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Lita broke the surface of the water and took a breath as she pushed back her long wet red hair.
She was in the hotel's indoor pool - alone, despite the warnings that solo swimming, and without a lifeguard on duty, could be dangerous. But then, she was a daredevil, one to throw caution to the wind. It was the same way she'd always lived her life - much like one of her best friends, Jeff Hardy, whose motto had always been 'live for the moment.'
Dripping wet, the redhead made her way out of the pool, relief running through her as she snatched up the large beach towel she'd left by the side of the pool. She thought she definitely felt a little better, as though the brisk swim session she'd just finished had washed it all away - all the frustration, anger and heartache she'd been feeling. She knew Trish had gone to the bar for the exact same reason, but she'd decided on doing this instead. Certainly, it was more constructive than drinking her sorrows away like the blonde diva wanted to do. Still, she respected her friend's right to deal with things as she chose. Hell, Trish deserved a couple of good, stiff drinks after what she'd been through!
Lita's thoughts suddenly shifted to Edge. The tall blond man had offered to go to the pool with her, insisting she shouldn't be alone, but she'd refused. She was too stubborn for her own good, and she knew it.
Lita wrapped the towel around herself and headed for the adjacent women's locker room, where she'd left her clothing. She was planning on a simple, quick shower in her black bikini and then changing and returning to her room.
A few minutes later, the diva was in a shower stall, rinsing away all the chlorine, which she'd found cloying. She'd made extra certain to bring travel-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner with her so as to combat any damage the pool water could inflict on her hair.
It was just as she'd finished rinsing out the conditioner when she heard a noise.
Startled, Lita stopped her chore and tried her best to strain her ears over the sound of the running shower water. There had been a distinct sound, as though the locker room door had been slowly opened and then shut.
Her heart pounding faster, the redhead quickly shut off the faucet, then grabbed her towel, swiftly drying herself. She could hear no more strange, telltale sounds.
Shrugging, she made her way out of the stall and to her clothing. She must have imagined the sound.
Her guard now completely gone, Lita stripped out of her bikini and placed it in the middle of her damp towel. She would hang both up on the rack in the bathroom of her room later.
She'd gotten her thong and bra on and was just pulling up her shorts when she heard another sound - and this time, it wasn't quite as faint or far away.
She whirled around, prepared to scream but instead grew furious as she took in the person who'd come in here - who had no business coming near her or in a women's locker room to begin with.
"What the hell are you doing in here? Get out!" she yelled, so very angry that she'd forgotten she was standing there in only her bra and shorts that were still unzippered and unbuttoned. He was certainly getting more of an eyeful than he'd ever gotten the chance to see.
"Why did you do it, Lita? Why did you do it?" he asked, his voice taking on a strangely pleading quality. Only then did the diva remember that she was standing half-naked in the man's presence. Covering her breasts with one arm, she reached out and shoved at him.
"Get the fuck out - now!" She wasn't bargaining on him to react in any way that could be threatening to her.
He started backing away, as though obeying her - but suddenly, he lunged at her, and Lita's eyes widened at the crazed look in his own orbs.
"You God damned bitch!"
He grabbed hold of her, and, before she could react other than crying out, he shoved her forcefully into the row of lockers at his left. She crumpled to a heap on the floor but started to get up.
He wouldn't let her... She would not be getting away - not this time.
The man brought his foot back, a growl of rage escaping him as he kicked Lita in the ribs. She began to scream, but a second kick cut her short.
He knelt down by where she lay on the floor, clutching her injured midsection. Pleasure coursed through him at the sight of the tears that were now on her cheeks. Her nose had begun to bleed as well. He grabbed a handful of her long red hair and glared down into her tearful hazel eyes.
"You wanna fuck with me, huh?"
All she managed was a soft whimper.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this..." he said, his free hand reaching down to undo the button and zipper of his jeans.
The redhead's eyes went wide again, the terror clear on her face as she realized what he was planning
to do to her next...