It's Not Over

Usual disclaimer - see Chapter 1 for the full details, but I own nothing but my original characters, all the people own themselves, WWE owns the trademark names, I'm doing this to exercise my creativity and for the sheer pleasure of writing. Ask my therapist!

Chapter 14

Jeff arrived in the lobby, looking around for Dacey, and spotted her in the garden, one foot up on a bench as she stretched her hamstrings. He loped in, grinning at her. Like her, he wore shorts, but he had on a basketball jersey, and his distinctively coloured hair was covered with a baseball cap too, although his was turned backwards, and his sunglasses rested on top of it. He tugged playfully at the brim of her cap as she straightened up.

"Hey, Dacey. You ready?"

She couldn't help but grin in return. "More than ready - way too long sitting down today. Long and slow, please? I need to breathe in lots of sea air!"

"Slow? Not a word that's in my vocabulary, usually!"

She chuckled. "Okay, how about 'not breakneck pace'?"

"I can handle that, I think. Give the locals time to appreciate our fine bods, huh?"

"Uh huh. Since I'm not wearing a swimsuit made of postage stamp sized bits of fabric held together with dental floss, I hardly think anyone's even going to give me a second glance! You, on the other hand . . . " she grinned at him, and made a show of touching a fingertip to his arm and miming getting burned. "Hot stuff, definitely!"

Jeff's eyes travelled over her - the crop top only emphasised her full breasts, and showed off a toned midriff. And the shorts left plenty of her long legs bare. "Hate to tell you this, Dacey, but you're still smokin'!"

She shook her head and laughed. "Come on, let's get this show on the road, Jeff."

Even this late in the afternoon, the sun still had bite to it, and Dacey was glad she'd thought to put on some sunscreen before coming downstairs. Jeff had scoped out their surroundings, and he led her off down the street at an easy jog towards the beachfront esplanade.

The ocean seemed impossibly blue and crystal clear, and they set off down the esplanade, taking it easy while they warmed up. Soon enough, they hit their stride, and found a good rhythm. As always, Dacey let herself simply go with the movement. There were open air bars and cafes along the esplanade, and they attracted glances as they ran past, no longer simply jogging, but pushing themselves into a pace that kicked their heartrates up.

Dacey's watch beeped at the thirty minute mark and they slowed their steps a little as they turned, trading off the water bottle before increasing their pace again. Dance music pulsed from a bar further up the beach, and the driving beat made Jeff grin and step the pace up in time with it. Dacey just grinned and matched him, stride for stride.

Her crop top and his jersey were darkening with sweat as they ran back along the esplanade, both breathing harder with the exercise. Dacey thought she could see the hotel up ahead, and it was then that Jeff gave her a wide grin and took off in a flat run. She was ready for him this time, though, and was only a step behind him, pushing hard into the wind sprint, feeling the burn of muscles well used, reaching for those deep reserves of energy.

Together they pounded the last stretch of the esplanade, and Dacey's competitive spirit surged up, right at Jeff's heels every step of the way. He slowed as they came to the street the hotel was on, and she matched her stride to his, her fingers going automatically to her throat to check her pulse rate, counting the steady beats as she watched the second hand sweep around on her watch. Nodding with satisfaction, she grinned at Jeff, who had slowed to a walk, his hands on his hips, breathing hard.

She took a some deep breaths, shaking out her hands as she did, and grinned at him.

"Wasn't quite long and slow, Dacey," he said, as they turned their steps towards the hotel.

She took a swig from the water bottle and handed it to him. "Well, there's something to be said for long and heart pounding too."

He laughed, handing the bottle back to her. "Even with a wind sprint?"

"Even with a wind sprint! I'm gonna learn how you tap those deep reserves, Jeff, or die trying."

"Jeez, Dacey, don't die on me! Big Red'd kill me!"

She chuckled, her breathing coming back to normal. "Not planning on it any time soon, Jeff. I got lots more I want to do with my life before that happens . . . unexpected wind sprints notwithstanding!"

He looped an arm around her shoulders as they crossed the driveway to the hotel, laughing. There were some fans gathered on the footpath, who called out to them and waved, and they turned to wave back before going into the lobby. The air conditioning felt chilly to her heated skin, and Dacey shivered. Jeff hugged her.

"You better go shower, Dace. Thanks for the run." He kissed her cheek and she smiled.

"Thank you, Jeff. Hey, Glenn and I are going to go out and grab some dinner in a bit - want to come with us?"

He smiled. "Thanks. Better let me check in with my posse first, see what their plans are."

"Okay. Give me a call if you decide to join us," Dacey gave him a wave and went to the front desk to collect her keycard, and then headed upstairs.

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After she showered, Dacey opened her case, looking for clothes for the evening. About to take out a t-shirt, she recalled Glenn's reaction to the peasant blouse she had worn at the Calaways, and took that out instead. Surveying the rest of her current selection of clothes, she wrinkled her nose. There was not being very girly, and then there was just being boring. She might need to rethink some of her wardrobe choices.

She pulled her hair up into a ponytail again, and dressed in the peasant blouse with her jeans and the little flat sandals. She was collecting her wallet and phone when there was a knock at the door. She opened it, smiling to see Glenn there. He took in her outfit and smiled broadly as she stepped back to let him into the room.

"You look lovely, honey," he said, leaning down to kiss her.

She blushed a little, smiling at him. "Thank you, Glenn."

She took in his jeans and t-shirt and stepped closer to him, her arms going around his waist as she hugged him close, her cheek against his chest. A little surprised, Glenn's arms wrapped around her a moment later.

"Dace?"

She looked up at him with a smile. "Just feeling very lucky to be with you, Glenn."

He ran a hand over her hair with a smile. "I'm the one who's lucky. Ah, dinner's turned into a bit of a group affair - do you mind?"

She shook her head. "Not at all - I invited Jeff to join us, although I'm not sure if he's going to."

"He might - Matt and Amy said they'd come. We're going to a place on the beach that supposed to be very good."

Dacey slipped her phone into her pocket with her keycard. "Sounds good. Shall we?"

They went down to the lobby, where they were planning to meet the rest of the group. Apart from Matt and Amy, Jeff was there, and Mark and Paul. They walked the few blocks to the restaurant, which was on the beachfront. Discovering more of their colleagues already in residence, they ended up taking over a number of tables. Dacey, Glenn, Mark and Paul ended up on a table with Dave Batista and John Cena.

The mood was jovial, with plenty of laughter and joking. Dave and John were both OVW alumni, though from before Dacey's time there, although she'd met them both when they'd come back for matches. They were trading stories about their time in Louisville, while Mark, Glenn and Paul were talking about the upcoming Pay Per Views.

When Dacey's phone, which she'd left on the table, started ringing, she looked at the display. Seeing her parents' number, she gave Dave and John a little smile before excusing herself from the table to answer the call. Glenn saw her move away, and seeing the phone in her hand, realised what she was doing.

She smiled as she answered the phone. "Hello."

"Dacey Ellen Bittick!" her father thundered, and her face blanched.

"Daddy?" He never called her by her full name unless she was in serious trouble.

"What in hell were you thinking?"

She glanced at her phone, noting the time, as Glenn rose from his chair and approached her, seeing the expression on her face. She looked at Glenn as she raised the phone to her ear again.

"Daddy, calm down."

"Calm down? Your mother is beside herself!"

"Daddy, please - I told you it would look bad, but I also told you I was fine!"

Glenn looked at his own wristwatch and groaned - it appeared that their reassurance hadn't cut much ice with Dacey's parents. He lay a hand on Dacey's shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. She looked up at him and shrugged helplessly.

"He threw you over his head, Dacey! And you expect us to believe that you weren't hurt?"

"Mark is a professional, daddy. So am I. We knew what we were doing," Dacey's voice held an edge to it.

Back at the table, Dave looked over at Mark, hearing his name, and Mark shook his head, saying quietly, "I think Dacey's folks just saw Smackdown."

"Ouch," said John, giving Dacey a sympathetic glance. The only times his mother ever watched him wrestle, he seemed to get injured - so he knew what she was going through.

Aileen's voice could be heard as she took the phone from her husband. "Dacey, I'm sorry. We know you know what you're doing - I guess it was just the shock of seeing what we just did that made us forget you'd told us you were alright."

Dacey sighed. "Mam, you and daddy have to trust me. I'm not taking foolish risks. I wish I could promise you won't see things like that again, but I can't."

"Princess, we do trust you," her father said. "One day, when you have children of your own, you'll understand this feeling - it's a primal response, when you see your children hurt."

"I understand, daddy. And if I ever am really hurt, either Glenn or I will try to be the first to tell you. I just hope that never has to happen."

Belatedly, Ben heard the sounds of the restaurant in the background. "It sounds like we caught you while you were out - sorry, princess. And sorry to Glenn too. I'm sure he's there with you."

She smiled, looking over her shoulder at Glenn. "Apology accepted, daddy. But I think we need to have a long talk about this next time I visit." Her tone was quite serious as she spoke.

