Chapter 17:

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not know any of the workers of the WWE personally nor am I affiliated with them in any way. This story is a work of fiction and I make no profit whatsoever from it.

"Look. This isn't going to work." Dean groaned in frustration. He rolled off of the bed and folded his hands across the back of his head. He turned to look over at the bed. Lying there was Nikki, completely naked just like he was. Barely two years ago, he would have been able to get it up and give her what she wanted but not now. Now that he'd sampled a lifestyle just full of men, he didn't know that he could ever get it up for her.

He saw the frown that appeared on her pretty face. He felt the churning in the pit of his stomach. This wasn't him. Being in a relationship again with Nikki was only going to cause them both more hurt and more anguish over the long run. Especially if children were brought into the mix which was exactly what Nikki wanted from him and he'd agreed to give her what she wanted. He couldn't ever deny her any sort of happiness. She had always had a magnetic hold over him from their very first date.

He dropped his hands down from the back of his head and carelessly ran one through his hair. His blue eyes raked over her body, hoping for some sort of arousal to suddenly take him over but he couldn't. Her body looked perfect, her face void of make up, showing her naturally pretty face but he tried to drop his gaze away from her knowing eyes. He stared at her large, perky, rounded breasts, his cock growing softer with every passing second. He dragged his gaze lower, across her toned, fit stomach, stopping at the spot he was supposed to be balls deep inside of. Nothing. No reaction whatsoever.

He cursed loudly and threw himself onto the edge of the bed. He dropped his head into his hands. They'd been trying to get him aroused for almost half an hour now but he couldn't even get hard. She couldn't be more perfect, she couldn't have a hotter mouth or a tighter entrance, it all didn't matter. She wasn't a male. And she wasn't Seth.

Nikki crawled over the bed and gently ran her fingers across her husband's strong shoulders. Her nails scratched lightly at the strong muscles. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his shoulder blade. "Is there something else that I can do?"

Dean shook his head. "No. I just can't get it up." He groaned. "Maybe we need to go to a doctor or something?"

"That's not going to fix our little problem, though, is it?" She quipped. "You're not getting turned on cause I'm not some pretty boy with long, brown hair."

Dean lifted his gaze and locked their eyes together. She was looking right into his mind, right into his soul. "Nikki. Don't."

"What?" She batted her eyelashes and tried to play innocent. "What if we were to invite some pretty boy over to get you started and then when you're right about to blow, you can do it inside me?"

Dean shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"You promised me a baby Dean." Nikki said sharply. "I'm trying to make that happen even though you're off thinking about that pretty boy next door."

"Are you talking about Seth?" Dean asked. "Cause there's nothing between us."

"Bull-fucking-shit there isn't." Nikki snapped. "If you think I'm dumb, you married the wrong fucking girl. You are sleeping with him so there is no denying it."

Dean gave her a look. "And if I am?"

"Well it's hardly fair that you'll fuck him but you can't even get it up for me." Nikki shot back. She stepped off of the bed and stood before him. She ignored the way that her heart sagged slightly when he didn't even look at her, his eyes dropping right to the ground. "Remember what you promised me Dean."

Dean ran a hand through his hair. "And what if I'm having second thoughts?"

"I'll just go and tell Stephanie all about your boyfriend, then shall I?" Nikki asked. She walked across the room and grabbed her white, silk dressing gown. She slid it on and did it up. "They'd bully you out of your position and you'd be left with nothing. We both know that you don't want that."

Dean groaned. "You only want one, right?"

"I dunno. I might want more." Nikki shrugged. She walked over to the small bar fridge and pulled out a bottle of ice cold water. She twisted off the lid and took a long sip, her brown eyes glancing over to meet the confused look on Dean's face. "What?"

"I don't think I can do this." Dean answered honestly. He stood up and walked over to where his discarded boxer briefs were left. He quickly pulled them on before he reached for his packet of cigarettes on the bedside table. "I need more time. This is just too much."

Nikki followed him towards the door where he stepped out onto the balcony. She watched him sit on one of the chairs, her nose wrinkling in disgust as he lit up one of the cancer sticks. "How much time do you need?"

