"And I loved her, all of her,
for how she would glide over my dark fields
and leave trails of roses left to grow."
Rm Drake

▽▽▽

"Yessss..." She moaned into my neck as I pushed deeper and harder into her. I groaned as her fingers dug into my back opening the scars that had probably just healed from the other night but I didn't mind. I loved the pain, because I loved knowing I was walking around as a man marked by Nikki Bella.

My fingers dug into her waist before gripping her nipples in between them as my lips trailed over her collar bone.

"I love you, Nicole" I whispered along her jaw before sucking on her skin as she moaned a return or what I couldn't be sure as she had been soft and the shower was at full force considering we were in John and Brie's house.

I moved back and stared into her eyes and she smiled and immediately kissed me, biting my tongue as she did but I quickly gripped her jaw and deepened the kiss as I knew I was near. I was always fucking near when Nicole was around, she didn't make it easy on me when everything she wore revealed apart of what I loved of her. I knew it was a bit of a game for her, testing me but I didn't mind it as it was our game of predator and prey.

"Fuck, Bella" I bit her lip as I pushed hard into her and felt her writhing against me and quickly kissed her again to silence her loud moans before we were disturbed.

She would always be my prey because I would always be following her around, stalking her, craving her, needing her because I loved her...

"Now that's one view that makes me wanna jump right under the shower with you again" I chuckled as I walked into the room and she glanced over at me with a small smile before focusing on her phone once more.

I slowly walked over to her tying my belt to ensure I didn't go dragging her to bed again because then I didn't really care who would be knocking but I would be having her in bed all day. My fingers traced over her tattoo hardly hidden by her underwear before I moved in front of her.

"What are you stressing over?" I sighed as she didn't seem as affected as I was.

"The flowers are delayed, I should get dressed." She set her phone down and attempted to move past me but I pulled her against me which caused her to look up at me.

"Randy, there's only a few more hours to go before the guests arrive." She smiled, tracing over the stubble before wrapping her arms around me.

"I know but its also our first day together and not on tour. I should have taken advantage of the times when I was filming movies and shit and invited you over, had you to myself." I whispered as we had been on separate tours but all met up last night for the end off show which was when I was careless and fucked her in a locker room as soon as I was done. I hadn't been on Raw so safe to say I had been going crazy not seeing her for so long, I was a fucking addict when it came to Nicole and we both knew it.

"I know I'm champion and its bittersweet but luckily we're touring together after this week, Orton." She smiled and I nodded letting her go before finishing up dressing as well.

While she had told me she would be feuding with Stephanie it was clear there was something lost in their meeting translation with her fighting against Eva Marie tomorrow at Money in the Bank. Thanks to a distraction by Stephanie who had been ringside Eva Marie had secured a quick pin over Nicole. I guess while Eva had been complaining about not getting any shots, Stephanie had kept her word by giving it to her after she was spotted with me.

I hadn't bothered telling Nicole the details behind her betrayal because she had already been struggling to leave things with Stephanie behind her. Deep down I knew Nicole wouldn't be losing her title tomorrow but I was on edge about what exactly they had in store for her. I had promised her I would let her handle things on her own because she wanted to make history on her own. Maybe I should have taken offense to it but I knew how difficult it had been for her to get to the stage she was at and whether I liked to admit it or not Hunter had played a major role in that.

I heard a knock on the door and soon saw Kathy making her way in, "Hi guys, Nicole the flowers have arrived. I was going to give them direction but since you haven't bothered being open about how you want everything I came to call you."

"Oh yes, I'm just happy they're here" She stepped into her heels before vacating the room but I realized that her mother was still stood in the room and I frowned.

"Am I in trouble?"

She laughed, "No, I just wanted to ask you something over what I have heard."

"Regarding what exactly?" I smiled slipping on my watch and she closed the door.

She cleared her throat, "is there something I should know about work with Nicole?"

"What do you mean?"

"Its just that I know my daughter and I know when she's in Nikki Bella mode and when she's really hurt and ever since she has been feuding with her boss it seems like the words said really cut deep."

"She's just trying to make it believable that's all" I sighed not really sure what she was thinking, but I was quite sure it wouldn't be close to what reality was.

"I saw it even when her and Brie had their feud, I know they have their fights but there's something going on and a mother knows. I've been really busy with work so I haven't been able to watch as much as I would like but I have been catching up" She explained when there was no need to as she was one of the most supporting mother's I knew.

"Kathy, its okay to miss some shows." I shrugged turning my back to her as I moved to my luggage.

