Chapter 17

"So let me get this straight: you wanna go out to a bar? You feeling alright, Emery?"

"Yeah, why?" There was no way she would tell Cheryl her reasoning for doing this, still feeling that restlessness. She also hadn't told anyone about slapping the hell out of Batista either, still angry at him for what he did to her. "Come on, I'm sick of the hotels and need a change of scenery. Please?"

"Randy and Paul don't want to go or…?"

"I want to go out with a woman for a change. We're around so much testosterone working for this company. It could be a girl's night…unless one of us gets lucky." They had a good laugh at that. "Come on, I won't have you out too late."

Cheryl thought it over for a minute, eyeing Emery and decided she would do it…on one condition. "I'll go…but there's something you need to agree to."

Emery had a feeling she wouldn't like this. "Depends what it is…"

"You let me do your look for the evening. That means, no glasses or t-shirts or jeans…" Cheryl had an idea of how she wanted Emery to look, eyes gleaming. "Come on, let me do a makeover on you and we'll go out to paint the city red. Deal?"

Having a feeling she would regret doing this, Emery reluctantly nodded and hoped Cheryl didn't go overboard.

Cheryl didn't go overboard, not by her standards, but given Emery's habit of dressing like a dude… she'd probably disagree. She took her time, doing Emery's hair, makeup, everything had to be perfect. Emery was a beautiful woman, so gorgeous, but she was constantly hiding it under jeans and t-shirts along with her glasses. Maybe Emery just didn't realize her good fortune with that creamy, unblemished skin, beautiful cheekbones and vivid blue eyes. By the time she was done, the other woman wouldn't recognize herself.

"Okay, outfit time and then you can see the finished product." She held out the garment bag, smiling. "Please?"

"Are you sure about this?"

Emery stared at the outfit, looking back at her friend and groaned when Cheryl pushed her into the bedroom to change. Thankfully, she hadn't picked out a dress because Emery would've strangled her. Why did she agree to do this? Oh right, she wanted to get laid and have this restlessness sated for a while. Sighing, Emery pulled on the black leather skinny pants, grunting at the material sticking to her legs like glue. Then she looked at the top and shook her head, looking down at the black bra she had on. There was no way she'd be able to wear a bra with this top. Off it went. The top was dark red and somewhat ragged looking, sleeveless with black straps over the shoulders.

It clung to her curves, pushed her breasts out and accentuated the body beneath the t-shirts and jeans she usually wore. Pulling on the two-inch knee high black leather boots, Emery zipped them up from the side and finally took the jewelry that would be the 'cherry' on top of the look, as Cheryl put it. Clipping the gold and dark red necklace on, she added the round matching gold earrings and finally stepped out of the bedroom. Her hair was left down, curls throughout it for style and bounce. The makeup was dark red gloss, black liner with a gold accent and foundation to hide any blemishes. Emery had also taken her glasses off for the night and had clear contacts in, seeing Cheryl's eyes widen upon seeing her.

"Oh god, it's bad isn't it?"

"Girl, no – hell no, this is not bad. This is GOOD."

Cheryl had taken the time to touch up her own makeup and slip into her own outfit. Her hair was always done because she was a self-professed girly girl. That and she had her eye on some fine man candy that she was hoping would one day send a glance her way.

"Did you even look at yourself, Emery?" Shaking her head, she took Emery by the hand and led the other woman to the full-length mirror, pushing her in front of it. "Look at yourself, you are a smoking hottie! Men will be FALLING at your feet tonight, I promise you that!"

The reflection staring back at her Emery didn't recognize, her eyes widening. "This is…me?"

She took her time to look at herself from the tips of the leather knee-high boots all the way up to the top of her hair. Her hair currently settled over her shoulders and down her back, stopping just past the mid-mark. Emery hadn't dressed up like this in…ages. The last time she looked a fraction like this, it'd been prom and even then, she had braces.

Now…

"Thank you, Cheryl." She beamed, turning to hug the woman lightly and grabbed her hand, slipping her wallet in the matching gold purse that went with the outfit. "Come on, time to get our party on." They laughed, walking out the door to start the night. "By the way, men will be falling at YOUR feet. You look stunning."

"Of course I do." Cheryl playfully tossed her hair, the light catching off her highlights and smirked. "I always look good." She looped her arm through Emery's. "Let's go prowl, shall we?" Because, if they were honest, that's exactly what this was.