"Enough to get used to the idea of having sex with you again." Dean answered. He took a long drag off the thin, white stick before he tapped off the ash into the ash tray. He could feel her gaze on him. "As soon as you conceive, we won't be having sex ever again."

Nikki felt her heart sag in her chest once more. "Do you really find me that unattractive?"

Dean finally looked over at her. "Nicole. You're beautiful." He watched her blush slightly. "Any straight guy would be lucky to have you. That's what you deserve. A nice, good, heterosexual guy who will treat you right and love you the way you should be loved. Maybe I'm not the right guy for that."

"Maybe I only want you to be that guy." Nikki felt the words catching in his throat. She couldn't lose Dean. Dean meant a lot to her emotionally even if he would never love her in the way that she deserved. He had been her first everything. Her first kiss, her first boyfriend, her first sexual encounter and she didn't want to lose that part of her history. She had tried moving on after their initial separation but it was never the same. No man that she dated could provide the same security, the same love that Dean offered her. That was when she made her decision to pursue him, exploit his weakness for his professional image.

Dean sighed, taking another long drag off his cigarette. He couldn't look at Nikki much longer, her sad eyes making his heart hurt incredibly. He was definitely having second thoughts about going through with his promise to her. To give the baby that she'd always asked for but he'd always refused. But now, now, he didn't know if he could actually give her what she wanted. He couldn't even get aroused around her and yet with Seth it was instantaneous. He knew the reason why. He was gay. It would take a lot for him to be able to get ready for Nikki. A lot more time that she probably wouldn't want to wait for. "Just give me more time Nicole."

"Okay." Nikki's voice was so soft it was barely heard. "I'm going to get ready for the ball tonight." She whispered, turning away from him so that he couldn't see the first lot of tears roll down her cheek. This was all Seth's fault.

Roman couldn't get the large grin off of his face as he walked into the large ballroom. Seth was walking beside him, their hands barely a moment ago latched together in a strong sign of unity that they had been lacking before they had come to Connecticut. After he'd returned from his quick visit with Jericho, he'd been pounced on by Seth in their bedroom. They'd had another quick session before they both finally had to stop and get ready for the grand event tonight.

Roman's grey orbs scoured the large, grand room in front of them. The event was at the largest hotel in the city in the most extravagant room. Everyone that meant anything to McMahon's was in this room. He knew he should have felt more nervous, his skin should have prickling with anticipation but he wasn't. He definitely should have felt more self conscious that there were people watching his every move but he was in too good a mood to be dampened by such a thing.

Before they'd gotten to Connecticut, he was sure that his and Seth's relationship was reaching its end. But there was something about being away from Pensacola that was strengthening it in some way. He glanced behind him and smiled at Seth who returned the gesture. Seth was dressed in a tight, slim fit black suit that fit him exquisitely. Although he'd hope so since the damn suit cost him well over three thousand dollars to get for his boyfriend. Seth's hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and he was also dressed in a pristine white shirt with slim fit black tie. His own suit was almost identical expect for the slim fit. His was still fitted but a lot looser.

They strolled into the large room together, their hands not touching but close enough to show that they were indeed a couple. He could feel the gaze of some of the higher ups on him and he tried to ignore it. It was obvious that he and Seth were together and he wasn't ever going to hide behind the facade that he was heterosexual just to get further in his career. He wasn't Dean.

His eyes searched the floor for his boss, trying to pinpoint him. Across the room he could see Dean standing there talking to Stephanie McMahon and her husband along with Nikki. He nudged Seth and they closed the gap between where they were and where he could clearly see Dean standing. Dean was dressed in a navy blue suit that had a matching tie with an off white button up shirt. He could only see the back of Nikki but he could see that she was wearing a tight, figure hugging, full length black dress.

They reached where Dean was standing and just as they stopped was when Dean turned to look over at them. Roman saw a flash of panic go across Dean's eyes that he had never seen before, that swirling in the pit of his stomach not helped when that look was directed towards Seth. He didn't even bother looking over his shoulder at his younger boyfriend. Now wasn't the time to have that conversation especially when Stephanie McMahon was standing in front of them.

