Chapter 20

Turning around, Rajani hit the go button and mentally berated herself for being stupid and thinking she could actually be nice to this man. It was the love/hate thing. Then the word love -he'd said it to her- popped into her head, making her groan inwardly. Just like that, her ice bitch mode had kicked in. Was it any wonder John verbally attacked her? She was confusing him and probably on purpose! Reaching out, he hit the stop button this time and blocked her when she tried to press the go button again.

"Maybe I should have explained it better, Raja, but damn throw a guy a rope, would you?" John peered down into her eyes. "You're unique, you're different from other women. You don't want me, yes, that's part of the appeal, but that's not all there is to you or why I care about you." And god...why did she have to run so hot and cold? John could not read this woman and it was driving him insane! "And I know this is going to get me kneed in the nuts..." He said slowly, bending his head down towards her. "But I want to kiss you, Rajani...because I haven't stopped thinking about that day you kissed me…"

John wasn't going to admit what he said to her again, Rajani could already tell just by him using the word 'care'. She wanted him to kiss her too because she too hadn't stopped thinking about what she did to 'save' him from getting his ass kicked by Taker. He was demanding her to throw him a rope, what the hell did that mean? Why should she make it easy for him? He called her names, insulted and embarrassed her multiple times on multiple occasions ever since she started working as Stephanie's intern! Damn if he didn't look and smell delicious at this moment.

"If you knew who I was, who I truly was, you would run in the opposite direction, John. If we were to do this, if I was to agree to go out on a date with you, it would compromise everything you've got going. You would hate me, I'm trying to prevent that from happening and you're not making it easy. Walk away while you still can before one or both of us gets hurt." Her lips were almost touching his, Rajani having closed the distance between them, her eyes never leaving his.

"No." He whispered, knowing there was nothing on this earth that could stop him from kissing her right now.

John didn't care what issues she thought could compromise what he had going because that wasn't important. What was important was the fact that...he was now kissing her. John enveloped Rajani in his arms, drawing her against him and claimed her mouth with his; kissing her like he had been dying to since that night when she had kissed him. Yes, he had said a lot of really bad things about her, in front of people, but the woman drove him mad until he couldn't see anything except her and red, all at the same time. There was no denying that there was something between them. They both felt it; they just had to get past the 'hate' and focus more on the 'love' in this messed up relationship they had.

The softest of moans escaped her as Rajani instantly slid her hands up his bare perspired chest to wrap her arms around his muscular neck, feeling her feet leave the ground as her legs wrapped around his waist. Her back against the wall, Rajani buried her acrylic nails in his hair, gripping it as much as she could while returning the heated kiss with equal amount of passion. Dwayne would kill her; Taker wouldn't know what to think, unless he already knew, and everyone else would have question marks circling their heads. She didn't understand the chemistry they had, but it was there. It was real, passionate and raw, a force stronger than both of them to overcome and ignore.

When Rajani felt his hands slide down to cup her jean clad ass, that just made the kiss hotter, their tongue dueling together, tasting each other. He tasted amazing and the feeling of his body pressed against hers...Rajani never wanted it to end as she moved her hands to cup his face, being careful not to scratch him with her nails. If not for the fact that he knew he was wide awake, John would have questioned if this was a dream. It wouldn't be the first time he had dreamt of the woman, who was now in his arms and felt like she BELONGED there. Like she had been expressly made for him, to fit against him...and he would later kick himself in the ass for being a jerk and not getting her sooner because this felt right. It all clicked.

When they both needed to beg off for air, he kept his forehead against hers. Watching her long eyelashes as she opened her eyes, John smiled, kissing her a bit softer this time, slower, more leisurely. Letting them both breathe somewhat without denying either the pleasure of their lips. Her cheeks were flushed, lips completely swollen and Rajani never felt better being his arms. How had she denied this for so long all because of Dwayne? John didn't know who she was and Rajani decided against telling him for the moment, just wanting to enjoy this as long as they could.

Her breathing was slightly ragged, chest rising and falling rapidly and Rajani was sure she needed a change of panties immediately. She ran her fingers through his short hair while outlining his strong jaw line with her nail very lightly, trying to slow her racing heart. When John slowly removed the choker and began brushing his lips against the bruising, Rajani melted against him even more, tilting her head back as her eyes drifted shut while massaging his shoulders. John was brought with a crash back down to earth when he heard a voice, disoriented for a moment and very reluctantly pulled his lips away from her throat. He realized it was coming from the intercom near the buttons and that they had stopped and started this elevator several times.

"You folks alright in there? Do you need assistance?"

John could not keep himself from chuckling, still staring down at Rajani, who he hadn't let go, keeping her pinned between him and the wall. Her legs were still wrapped around his waist, looking a bit ravished and flushed. Rajani giggled softly, burying her face in his neck and knew they were busted, her shoulders shaking slightly.

"Yeah, hold on!" She called out, trying not to sound amused and looked up into John's blue eyes before brushing her lips softly against his. "Put me down before they end up sending a search party in after us." Rajani murmured, rolling her eyes when John said he wouldn't mind if they did, smacking his chest playfully. "Well I would, it would be very embarrassing."

Even though all Rajani really wanted to do was stay in here with John and just ravage him in every single way possible. It wasn't an option at the moment. Not to mention, Taker was probably going stir crazy wondering where she was. Sighing reluctantly, John let her slide down, mindful not to scrape her back against the wall.

"We're not done here." John informed her, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Reaching over to press the button, making the elevator resume again, John knew that they had probably forced some people to take the stairs, which really didn't bother him all that much. It was worth it and he rather resented being interrupted. He knew Rajani was feeling the same thing, stealing a few more kisses from her, completely addicted to her lips.