She sighed, "is something going on with her and Hunter?"

I stopped before slowly turning to face her, "She's currently feuding with his wife but as far as I know he has no involvement in it."

"My mother told me that Hunter used to frequently join Nicole when she would visit her. And she wasn't sure but she thought she had seen them hold hands once or twice."

"I'm with your daughter, Kathy if even for a second I thought she was cheating on me we wouldn't be standing here having this conversation. I am in love with her and the idea of her even being with another man, let alone Hunter would drive me crazy. I'm not trying to say Nana is imagining things but maybe he was helping her with something." I chuckled lightly to play it off that it seemed she had actually figured it out.

"You're probably right, I know Nicole wouldn't get involved in something like that. Its just when they returned he was a great help to her, I remember he had told Johnny he wanted to train her alone because he saw the potential in her to rule over everyone and now she is. She was more with him in the gym than at home and sometimes things happen. But you're right, you're right I need to remember that this business is quite confusing at times. I mean if it wasn't for Hunter agreeing to taking them back where would we be right now, she might not have reached a stage of not wanting to strangle you every time"

I chuckled, "I'm sure we both knew it would be me and her eventually. We acted more like a couple than Brie and John over their wedding week if we're being honest here."

"That is true. I know training with Hunter helped build her confidence and character and I see the fearlessness in her everyday. And with you I see the fearlessness in love arising, she's been hurt so much I was scared it would simply make her avoid any man. She was single for about two years after Nick and don't get me wrong he is a good young man but he just wasn't levelheaded. Nicole needs a stern man, who will remind her of her worth and you do that."

I smiled as while I had had some anxiousness with her questioning me about Hunter it seemed I was a helluva liar. I was sure Nicole wouldn't want her mother or anyone else knowing and I didn't want her to view her differently. There was no point in anyone else knowing when Nicole and I would be together and their marriage wasn't ending anytime soon.

"I know how she is, she's insecure when she doesn't need to be. She's absolutely perfect."

"Is that why you have her name on your arm. Tattoos happen to be permanent" She smirked and I chuckled glancing at it.

"Well I figured since she's going to be my wife with a bunch of kids in our future she deserved a permanent representation before I got around to putting the ring on her finger" I shrugged which led to her laughing.

"Who needs a ring, when she is branded on you." She opened the door and I followed.

"I'm not sure if she still needs it but I know I do"

◆◆◆

"Aria Sky Cena" Brie smiled as they revealed the name of their little girl by dropping the piece of cloth and the applause filled the yard with everyone in attendance for the baby shower.

"Daddy, where's Coco?" I heard Alanna who John and Brie had gone to get simply so they wouldn't be here while everything was set up. 

I scanned the area and frowned as she had just been in the area to announce that Brie would be letting us know the baby's name.

"I'm not sure. Its a big yard, sweetheart. Why?" I stared down at her.

"Uncle Colby was looking for her." She smiled while I hadn't even known he was here but he was a good friend of Brie's. I didn't see him but assured Ally I would go and find her while she went off to join Nicole's little family members.

I spotted her writing something seeming on her own but before I could get to her Colby had interrupted her. She smiled and hugged him while I took a glass of champagne while patiently waiting for them to get done.

I moved closer which he didn't notice since he was focused on her and her back was turned to me.
"Please don't tell me you went with him?"

"I didn't" I heard her sigh. "He just gave me a ride back to the hotel."

"You told me that Randy was waiting for you downstairs."

"Well he wasn't and Hunter realized that so he took me back to the hotel, that's all Colby. It was like 3am he didn't want me taking a taxi or anything. I know what I am doing"

Colby rolled his eyes, "I have heard that before and then you're back to fucking.."

"Its rude to eavesdrop" I jumped and turned to see April.

"Its rude to startle people as well" I shook my head and cleared my throat and slowly walked away as while I wanted to listen more, me hanging around left April to hear what they were speaking about as well.

"Does it bother you?" She questioned and I frowned not sure what she was referring to. "How close they are, Colby mentioned you are jealous. I wouldn't be, Colby loves me."

"I don't doubt that. I just like being the only man in Nicole's life I guess." I shrugged and thought back to the night when Nicole had gone to his party and I remembered her coming in at about 5am but she said she left the club at after 3am to him and...

"Then shouldn't you be worried about Nick or something? Colby is taken by me" She rolled her eyes and I frowned as while I wrestled him here and there Nick wasn't really a factor in my life or hers so it didn't matter to me.

"I'm not worried about anyone I just .. I'm possessive unfortunately" I shrugged and she glanced past me with a smile and I glanced over my shoulder to see Nicole and Colby approaching us.

