Wrestling Desire

by Michelle Cary

  “That may be, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s afraid of getting hurt. Being who she is, getting involved with you would be the equivalent of getting tangled in briar patch. If things would happen to go bad she’d end up with scars.”

  “Gee thanks!” Holt shot back. “You think I’d intentionally hurt her?”

  “Of course not, but this isn’t a simple life we lead and sometimes shit happens that you don’t anticipate.” He glanced at Holt a second time. “Look, if you’re dead set that she’s the one then I’d say you’re going to have to prove yourself to her.”

  Holt’s frustration began to build again. “How in the hell am I supposed to prove myself when she won’t give me a chance to begin with?”

  Garrett gave his statement a shrug. “Can’t help you there, pal. All I can say is if you really love her, and I think you do, then you’re going to have to step up your game.”

  Chapter 6

  Emma let out a sigh of relief as she walked into her hotel room and tossed her bag on the small desk. She hadn’t looked forward to facing Mr. France and he’d been seriously pissed when she arrived for their meeting this afternoon. Thankfully his anger had mostly been focused on William, though he hadn’t exactly been thrilled about her going to the hospital with Holt either.

  Just so you know, Emma. By coming to the ring the way you did, you’ve inserted yourself into the storyline and that now makes you fair game. His statement had confirmed Derek’s concerns and left her feeling nervous and chilled. She never enjoyed being in front of the camera and had done her best to avoid it at all cost. Apparently by being a concerned friend, she’d given Gene an idea for a new script…one involving her and Holt. Derek was just going to love that angle.

  An hour later she sat on the end of her bed stared out the window still clueless of how she was going to handle Derek or convince Gene to forget the script. To make the situation worse she had yet to talk to Holt. Garrett had called her earlier that day to let her know Holt had been released from the hospital and they’d be catching the next plane into St. Louis.

  Of course Holt posed an entirely different problem. How was she going to deal with him? Every time she thought she had a handle on her feelings for him, something would happen and her brain would scramble leaving her confused and needy. There were at least a dozen reasons why she should stay as far away from Holt Hendricks as possible, but none of them seemed to matter when her heart got involved.

  The ugly truth of the matter was she wanted Holt and that scenario wasn’t likely to change any time soon.

  A knock at the door pulled Emma from her thoughts. She climbed from the bed, padded over to the door, yanked it open and came face to face with her heart’s desire. “H-hi,” she managed to say before her throat all but closed up.

  “Hi.” He grinned down at her. “I wanted to come by and say thank you.”

  “For what?”

  His brow winged up in surprise. “For what? Oh I don’t know. For coming to the ring last night. For risking your job by going to the hospital with me. For packing up my things.” He reached out and grazed a knuckle along her cheek. “For caring.”

  Instinct caused her to turn into his touch. “Y-you’re welcome.” Warmth bloomed in her cheek where his knuckles rested and her heart screamed for her to take that next step.

  Slowly he pulled away and rocked back on his heels. “How did it go with Gene?”

  She swallowed hard and gave him a nod. “Good. He suspended William for one month and ordered him to have a psychiatric evaluation done before he returns. I think that was a good decision considering what happened.”

  “It is,” he replied. “But I meant what happened with you?”

  “Oh…um, he wasn’t happy about my decision, but he said he understood.”

  “That’s good. So you’re not in trouble.”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m not in trouble.” She didn’t bother to tell him about Gene’s idea for the new storyline. He’d find out soon enough on his own.

  “Well,” he angled his thumb toward the hallway. “I guess I should get going. We’re still on for dinner, right?”

  She gave a quick nod. “Absolutely.”

  “Good. Very good. Well okay then...” He turned to go, then stopped short. “Fuck it.”

  Before she could ask what he was talking about Holt turned back to her, his next move was so fast she never saw it coming. In an instant the heat of his palms threatened to scorch her skin as he cradled her face and his mouth slammed down over hers in a move that spoke of the passion boiling deep inside.

