Ch 11

After breakfast Hunter and Samantha headed off to do some shopping leaving Taker and Bella with the rest of the day to themselves. They were about to go take a walk when Bella's cell phone went off.

"Hello Bella, it's Vince. I'm happy to hear you have decided to join the wwf. I was hoping we could meet up tomorrow morning since I'm still in Orlando. I'll have the contract ready and I'll have Hunter and Taker join us. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, that's fine. Thank you again," she said.

"Thank you for doing me the favor. I'll call Taker next and let him know he has a dark bride," Vince said, making Bella look at Taker.

"He is with me. I'll give him the phone," she said, handing her phone to Taker.

"It's good to hear you two are already hanging out together," Vince said. "I guess you already know Bella accepted the job. Can you stay in Orlando till tomorrow and meet up at my hotel tomorrow morning around 10?"

"Yeah, I can stick around," he said, glancing at Bella knowing he wasn't going anywhere till they talked.

"Good I'll see you two tomorrow morning," Vince hung up.

"Is staying another night going to mess up your plans?" Bella asked.

"No, I was staying in the area since the next show is in Fort Lauderdale. Did you have somewhere to be?"

"I actually planned to stay in the area for a few days to let Sami spend time with my uncle while I checked in one of my vacation rentals that had a cancellation," she said an idea came to her. "I don't know about you but I'm tired of staying at hotels. Why don't we check out and go stay at my rental. It's here in Orlando about 15 minutes away. I could make us dinner and we can talk after. We could stay there for a few days till you have to hit the road again. What do you think?"

"I would love that," he smiled.

"Good, I'll let Hunter know our plans. Let's go grab our stuff," Bella said happily he had agreed to her plan. She felt a mix of emotions as they walked back to the hotel. She was excited to spend time with him and nervous about how their conversation would go. She knew what she wanted to say and hoped she could find the right words when the moment came.

Bella let Hunter know where they were going and that they would meet him tomorrow morning for the meeting with Vince. She called the caretaker of her vacation property to let her know she would be staying there for a few days and arrange to have groceries delivered. It wasn't long till they were pulling into the driveway of the home.

"I'll open the garage and you can pull the car in," Bella said, getting out of the truck and going to the keypad. She went to the lockbox getting the keys to open the door from the garage into the house as Taker grabbed their bags.

"How long have you had this place?" he asked as he followed her into the big open modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets and bluish gray granite countertops.

"About a year, it's close to Disney so it has been one of my most successful investments. It has 5 bedrooms, plenty of room for families and gets quite few renters because it's on a golf course," she said motioning to follow her through the sliding doors leading to a stone patio with a built-in grill. "This is also a perk," she pointed to the inground pool with a small waterfall on one end and a spillover spa on the other.

"Very nice, I like the view of the golf course. You had a good idea coming here much better than the hotel," he smiled looking around.

"Also nice to be able to cook dinner tired of eating out," she said as they went back into the kitchen.

"I agree with that," he walked around the first floor checking out the living room and two bedrooms on that level. "Mind if I go upstairs?"

"Of course not, please make yourself at home. All 3 bedrooms upstairs have their own bathrooms," she said, following him up the stairs going down the hall to one of the bedrooms. "This one is my favorite," she opened the door revealing a big bedroom decorated in grays and blues with a king size bed.

"Why is it your favorite?" he asked looking around.

"There are two reasons. I love the bathroom for this bedroom," she opened the door showing him the big claw foot tub and nice sized walk in shower. "The other reason is this," she went back out into the room, opening the sliding door onto a deck that overlooked the pool and golf course.

"Wow this is nice," he rested his hands on the rail looking over everything. "I guess we are staying in this room?" he asked, glancing at her over his shoulder hoping he was going to be spending the night with her again.

"Yes if you're ok with it?" she said without hesitation, making him very happy.

"Darling, if you're happy I'm happy," he said, making her smile.

"I'm happy Mark. Let's go get the rest of our stuff then we can relax. Maybe after the groceries arrive we can take a swim," she said as they headed back downstairs.

"Sounds like a plan," he followed her downstairs feeling very happy that they were going to spend time together with no distractions.

After the groceries arrived, they decided to make an early dinner. Taker insisted on helping Bella. They agreed she would make the salad and he would grill chicken. Taker went and changed into swim shorts while Bella made the salad. He noticed the way she smiled when he came back and it made his heart skip a beat.