"Hey Viper" he smiled before wrapping his arm around April.

I gave him a brief nod before focusing on Nicole who was clearly annoyed and had probably seen me and used it as an excuse to get away from a questioning Colby, "Hey, you disappeared"

She smiled as we walked towards the crowded area, "I was writing thank you notes to everyone and you seemed to be enjoying finding out the name."

"Beautiful name that it is. Got Alanna thinking about little sister names."

"Is Samantha pregnant?" She frowned confused as I spoke and I shook my head.

"I guess she's hoping you will be soon." Her eyes met mine, slightly surprised by my words.

"She'll have Aria as a little sister for awhile" she shrugged and I searched her eyes and she seemed to notice. "I'm on my way to being longest reigning champion and once I reach that goal we can talk."

"So that is still what you want?"

She frowned before staring at the little kids section. "I mean yes. I want all of this, everything my brother and sister have I have wanted and I still want it. With you."

I smiled and briefly kissed her and lift her into my arms. "Okay this day is about me lovebirds"

I turned to Brie and smiled and watched as Nicole moved over to her.

△△△△

Money in the Bank

I slowly stretched under Randy's gaze something I was used to and I smiled at him briefly before focusing on warming up my muscles once more. I still couldn't believe I was going up against Eva tonight, yes she had basically stabbed me in the back by flirting with Randy but as far as I had been concerned she wasn't a factor in WWE.

Me trying to find her and question her on her actions had gone downhill as she seemed to be doing a disappearing act until TV time. It was frustrating to me, how I had let someone into my life and not seen their dislike for me. I knew over the last year I had been consumed by dealing with Randy and Hunter but I still had my friends. Or so I had thought, all my girls were loyal even when they were in the dark on my personal life they'd have my back but Eva had decided she didn't want that.

I understood how the business worked, that you got sick and tired of not having the glory but she wasn't on that level yet. Yes she had the looks and the sex appeal but having fought with her I knew she needed much more work done. But clearly she was up to Stephanie's standards.

He moved beside me and I stopped knowing I was only a few minutes away from being called up. "Are you concerned?"

"Yeah but not cause I doubt your ability to kick her ass. I'm just not sure what they have up their sleeves. I mean Eva hasn't really been presented well in the ring so its not really a fair fight. However they could pull some shit, a distraction, what has Vince said?"

"He's under the impression I am not losing my title but then again he was under the impression AJ would retain hers but I stole it from her. If Stephanie can find a way to twist things and get her to win me and make Vince happy then I'm screwed. The woman hates me so I wouldn't put anything past her" I shrugged staring at my title as for all I knew I wouldn't be walking out with it by the end of the night.

"She might hate you, but she still has to run things past her dad and deal with Hunter too. I'm sure he wouldn't let you lose the title." He mumbled, his words pulling my eyes from my pride and joy.

"For someone who hates the guy you sure have a lot of faith in him when it comes to me."

"Well he chose to rub it in my face that you belong to him. He could have easily just told me I could have you, that just tells me you're more important to him than a guy he has known for most of his life." He stated with no hint of annoyance or anything, he wanted to put my mind at ease. But all it did was fill me with guilt due to ruining their relationship.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter. I just would like to be champion by the end of the night." I shrugged and wrapped my arms around him, he stared intently at me. His eyes always made me feel like I was the only woman in this world.  "You're very hot, you know?"

"I have been told that here and there but hearing it from you makes me believe its true" he smirked and I smiled as he leaned down. I grazed my lips over his before pulling on his neck and hopping onto him. His tongue slipped past my lips and I didn't mind as I would just slip past the make-up station before the gorilla.

Yesterday had been Brie's baby shower and while I had a hectic schedule I wasn't going to let anyone else plan it. She loved it all even though it had just been in their backyard, seeing my sister happy made me happy. She was just a couple of months away from giving birth and I couldn't wait to meet my niece.

The day hadn't exactly gone smooth sailing with my dear friend Colby confronting me due to Hunter. While I hadn't liked him accusing me of possibly rekindling things with Hunter, deep down I knew he was simply concerned and didn't want me to be hurt all over again. I hadn't crossed any lines with Hunter though, I might have left out a couple things but they were harmless. I had woken up beside a sleeping Hunter fully clothed, him the same before heading back to my room before he could even wake up. I wasn't sure how my drunken nights out always ended with being taken back by Hunter but I guess I should have been grateful to him for it.

"Win or lose, you are my champion, Garcia" he groaned into my lips before kissing into my neck and sighing as my name got called.