"Prowl…I like the sound of that."

Emery did the cat claws with her painted black fingernails, which Cheryl left alone. All she did was touch them up, but other than that the color wasn't changed. It went with the outfit, so there was no reason to waste time on them. They drove around the city and finally stopped at a local dive that looked rather busy. Parking the car, Emery looped her arm through Cheryl's and they walked in together, the music loud, but not so much as to hurt one's ears.

"Let's get our drinks first!" She called out to Cheryl, watching her nod and walked up to the bar, waiting their turn.

Mark was not in the mood for a peroxide blonde in low cut jeans that showed off what he was assuming was a big fake diamond glued into her belly button. That couldn't be very clean… gross. He shot her a dark look, threatening violence with his eyes and she took off. He just wasn't in the mood, period. Sitting in a corner booth, Mark was hidden from the majority of the room, but able to see everything. The bar. The people dancing on the floor. The pool tables. He lulled his head back, eyes closed as he waited for his next drink, just enjoying being left alone.

Arriving at the local bar, Mark wore black jeans and a black leather vest, hair pulled back into a tight braid and it all held in place with a black bandana. He had also brought his motorcycle and he dared anyone to screw with it. Mark might be in the mood for a brawl. When he heard his bottle being set down, he leaned forward, nodded his thanks and then paused, glittering emerald eyes narrowing in on the woman who had just strutted into the bar.

After they got a beer for Emery and a vodka tonic for Cheryl, they headed to one of the booths on the other side of the bar. "Someone is eyeing you already, Cheri." Emery teased gently, winking and took a drink of her beer, looking around the bar to scout possibilities for the evening. So far, nobody stood out to her, but the night was young.

"Come on girl, let's dance!"

Cheryl pulled her friend up from the booth as they both headed for the dance floor, ready to let her hair down and get crazy for a change. It appeared Cheryl was also restless; work had been quite the hassle and headache lately, but she handled being the new proxy with poise and class unlike Matthew. They began moving their bodies to the beat of the music, laughing when their hips bumped against each other and Emery threw her shyness out of the window. Just for one night, she could be a crazy chick instead of dork chick.

Recognizing Cheryl, he knew that hooker red lipstick anywhere and it worked for her. As far as he knew, she wasn't seeing anyone, though there had been some rumors about her flirting with Orton. Not that the closet dork had noticed anything. Mark bet she'd need to be topless with a controller tattooed on her tits before the idiot kid realized she wanted him to jump her bones. The other chick, he had no idea who the hell she was, but… he definitely wanted an introduction. Pushing himself up, he vacated the booth and began prowling the room, working his way towards the dancing women.

"Aqua! Be right back!" Cheryl called out over the music, heading off the dance floor and raised a slow brow at who she saw advancing on Emery.

Well this was VERY interesting. She smirked, ordering a water from the bar and leaned against it, watching the scene unfold. Queensryche, one of her favorite bands, was playing and Emery was lost in the music, sliding her fingers through her hair while continuing to move her body. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Emery spun around and locked eyes with emeralds, a smile breaking out on her face. What was he doing here? Granted, he seemed to be the bar-hopping type, but this was a little…upbeat with dancing instead of simply playing pool and drinking oneself silly.

"Mark, hi!"

She kept moving to the beat, sky blues sparkling under the lights. Confusion clouded his eyes for a moment. She knew him? Then, Mark grabbed her by the arms, forcing the woman to hold still and held her out away from him, taking her in slowly. There was no way. Underneath those glasses and dorky exterior was… Growling, his arm snaked around her waist and he brought her against him until her body was right up against his.

"Emery?" He asked after a long moment, his voice dropping from its usual southern drawl to something deep and dark, eyes clearing and now emanating a predatory gleam.

Emery didn't mind being this close to him, her chest pressed against his bare one and grabbed his strong biceps, the smile never leaving her face. "I know, I look unrecognizable, huh?" She tried to inject some type of humor in her voice and failed, her voice softer than normal.

It wasn't a surprise he didn't recognize her. Hell, she didn't recognize herself after Cheryl's miraculous transformation. They began swaying together slowly, the music the furthest thing from their minds and Emery couldn't for the life of her pull her gaze away from him. She figured the reason he started swaying with her was due to the fact they were on the dance floor.

