why was he suddenly being so nice and concerned? It was almost frightening. Everything she had thought to be true was suddenly colored in shades of gray. At every turn Randy had proven himself to be a miserable bastard. He was bossy and demanding. And yet, when things had gotten bad, Randy showed a completely different side of himself. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Claire was beginning to wonder if Randy had split personalities. Day to day she had no idea which Randy would be the one to grace them with his presence. Too bad she couldn't put her hands on a master schedule. At least that way she might know what to expect.
Claire spent the afternoon sitting in front of her laptop. The outline was sketchy at best but at least it was started. The first paragraph of Chapter One was beginning to take shape. Too bad she had already run into writer's block. She just didn't have the kind of details she really needed. The same problem kept surfacing; she had to write something really personal about someone who did his damnedest to keep people at arm's length. What she needed was a way to get the inside story. How, she wasn't sure. Randy wasn't very likely to open up to her. Not without a lot of prodding. What she really needed to figure out was how to tempt Randy into confiding in her. Easier said than done. By the time night had fallen, Claire was beginning to get cabin fever. She was bored and restless. She hadn't typed a word in nearly 3 hours. Frustrated, Claire picked up her room key and started down the hall. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on room 617. Randy opened the door, his eyes widening in surprise. He draped the towel over his shoulder and took a step back, "Everything okay?"
Claire nodded as she stepped into the room, "Why did you do it?"
Confused, Randy looked at Claire as he closed the door, "Do what?"
"Everything."
Randy shook his head, not quite sure where Claire was going with this, "Care to be more specific?"
Claire sighed, running a hand thru her hair, "What's going on, Randy. I don't get it."
"Get what?"
"You." Frustrated, Claire looked up at him. "I don't get you."
Randy shrugged, not quite sure what Claire was getting at, "What do you want?"
Claire sighed heavily, not sure what the hell to do next. "I want you to talk to me."
"We talk all the time."
Claire bit down a sudden flare of anger. Why couldn't he just cooperate just once? That would be too easy. "No, Randy. I mean really talk."
"About what?"
"Tell me something personal." Claire looked up into Randy's eyes.
"I liked kissing you."
All the breath rushed out Claire. She didn't expect that to be his 'something personal' . She blinked slowly, the words tumbling thru her brain. "You did?"
Randy took a step toward Claire. She could feel the warmth of his skin. She took a deep breath, taking in the clean scent of him. He must have just gotten out of the shower. Randy reached for Claire, lacing his fingers thru hers. "I want to do it again." Now that really IS personal.
Claire didn't know what to say. She hadn't intended for their talk to go in this direction. All she had wanted was answers. Looked like she was getting more than she bargained for. Randy's eyes moved over Claire's face. She didn't look as tired as she had before. Reaching up, Randy pulled the clip from her hair, letting the dark waves tumble around her shoulders. With a finger, he pushed a lock of hair away from her face. Randy preferred her like this, no make-up, her hair in dark waves around her face. She wore the natural look well. Claire felt her heart begin to pound. If she had an ounce of common sense she would get the hell away from Randy as quickly as she could. She should run for her life. Why then, was she standing less than a foot away from him, waiting to see what he would do? Claire couldn't force herself to move. She wanted this too much; she just wanted to finally see the real Randy. Claire watched as Randy stepped closer to her. He once again trailed his fingers across her cheek, down the line of her neck. She watched in fascination as he licked his bottom lip, almost nervously. The instant Randy's lips touched hers, Claire knew she was in trouble. His lips moved gently across hers with a steady pressure. Randy wasn't a man in a hurry. He kissed her as if he had all the time in the world.
Randy couldn't believe it. Claire had been given a chance to leave and she hadn't taken it. She wasn't really kissing him back but she wasn't making him stop either. Randy used their linked fingers to pull her closer without breaking the kiss. He could feel the heat of her body. She pulled him like a moth to a flame. He wanted to be close to her, as close as he could get. Claire's hands found his bare chest. The contact of her hands on his skin made him shiver. He instantly wanted more. He wanted as much as she was willing to give. He wanted everything. Randy knew there was so much they could share. But only if Claire came to him willingly. Randy forced himself to pull away. He drew back enough to look down into her eyes. He could read the uncertainty in their dark blue depths. She wasn't sure why she was letting him kiss her. She wasn't sure if she really wanted him to. When he took them to the next level, he wanted there to be no doubt.
"Go back to your room."
So we're back to that, huh? Claire thought? Instantly, Claire felt a flash of anger. Didn't that just figure. Give the man what he wants then he sent you on your merry little way. Claire took a deep breath as she moved to the door. If he wanted her to leave, then she was more than glad to make him happy. Claire glanced over her shoulder only to see Randy standing there, that odd, vacant look in his eyes. She let the door swing close behind her and was silently glad when she heard it slam close.
***A/N – Please read and review. ***