"I'll be waiting at gorilla for you, okay?"

I nodded smiling as I liked knowing I had someone carefully watching and who loved me waiting for me to return. I took my title from his grasps before heading there myself.

As soon as I reached the gorilla Stephanie's music went off as she of course needed to be ringside, why? Well I guess I would be finding that out soon enough.

My eyes met Eva's and I immediately looked away, despite searching for her all over knowing I should have taken the chance and questioned her? I knew myself and knew my emotions would start tumbling and I didn't need to be vulnerable right before an important match. So instead I simply focused on the title and fixed my snapback and her music played.

"Goodluck" I heard Vince and sent him a smile and as I did realized Hunter wasn't here tonight.

For some reason it scared me, I mean Hunter didn't care really and could hardly stop anything but I hated that I believed Randy. That maybe Hunter wouldn't let anything happen to me, did he know about her plans with Eva? Did he know about the ambush?

I shook my head as my music blared and shut out all thoughts of him as his wife's piercing eyes on me as I made my way down the ramp reminded me why I had left all that behind me.

"Look at your 'future champ' " I tossed Eva in front of Stephanie while she simply stared at me. I gripped the red hair between my fingers and dragged her body up before shoving her into the steel post.

"I'm Nikki Bella! Your one and only Diva's Champion!" I screamed out, opening my arms wide as I gloated to the crowd before turning back to Eva's slumping figure.

I would like to say I had been dominating the entire match but I had to give it to Eva, she had been improving but we both knew the match was as good as over at this point.

I rolled her into the ring and smiled at Stephanie, "this is what a champion winning looks like!"

I lift her onto my shoulders and delivered the Rack Attack and immediately went for the cover only as the two count went I felt a tight grip on my leg and soon felt my back hit the announce table as I was pulled out. The bell ringing was heard before I felt myself being lifted by what I could only assume was Stephanie.

"Let me go!" I shoved her and glared her way. "What the hell is your problem? I was this close to winning!"

"Don't you raise your voice to me, I am your boss."

"Then start acting like it, bitch!" I snapped and saw her jaw clench but I didn't let my glare falter as anger filled through me. I had tried so hard to pull up my socks, move past all the shit and start over. Start on a clean slate where the past was laid to rest and there was no vendetta against me. But she continued to go back on everything we agreed on week after week and I was sick of it.

I moved towards her but the referee had vacated the ring and now stood between us.

"You stand up here and declare you are the champion. If you were the champion you wouldn't have needed to use your sister to win AJ Lee. But deep down you know, you're nothing more than a pretty face who got lucky to be this far up on the card."

"Oh lucky? Why don't you say what you really want to say huh?" I scoffed and grabbed my title to walk away but she gripped my arm having pushed the referee out of her way. Who would stop the person who signed their pay checks?

"Look at me when I'm..."

I slapped her hard as soon as I felt her nails tighten around my arm yet again and saw her eyes widen as she simply stood and stared at me. "You wanna play this game? Just be reminded I played The Game better than you ever could and that's why I'm better than you."

Her eyes grew angrier as she realized I was referring to Hunter while as soon as she wanted to launch at me officials held her back, breezing past me as I appeared to be no threat. I blew her a kiss as I made my way up the ramp.

I gave a nod to Vince and he gave a thumbs up letting me know my innuendo had luckily only been caught by Stephanie. I saw Randy and smiled as I hugged him briefly which he returned before holding my hand as we exited.

"Was that necessary?" He spoke after a bit.

"What?"

"The 'I fucked your husband better than you could' " he stated clearly not liking it and I had hoped he hadn't really noted the innuendo as well.

"Yes, I needed to shut her up." I shrugged as I knew I let my emotions get the better of me but she kept fucking pushing me, he halted.

"Nicole, I thought this was a thing irrelevant to all of that but the first chance you get you bring him up. Do you want the world to find out?" He frowned.

"Of course not! She just.. She makes me so fucking mad" I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "I slipped and I won't let it happen again, she just.. She has so many things to cut me deeply with and he is all I have to use against her. I don't want to but she makes me feel powerless and did you see her face after I implied that? She was pissed."

"Bella, you're better than that. You've always had other ways to get to her. He isn't a factor in your life so don't go entertaining his name in it." He shrugged and I nodded pushing back the annoyance at his tone.

I couldn't help but smile once we continued our walk despite the brooding Viper beside me as even though I hadn't won the way I wanted to, I had caused the woman who made my life hell to falter in front of the world. I felt powerful...