"We'll do that, Dacey. Go back to your date, now. We'll talk to you again soon," her father said.

"Okay, daddy. Goodnight."

She closed her phone with a little sigh, and Glenn put his arm around her shoulders, hugging her gently. She smiled at him, but he could still feel the tension in her. They went back to the table, and Mark gave her a level look.

"Am I gonna have to keep an eye out for your father and his shotgun?"

She chuckled in spite of herself. "I think you're okay, big dog. If anyone needs to be watching out, it's me - remember what I told you about him cutting a switch? I think tonight he was about to do it." She lay her phone back on the table.

Glenn just smiled at her, patting her hand gently. She nodded and leaned in to kiss his cheek, and then went back to her conversation with Dave and John.

Later in the evening, as people shifted between tables to talk, Glenn leaned in to whisper to Dacey, "How about a walk on the beach, honey?"

She nodded, and they said their goodnights before leaving the restaurant. Glenn wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close as they walked down the steps from the esplanade to the beach. Dacey stopped him for a moment while she slipped off her sandals, and then nestled back into his side as they walked over the warm sands, the sound of the waves their accompaniment as they made their way along the beach.

He pressed a kiss to her hair and she sighed softly, hugging him gently. He led her a little further up the beach, away from the water, and spoke quietly.

"Let's sit for a bit."

She nodded, and he sat down, drawing her down to sit between his legs, his arms wrapping around her. She leaned back against him, her eyes closing as he nuzzled his cheek to hers.

"Anything I can do to help with your folks, honey?" he asked quietly.

Her hands caressed his arms as she sighed softly. "I'm not sure, Glenn. Perhaps it might help if they met you and Mark, got to know you in person. But they also have to learn to trust me more. I think that's the part that hurts the most - thinking they don't trust my judgement."

His heart went out to her. "Dacey, you're always going to be their little girl, even now you're an adult. You think Mark's going to be any different with Maeve when she's all grown up?"

She chuckled softly. "You have a point."

He had a thought. "Have your parents ever been to one of your shows?"

"Not since the Brat Pack days," she admitted.

"Then let me make a suggestion?"

"Sure, Glenn," she said.

"Invite them to come to one of the shows in the next few weeks. Fly them in, put them up in our hotel with us. I'll help you pay for it, if you like. Then they can meet Mark and I on neutral territory, and see the show live. More importantly, see you afterwards, see that you're okay." He waited to see what she would think.

She listened throughtfully to his proposal and then turned a little in the circle of his arms to look at him. Her hands went to his face, drawing him down to kiss him deeply. "Have I told you today how much I love you, Glenn?"

His arms tightened around her as he kissed her. "I take it you like the idea?"

She nodded, laying her head on his chest. "I think it's brilliant."

He chuckled, stroking her hair gently. "I wouldn't go that far, honey."

Her arms went around him, hugging him as she nestled into him. "I probably should warn you. My parents are likely to give you the third degree when they meet you."

Laughing, he kissed the top of her head. "I'm not worried about that."

"Really?" she asked. "Daddy ran off more than one of my prospective boyfriends with his questions. That always made me so mad!"

Glenn placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her face up to look at his. "I'm not looking to be your boyfriend, Dacey. I plan to be your lover. And it would take more than your father's questions to run me off from that."

Her eyes locked to his, and she whispered, "Suddenly, that anonymous hotel bed is looking very attractive."

He bent to kiss her deeply, pulling her close to him. She clung to him, returning his kiss with passion, her body straining against his. They were both breathing heavily when their lips parted, and Glenn nuzzled his cheek to hers.

"Dacey, honey, I think we should go back to the hotel."

She nodded, moving away from him a little and then rising to her feet, bending to pick up her sandals. Glenn stood up, and pulled her close to him, his arm around her shoulders. They retraced their steps to the esplanade, where Dacey sat down to brush the sand from her feet before putting her sandals back on. They walked back to the hotel hand in hand, for once not acknowledging the calls of the few fans who maintainted a vigil out front.

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Once upstairs, Glenn smiled at her, his hand caressing her face. "I'm guessing you might need some time in your room first, honey." He leaned down to kiss her softly, whispering, "Just don't change, please? I want to undress you myself."

Not trusting her voice, Dacey simply nodded and opened the door to her room, slipping inside and closing it behind her. Her hands were shaking a little, she noticed, as she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She turned her phone off and left it in her case, leaving her room with only her keycard. Everything she needed was across the hall, behind the door she knocked on quietly.

Glenn opened the door a moment later, smiling at her and reaching out to take her hand and draw her inside, then closing the door behind her. He took her in his arms, holding her close. Her arms went around him as her head rested on his chest. After a long moment, he reached down to tilt her chin up, looking into her eyes before bending to kiss her softly. She leaned up to his kiss, her hands caressing his back.

He gently cupped her face, smiling into her eyes. "I guess I need to ask - do I need to make a drugstore run for condoms, honey?"

She nuzzled her cheek to his hand, shaking her head a little. "I have birth control covered, Glenn. And . . . " her cheek grew warm against his palm, "well, I'm clean."

He leaned down to kiss her very softly. "So am I, Dacey. And I'm glad, because I don't want anything to come between us." He winked at her, and she smiled, both at the jest and the sentiment.

Slowly, they moved towards the bed. Glenn's hand traced the curve of her face, smiling at her as his hand moved lower, over the silky fabric of her blouse, gently cupping her breast as he leaned in to kiss her again. She moaned softly against his lips, leaning into him, pressing her breast more to his hand. He tugged gently on the drawstring ties at her neckline, his fingers tracing the line of her exposed collarbone as he kissed her again. Dacey shivered against him, loving his gentle touch, her tongue darting into his mouth to taste him as she deepened the kiss. Her hands gently tugged his t-shirt out of his jeans, sliding under it to caress his skin, sighing at his warmth.

He made short work of the second drawstring on her blouse and stepped back a little, smiling at her as he drew it up over her head and laid it aside, giving a low groan as he saw the lacy bra she wore, pulling her back into his arms, whispering, "Oh god, Dacey, you are so lovely!"

She pushed herself back from him, tugging his t-shirt up, smiling when he pulled it off over his head, her hands running over the smooth skin of his chest before leaning up to kiss him. He pulled her close, his tongue exploring her mouth as they kissed, his hands warm as they caressed her back. Her hands ran slowly down his back as she pressed closer to him, giving a tiny gasp into his kiss as she felt his growing hardness against her.

His hands moved to the waistband of her jeans, unbuttoning them, and she shivered as his fingers brushed against her skin. She needed no further encouragement as her own hands moved as his had, undoing his belt and jeans, her fingers brushing over his hard length with a soft moan, which he echoed.

He captured her hands, bringing them one at a time to his lips to kiss them, smiling as he whispered, "I think I can take it from here, honey. Why don't you get on the bed?"

Dacey smiled, leaning in to kiss him lightly before moving over to the bed, wriggling out of her jeans and laying them over a chair then bending to fold down the covers. Glenn groaned softly, watching her as she sat in the centre of the bed, looking up at him.

"Oh, Dacey," he murmured, sitting down on the bed, smiling at her.

She moved closer to him, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "Take off those jeans and come to bed, Glenn."

He looked over his shoulder at her, and she smiled at him, her hands caressing his back. Smiling, he leaned forward to take off his sneakers and then pushed his jeans down. She moved back to the centre of the bed, smiling at him as he moved to sit beside her in his shorts. His eyes travelled over her, taking in her lacy bra and simple bikini panties. She reached up to tug her hair free from its ponytail, shaking it around her shoulders. Glenn ran his fingers through it slowly as he moved closer to her. She smiled, reaching up to his hair, taking the tie out of it, tossing it onto the bedside table with the one from hers. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him, giving a little groan at the feel of her skin pressed against his. His lips sought hers, kissing her deeply.

He lay back, taking her with him, stretching out on the bed, delighted when she pressed the full length of her body to his as they lay on their sides. He trailed his fingertips down her arm as he kissed her, feeling her shiver at his touch. His lips moved to her throat, pressing soft kisses down it, as her hand came up to stroke through his hair, her body arching more to his. He groaned softly - he wanted to know every inch of her, but this first time, when everything was new, when he began learning her . . . there was nothing more precious than this.

Dacey felt light-headed as Glenn's lips moved over her shoulder, kissing lightly along her collarbone as his fingers eased the strap of her bra down. His every touch made her tingle with anticipation. She felt the slight scratch of his beard as he kissed down her chest, feeling his fingers so gently pushing her bra down, his breath tickling at her nipple as he paused there, making her moan softly and arch her body to his.

His hand moved to her back, caressing her before brushing his lips against her nipple very softly. Her breathy cry was like a jolt of electricity through him, and he closed his lips around that hardening nub, sucking on it very gently as he held her close. She whimpered, her fingers in his hair, holding his head to her, her body shuddering with the wonderful sensations that coursed through her.