"What is the smile for?" he asked, sitting at one of the counter stools.

"Honestly I'm just enjoying being with you," she said wishing they could spend more time like this.

"This does feel really good," he softly said, wishing the same as her. His eyes met hers as silence filled the room for a few moments as both their nerves started to take control.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to change real quick," she broke the silence by throwing the tomatoes in the salad.

"Take your time darling," he said, watching her go. "Everything is going to be ok ," Taker thought, deciding to distract himself by starting up the grill. He put on some music grabbing a beer looking out over the golf course while it warmed up. "Oh what a fitting song for this moment," he thought as REO Speedwagon's Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore started to play. He listened to the lyrics for a few moments realizing how it was the perfect song for his mindset.

"I can't fight this feeling any longer and yet I'm still afraid to let it flow

What started out as friendship has grown stronger

I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever

I said there is no reason for my fear

'Cause I feel so secure when we're together

You give my life direction, you make everything so clear

And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight

You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night

And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore

I've forgotten what I started fighting for

It's time to bring this ship into the shore

And throw away the oars, forever"

"I really can't keep fighting what I feel for her anymore," he thought as his mind filled with so many thoughts on what to do. His heart would send his thoughts one direction while his mind settled on his fears. He let out a deep troubled sigh.

"Hey are you ok?" Bella's voice took him by surprise. He was even more pleasantly surprised when he turned and she was wearing a black bikini showing off her curvy figure. He couldn't think for a moment as his desire for her took his thoughts in a completely different direction. He felt the familiar aching urge to kiss her. "Mark, what's wrong?" she asked, seeing the troubled expression on his face.

"Everything is fine," he said, pushing his thoughts away.
"Are you sure? Did I do something wrong?" her voice filled with concern.

"You have done nothing wrong darling," he crossed the distance between them running his fingers along her cheek. "Bella, you are beautiful inside and out. Sometimes like now you make it hard for me to think straight. I've never met a woman like you that makes me feel like this."

"Mark, you're the only man that has ever made me feel like this," she whispered as tears came to her eyes.

"Come here no tears," he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against his bare chest. "Relax, I'm going to finish making dinner."

"Ok handsome," she whispered against his chest trying to get her emotions under control. He kissed her forehead before slowly letting her go.

After dinner, Undertaker took her hand leading her to the pool. He paused as they neared it, giving her a big devilish smile.

"What are you up to?" she asked knowing in the past that smile meant he was going to do something playful.

"I think you need help in the pool," he smirked, picking her up in his arms making her squirm.

"Mark, do not throw me in!" she exclaimed.

"I wasn't going to do that but now that you gave me the idea," he walked towards the edge of the pool. Bella tensed, closing her eyes preparing for him to toss her. Suddenly she felt him step down a few steps. She opened her eyes seeing he was carrying her into the pool. "Relax, not going to throw you in today, maybe tomorrow. I'll go under with you," he laughed, kneeling in the water pulling her under with him.

"Thank you for behaving somewhat," she said as they surfaced and he slowly let her go.

"I try damn hard to behave around you," he grinned, reaching for her hand again.

"Ohh I can sympathize, it's very hard to behave around you," she confessed, making a sexy smirk cross his lips.

"What would happen if you didn't have to behave," he asked, staring into her eyes. Bella was about to answer him then she paused staring into his caring mesmerizing eyes. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her tightly against him, sending amazing sensations through her . "Bella, don't hold back, you can tell me what would happen. Seriously, what if you didn't have to behave?"

"Please don't get mad," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck brushing her lips lightly against his. She felt him hold onto her tighter as she closed her eyes saying goodbye to her fears as she kissed him. He tensed for only a moment then kissed her back feeling the electricity between them.

"Sorry you told me not to hold back. Are you mad?" She broke their kiss.

"Darling, I'm not mad at all. I should have told you years ago to not hold back," he kissed her again, overcome by his feelings for her finally being set free. She melted against him, kissing him deeply. "Remember how you asked me about the perks of being my dark bride. This is definitely one of them."

"I could get used to this perk," she happily smiled. "What are the others?"

