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.

Late the next afternoon, Randy knocked on Claire's door. He had tried to give Claire some space. Claire wouldn't appreciate it if he started to hover, even though that was exactly what he wanted to do. Each hour had become longer than the last. He just couldn't wait another minute to see her. He had stopped at a little Mexican restaurant on the way back to the hotel and ordered take out. Ever since Claire had told him about Stephanie's phone call, he had been feeling just a little bit guilty. Randy hoped that a quiet dinner would give Claire enough material to turn in to Stephanie. He owed her at least that much. Shifting his weight from foot to foot, Randy was starting to get impatient when Claire finally opened the door. She had just gotten out of the shower, her hair hung in damp waves down her back. Randy couldn't stop his gaze from moving appreciatively over Claire's curves. The hot pink tank top showed off her creamy skin; he suddenly became a big fan of super-short cotton shorts. She looked good enough to eat. Claire stood in the doorway, slightly surprised to see Randy standing in the hallway. He had called earlier to tell her he was going to the gym. She didn't expect him back so early. Stepping back into the room, Claire motioned for Randy to enter. Claire slipped her reading glasses onto the small desk beside her laptop before turning to look at Randy.

'I hope you're hungry. I brought dinner." Randy set the bag on the table next to Claire.

Claire arched a brow as she looked between the bag and Randy. "What's the occasion?"

Randy shrugged and sat in the chair next to the desk, "I figured you wouldn't take the time to eat." He motioned to her stack of papers with a tilt of the head.

Biting back a smile, Claire nodded, "I've done that a few times."

Randy pushed the bag toward her, "And I figure I owe you."

Claire paused in the process of pulling containers out of the bag, "How do you figure you owe me?"

"'Cause I was an asshole to you and you missed your deadline." Randy's honesty struck Claire as a little odd.

"You really didn't have to." Claire motioned to the meal as she sat Indian-style on the bed and placed the take-out in her lap.

"I wanted to. The least I can do is let you torture me for a couple of hours."

Claire laughed softly, thinking turn about was only fair play. After all the crap Randy had given her, the least he could do was let himself be interrogated for a little while, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Do you want to miss deadline again?"

"Point taken. Where do you want to start?"

Randy shrugged slightly and reached for his bottle of water, "You pick."

Claire paused, wondering why Randy was suddenly being so accommodating. His sudden cooperation once again made her what what he was really after. Not for a second did she believe that Randy did anything out of the goodness of his heart. She was still partially holding on to the idea that he didn't even have a heart, "Which one of your matches stands out the most?"

Randy took a deep breath and set his water bottle on the table, "Honestly, I think the match with H at One Night Stand back in June 2008. It was one the most physically demanding. That was the Last Man Standing match. We beat the shit out of each other. That was also the night I broke my collarbone. I was going for a DDT but ended up outside the ring. I landed on my shoulder and felt something pop. I've never felt anything like that."

"Not even when you broke it the second time?"

Randy laughed softly as he tossed his napkin on the table, "I see you've done your research."

Claire blushed slightly, "Didn't have much of a choice."

"Ouch. You know how to hurt a man, Claire."

Claire threw her napkin at Randy, watching as it bounced off his chest, "And you know how to be a stubborn jerk."

Randy stared at Claire, not really believing she had actually said that to his face. Nobody had ever been that brave. Once again, Claire was proving herself to be his kind of girl. "I deserve that."

"I didn't mean it like that."

Randy laughed softly, once again his eyes moving over her, "Yes, you did. And it's okay to be honest with me. In fact, I prefer it that way."

Claire arched a brow, not quite sure if she believed Randy, "Since you're a big fan of honesty, tell me what it's like to be in a story line with one of the Divas."

Randy's deep laughter brushed over Claire like a breeze. She realized it was the first time she had ever really heard him laugh like he meant it. "It's tough. Some of the Divas are stronger than I am. Beth is definitely a force to be dealt with. She's super strong and smart."

Claire considered Randy's words carefully. She had the feeling he was trying not to say anything that could be taken the wrong way. Her curiosity was piqued. Since when did Randy ever think first, speak second? "What was it like having the storyline with Maria?"

Claire had a reason to ask, since she had been on the writing team that had come up with that particular storyline. Everybody loved an on-screen romance, especially one involving the angelic beauty and the bad boy. Randy leaned back in his chair, his hands laced behind his head as he balanced the chair back on two legs. "She was really great about the whole thing. She's very talented."