He groaned with pleasure at her responsiveness, flicking his tongue over her nipple gently before pressing a soft kiss to the fullness of her breast, reaching behind her to undo her bra. He lay back from her a little and drew it off her, dropping it beside the bed before bringing a hand up to cup one bared breast. He leaned in to kiss her, whispering, "Honey, you take my breath away."

Her body arched up to his touch, her lips parting under his, eyes closing as she lost herself in his kiss. Her heart was racing as her hands moved slowly over his chest, feeling the smoothness of his skin, the muscles under it. She shivered, pulling him closer to her, returning his kiss with passion. The feel of his big body against hers, skin to skin, was so good. She draped her leg over his, and drew her foot slowly up his calf.

Tracing a fingertip over her temple, he kissed her gently, his voice low as he spoke. "Dacey, my darling girl, I want you so much."

Her lips were soft and yielding under his, her body pressed close against him, as she whispered, "I'm yours, Glenn."

He hugged her to him fiercely - she was his. His precious, beautiful Dacey. His lips sought her throat, kissing down it slowly, inhaling her scent, tasting her skin. He could feel her shiver, even feel her nipples hardening as they dragged against his chest as he moved lower. He nuzzled between her breasts, delighted when her hand came up to tangle in his hair as she arched towards him. His lips and tongue explored the fullness of her breasts, kissing and licking, while his hands cupped them gently.

She moaned his name softly as she writhed on the bed under the onslaught of his lips. His every touch was sparking greater excitement in her, leaving her almost lightheaded with desire. Glenn felt a renewed surge of his own desire at the sound of her voice, the way her body moved. His hands skimmed down over her breasts, stroking over her body, delighting in the curve that swept down her ribs to her waist, his face still buried between her breasts, nuzzling them, slowly kissing his way back up the smooth length of her throat to capture her lips again.

Dacey kissed him passionately, her hands moving over his chest as she did, breaking the kiss to whisper against his lips, "My turn, Glenn."

He smiled at her, his hand coming up to cup her face, his eyes closing as her lips moved down to his throat, pressing soft kisses as she went. He stroked his fingers through her hair as his head fell back, the touch of her lips against his skin potently arousing.

Feeling once more surrounded by him, Dacey gave herself over to indulging every sense. Her tongue flicked out to taste his skin as her lips felt its warmth. She nuzzled his neck where it met his shoulder, loving the play of his muscles under his skin. Moving a little further down, she pressed a soft open mouthed kiss into the hollow above his collarbone, breathing in his scent.

Glenn's arms went around her, holding her close to him. He was delighted by her sensual nature, even as it surprised him. He couldn't help the moan that escaped him as she nibbled gently along the line of his collarbone, her lips and tongue caressing him.

She whispered, "I love these places where skin stretches over bone, Glenn. I hope you don't mind."

"Mind?" he gasped softly. "Dacey, I'm in heaven!"

He felt rather than heard her soft laugh, and then her lips tracked down the center of his chest. She nuzzled her cheek to his chest, her tongue flicking out to lick at one nipple, making him groan deeply this time. Darting a glance up at his face, she circled the tip of her tongue around his nipple and then teased it lightly. His body shuddered in reaction, and his arms pulled her closer to him. She wriggled against him, his hard cock pressed against her belly.

In a move that surprised him completely, she slipped down and out of his arms, pushing his shorts down and running her tongue along the length of his cock with a little moan of pleasure. His hips bucked at the touch of her tongue, and she placed one hand on his hip to hold him steady as she looked up his body at him. Her thumb was lightly caressing his skin and her breath puffed warmly against his cock.

"I'm the one in heaven now, fear mo chroi," Dacey murmured as she pushed him onto his back and straddled his legs.

Glenn's eyes were wide with surprise at this side of her. She leaned forward, and her hair brushed lightly over his abs as it fell forward over her shoulder. She pressed a kiss to his navel with a soft laugh, and then her lips trailed across his pelvis, barely touching his skin.

"Mmm goody, here's another of those lovely spots," she murmured, nibbling at the point of his hip before pressing a soft kiss directly under it.

He could only groan with pleasure, one hand caressing her head. "Aingeal, you have no idea what you're doing to me."

Her fingers closed gently around his shaft as she looked up at him from under her tumbled red curls, lightly stroking him. "Oh, I think I do."

His hips bucked up more strongly at her touch, and then it was his turn to surprise her. He sat up quickly and bore her backwards onto the bed, his lips finding hers in a hard passionate kiss as his body covered hers. To his delight, she responded with equal passion, her tongue stroking over his, one leg wrapping up around his hip as she ground herself against him.

As Glenn kissed down her neck, Dacey tipped her head back, her hands coming back up to his hair. His lips sought first one nipple and then the other, suckling each in turn, his hands cupping the fullness of her breasts as she arched under him. His fingers replaced his lips on her nipples as he kissed down her body, exploring more of her soft skin. Her stomach quivered at the soft kisses, and she gave a helpless moan, squirming as he teased at her navel, delighted by the little belly jewel she wore.

"This is so sexy, aingeal."

She raised her head to look down at him, and his cock twitched at the naked desire blazing in her eyes. Somehow, he had thought she would be shy in bed - to discover that her passion more than equalled his own was delighting and exciting him in ways he could never have imagined. He brushed his fingers over her panties and then grinned, lowering his head and taking the fabric in his teeth, slowly tugging them down over one hip.

Dacey shivered - Glenn's mix of playfulness and sensuality was heady stuff and she loved every second of it. His beard tickled her skin as he moved to her other hip, and she raised her hips slightly from the bed to help him undress her. He nuzzled his cheek to her hip as his hands took over from his teeth, drawing her panties down her legs and tossing them aside before removing his shorts.

Glenn took Dacey's hand, urging her to shift position on the bed, watching as she lay back against the pillows, looking up at him. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at her. He remembered the first time he had seen her naked, and how much he had wanted her then, even though he thought she would never return his interest. His hands caressed her thighs as he pressed a soft kiss to the rosebud tattoo just above her smooth mound and she moaned softly, shivering at the touch of his lips.

He wanted her so much, it was almost agony not to pin her down and take her right at that moment. But this first time needed to be special - he would never have this moment again. Moving back up over her, his hand was gentle as it caressed her hip, his lips trailing over the curve of one breast and from there up her neck, delighting in the little sounds of pleasure she made as he did.

Lying on his side, propped on one elbow, he allowed his other hand to explore her body as he kissed her softly, his fingertips caressing her soft skin. His tongue teased at hers as his hand cupped the curve of her hip, and then drifted down over her belly towards her mound.

Dacey moaned softly against his lips, her legs parting as her body arched up to his touch. Every nerve in her body seemed to be quivering in anticipation, and her hands clutched at his shoulders as she kissed him more passionately, whispering, "Touch me, Glenn, before I go insane."

He needed no more invitation than that, allowing his fingers to part her soft folds in a slow caress as he kissed her deeply. Her hips bucked up to his fingers as they stroked through her silky wetness. As she moaned into his kiss, her nails digging into his shoulders, he was lost. He moved to cover her body, lying between her legs as she spread them wide for him, withdrawing his fingers.

Kissing her softly, he whispered, "I can't wait any longer, Dacey, my darling. Forgive me, I wanted it to be perfect because it's our first time."

Her arms went up around his neck, her eyes locked to his as she whispered back, "It already is, Glenn, because I'm with you."

He felt such a rush of emotion at her words, wrapping his arms around her, burying his face in the curve of her neck and holding her close. She stroked her hands gently over his shoulders, and after a long moment, he raised his head, kissing her softly, smiling at her. She looked up at him with such love in her eyes, and he stroked one hand over her hair as he bent to kiss her, his other hand moving between their bodies to guide his cock into her.

Dacey moaned softly, feeling the warm caress as Glenn rubbed the head of his cock along the length of her wet folds, and she pulled her knees up, resting her heels lightly on the bed as she rocked her hips up to his. He groaned, slowly sliding into her - she was wet and ready for him and she felt so good.

Her nails dug into his shoulders as he entered her, and she gasped, hooking one foot up over his hip, opening herself more to him. He froze at the sound of her gasp, afraid of hurting her, and she leaned up to kiss him, panting against his lips, "Don't stop!"

She rocked her hips towards his, and he thrust fully into her, almost crying out himself as he sheathed himself deeply inside her. He kissed her as he caressed her face, all but overwhelmed by the sensation of their bodies joining. She wrapped both legs around his hips, kissing him, her hands stroking over his back. It was a long moment before either of them moved.

Finally, Glenn pushed himself up on his arms and began making slow thrusts, his eyes half closed in bliss at the feel of her body. Dacey ran her hands over his shoulders and chest, moaning softly with pleasure as her hips rocked up to meet him, finding his rhythm almost instantly. He opened his eyes, locking them with hers, drinking in the sight of her as he bent his head to kiss her. Her lips met his eagerly, one hand cupping the back of his neck as she arched her body up to his.