"Come on, let's go sit on the patio. We can talk about the perks and other things," he said knowing they still needed to talk. She nodded ok as he took her hand leading her out of the pool. She grabbed some towels and handed him one before drying herself off. "Why did you think I would be mad about the kiss?" he asked as she sat down on a wicker patio daybed.

"Mark, we have both been so strict about not crossing this line so I didn't know how you would react that I said the hell with it and kissed you finally," she leaned back against the pillows as he laid down on his side next to her. "I know we probably should have talked first but it felt right so I did it."

"I'm happy you had the guts to do it. I wanted to a million times and couldn't."

"So what happens now? Do we pretend this just didn't happen or do we let our feelings go?" she asked, getting right to the point. "Do you want to have a relationship with me?"

"Bella, of course I want a relationship with you. You have been amazing taking chances last night asking me to stay and just now with that kiss. It's time for me to step up and do the same," he took her hand in his, keeping his eyes locked on hers. "I never believed in soul mates till I met you. I started falling for you the first night we met. I got jealous because I don't want you with anyone else. I love that you are my best friend but I want you as my girlfriend. I love you Bella," he said, making happy tears flow from her eyes hearing the words she always wanted to hear.

"I love you too Mark," she softly said, kissing him. "You own my heart you have for years."

"I plan to never give it back. I'm all yours heart and soul," he caressed her face. "No more holding back with anything we are together through whatever comes our way. No more worrying about complications. It's you and me now, ok darling?"

"Yes handsome," she smiled as he brushed her tears away. "You have made my favorite dream come true tonight."

"I want to make all your dreams come true," he laid on his back, pulling her close, loving how she nestled into him running her fingers slowly along his chest.

"This is real right? This isn't a dream?" she whispered against his chest still not believing he had said he loved her and they were a couple. He gently tilted her chin kissing her. "I love you so much," she whispered against his lips.

"I love you endlessly darling," he kissed her deeper. "You know the night you drank too much you said you loved me," he confessed, making her look at him in disbelief. "I told you I loved you too. That moment has made these last few months so much harder to deal with."

"Why didn't you tell me before I said that to you?" she asked, wishing she would have remembered saying that to him.

"I kept hoping you would remember but now that all doesn't matter. We are together now," he smiled, kissing her passionately. She broke the kiss for a moment to move on top of him. He smiled, kissing her again, running his hands all over her body as his tongue danced with hers. She felt his desire for her as she straddled his lap.

"Let's move inside beautiful," he said, moving her gently so he could pick her up. She stole another kiss from him as he carried inside up the stairs to the bedroom. He stared into her eyes as he put her down.

"What do you want me to do," he devilishly smiled as Bella knew exactly what she wanted from him at that moment.
"First we have to get rid of these shorts," she seductively looked at him as she ran her fingernails along his muscular chest stopping at the waistband of his shorts.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, caressing her cheek.
"Yes, I've wanted you for a very long time. I don't want to wait anymore," she said, sliding her fingers under his shorts pushing them to the floor. He was hypnotized by her watching as she backed away from him slightly admiring his naked body. He watched as she slowly undid her bikini top letting it fall followed by the bottoms. His eyes hungrily ran over her body wanting to devour every inch of her. He went towards her needing to feel her body against his. He leaned down claiming her lips with his feeling the incredible heat of her body as he picked her up in his arms. With every kiss, the fire between them grew as he laid her on the bed. She trembled under his kiss as he ran it from her lips along her neck. He kissed and caressed every inch of her body loving the feel of her. She ran her fingernails down his sides over his stomach. He moaned with delight as she caressed his erection slowly driving him even crazier. Her warm kisses on his chest were driving him to the brink. He gently moved on top of her letting his hardness rub against her opening making her arch her body with anticipation. She pulled him into a deep kiss as he slowly entered her, making their bodies one. Their bodies took on their rhythm as he kissed her passionately, losing more control with every movement. The ecstasy swept them over as they both climaxed together holding on to one another tightly. He gently collapsed on top of her, kissing her softly. They laid there for a while entwined together caressing one another till he rolled on his back pulling her against him.

"I feel like I'm living a never ending dream," she whispered, kissing his chest.

"Darling, I'm going to do my best to make you feel this way for the rest of our lives," he said, entwining his fingers with hers. "I love you Bella."

"I love you too Mark," she raised her head kissing him. Her kiss triggered his desire for her again. They made slow passionate love again till they fell asleep in one another's arms.