Stephanie's face turned into a smile when she saw Roman standing there next to Dean. "Hi Roman. How are you?" She was dressed in a dark blue, full length dress that had a cowl neck plunge on the chest. Her brown hair was down, done in elegant curls and her make up looked flawless.

"Hi Stephanie. I'm great thank you, how are you?" Roman held out his hand and shook Stephanie's, her grip was tight and forceful, their eye contact maintained for a long moment before her gaze flicked beside him to where Seth was standing. Her eye contact flicked back to Roman and the Samoan man got the hint without her ever asking the question. Their hands broke their contact and Roman placed a hand on Seth's shoulder. "This is Seth, my boyfriend. Seth, this is Stephanie McMahon, she is the General Manager for all the McMahon stores."

Seth stared at the outstretched hand in front of him. Even through her smile, he felt anxious, nervous around her. She had that intimidating factor which he was sure helped catapult her to the point she was in her career. Along with her name. He reached forward and shook her hand. She had a strong, tight grip for a woman. "It's so nice to meet you."

"You too." Stephanie's words were sickly sweet.

Stephanie let her hand slide out of Seth's grip and stepped slightly to the side to where her husband was standing. He was a rather large man with broad, built shoulders and a short, almost shaven hair cut. Seth guessed that he was handsome. He had very masculine, defined features and a rather large nose. It was obvious that he was at least ten, maybe fifteen years, older than Seth, the slightest sign of wrinkles beginning to appear on his stern face. He was dressed in a dark blue, pinstripe suit with a navy blue tie. He looked like the epitome of professionalism.

"And this is my husband Hunter Helmsley." Stephanie grinned broadly as she watched Hunter reach out and shake Seth's hand. There was something satisfying about watching it that she couldn't quite understand. "He is the General Manager for the whole East Coast of our McMahon stores."

"Wow. That's a pretty big job." Seth responded with a smile. He felt significantly more comfortable around Hunter than Stephanie.

Hunter chuckled lightly. "I've been doing this for a few years kid. I'm getting pretty good at it."

Stephanie watched their hands drop away from each other, her sickly sweet smile returning again. "Well it was lovely to meet you Seth but Hunter and I must be off to greet a few other guests." She turned to look at Nikki, her smile warming just slightly. "Lovely again to see you Nikki." She pressed a friendly kiss to the side of Nikki's cheek. She then turned to Dean. "Make sure you are mingling with every person possible."

Seth watched Stephanie and Hunter walk away, a confused feeling washing over him. He hoped that his mere presence here hadn't hindered Roman's career in any way, shape or form. Once he was sure that the couple were out of earshot was when he spoke. "So Stephanie and Hunter seem nice."

"Oh, Stephanie is wonderful." Nikki chimed in. She stepped around the side of Dean and faced Seth so now they could see each other fully. Her brown eyes were cold as she looked over at him. Tonight she was wearing a full length black dress that clung to her every curve. The front was almost a halter neck, the fabric stretching across her ample chest before they curved off into an x across her back, leaving a large chunk of her back exposed. Her hair was done up in a tight bun, revealing her pretty face that was done to perfection. She was wearing minimal jewelery aside from her giant wedding ring on her left hand and a pair of huge, diamond earrings. She turned to look at Dean. "Dean, honey, if you and Roman need to mingle with the other managers, I'm sure I can keep Seth entertained."

Dean glanced around the large room. He was trying to avoid looking over at Seth. He felt beyond awkward and a little embarrassed after his attempted rendezvous with Nikki that he couldn't even think of anything but the younger man. "That sounds like a great idea. You up for that Roman?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sounds good." Roman nodded. He gently placed an arm around Seth's waist before he pressed a soft kiss to the side of his head. "I'll be back soon."

Seth merely nodded, his heart racing at the thought of being left alone with Nikki again. So far he'd done a pretty good job of avoiding her but he knew it was inevitable. He watched Roman and Dean walk away and barely two seconds after they had left, Nikki had hooked their arms together in a false showing of unity and friendship. He felt his stomach churning from just being near her, let alone, being touched by her. "You don't have to pretend that you don't hate me, you know."