Her passionate responsiveness thrilled him deeply, the way her body moved with his. He loved the play of her muscles under her soft skin, feeling her thighs flexing as she moved her legs higher around his waist, opening herself more to him. With a low groan, he increased the force of his thrusts, although he kept the pace slow. To his joy, Dacey tightened her legs around his waist as he did.

Now he could feel her strength, her athlete's body not just beautiful to his eyes but to his senses. The softness of her skin, the scent of her hair, and the feel of her arms and legs wrapped around him as she arched up to his body. And the sensations of being inside her were almost too great - her inner walls so tight and slick, and to his delight she was able to take his full length, almost as if she were made for him.

He had to be closer to her, and he lowered himself to his elbows, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her deeply. Her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him close as he renewed his thrusts. She rested her heels on his ass as she rocked her hips up to his, loving the feel of his big body covering hers, the warmth of his skin against hers.

Glenn looked deep into Dacey's eyes, one hand gently smoothing her hair back from her face, bending his head to kiss her again. She moaned against his lips, and her nails dug into his shoulders as her hips met his more insistently. The passion in her eyes was intoxicating, his own thrusts become harder and she responded in kind, making him groan with pleasure.

Time seemed to stand still then, as their bodies moved together in an ageless rhythm. Sweat sheened their skin, and the only sounds apart from their hips meeting were gasps and moans of pleasure. It didn't seem possible, but every thrust he made felt better than the last. Dacey's body was a glorious treasure, and her every sound and expression just amplified what he was feeling.

Dacey was breathless with wonder at the feelings Glenn had awoken in her. His big body was bringing her intense sensations of pleasure, almost as if he knew her body better than she did herself. Every time she felt that she had reached the zenith of her excitement, he took her beyond it. The tension that was coiling deep in her belly hinted at an orgasm that might well be mind-blowing, and Glenn seemed so tuned in to her that it wasn't likely she'd be left unfulfilled. Each time he'd stroked inside her in just the right way, touched her how she loved it, he caught whatever cues she gave and kept doing it. Which was making her steadily more incapable of anything other than wordless noises of pleasure and plenty of them.

The other thing that was driving her wild was the sounds Glenn was making - almost as a counterpoint to her own rather noisy expressiveness, he was panting and groaning in her ear. Knowing that she was making him feel even half of what he was drawing from her was a thrill for her. Especially since she felt like she wasn't exactly an equal partner at the moment - he was overwhelming her with pleasure, leaving her barely able to respond to his lovemaking, let alone return it in any way.

Glenn lifted his head, looking into Dacey's eyes. He could feel his excitement cresting, and he longed to bring her to that peak first, before he lost himself completely in the joy her body was giving him.

He kissed her lightly and whispered, "I'm so close, Dacey. Tell me what you need, honey."

Her eyes shone with love for him, her hand coming up to caress his face as she moaned softly against his lips, "Hard and fast, Glenn. I need to feel you deep inside me."

With a low groan of desire, he pushed himself up on his hands over her and rocked his hips forward, watching her face. She let out a low gasp, and her inner walls clenched around him, telling him all he needed to know. Resting his weight on his hands and knees, he began to piston his hips to hers harder, his position allowing him to take long strokes deep inside her.

Moaning, she lowered her legs from around his waist, her heels pressed now into the mattress as she snapped her hips up to his, timing it to meet his thrusts. Her hands stroked up his arms, her nails raking lightly over his skin. The force of his thrusts increased, and she tilted her hips, crying out, her nails digging into his forearms as they found the perfect angle together.

Glenn groaned her name as he began thrusting faster, drinking in the sight of her. She met his passion head-on, her body working with his, thrilling him deeply. Her breathing was becoming ragged, and her hands clutched harder to his arms as she drove her hips up to his, and he knew she was close.

Dacey's hips strained up to his, the slap of their skin meeting loud now as she was reduced to breathless panting. And still her excitement mounted with every hard thrust he made. Just when she thought she could take no more, a flood of heat washed through her and she arched up in the grip of a powerful orgasm, her head back, moaning his name as she gripped tightly to his arms.

He had never seen anything more beautiful than her face at that moment, suffused with pleasure. Her hips bucked up hard to his, and her inner walls spasmed around his cock, making him groan. He wanted to stop, to savour her climax, but he was past the point of no return. His hips drove hard and fast to hers, seeking his own pleasure now, the rippling of her walls exciting him even more.

He bent his head to kiss her, delighted when she responded with panted words of encouragement, her hips once more moving in time with his, her hands caressing his body. He let himself go then, her name a hoarse shout from his lips as he strained into her one final time before he released. Dimly, he felt her legs wrap around his hips as he collapsed forward onto her, and he moaned as her hips rocked gently, finishing him.

He could do little more than pant heavily for a moment, his arms going around her. Raising his head, he met her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her softly. Her hand came up to caress his face, her expression full of love.

Smiling, Glenn nuzzled his cheek to her hand. "I must be heavy."

"Don't you dare move!" she chuckled very softly, tightening her legs around him.

He rested his weight on his elbows with a chuckle of his own. "Fine with me, honey. I'll happily stay inside you forever." He nudged his hips to hers with a sigh of pleasure.

She echoed his sigh, nuzzling into his neck. "Amen, a ghrá mo chroí. I never want you to leave."

Holding her close, Glenn rolled slowly onto his side. Dacey unlocked her ankles from around his waist as he moved, but she kept one leg wrapped around his hip as they lay facing one another. As they had started out, Glenn realised with a smile, stroking her tangled red curls back from her face. She turned her head to kiss his palm lightly.

"Guess we skipped taking it slow, hmm?" he asked.

She smiled. "It's not going to stop me falling in love with you, Glenn."

"You mean you aren't already in love with me?" he protested laughingly.

"De reir a cheile a thogtar na caisleain, fear mo chroí," she kissed him lightly. "It takes time to build castles."

"Castles?" he was confused.

"Something my grandmother told me. When I was little, I thought she meant it literally - there was a castle not far from her house. But it really means that strong things, important things, take time. Like love," she smiled. "I suspect I could spend the rest of my life falling in love with you."

He pulled her close, his eyes closing at the thought of spending the rest of his life with her. "Then from your lips to God's ears, aingeal, as my own grandmother used to say."

She sighed happily, snuggling in to him. They lay together quietly, Glenn's hands gently caressing her back, until she raised her head, smiling at him.

"I'd like a shower before bed - come with me?"

He nodded, and they sat up together. She rested her head against his shoulder for a moment before scooting off the bed and heading for the bathroom. He smiled as he followed her, taking in the lines of her back as she leaned in to turn on the shower and then reached for the hotel soap, holding it up with a little giggle.

"Not that I don't love the scent of your soap, but I think that's taking togetherness too far!"

He laughed, chasing her into the shower, closing the door after him. He took the soap out of her hands and lathered up his hands before running them slowly over her chest. She sighed with pleasure at his touch, and reached for his soap to do the same for him

There was something delightful about this afterplay, Glenn thought to himself, as they caressed one another's bodies while still coming down from the high of their pleasure. She picked up his shampoo to wash her hair, and he took it from her, smiling, working it through her hair as she stood facing him. She tilted her head back into the spray as he held her close, using one hand to tease the suds from her hair, loving the feel of her body against his.

She returned the favour, shampooing his hair as she stood behind him. The brush of her nipples against his back was the most delicious sensation, and he gave a soft moan as her fingers massaged his scalp. He would have been happy to stay there with her forever, touching her, having her so close, but it was getting late. He shut off the water and she opened the door, reaching for towels for them both.

They dried one another's skin gently, more of those caresses that felt so wonderful after making love, and then Dacey twisted her hair up into her towel and reached for his hairbrush. She had him sit on the bed while she used his towel to dry his hair off as she sat behind him, and then slowly brushed it, patiently working out the tangles his curly hair naturally seemed to run to.

He practically melted at her touch, loving the tenderness of this simple act. When she was done, he turned to kiss her before settling her between his legs and taking the brush from her. He couldn't resist kissing the back of her neck before unwrapping the towel from her hair, tossing it towards the bathroom. As he drew the brush slowly through her hair, he sighed at the feel of it. As it dried, he could see too the various colours in it, from gold through auburn to the dark titian red that was the predominant shade.

She leaned back against him as he set the brush down on the nightstand, her eyes half closed.

"That was blissful, Glenn."

"For me too, honey. Tired?"

"Mmmm, yes. But it's such a good tired."

Her hands caressed his legs, and he swept her hair over her shoulder to kiss the back of her neck again, before they lay down together. He opened his arms to her and she came to him, fitting herself against his body with a little sigh of pleasure as she drew the covers up over them. She nestled her head on his shoulder and pressed a soft kiss to his chest. He reached out to turn out the lights, stroking his fingers through her hair slowly as he gave a contented sigh.

"I love you, Glenn," she whispered softly.

"And I love you, my darling girl." He hugged her close.

@@@

Glenn woke slowly, a smile spreading over his face as he felt Dacey's warm naked body pressed to his and he remembered the evening before. His fingers stroked gently through her hair as he held her close. He was lost in a pleasant reverie when she stirred, nuzzling her cheek to his chest, and he smiled.

