On the Ropes 1: Leap of Faith

by Michelle Cary

  There, inside Lexi’s room stood the great Nick “The Bruiser” Blackwell. Only what he saw instead of the iconic wrestler was a loving father tending to his child. “Um…” He slowly stepped into the room. “I don’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Logan!” Despite the swollen, ugly wound encompassing the left side of her face, Lexi appeared to light up at the sight of him. Could she possibly know how happy she made him with her reaction?

  The Bruiser turned to face him, and Logan straightened his shoulders. “Mr. Blackwell, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Nick extended a hand to shake. “Mr. Blackwell was my father. You call me Nick.”

  “I-I couldn’t, sir.”

  “You can if you want to continue seeing my daughter,” he challenged.

  Logan cut his attention from Nick to Lexi, who only grinned at him in return. “I think you might want to refrain from referring to him as Mr. Blackwell.”

  He smiled as he shook Nick’s hand. “Okay, Nick. I’m honored to meet you.”

  “As I am to meet you,” Nick replied.

  Logan pulled back. “Me? What did I do?”

  “Besides taking care of my daughter?” Nick replied. “It appears you’ve managed to capture her heart.”

  Before Logan could reply, Mark walked in behind him. “Ah, good. Just about everyone is here. I need to talk to you all about a new storyline.”

  Ten minutes later Logan sat in a chair next to Lexi’s bed listening as Nick and Mark argued.

  “You guys allow my daughter to get severely hurt, and now you want to capitalize on her injury by writing it into another storyline?” Nick shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. I’m going to take her back to Calgary with me so she can rest and recover properly.”

  “I understand where you’re coming from, Nick, but we have to explain why Logan tended to Lexi like he did. Especially considering that the members of The Tribunal are supposed to be badasses.”

  “I don’t give a shit about your damn storylines,” Nick argued. “You’re not going to use Lexi like that.”

  Mark sighed. “Don’t make me go all managerial here.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means she’s still under contract, so we can use her in whatever manner we see fit.”

  “Not while she’s injured,” Nick shot back.

  “Hey!” Lexi shouted, causing Logan to hop up from his chair and reach for her hand. Instead, she pulled her hand away, her attention on Nick and Mark. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here. I am a grown woman and can make my own decisions.”

  “You’re injured,” Nick countered.

  She grabbed her dad’s hand. “I know you’re just trying to protect me, but I’m not a little girl anymore, Dad.”

  Nick looked from her to Mark and back. “You’re not going to jeopardize your health for them to cover some stupid storyline.”

  “She wouldn’t have to,” Logan added. He stepped forward and motioned to Nick. “Just hear me out for a minute before you say no.”

  Nick nodded. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “If we’re going to play the whole ‘the Tribunal kidnapped her’ angle that Josh and Matt laid out on Monday night when I carried her from the ring, then let’s do it right. She can stay at the hotel in bed, watching television and receiving room service while she recovers. Cole, Jason, and I will take care of her, and when we can’t, we’ll make sure to have someone there with her.”

  Mark nodded. “Keep talking.”

  “Okay, so the only time she’d have to do anything would be when we actually travel. Even then we wheel her around, make sure she doesn’t lift a finger, and essentially wait on her hand and foot until she’s better.” He pointed to Mark. “You could set it up for us to pretape promos to cut for the storyline, and Lexi’s absence from the arena would help to solidify that.”

  “I like it.” Mark nodded.

  Logan looked to Nick. “What do you think?”

  “I think I’d rather have my baby girl home with me,” Nick replied.

  “Oh, come on, Dad,” Lexi said. “We both know that after a few days, you’d end up dumping me at Mom’s house under the pretense that she’d do a better job of taking care of me. I like Logan’s idea, and I think it would work better.”

  “Well.” Nick sighed as he looked between them. “If it’s what you really want and the doctor doesn’t object, then I guess I’ll go along with it.” He leveled a finger at Logan. “I’m relying on you to take good care of my little girl and keep me updated on her progress.”

  Logan grinned. “Yes, sir.”

  “Okay then.” Mark clapped his hands together. “I have arrangements to make and work to do, so I’m gonna head out.”