  A whimper escaped her throat and she lifted a hand to rest it on his chest. His pulse raced beneath her touch, gaining speed as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. Never in all her life had she ever been kissed like this. Dominant and demanding, he plundered her senses.

  Struggling to breathe, she parted her lips and allowed him the access they both desperately wanted. Her fingers curled against his shirt, tangling in the fabric as his muscles flexed beneath.

  Their kiss seemed to go on and on and yet felt as if it would never be long enough. An all encompassing need crashed through her systems, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded. There would be no more denying her feelings. She craved Holt with a hunger she’d never known. For once in her life, she was going to take what she wanted and damn the consequences.

  Gasping for breath, he pulled back to look down at her. “I need you so much, I hurt. Please don’t make me leave.”

  “No.” She clung to his forearms as if he were her life raft in stormy seas. “Don’t go.”

  “Thank God!” He backed her into the room and slammed the door shut with his foot. She wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him closer. He snaked one hand around her back, and threaded the other through her hair holding her secure. With so little space between them, there was no mistaking his attraction or his intent.

  Holt’s tongue slipped between her lips and glided over her own in a parody of lovemaking filled with promises of what was still to come. Desire flamed high inside her, heating her body from inside out and stoking her growing embers of passion. The smell of his cologne combined with an underlying hint of testosterone added to the mix, causing her thoughts to fuse into a single intent.

  * * *

  When Holt had knocked on her door, he’d intended on stepping up his game like Garrett suggested, though he hadn’t meant to take it this far. Only when the moment came to walk away he simply couldn’t. The blinding need he felt for Emma had gnawed its way into his soul, leaving behind a hole so big he felt like half a man.

  When he finally allowed them to come up for air, he could do little more than gasp for the breath, but the need to devour her until he was whole again raged on. He trailed love bites along her neck and momentarily paused over her racing pulse. She shivered as he licked the sweet spot beneath her ear.

  Slowly he backed her against wall and slid a knee between her thighs, pinning her in place. Her fingers trailed downward until she was tugging his shirt from the waistband. A groan tumbled from his lip at the thought of those soft hands against his flesh. “Emma,” he whispered as her fingers slid beneath the cotton and pressed against his skin. “You’re making me crazy, baby.”

  A slow grin crossed her face. “Then we’re even, because you’ve been driving me crazy for months.”

  “Good to know.” Desperate to satisfy this inferno of need rolling through him he once again claimed her mouth. With one hand cushioning her head from the hard wall, he trailed the other along her side and brushed the swell of her breast. Never in his life had he experienced such an all-consuming craving for one woman.

  Lower he reached until he gathered the hem of her shirt in his hands. In one fluid motion he pulled it over her head. When she returned the favor he damn near cried with happiness. He dipped his head, trailing kisses over the buffet of creamy skin along the slope of her breast. Using the same free hand he unhooked her bra. Then he turned his attention lower,
delving beneath her shorts. Her soft skin felt like heaven against his hand as he cupped her sex and he pressed a finger against her core. The tip of one digit slipped inside, breaching her last barrier. She moaned into his mouth, and her hips rocked into his touch giving him the encouragement he needed to continue. She was hot and wet, her eyes damn near blind with desire. It stoked his ego to know how much she wanted him.

  Emma tore her mouth away from him and panted against his chest. "I need more, Holt. I need you." She fumbled with the button on his jeans.

  “Here, let me help.” As much a he would have enjoyed the feel of her stripping him naked, his control was threatening to snap. All he could think about was finding his way inside her sweet little body and fast.

  There was no time for modesty or shyness as he stripped and watched her do the same. Her body reminded him of a Greek Goddess with curves in all the right places covered by a gorgeous golden tone. Absently he remembered her mentioning her mother’s Mediterranean heritage and for a split second wondered if she looked like her mother. One day he’d have to ask, but right now he had more important matters to handle. He reached for her and was overjoyed when she stepped into his embrace. “You are so damn beautiful.”