"Good morning, my aingeal."

Dacey looked up at him, her expression still sleepy, but smiling. "Dia dhuit ar maidin, a ghrá mo chroí."

She was lovely when she was just awake, Glenn decided - hell, she was lovely all the time, but there was an intimacy in seeing her this way, something not just anyone would see. He used one hand to brush the tangle of red curls back from her face and then leaned up to kiss her.

"You know, I didn't think there was anything better than waking up with you in my arms, but there is."

"What's that, Glenn?" she asked, nuzzling her face to his touch.

"Waking up with you in my arms after making love to you the night before," he smiled.

She smiled back at him. "I have to say, I loved how you made love to me last night."

He stroked his fingers through her hair. "You did?"

"Very much - I don't think I had my wits about me enough last night to tell you so." She leaned up to kiss him.

"I was delighted by you, too, honey."

Her cheeks coloured a little. "I didn't do much - usually I'm a more active participant." She kissed him, her hand on his face. "But you were driving me almost insane with pleasure, fear mo chroí."

He darted a look at the clock, and then nuzzled at her throat. "We do have some time before breakfast, aingeal."

She wriggled against him, feeling his cock begin to harden against her hip, her head arched back. "That's a very dangerous notion."

"But I like living dangerously, Dacey," he kissed along her shoulder.

Laughing softly, she pushed him onto his back, nuzzling behind his ear. "Be it on your head, then."

He ran one hand down her back with a low moan as her lips tracked kisses down his throat and her hand caressed his chest. Her thigh draped over his, nudging at his cock as she pressed closer to him, making him harden more. She smiled against his chest as her hand drifted down over his abs to wrap around his shaft, stroking him lightly, making him moan a little louder.

With a soft kiss to his chest, she rose to her knees beside him, bending her head to his cock, curling her tongue around the head slowly. Her hair brushed his abs, making him squirm, and she placed her other hand on his belly to hold him still as her tongue teased at him. His hand clutched at her hip as his head arched back on the pillow, delighted at the way she was taking charge, and at how good she was making him feel.

She shifted position again, this time gently nudging his legs apart so she could kneel between them, bending her head to lave his cockhead wetly, which had him almost whimpering with pleasure. A moment later, he couldn't hold back the whimpers as she took him in her mouth, his hands clutching at the sheets convulsively.

He wasn't fully erect yet, meaning she could take him deep into her warm wet mouth, her tongue flickering against him as she hummed in the back of her throat. His toes were curling at the sensations that sent through him, and he squirmed more under the hand she had on his belly. But when her other hand moved from stroking the base of his shaft to fondle his balls, there was no way he could keep still, his hips bucking up hard as he groaned.

"Oh God, Dacey, baby . . . " he panted, one hand coming up to her head, although he wasn't sure if he wanted her to stop or keep going, settling instead for just stroking those tumbled red curls.

She looked up at him, her green eyes dark with desire, feeling him swelling more against her lips, a little shiver passing through her as she slowly bobbed her head up and down over him. It was intoxicating, feeling him hardening in her mouth, hearing his moans, and knowing she was causing them. It was also arousing her, far more than she expected.

There would be other times for her to make love to him with just her mouth, she decided, releasing his cock with a soft kiss to the head and moving to straddle his hips. She leaned down to kiss him as she ground herself against his hard shaft, and then raised up just enough to guide him into her with one hand.

Glenn moaned as she slid down onto his cock, feeling her tight slick heat enveloping him. As she pushed herself upright with her hands on his chest, he looked up at her in something like awe. This was another new side of her, and one he liked. A lot. His hands stroked over her sleek thighs, delighting once again in the softness of her skin over those lean muscles, as she began to rock her hips to his.

Dacey smiled down at him as he caressed her, loving his gentle touches. Not to mention the feel of his shaft inside her, stroking deliciously along her inner walls. She rotated her hips slowly, wanting to feel him as many ways as she could, exploring him, much as they had done the night before, learning what felt good, and what made him feel good.

Glenn's hands moved to grip her hips gently, steadying her as she thrust, unable to help his groans of pleasure. Her hands were warm on his chest, and as he looked up at her, this breath caught in his throat. She was so beautiful to him, his precious girl, and he loved her so much. Her head was tilted back as she rode him, so slowly, so enticingly, soft moans coming from her as she moved. He loved how she had taken the lead this time with their lovemaking, and he communicated that to her in the only way he could, with caresses and touches.

As she continued her slow thrusts, he slid one hand up her body to cup one full breast, feeling her nipple hardening against his palm as he did. She arched her back, pressing her breast more to his hand, and he gently tweaked her nipple between his fingertips, making her moan and thrust a little harder against him.

His grip on her hip tightened as he thrust up to meet her, moaning her name, and she responded by increasing the force of her thrusts. Her breasts bounced as she did, and he could feel the warm weight in his cupping hand. He wanted to bury his face between them, but he felt too damn good lying under her to even move.

She looked down at him, her red hair tumbled forward over her shoulders, her eyes dark with desire as she panted his name. She could feel his thick shaft throbbing inside her, and it was like a drug she couldn't get enough of. Every thrust felt better than the last, and she could feel the heat gathering in her belly. Leaning forward a little, she almost whimpered in delight as her clit rubbed against his pubic bone, and her nails dug into his muscular chest in response as she clenched her inner walls around him.

That sweet clench almost had his eyes rolling back into his head at how good it felt, and he groaned, "Oh god, Dacey . . . baby, yes!"

Even lost in the bliss of his body, she didn't miss how he throbbed inside her at that, and how his hips bucked up harder. She picked up the pace of her thrusts, clenching herself around him, whimpering at the increased friction, but holding back her own orgasm until she could bring him to the peak of his pleasure.

Glenn couldn't stop his moans as Dacey's hips drove hard and fast to his, her inner walls tightening around him in ways that had him almost crying out with how good it felt. His hands clutched at her hips now, holding her steady as his hips pumped up from the bed to meet her thrusts. They had found their rhythm now, and their moans and sounds of pleasure became steadily more breathless.

Their eyes locked as their bodies moved together, and Glenn loved the look on her face. Her skin was flushed and her eyes fairly blazed her love and desire for him as she whispered his name over and over. He felt his heart swell at that, and whispered hoarsely, "Let go, Dacey - come for me, baby."

She moaned, grinding her hips to his as she thrust harder, her nails digging into his chest, her hips bucking hard to his a moment later as her orgasm swept through her. He thrilled at the sight of that pleasure on her face, even as the rippling spasms of her inner walls made him groan. She rocked her hips to his, raising one hand to his face as she panted, "Your turn, Glenn."

That caress and his name on her lips, and the feel of her walls contracting around his cock, were the final pleasurable sensations, and his grip on her hips tightened as he came, crying out her name as his hips surged up to hers.

She continued to rock her hips to his languidly, and the moment he had recovered his wits he reached for her, pulling her down to his chest and wrapping his arms around her. It was long moments before they caught their breath, his hands caressing her back as she lay pillowed against him. He broke the silence with a chuckle.

"If that's living dangerously, I have to tell you - we're going to be doing it plenty, my darling girl."

She raised her head to grin at him. "That might ruin our spotless reputations for being on time for everything, fear mo chroí!"

"Small price to pay, in my humble opinion!" He leaned up to kiss her lightly. "Especially if I get to see that look on your face every time."

"What look?" she asked with a smile.

"The look you get when you come, honey. God, you have no idea how much I love seeing that!"

She blushed a little as she kissed him. "Cliched if I say 'Ditto', do you think?"

His arms tightened around her, hugging her close. "Who the hell cares?"

She nuzzled into his neck with a contented sigh, and he stroked one hand over her back slowly, feeling like he never wanted to move again.

After a few minutes, she pressed a soft kiss behind his ear. "We should get up, Glenn."

He sighed. "I know, Dacey." His fingers stroked through her hair gently. "I'm having a hard time letting you go though."

"I don't really want to leave, either," she admitted. "But I am going to need a shower, and a change of clothes. And breakfast."

"Shower with me? I can lend you my bathrobe to go back to your room," he nuzzled his cheek to hers.

She smiled at him. "You've got a deal."

@@@

It was almost an hour later when Glenn, wearing only a towel, closed the door after watching Dacey, dressed in his bathrobe and carrying her clothes, let herself into her own room across the hall.

Showering together was an utterly delightful experience, and one that was going to make them late for just about everything, he thought with a grin. Very late, if they were lucky. It was too easy to lose track of time when they were exploring one another's bodies. Even easier when Dacey was pressed close to him, making the most delightful little sounds of pleasure as he touched her, her own hands busily fondling him.

Probably just as well she was across the hall, he chuckled to himself, or he'd be pinning her to the bed right about now, and saying to hell with breakfast. With that delightful thought in mind, he dressed and went across the hall, knocking on her door.

She opened it, smiling at him. "I'm almost ready, Glenn - give me a minute?" She stepped back to let him come in.