There was something in Randy's tone of voice that made Claire wonder if there was something he wasn't saying, "It didn't hurt anything that she's beautiful, either."

Claire winced slightly. Hearing Randy describe Maria as beautiful stung a little. She was unsure why, but those words made her feel insecure. And what woman wouldn't feel just a tiny bit self-conscious when compared to a woman that had graced the pages of Playboy? That was a tough act to follow. It didn't make Claire feel comfortable to think about how much Randy might have enjoyed looking at that particular issue of Playboy. And it wasn't fair that Claire should have such uncharitable thoughts. The few times she had crossed paths with Maria had been very pleasant. Maria was a sweetheart and easy to work with. Randy didn't miss the effect his words had on Claire. The minute he had said Maria was beautiful, Claire had closed herself off. He sensed Claire withdrawing into herself. Her gaze moved to the floor in front of the bed and instantly, Randy felt like an ass. Way to go, Orton the little voice in Randy's head whispered, that is just what she wants to hear. Can you blame her for not wanting to get to know you? Randy took a deep breath and tried to silence the little nagging voice.

"But she's not my type." Randy's words were so softly spoken that she thought she had imagined them. Claire forced her gaze to remain on the floor. She didn't trust herself to look at him. Randy's eyes were locked on Claire, watching for even the slightest movement.

"Maria's the kind of beautiful that's easy to find. She's been in Playboy a few times. Big fucking deal. Beauty isn't something that lasts forever. Beautiful people get old, they have accidents. Looks aren't a guarantee. I'd rather have a woman who knows her own mind, who isn't afraid to stand up to me. Nothing turns me on more than a woman that can think for herself." Randy's gaze stayed locked on Claire as his words sank in. She knew that he was not so subtly telling her she turned him on. Randy watched as a slow blush began creeping over her skin. Her eyes were round and she was biting her bottom lip almost nervously. His point was apparently well taken.

"Why are we even having this conversation?" Claire forced the words out in a rush. And why the hell did it even matter what Randy thought? He could have any woman he wanted and probably did have any woman he wanted. Hating herself for even asking the question in the first place, Claire forced herself not to look at Randy. Claire jumped slightly as suddenly Randy's face appeared in her line of vision. She never even heard him get up from his chair or move across the room. The man really was like the snake he named himself after. Claire looked down at Randy as he squatted in front of her, bringing them to eye level.

"Because I want you. . . " Randy took a deep breath, taking the scent of Claire's skin deep into his lungs, "I want you to know that you don't have to worry. Regardless of all the locker room bullshit I know you've heard, I'm a one woman man. I don't screw around and I'm always careful."

Claire sucked in a deep breath. She sure as hell never expected their conversation to take on such a deeply personal tone. All she had wanted was enough info to finally make a dent in her assignment. Randy was giving her way more than she bargained for. The worst part of it was, Claire really wanted to take Randy at face value. She wanted to believe that Randy wasn't manipulating her. Thank God her instincts were keeping her from making a completely idiotic mistake. Unsure of what to do, Claire rubbed both hands over her eyes. Her breath caught as she felt Randy's hands gently cover hers. He pulled her hands away from her face so he could look into her eyes. He placed their joined hands gently in her lap.

"Why are you doing this?" Claire had to know.

"Why are you scared?" Randy arched a brow, his eyes looking deeply into hers. "I thought we agreed that you would own what you feel."

"We agreed? You told me to own what I feel. There's a difference." Claire felt her blush deepen at the thought of Randy kissing her that first time.

"Then what are you feeling?" Randy hoped she would take the bait and open up to him.

Claire shook her head, not trusting herself to answer. She didn't want to give Randy anything he could use against her.

"What if I tell you what I'm thinking?" Randy asked gently as his fingers slowly unlaced from hers. He placed his hands on her sides and gently pulled her closer, "I'm thinking about how much I want to kiss you again."