  She lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. “Make love to me.”

  Inside, his heart jumped for joy and he couldn’t help but wonder how he’d gotten so damn lucky. He certainly didn’t deserve her, but if she’d have him he would do his best to make her happy. With his control hanging by a thread he lowered her to the bed, following her down until he lay above her propped on his elbows. He studied her face, looking for any reservation and only found desire staring back at him. “You’re mine, Emma. From this point forward you belong to me.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I’m yours.”

  Their gazes locked as he breached her entrance and finally, blissfully made them one. Her eyes went wide and her mouth opened on a sigh even as his groan of pleasure rent the air. A sense of rightness settled over him and for a moment he remained still, not only enjoying their connection, but giving her time to adjust. Still, it didn’t take long before he once again teetered on the edge of control. When she grew restless beneath him he began to move.

  Stroke by stroke he slowly increased the pace driving them toward the peak. Close to the brink, his thrusts became quicker and more frenzied as she urged him on. Beneath him Emma panted and groaned, digging her fingernails into his shoulders as her body grew slick with perspiration. Slowly his vision began to tunnel until nothing existed but her and his desire.

  Higher and higher he drove her until finally her body went rigid and she cried out. The sweet sound of his name tumbled from her lips pushing him right over the edge. Pleasure sliced through him harder and stronger than he’d ever felt in his life. The spasms seemed to go on and on as she milked him dry. When it was over, he rolled onto his side bringing her with him. Unable to think beyond the unimaginable pleasure he’d just experienced he held her, caressing her back as they both fought to regulate their breathing. Words didn’t exist to accurately describe what they’d just experienced, but he knew one thing for sure. After being with her, he didn’t want to live his life without her by his side.

  Chapter 7

  A loud knock at the door pulled Emma from her slumber. She glanced at the bedside clock and her eyes went wide with the realization that she’d overslept. Between some very soulful conversations and making love Holt had kept her up half the night. Today would no doubt be an exhausting day, but she didn’t care. It was worth a little suffering to have been given last night. The knock came a second time and it took a moment for Emma to untangle herself from his grasp.

  He murmured something in his sleep and rolled over, half burying his face in the pillow. Naked, she padded over to her suitcase and grabbed her robe then headed for the door. She had a pretty good idea of who was standing on the other side. A quick peak through the peephole confirmed her suspicions and she opened the door slightly. “Hey.”

  “Hey yourself.” Marissa stood with hands on hips. “You were supposed to meet me for breakfast fifteen minutes ago.”

  “I know,” Emma nearly whispered “I’m sorry.”

  A frown swept across Marissa’s face. “Do you feel okay? Because you look like hell.”

  Actually other than being a little tired she felt great. “I’m fine.”

  Marissa’s frown deepened. “Why are you whispering?”

  “No reason.”

  For a moment Marissa said nothing. “Well, go grab a shower because dad is planning that whole photo op thing this morning with me and Garrett. You know, promoting how Daddy’s little girl has been corrupted by the bad boy.”

  Emma damn near slapped her head at the reminder. She’d completely forgotten about the video and photo op that was supposed to prop up the Marissa and Garrett story line. For a moment she absently wondered if Gene knew how Marissa really felt about Garrett. She said her family understood, but Gene was known to sometimes turn a blind eye to what he didn’t want to believe. Just what would Mr. France think about his baby girl falling in love with Garrett for real?

  Her next thought turned to Holt and terror streaked through her. It wasn’t that she was embarrassed to be seen with him. She loved the man and would be proud to be seen by his side, but she wanted to break the news to Derek before anyone else found out. Walking into the hotel restaurant where half the crew would be eating would surly start the rumor mill churning. “Um….you don’t have to wait on me. Why don’t you go on down and I’ll be there shortly.”