He grinned, letting his eyes travel over her jeans and t-shirt. "Take two, honey. I'm in no hurry."

She leaned up to kiss his cheek and then moved back into the room, sitting down on the end of the bed to put on her sneakers. He leaned against the wall, watching her with a smile. There was something intimate about this too, and it felt damned good. She rose to her feet a moment later and reached for her hairbrush, running it quickly through her hair and then setting it down as she pulled her hair over her shoulder and began working it into its usual braid.

Glenn pushed himself off the wall and came up behind her, bending down to kiss the back of her neck as she did. Dacey gave a little shiver at that, and he looked up, meeting her eyes in the mirror in front of them.

"Don't mind me, honey," he smiled at her reflection, nuzzling at her nape.

Her fingers continued to weave her hair into a thick braid over one shoulder, but she leaned back against him as she did, giving a little sigh of pleasure. He nuzzled his cheek to hers gently as his hands stole around her waist, holding her close. She smiled at his reflection, arching her head to the side as his lips trailed kisses down her throat again.

She moaned very softly, and he looked up at their reflections, smiling as he saw her nipples hardening through her t-shirt. His hands slid up her body to cup her breasts as he continued to kiss her neck. Her hands paused in their braiding, and she whimpered softly as his fingers teased at her nipples through the fabric covering them.

He whispered softly in her ear, "I think you like this, honey."

Her back arched, and she whispered back, "I think you might be right, fear mo chroí."

"I guess the question is - how much do we want breakfast?" He flicked his tongue over her earlobe, pulling her back against his body.

"It's not a matter of want - it's more about need," she said a little breathlessly.

"Hmmm, good point. I guess I do need to let you eat before I drag you back into bed." He winked at her reflection, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her close.

She chuckled softly, turning her head to kiss his cheek as her hands went back to finish braiding her hair. "Not to mention we do have appearances this morning."

"And a show tonight. Yeah, we definitely need breakfast. And lunch. Got to keep our strength up, right?"

Dacey secured the end of her braid with a hair tie and turned to Glenn, taking his face in both hands and leaning up to kiss him. "Absolutely. Shall we?"

@@@

The hotel restaurant was, as usual, crowded with members of the roster at this hour, as Glenn and Dacey threaded their way through tables, hand in hand.

Mark looked up as they arrived at his table. "Wondered if you two were going to make it this morning," he said mildly.

He didn't miss the blush on Dacey's face, or the grin on Glenn's. So much for taking it slow, he thought. But then, he could hardly blame either of them. The heart wanted what it wanted - he remembered that only too clearly from when he had fallen in love with Isabelle. He could only hope they fared as well as he and Isabelle had.

Their appearances were separated now, as the storyline for Darkness began to unfold. They wanted to keep the mystique surrounding the characters as intact as they could. So Dacey was heading to a signing at one mall, while Mark and Glenn were on their way across town to another mall.

Conversation over breakfast centred around the upcoming matches and backstage action - now that more of the details of the Darkness storyline were known, things would certainly be heating up. But for tonight's houseshow, only Mark and Dacey would be have matches - Dacey against Jazz, and Mark against Dave Batista.

Collecting their gear after breakfast, Glenn took Dacey's arm and pulled her into his room, wrapping his arms around her and bending to kiss her. As their lips parted, she smiled up at him, her hand caressing his face.

"And what was that for, fear mo chroí?" she asked.

"Just felt like it," he chuckled.

"Hmmm. I see. Well, carry on then," she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back down to kiss him.

They were a few minutes late getting down to the lobby, and had to be content with a wave goodbye as they went to their respective rides. Not that there had been any lack of kisses up to that point. Dacey climbed into the backseat of the waiting van, giving her companions a quick smile.

"Sorry I'm late, guys," she said.

Jimmy Snuka turned and gave her a cocky grin, a la his in-ring persona of Deuce. "No trouble, toots. I imagine it's kinda hard to get a pinfall or submission to get away from that fella of yours."

Kara, her hair pulled up in her trademark ponytail, chuckled and smacked at his arm before turning to Dacey. "We weren't waiting - these two spend more time fussing over their hair than I do!"

Looking at the ducktails that both Jimmy and Cliff had combed to perfection, Dacey had to laugh. "Well worth the effort, guys!"

Dacey had been friends with the trio at OVW before they'd moved up to the big show, and had been pleased when they welcomed her to the ranks when she'd eventually followed them. She had commiserated with Kara, who had been stuck firmly in her valet role since the move from OVW, while silently thanking the lucky stars that had blessed her with first the Brat Pack opportunity and now the storyline with Mark and Glenn.

Their appearance at a local music store drew quite a crowd, and Dacey welcomed the opportunity to drop the mask of her rather demented on-screen persona and be more herself as she signed posters and photos and had her picture taken with fans. It was heartwarming to hear their sentiments, and, following Mark and Glenn's example, she was always mindful to thank them for their support.

Still, by the end of the hour, her hand was cramped from signing her name, and her face ached from smiling. Like her colleagues, she was only too happy to get into the van to be taken to the venue and truly relax, away from the public eye.

"Phew!" Kara smiled. "Lots of people today."

Jimmy nodded. "Good crowd though - and most folks I talked to said they'd be at the show tonight, which is good."

Dacey agreed, and Cliff turned to her. "So, who you beating the stuffing out of tonight, toots?"

"Jazz and I have a match," she chuckled. "And for your information, I'm laying down for her. So there!" She poked her tongue out at him.

"Bet you get a few good licks in before you do, though!" he grinned.

"Maybe," she smirked and then laughed. There was no way she could keep up any kind of bad-ass persona for long, except when she was working.

@@@

After lunch at the venue, Dacey headed for the gym with Glenn to get in her usual daily workout. Glenn spotted for her, even though she wasn't really able to return the favour for him. They moved out to the arena together, and while Glenn relaxed in the audience seats, she went through her match with Jazz, with Jeff on hand for a bit of impromptu coaching.

She wanted to try out the double jump moonsault in her match, but to have Jazz block it in classic fashion by pulling her knees up. Jeff walked her through how to do the splash onto Jazz and make it look as if she had landed on those pulled up knees without injuring either of them, and the three of them laughed as they worked out the mechanics.

Glenn watched from ringside, at once impressed by Dacey's work and entranced by just watching her move. She had an athlete's easy grace, able to fling her long lean frame around the ring almost as easily as the much smaller Jazz did. With a pang of surprise, watching her with Jeff, he realized she was almost as tall as the man. He guessed that was why she had gravitated to his learning tree - he incorporated a lot of high flying moves that Glenn knew she was eager to emulate, and their similar heights meant he was coaching her from experience.

Jazz, satisfied with the moonsault, rolled to her feet and they moved on with blocking the match. She looked Dacey up and down and grinned.

"I think you need to get a few more moves in - how about an enzuigiri?"

Dacey shrugged. "Not part of my repertoire, I'm afraid."

Jeff shook his head. "Bullshit, Dace - you can do an enzuigiri. Come on, give it a shot."

She looked at him. "Come on, Jeff. You know I can't do a standing dropkick, what makes you think I can do an enzuigiri?"

He rolled his eyes. "Because it's not the same thing? You don't need to jump to do it, for starters. You can do it more like a step up kick."

He beckoned to her as he moved towards the centre of the ring, and she followed him, a bit hesitantly. He held his hands out at waist height. "Now, you kick first with your left leg, and I catch it, like I'm blocking it."

Shrugging to herself, she moved over to him, standing off to his side a little and kicked out slowly with her left foot, which he grabbed and held firmly.

He nodded. "Okay, now, using this leg," he gave her foot a pat in emphasis, "I want you to step up - I'll support your weight - and then you do the enzuigiri with your right leg. I'll fall, and your momentum will take you over the top of me. Roll into it, okay?"

She chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she considered the mechanics of this, bouncing a little on her right foot to get ready, and then she threw her weight forward onto her left leg, like she was stepping up to the ring apron. True to his word, Jeff held her foot firmly, supporting her weight, and she kicked out with her right leg. She knew instantly she didn't have the right angle, and her foot connected with his left shoulder, rather than the back of his head.

But he fell anyway, letting go of her foot. She dived over him, rolling to her feet a moment later. She grinned at him. "I want to try that again!"

He laughed as he got to his feet. "Thought you might. Kick up a bit harder this time, okay?"

She nodded, eager to try again. She kicked out with her left foot, which he caught and held firmly. A moment later, she was stepping up, her right leg sweeping up and across, connecting with the back of his head as he let go of her foot. This time, he dropped to the mat, and she rolled out of the kick and bounced to her feet, grinning widely.

Jeff looked up at her from the mat. "Told you that you could do it!"

Jazz chuckled and stepped forward. "Try it with me now."

Dacey was about to question if Jazz could hold her for it, and then just grinned. Jazz had shown her before that she had what it took. They tested the stance, working out the best position, and then Dacey kicked towards Jazz's chest. Jazz grabbed her foot, letting her hands drop a little before nodding to Dacey, who stepped up and kicked out with the other leg, landing the enzuigiri right on the mark.