Claire knew she should tell him no. All of her warning bells were going off full-force. Every muscle in her body tensed as Randy's fingers pressed into her side. He pulled her toward him with hardly any effort at all. She was close enough to him now that she could feel the heat from his body, his breath gently fanned against her cheek. If she had an ounce of sense, she would stop him. Too bad she wasn't sensible. Claire watched in fascination as Randy moved closer to her. She could see the faintest trace of stubble from his five-o'clock-shadow. She leaned forward slightly, bringing their lips even closer. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be the one to be kissed. A wicked voice told her that she should be the one to kiss him. Thankfully, Randy took the decision out of her hands as he changed positions to kneel on the floor. He closed the distance between them, his lips pressing warmly to hers. Randy sighed against her lips as he carefully increased the pressure. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Randy pulled her flush against his chest. It was either all or nothing. That was the only way Randy knew how to be. Claire gasped in surprise at the feel of Randy's hard-muscled chest coming into sudden contact with her. Without asking for permission, Randy's tongue traced the curve of her bottom lip before fully claiming them. He kissed as if he couldn't get enough of the taste of her. He explored every centimeter of her honeyed depths with his tongue. A shiver of surprise mixed with pleasure swept down Claire's spine. Randy's kiss wasn't rough but it was demanding. He wanted everything she had to give and then some. Randy groaned low in the back of this throat as he tasted Claire. Once again, he was amazed at her sweet flavor. He couldn't think of anything that made his taste buds quiver in excitement as much as Claire's kiss. Her lips were indescribably soft. Randy continued stroking the wet heat of her mouth with his tongue. No matter how much of her he tasted, it just wasn't enough. He wanted more. He wanted everything she could give him.

Without stopping to think, Randy rose quickly, causing Claire to clutch tightly at his shoulders. Randy smiled against Claire's lips. He loved the feel of her nails digging into his skin. The sharp sting just added to his pleasure. A little rough love never hurt anybody. Claire gasped as the softness of the bed pressed into her back. Her eyes snapped open to see Randy poised above her. For a split second Claire felt a flash of panic. The panic didn't have time to fully form as Randy leaned over her. His lips traced along her cheek and down the curve of her neck. Claire shivered as Randy gently sank his teeth into the sensitive space between her shoulder and neck. He slowly drew her skin into his mouth and gently suckled. Stars danced behind her eyes. She couldn't think at all. Sensation overwhelmed her, stole her breath, made her feel like she wasn't in control. Randy knew the moment Claire stopped thinking. Instinctively, she began to respond to him, which was exactly what he wanted. As long as she was working on instinct, she wasn't doing much thinking. If he gave her enough time to think, she would throw him out on his ass. And that really wasn't what either of them wanted. Randy's fingers slowly trailed along the curve of her hip until his fingers tangled in the hem of her tank top. Inching his fingers beneath the material was enough to make him shiver. Slowly, he moved his fingers along the indention at Claire's waist. Her skin felt like heaven under his fingertips. He kept his touch light, causing goose-bumps to skitter over her skin.

Claire couldn't breathe as Randy's hand slid over her bare skin. His touch was so good, almost too good, as it moved over the sensitive skin of her stomach. His touch moved higher, skating just under the curve of her breast. Reality slammed into Claire with the force of a truck. What the hell was she doing? How the hell could she let herself be seduced by a stranger? Panic set in as she grabbed Randy's hand. This had to stop! She couldn't allow herself to go one inch further. Randy's eyes snapped open the instant he realized Claire was trying to get him to stop. His gaze locked with hers, hating the uncertainty he saw in those blue depths. Damn it! This was exactly what he was hoping wouldn't happen. She had stopped feeling and started thinking. Nothing would kill a hard-on faster. Randy slowly withdrew his hand from Claire's skin and pulled slightly away from her. Claire forced herself into a sitting position as she pulled her top back into place. Nervously, she ran a hand through her hair, pushing the strands behind her ears. Randy reached up and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Claire couldn't force herself to meet Randy's gaze. She couldn't remember a time when she had been more mortified; not even the time she had walked in on Stephanie and Paul's make-out session had made her cheeks burn with this much embarrassment.

What the hell was she supposed to do now? Claire didn't have a clue. Randy took a calming breath and forced his heart to slow. He couldn't help but curse his bad luck. Just when he thought things were finally going his way, he got caught off-guard.

"I think I better go." The words burned like acid as he said them. Claire looked at Randy, indecision in her eyes. She wanted to tell him to stay but she wasn't sure she wanted what was going to happen if she told him so. It was better to let him leave, even though it wasn't really what she wanted. Claire nodded once, not trusting herself to speak.

"I'll leave if that's what you want. Just tell me and I'll go. " At her nod, Randy slowly pulled himself from the warmth of Claire's bed. Instantly, a chill swept over him. He crossed the room to the door. Reaching for the doorknob, he turned for one last look. Her hair was gently tousled, her lips pink and swollen from his kisses. If he had to leave, at least he could take the vision of her with him. Randy opened the door and paused to glance again. In his gut, he knew next time he was given an opportunity, the ending was going to be vastly different.

***A/N – Please read and review. ***