"Of course I do." Nikki smiled sweetly. "Everyone who is everyone is here and watching us. We're the outsiders in this secretive community and whatever it is that we do, we're going to get judged for it." She paused, glancing around and settling on where Stephanie had moved to. She could see that Stephanie was speaking to someone else and she was sure it was her brother Shane McMahon. They looked deep in discussion and she was almost certain that it would be about Seth. "Stephanie and Hunter are probably talking about you as we speak."

Seth gave her a puzzled look as they walked across the large tiled room. "Why me?"

"Look around the room Seth." Nikki gestured with her other hand. "You and Roman are literally the only same-sex couple in this whole room. Did you ever stop to think that maybe there is a reason for that?"

Seth shrugged. "No. Why would I?"

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret; there's a reason that Roman isn't the State Manager and Dean is." Nikki started. She could feel the tense energy radiating off of Seth and she was thriving on it. "It's because of you." She gauged Seth's reaction, satisfaction encasing her as Seth rolled his eyes. "It's the truth Seth. If Roman had a brain like Dean, he would be married to a beautiful woman and he'd have probably climbed the ladder faster than Dean. But he didn't so its his loss."

"Don't you dare fucking talk about my boyfriend like that." Seth snapped quietly. "Roman doesn't need to do-"

"And Roman won't do it because he's stubborn." Nikki cut in. "I've known Roman a helluva lot longer than you Seth. I know what he's like."

"Roman is happy in his career and happy in his personal life. He doesn't need to be like Dean to succeed." Seth shot back.

"Wow. That's funny that you seem to think that Roman's happy in your relationship with him." Nikki pointed out. "But are you happy Seth? Cause if you were, you wouldn't be running around with Dean."

"Get out of my relationship." Seth snapped.

"As long as you get the fuck out of mine." Nikki shot back. She noted the almost appalled look on Seth's face. "Don't give me that look Seth like I'm supposed to give a fuck about your feelings." She paused for a moment. "Because as long as you are in my relationship, I will be involved with yours. You got it?"

"It sounds like you're threatened by me." Seth shot back.

"Hardly." Nikki rolled her eyes. "I just want you and that slutty ass of yours to get the fuck away from my man. I don't know how many times that I have to tell you that Dean is mine and he won't ever love you for you to understand."

Seth laughed. "You are jealous." He pointed out. "I know why. It's probably because I can give him everything that he wants. I'd be surprised if he would even want to have sex with you."

Nikki's eyes narrowed almost into slits. "You're messing with the wrong fucking woman. I can not only destroy you but I can destroy Roman too. I'm very good friends with Stephanie and a few words from me would mean bye-bye to Roman's career." Her lips twitched into a smirk as she saw the fear flutter across Seth's eyes. "Oh yes sweetheart, I'm deadly serious. So when you grow your brain back, have a think about just who it is that you're trying to mess with."

Seth's own brown orbs narrowed. "You're a fucking bitch."

Nikki laughed loudly as she reached across to grab a flute of champagne from the table they'd just arrived at. "And you're a fucking slut." Her lips were pursed in the sweetest of smiles as she took a sip of her drink. "Your choice now Seth. You choose your own destiny from here on out."

Roman nudged Dean from across the room. They'd just been chatting to a few other State Managers from across the country but something had caught his eye. His grey orbs focused on Seth and Nikki. Even though they looked like they were having a pleasant conversation, their grins identical, he couldn't help but feel like something was off with it. "Hey Dean?"

Dean finally looked over at Roman, his forehead scrunched up in question. "What?"

"Do you think Seth and Nikki even like each other?" Roman gestured over to where their respective other half's were.

Dean flicked a glance over with mild interest. He knew the answer to that question already. He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno man. I can never fully work out what's going on in Nikki's head at the best of times."

Roman didn't respond. His gut was telling him that something wasn't quite right but he barely had a chance to react when Dean dragged him over to another State Manager from wherever he was from. He wasn't even aware that he had the eyes of someone else watching his every move, wanting to watch his fall from grace.

TBC

A/N: I do apologize about the delay in posting. I went on holidays and then had no time to write. Still not sure if this was exactly how I wanted it to turn out but I hope you guys like it. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Love to hear your thoughts. GatesVengeance x