"We'll talk later, I promise." When he raised an eyebrow, Rajani simply kissed his lips quickly just as the doors opened, slipping something into his hand. She'd taken his cell out of his back pocket, where he normally kept it and put her number into his contacts. "Text me, we'll get together later on."

Rajani stepped off the elevator and headed down the hallway toward Taker's hotel room, touching her now slightly swollen lips. She managed to clip the choker back on before stepping off the elevator, the bruising fading slowly. Rajani arrived at Taker's hotel room and used the keycard he had gotten for her, stepping inside. John was walking with a bounce in his step as he went to his own room, having no idea whose room she had just gone in and assumed it was hers. Knowing he would definitely be calling or texting her later, John let himself in and headed straight for the shower, whistling softly to himself. This definitely wasn't over between them and, now that John knew there was a connection, he was going to do everything in his power to make sure Rajani was his once and for all.

"Did he attack you again?" Taker demanded the minute he seen her, fresh out of a shower and in just a pair of skintight black jeans. Stuffing things back into his bag, Taker knew they had to hit the road relatively soon. She looked flushed and...He arched an eyebrow.

"What?" Rajani was still in a daze, blinking and looked at Taker, not able to stop smiling even when he repeated the question, ignoring his irritancy. "No, sorry. Stephanie held me up longer than I expected. I'm okay, see?" She spun around in a circle to show him. "I know we have to get going soon and all of my stuff is packed, I'll be out in a second."

She shut the bathroom door before Taker could say anything and pressed her back against it, touching her lips and relished it in all over again. Pushing away, Rajani was glad he hadn't taken her bag out of the bathroom and quickly changed into a fresh pair of panties, freshening herself up. 10 minutes later, she emerged with her bag of toiletries in hand, deciding she wasn't changing until they arrived at the next destination. Taker had simply pulled on a pair of black steel toed boots and a black leather vest. A bandana wrapped around his head along with a sleeved black shirt lying over his shoulder, just in case it got cold or something. Rajani still looked rather...well, happy actually and Taker wondered what caused her sudden good mood.

"Must've been a good conversation." Taker grunted, opening the door for her. "What'd she have to say about the Glen situation?" The woman had a bounce in her step, what the HELL had Stephanie drugged her with? "Don't take this wrong, but you seem...different..." He really tried not to sound suspicious.

Rajani merely shrugged, deciding there was no reason to tell Taker about her and John's elevator kiss because she had no idea if anything would come of it. John seemed pretty certain that there would be, but Rajani still had reservations. Dwayne was coming on the road, but just for a few minutes, Rajani felt true happiness instead of fear like she had recently.

"She said that she'll let you handle the Kane situation and I told her about us sharing a hotel room together until everything is straightened out..." Her words trailed off when Kane came walking up to them.

Dark eyes widened slightly and Rajani hoped Taker wouldn't make a scene right here and now...would he? Under normal circumstances, Taker would have, but...with her in the middle of all this, he would bide his time and wait. Glen would receive the ass kicking of a lifetime and Taker was going to do it on HIS terms.

"Hey man." Taker greeted, hiding his revulsion when Kane-Glen, whoever the mental switch was currently flipped on, greeted him with a handshake.

"I thought you forgot about me, we...are still riding together, aren't we?" Kane's eyes strayed from his friend to Rajani, smiling broadly at her.

"To be honest, I forgot about you, beautiful woman around and all that." Taker tipped his head towards her. "You're on your own today, man, I made other plans..."

It wasn't the first time Taker had made 'plans' with a beautiful woman, though Kane did not appreciate it being this woman, swallowing down his anger. "I see..."

Rajani didn't mind Taker's arm draping around her shoulders and leaned against him, smiling brightly right back at Kane, though it didn't reach her eyes. She knew what 'plans' meant when Taker said it to Kane and just played along, looking up at him almost adoringly. She was still on a high from kissing John, but to the untrained eye, it looked as though her happiness was because of Taker.

"We really should be going." She said softly, looking back at Kane and could tell he wasn't happy with this sudden turn of events, keeping the smile on her face. "Stephanie doesn't want me late again."

"I'm sure she doesn't." Kane murmured, watching the pair intently.

Inwardly rolling his eyes at both his friend, for knowing him a bit too well, and at himself for establishing himself as a bit of a man whore, Taker still played everything calmly. "She might have to deal with it if you are, darlin'." Taker growled, bending down to press his face against her throat, knowing it looked like he was doing a bit more.

Now he was going to be sick to his stomach. "I'll catch you two at work. I need to go rent a car." Kane said with another grin, turning and heading down the stairwell.

As soon as Kane was out of eyesight and earshot, Rajani sighed in relief, nodding when Taker whispered if she was alright in her ear. "Yeah, let's get going."

She didn't mind Taker grabbing her hand, finding it comforting because she knew he would protect her, no matter what when it came to his best friend. They decided to take the elevator and checked out of their hotel rooms. That followed with Taker having a few choices words for the manager regarding the carnations. Rajani wasn't surprised when the manager pissed himself from being terrified of Taker before giving them free rooms the next time they were in town...and refunded their money for both rooms.

Satisfied, Taker and Rajani walked out, heading to another Chevy Silverado, only this time the rental was silver. Making a grown man piss in the very establishment he ran...Taker was probably both sick in the head AND immature for finding that amusing, but he did and so did Rajani. The jackass deserved it. If Taker had been able to run the hotel competently well, then he wouldn't have just gotten the scare of his life. The humor was short lived however, knowing he was going to have to deal with Kane eventually and it was a bit hard. After all, they had been best friends for years, but...there were just some lines people didn't cross.

Blue eyes watched the Silverado pull out of the parking lot, just like they had been watching the encounter up in the hallway.