Both of them fell to the mat, Dacey rolling over Jazz and coming to her feet. "Okay, so now what?"

Jazz looked thoughtful. "I need to set you up for the snap DDT - how about if you stagger back into the corner and I hit you with a monkey flip?"

Dacey considered this, nodding slowly. "That would work - I could get up slow from that, and then you'd be in position to grab me for the front facelock."

They rehearsed the moves together a few times, getting a feel for the timing, and then called it quits, just as the Dudleys headed towards the ring. As Dacey was about to climb out through the ropes, she stopped and looked over at Jeff.

"Hey, next time, will you show me how to do a plancha?"

Jeff gave her a grin and nodded. "Sure." He thought a moment, then the grin widened. "Oh man, I just had the coolest idea!"

Dacey jumped down from the ring apron, looking at him curiously. "Oh?"

He laughed, and dropped to the mat, rolling out under the bottom rope. "When you learn to do a plancha, then I'll tell you." He looped his arm around her shoulders. "Good work on that enzuigiri, by the way."

Glenn joined them as they left the arena, and as they sat together in Catering, he realized with a grin that the ideas they had for Darkness could probably be stepped up a notch, if Dacey kept working with Jeff. Not a bad thing at all.

@@@

It was close to midnight by the time they got back to the hotel. Dacey went to her room only long enough to drop her wrestling gear off and grab her bathrobe and toothbrush before walking across the hall to Glenn's room.

Glenn chuckled as she closed the door behind her. "Honey, why not just bring your bags over here?"

She gave a little shrug. "Oh, good old Texan practicality, I suspect. The room's paid for, seems a shame not to use it for something. Besides, I can't take over your space."

He stepped closer to her, taking her things out of her hands and setting them down before drawing her into his arms with a smile. "I like having you in my space."

"I rather like being in your space myself," she smiled up at him, leaning up to kiss him lightly.

"How are you feeling after your match?" he asked, letting his hands move gently over her back. She and Jazz had put on a high intensity display which had won the crowd over, not to mention their colleagues in the back.

She wriggled her shoulders and gave a little shrug. "A little tired perhaps, but otherwise unharmed."

Tugging her t-shirt gently out of her jeans, he slid his hands under it, to stroke her skin softly. "So you wouldn't like a backrub?"

Exhaling a sigh of pleasure as she leaned her head against his chest, she murmured, "Now, did I say that? But you're spoiling me, Glenn."

He kissed the top of her head with a chuckle. "I'm far more selfish than you think, honey. I'm kinda hoping that you'll return the favour for me on occasion."

"Just a backrub, Glenn?" she nuzzled her cheek to his chest. "I'm fairly sure I can do more for you than that to make you feel good."

To her surprise, his only response to that was a sigh. She looked up at him, and he brought one hand up to stroke her hair. "I don't think you understand, Dacey. I'm a big man, and I've been doing this a long time. There's nights after long matches that I'm pretty damn sore and tired. Too sore and tired to even think about sex, to be honest."

A frown creased her forehead, and he brushed his lips over it. "I'm telling you this because I was serious about what I said last night, about not wanting anything to come between us." He looked down at her face, and resisted the urge to sigh again. She was so young - he didn't want to think that she might be too young for him. Or more to the point, that he was too old for her.

"You think this might come between us?" The frown stayed where it was.

"I don't want it to, honey, but yes - I'm a little afraid it might."

"Why?"

How on earth could he explain it to her? "Dacey, making love to you last night and this morning was . . . nothing short of sublime. And God knows, I want that to continue to be the case. But I'm way closer to forty than I am to twenty, you know?"

Her eyes met his steadily, and he was about to speak again when her fingers came up to rest on his lips and she shook her head. "If all I wanted out of this relationship was sex, Glenn, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Her hand moved to caress his face and she smiled at him. "I love you. You're kind, and sweet. You're gentle, and you make me laugh. You make me feel safe, and like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. And you did all of that before we ever went to bed together."

"Will you still be saying that after a few weeks on the road, when I'm too tired to do more than kiss you goodnight?"

She chuckled softly then. "I could ask you the same question, Glenn. It's not like I'm sitting around eating chocolate covered cherries and reading magazines while you're working out and wrestling for a living, you know. I'll have my share of nights when you'll be lucky to get a snore out of me by the time we go to bed."

He pulled her to him in a fierce hug then. "Honey, so long as you're snoring in the same bed as me, I'll be happy."

"Wild horses couldn't get me out of it now, Glenn," she said as she returned his hug.

Later, lying in bed with her asleep in his arms, he found himself thinking back on the evening as he waited for sleep to claim him. He'd undressed her, the very thought of which brought a smile to his lips. Being able to caress her, touch her - even without making love, it was an undeniably erotic thrill. He had fully intended to give her that backrub, but instead they had simply lain together, caressing one another gently until she had fallen asleep cradled against him.

He pressed a soft kiss to her hair, sighing very softly. It had been a couple of years since his last relationship had ended. It had been a heady thing, full of wild passion, but ultimately lacking some vital element to make it last. In the soft light from the cityscape outside the window, looking at the woman sleeping in his arms, he knew now what it was.

His eyes slipped slowly closed, and he whispered as he drifted off to sleep, "I love you, Dacey."

@@@

Dacey came awake slowly, blinking a little at the light that flooded the room in spite of the drapes covering the window. Price they paid for an ocean view, obviously, as they were now also facing the rising sun. She eased away from Glenn a little and stretched gently. He muttered something in his sleep and pulled her back against him, making her smile.

Not that she was going to complain - she found his body utterly seductive. And there was something about waking up with him, their legs entwined, his arm around her, holding her against him, that was rapidly becoming one of her favourite things. Perhaps some day she might consider peeling herself away from him early in the morning to hit the gym or go for a run, but not today.

Today was a day off - no appearances, no show. Just a leisurely drive up to Tampa. They'd arranged to split a rental with Mark, and would be leaving after breakfast. That would give them time for a workout at the hotel this afternoon, or perhaps at the venue. Which was just was well, because the next day was busy. She had two appearances in the morning before the usual routine for a live show - wardrobe fittings, storyline meetings, match run-throughs.

Lulled by the sound of Glenn's deep, even breathing as he slept, Dacey drifted into a doze, her head pillowed on his shoulder, her hand splayed on his chest. Some indeterminate time later, she became aware of his fingers stroking up and down her back, very lightly.

She gave a tiny sigh of pleasure, nuzzling her cheek to his chest. "Mmmm, good morning."

"You are so beautiful when you're sleeping on my chest, honey," Glenn smiled.

Stretching against him, Dacey chuckled. "I'm kind of getting used to it in a hurry, I must admit." She brushed her lips over his chest. "You're comfortable."

"I am, yes - but we need to get up." He patted her ass gently. "Shower here?"

She lifted her head to smile at him. "Another thing I'm getting used to - yes, please."

And just like that, he wanted her. And that almost had him groaning in frustration. He wanted to explore every inch of her here in bed, and then again in the shower. He wanted to take his time, wanted it unhurried and leisurely, and that wasn't going to happen when they were on a schedule on the road.

She sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist, and stretched, and he did groan then, running his hand over her back. "Might need to make that a cold shower."

She looked over her shoulder at him, winking. "Now why would we do that?"

He sat up, his arms going around her, pulling her close to him as he nuzzled his cheek to her hair. "We don't really have time, honey - not for what I want. And I . . . you mean more to me than that."

Well now, she thought to herself, as she leaned back against him, she might just have something to say about that. She patted his arm gently, smiling. "Then come on, we should get going, huh?"

She slipped off the bed, turning to smile at him as she went into the bathroom. He followed her, running his hand down her back as she reached in to turn on the shower. She turned to him, raising her hands to gather her hair into a ponytail. His eyes dropped to her full breasts, which were displayed to their best advantage with her movements.

Hiding her smile, she stepped in under the water, letting it sluice down her back before turning to him. The water now coursed down over one shoulder and her breasts, and her nipples hardened at the sensation. Glenn fought the urge to whimper, watching her.

She beckoned to him. "Well, are you coming in?"

He nodded, stepping in with her, smiling as he reached around her for his soap and held it out to her. She leaned up to kiss him lightly as she took it, rubbing it between her hands to lather it, and stepped in closer to him, running it slowly over his chest. He tipped his head back, loving that gentle touch, his own hands reaching for her soap. To his surprise, she just stepped closer to him, making him back up a step. His shoulders hit the wall of the shower, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

She leaned up and ran the tip of her tongue along his neck to his ear, as one soapy hand drifted down his body, skating over his abs.

Absolutely baffled now, he tried to move away from her. "Dacey? What are you doing?"

In an instant her body pressed tightly to his, and she insinuated one foot between his, trapping his leg with hers as she whispered, "Glenn, sometimes you are too damn noble and self-sacrificing for your own good."