He wanted to feel her pressed against him. That outfit she wore did wonders for her breasts, delicious backside… her curves were proudly on display. When he looked down at her, Mark could see the way her breasts were pushed out, bending down on impulse to nip at her collarbone. The hand on her waist splayed and his fingers gripped her even tighter.

"Quiet, Emery." He ordered huskily, drawing her arm up so her hand was on his chest.

Her entire body flooded with heat, flushing and she had to do everything in her power not to moan at his small nip to her collarbone. Her hand on his chest did nothing to quell the fire raging in her body either. His muscles rippled beneath her touch and Emery could feel his own body heat radiating through her. Every time he spoke, it sounded like thunder rumbling from his chest and she shivered against him at his command. She nodded obediently, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth and continued moving with him. The world fell away and it was just the two of them in this moment in time. Emery thought back to that kiss in Sedona and, since he'd kissed her collarbone, the closer part of his body was his chest. Taking a chance, she brushed her lips against his bare chest and smiled up at him, sliding her hand up until it draped on his leather covered shoulder.

"I didn't tell you to stop, darlin'." He informed her darkly, watching as that luscious mouth of hers went back to his chest.

He practically purred, feeling her mouth caressing him. Slowly guiding her off the floor, Mark backtracked towards his corner booth. Once there, he lifted her up and over, tucking her back before joining her, one hand moving to push the table away to give them room. The other gripped her chin and forced her head up so he could plunder her lips with his.

This kiss was different than the first one. This wasn't Undertaker kissing her; it was Mark Calaway and he wasn't trying to scare another woman away. He had his complete focus on her and Emery could only kiss him back, cupping the side of his face with her soft hand. She immediately returned the kiss with equal fire and passion, opening her mouth for access the second his tongue snaked across her glossy lips. Emery's head whirled at the taste of him, the softest of moans flooding from the small opening between her lips.

The alarm bells ringing in her head were ignored because all she wanted was this man in every way possible. He'd pulled her to straddle his lap and felt just how much he desired her, the kiss not breaking while her hands went back to caressing his chest beneath the leather vest. Who would've thought her night on the prowl would wind up with the very man who wouldn't leave her thoughts and dreams? If this was another dream, Emery hoped she never woke up from it and pressed herself further against him, grinding her hips slowly, teasingly.

"Um, Mr. Calaway, could I have her back for a minute, please?" Cheryl asked timidly, though she would admit to being impressed with how hot that kiss and groping was. She had never considered herself someone who liked to watch, until now, and it was him she had eyes for. When Taker untangled himself from Emery, she avoided his eyes and met the other woman's hazy gaze. "Come on, Em."

He watched as Cheryl dragged Emery towards the bathroom, groaning and reached down to adjust himself though the jeans.

Given that Emery didn't get laid all that often… "Do you need condoms?" She had no idea if Taker was… clean.

"I – what?" Emery couldn't think clearly, blinking rapidly and touched her cheeks, which were flaming hot. Now that she was away from Mark, the passion haze in her brain cleared and… "Did I just…make out with Undertaker?"

Looking in the mirror beside them, Emery saw how swollen her no longer glossy lips were, touching them with trembling fingertips. What the hell was she doing? She couldn't sleep with Mark! God strike her down here and now she wanted him, but…weren't they supposed to be friends? He didn't show interest in her before seeing her all dolled up either.

"No. No I don't need them."

"What's wrong, sweetie? You guys clearly want each other, so…" Cheryl could see the hesitation in her friend's eyes, not blaming her. This was the Undertaker they were talking about. "Do you need help getting out of here?"

Nodding, Emery needed fresh air to breathe and followed Cheryl out of the bathroom, using the people in the bar to sneak out without Mark spotting them. By the time he realized it, she was on her way back to the hotel, staring out the window and had all the windows all rolled down to suck in the cool night air.

When Mark realized that neither Cheryl or Emery had come back, he gestured for one more drink. That was after he had drained his bottle. It took a hell of a lot to get him drunk, being his size as well as having developed a tolerance meant he had to drink quite a bit to get even remotely buzzed. By the time he had hit the state of buzz he had been seeking, he was ready to go find his geek and finish what they had started. Obviously, she wanted him and he wasn't about to let her deny either of them what they craved.