  Marissa’s frown slowly morphed into a look of confusion. “Don’t you remember how we scripted this? We’re supposed to walk in together.” Marissa pressed a hand on the door. “Just let me in. I’ll wait.”

  Knowing she wouldn’t be able to convince Marissa to leave, Emma slowly opened the door so Marissa could see into the room. Marissa took one step and stopped, her eyes going wide with shock. “Oh. My. God.” Her attention turned from the bed to Emma and a grin slid across her face. “Well it’s about damn time.”

  Emma glanced from her best friend to her lover and back. “Riss.”

  Marissa held up at hand. “Don’t give me some lame excuse, Emma. It’s been obvious to everyone who has spent any time around you two that you guys are in love. Honestly, I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” Emma sighed and let the door close behind them. “I am really happy, but it just happened and I haven’t had a chance to tell Derek and I don’t want him finding out from some promo op.”

  “Well, I don’t think you’re going to have a choice, Em. Now go get in the shower while I wake up lover boy.”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later Emma barely managed to swallow down the bile creeping up her throat as she walked into the hotel restaurant with Marissa and Holt. With his arm around her waist, he was obviously advertising their relationship to the crew. The camera men moved in on the three of them and Emma caught sight of Derek sitting at one of the back tables. Shit! This wasn’t how she wanted Derek to find out about her and Holt.

  His gaze drifted from her to Holt and he sat up a little straighter in his chair. Bryan leaned in from across the table and whispered something to Derek. The next moment they both pushed up from their seats.

  Shit! Marissa and Garrett’s photo op was about to become overshadowed by her and Holt. Derek strode across the room and stopped directly in front of Emma. “What the hell is this?” He looked at Emma.

  “What’s it look like,” Holt countered with his typical cocky on stage attitude.

  “I wasn’t talking to you ‘Pretty Boy’. So just shut your face before I shut it for you.”

  Holt stepped in front of Emma, shielding her. “I’d like to see you try.”

  Panic welled in Emma’s chest at the thought of them tearing the room apart and she quickly stepped between them and placed a bracing hand on Derek’s chest. “Stop it.” She glanced over her shoulder at
Holt. “Both of you.”

  Then she turned back to her brother. “Let’s go talk somewhere a little more private.” Before he could argue she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him out of the room and down the hall. She tucked into the first open, empty room she could find. Derek & Bryan followed and she shut the door.

  “What the fuck is going on, Emma?” The vein in Derek’s neck pulsed wildly and she knew he was majorly pissed. “Just yesterday you told me that you and Holt were not a couple. Now I see you walking in together arm and arm.”

  “It’s complicated. It started a two days ago when William injured Holt in the ring and it’s been building ever since.” If she were being completely honest it had been building for months, but she knew Derek wouldn’t want to hear the complete truth.

  “Is this part of some ridiculous Gene France script?” Bryan asked, the tone in his voice nearly as threatening.

  Emma looked from Bryan to Derek and back. She could say yes and save them all a lot of heartache. Her brother’s wouldn’t like the scripted angle, but they’d accept it. Still, wasn’t error by omission lying?

  “Yes and no,” she finally answered. Hiding the inevitable would only serve to make things worse in the end. Whether Derek was angry now or later it wouldn’t matter. He’d still be furious.

  “What the hell does that mean? Either it is or it isn’t,” Derek shouted.

  “It’s both,” she shot back and then began to pace as she formulated her thoughts. “Just as you predicted, Gene said that because I went to the ring of my own free will the other night I’ve inadvertently put myself into the script. That I’m now fair game.” She shook her head. “He has this whole storyline worked out in his head about how we become a couple and Holt is doing it as a way to get back at you.” She stopped and looked up at him. There was pain and anger in Derek’s eyes and it hurt knowing she’d caused those emotions. “I tried to talk him out of it, but he says it will be good for business.” She shrugged. “Go ahead and say it, Derek.”

  “Say what?’