He turned his head to look at her, startled by the look of lust in her eyes. He was even more startled when she wrapped soapy fingers around his cock and began stroking it. This was more than just playful fondling, he thought with a moan, as she began to rub her mound against his muscular thigh in time with that stroking hand.

"Dacey?"

Her lips were now dotting soft open mouthed kisses over his chest as she teased his cock to full hardness. "Hush, Glenn, I'm busy here."

He leaned his head back against the wall of the shower with a deep groan as she released his cock just long enough to soap her hand up again. A moment later, her fingers resumed their slick strokes, dipping down to fondle his balls occasionally. He could feel her whole body against his, even the heat between her legs as she ground herself against his thigh, and his own hips began to thrust towards her hand.

It seemed to be what she was waiting for, as she flicked her tongue over one nipple. "That's it, baby. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"No, it feels incredible," he moaned, bringing one hand up to wrap around her and pull her tighter against him.

"Relax, baby. I'm going to take care of you," she whispered, as her fingers stroked faster along his cock, brushing her thumb over the head very lightly every so often.

Dear God, he thought fuzzily, feeling his balls tightening - what was she doing to him? Not that he was complaining - far from it, he couldn't keep his hips from thrusting towards her hand. But this was utterly unexpected, and just a bit one sided. All he could do was splay his hand flat against the small of her back as she rocked her hips against his thigh. To his amazement, that alone seemed to be enough for her, if her breath steepening in his ear was anything to go by.

But then she tightened her fingers around his throbbing cock and he was lost. His nails dug into her back as he moaned, her fist now pumping his cock. If not for the wall behind him, and her body pressing him against it, he would be on the floor, he was certain. He snapped his hips forward one last time with a deep groan as he came, covering her hand with his release as she continued to pump him, more gently now.

It took a moment for him to realize that she was still rubbing herself against him, and he clutched her tighter to him as she shuddered. Looking down into her face, he saw that wonderful look of dazed pleasure as she leaned against him, kissing his chest. He lifted his other hand, tipping her face up to his, and then bent down to kiss her.

As their lips parted, he smiled at her. "Please don't think I'm objecting, but what the hell was that all about?"

She nuzzled her nose to his with a chuckle. "While I'm certainly looking forward to our next days off, and being able to take our time in bed, I'm definitely not going to turn my nose up at a quickie if we're both in the mood."

He blinked in surprise, and she laughed at his expression, kissing him again. "Glenn, you're a wonderful man. And I'm lucky you're so considerate in bed. But I won't think any less of you if you do me up against a wall from time to time! I just figured a little demonstration might get my point across quicker than a discussion. Seeing as how we're so short of time this morning." She winked at him.

Laughing, he pulled her closer. "Honey, you are just full of surprises! And okay, I take your point." He looked down at her, tangling one hand in her hair as he bent her head back, kissing her hard a moment later, whispering as their lips parted, "Up against the wall, yes ma'am. Might just bend you over a table or two as well."

She nipped lightly at his bottom lip with her own, eyes sparkling. "I knew you'd see it my way, if I gave you the right motivation."

"Oh, I'm motivated alright! But this morning, we have to be somewhere, remember?"

She nodded. "Uh huh."

He looked down then, to where her fingers were still wrapped around his cock. "Think I could have that back then? I think it might be clean now."

Chuckling, she looked up at him. "Well it was, right up until you came. Might need a little more . . . washing, I think."

"You do that and we're never getting out of this shower! Which wouldn't bother me, but Mark will be beating the door down if we're late - you know what he's like," Glenn chuckled.

As it was, it took them a while to get out of the shower anyway. Running water and soapy hands made for the most enticing afterplay, they decided. Hotel showers that didn't run out of hot water, no matter how long you stayed in them, also a plus. Patting one another dry, in between kisses - another plus.

And still Glenn didn't want to let Dacey go, and she didn't seem to want to leave either, the two of them standing together in the doorway in their bathrobes, kissing, oblivious to the looks of other guests passing in the hallway. The sound of the phone ringing behind them in Glenn's room finally separated them, and Dacey crossed the hall to her room as he closed the door and went to answer it.

It was Mark, who asked drily if he thought they might make it to breakfast sometime this week. Glenn chuckled and apologised, promising they would be there shortly. As he hung up and went to dress, he thought to himself that maybe he and Dacey might have to start getting up earlier if getting out of the room was always going to take this long.

@@@

On the road, there was a comfortable sense of familiarity. There were the usual good natured arguments about who would drive, and complaints about the music. They kicked around ideas for the storyline, and for matches. They stopped a few times along the way - mostly to stretch long legs, all three of them taking the opportunity to walk around the SUV they'd rented and work out the kinks.

Glenn in particular liked how Dacey stretched. He was leaning against the car, waiting for Mark, who'd drawn the short straw and was currently in the gas station buying bottled water for them. Dacey was bent forward, feet crossed, holding a hamstring stretch. He admired her technique. And her flexibility. He was also very much admiring her ass and legs. So much so that Mark had to nudge him to get his attention, and he looked around with a grin.

Mark shook his head, handing over a bottle of water. "Just as well you're dating her, Glenn. Or I think I might have to warn you about sexual harrassment!"

Dacey straightened up slowly, stretching her arms over her head, and then stepped forward into a graceful front walkover, her back arched as she came back upright. She turned to see both men watching her, and raised her eyebrows as she came over to them. Mark shrugged and handed her a bottle of water.

Glenn smiled. "I've been meaning to ask you about the gymnastics stuff, Dace."

She shrugged. "No big mystery. I was a little tomboy as a kid, and my mam thought gymnastics might at least teach me some grace." She chuckled. "I don't exactly know about that part, but I loved it. Couldn't get enough of tumbling and all that. Of course, once I hit puberty, gymnastics kind of went out the window."

"How come?" he wanted to know.

"Well, I shot up in height, for starters. And developed breasts," she chuckled wryly. "Both of which are a big disadvantage in competitive gymnastics. But I still loved it, so I kept it up in my spare time. Daddy encouraged that - said it would help keep me flexible."

Glenn grinned. "Can't argue with your flexibility, that's for certain!"

When they got back on the road, the discussion turned to Dacey's work with Jeff, and Mark had to agree that it was adding a new dimension to her in-ring ability. And he thought it was good that she was still looking for new learning trees to sit under. Looking at her behind the wheel, tapping time on the steering wheel to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, he smiled. Anything that made the everyday grind of long hours of travel and work fun was not to be sneezed at.

Glenn didn't really care what she listened to when she was driving. He enjoyed watching her enjoy it - tapping time, singing along, even grooving in her seat. That hadn't changed. Nor had her preference for a navigator rather than a GPS unit, he thought, as he let her know to take the next exit. She hated GPS units, she said, because if they steered her wrong, she couldn't bitch at them.

It was the normal routine at the hotel, too. As usual, some enterprising fans had managed to ferret out where the roster were staying, and they ran the gauntlet in the car until they reached the underground parking garage. After a few security scares, the company had started choosing only hotels with good security, and once they were inside, generally they weren't bothered.

They collected their bags and headed for the lobby. To Glenn's delight, he and Dacey had adjoining rooms already booked. Mark just rolled his eyes, muttering that he wouldn't hold his breath waiting for them at breakfast in the morning, which made Dacey giggle.

First order of business when they reached their rooms was unlocking the inter-connecting doors and leaving them open. Glenn just shook his head as he stepped through into Dacey's room, pulling her gently into his arms.

"Okay, so I'm wondering why we need two rooms at all."

Dacey wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. "Because we need to have some spaces in our togetherness, remember?"

He chuckled, bending to kiss her forehead. "Plus, if you have a room to get dressed in, there's less likelihood of me pouncing you as you do and us never getting out of the room."

She shook her head, chuckling. "This from the man who told me he was closer to forty than twenty! Hate to say it, but that's sounding twenty-ish to me, fear mo chroí!"

They discovered another use for two rooms then, as Glenn chased a giggling Dacey between the two before tackling her to the bed in his room.

He held her hands over her head as he straddled her body, smiling as he leaned down to kiss her. "You got a complaint about my behaviour, aingeal?"

"Not a one," she murmured against his lips, arching up against him.

He brought her wrists together above her head and held them with one hand as the other moved to cup her breast, nuzzling her neck. "Then I suspect we aren't getting out of this room for a bit."

She moaned softly. "What about that workout?"

"Oh, I plan to get a workout. A nice, long workout - yes indeed," he continued to nuzzle at her neck, his fingers teasing her nipple as it hardened through her t-shirt.

She moaned, but it turned into a giggle, making Glenn look down at her with his eyebrows raised. She continued to giggle.

"I think I should be insulted by you giggling when I'm trying to make love to you, Dacey," he said, although he was smiling.

"I'm sorry! It's just . . . " She grinned at him. "Can't help thinking that it's the fun way to burn fat, you know?"

He had to laugh then, wrapping his arms around her as he rolled onto his back. She snuggled against him, her head on his shoulder, and he pressed a kiss to her hair. Making love was one thing, and a wonderful thing, but just being together was almost as good.

Chapter 15

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