  Nick pressed a kiss to the back of Lexi’s hand. “I promised your aunts and uncles, your mom, and your sister that I’d call when I knew something. Best not to keep them waiting any longer. I’m gonna go grab a cup of coffee and make the calls. I’ll be back later.”

  She reached up and pulled him down into a hug. “Thanks for being so understanding, Dad. I love you.”

  “I love you too, sweetie.” He pressed a soft kiss to her nose. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

  “Bring me a coffee?” she asked, the tone in her voice hopeful.

  “Sure thing.” He grinned. “Once small decaf coming up.”

  In an instant she went from hopeful to crestfallen. “Gee, thanks for nothing.”

  Nick laughed as he turned and walked out of the room.

  Logan glanced at Cole, who took the cue for him to also exit. “Well, um… I should go find Jason and fill him in on all this.”

  Once Cole was gone, Logan eased a hip down on the edge of the bed. “Are you really okay with us taking care of you?”

  She gave him a soft smile as she leaned back against the pillow. “More okay with that option than I was with going back to Calgary.”

  “You’re not just saying that?”

  She smirked. “I love my father dearly, but he’s not the easiest person to live with.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Logan offered. “He seems pretty cool.”

  “Try living with him,” Lexi replied. “He’s been divorced twice. What does that tell you?”

  “That maybe I don’t know him as well as you do,” Logan quipped.

  She nearly giggled. “You got that right. He has the absolute best of intentions, but after a few days, he’d realize that he was in over his head, and he’d end up dumping me on Mom.” A visible shudder rippled through her. “Again, I love my mother, but if I have to spend more than a few hours with her at a time, I want to kill someone.”

  “That bad?”

  “Worse.” Lexi cringed. “She’s always been overprotective to the point of smothering. I ended up at her house after the car accident. By the time it was over, I needed to recover from my recovery. No way am I doing that again.” She shook her head. “I think staying at the hotel is definitely the best option. At least I know you guys won’t get all protective and bossy on me.”

  Oh, she had absolutely no idea what she’d signed on for. Logan leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Wanna bet?”

  Chapter Eleven

  With the cameras rolling, Lexi played up her injury, allowing Logan to lift her from the wheelchair and place her into the backseat of the big SUV. Inside, Cole grabbed her with gentle hands and pulled her across the seat to the center. Logan slid in next to her, and Jason hopped in the front seat, slammed the door, and the SUV pulled away.

  She glanced over her shoulder and watched the hospital fade into the distance, then turned back and smiled up at Logan. He returned her grin, wrapped an arm around her, and gently pulled her to him. Content, she rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

  “Lexi? Sweetheart, wake up.” The deep rumble of Logan’s voice pierced her sleep. Slowly she opened her eyes to find him watching her. His lips turned up into a grin. “Hey, sleepyhead. We’re
here.”

  She took a deep breath, gave him a nod, and pushed off the leather seat toward him. He eased her down into a wheelchair, and she immediately frowned. “I can walk, you know.”

  “No, you can’t,” he replied as he towered over her. “Walking exerts energy that you’re dearly lacking right now.”

  She barely refrained from rolling her eyes. If he was going to act like this, then maybe staying with him wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  With Cole pushing her chair, they rolled her into the lobby, and she noted the absence of her coworkers. Usually, in any hotel they stayed in, the lobby, sitting areas, pool, and dining areas were filled with EUW superstars and staff. She didn’t recognize one person. Confused, she looked up at Logan. “Where is everyone?”

  Logan pursed his lips, the concern in his eyes evident as he looked down at her. “Mark made sure to book us into a different hotel.”

  “What? Why?” She looked from Logan to Jason. Their silence spoke louder than any words. “Oh God. He’s making this into some big secret, isn’t he?”

  Jason gave a slow nod. “He figured that since everyone is already nervous around us, why not hype the tension by faking the kidnapping for everyone and not just the fans?”

  “But that makes this personal, especially for Garrett, Derek, and Kyle. They’ve worked with me for years. Garrett and I practically grew up together. Kyle is my best friend. They’re not going to react well to this situation.”

  “Which is exactly what Mark and creative wants,” Cole added as they entered the elevator.

  She shook her head as frustration began to build. “This is a stupid idea. Mark knows that when storylines turn personal, people tend to get hurt. He’s risking careers by doing this. Does Gene know about this decision? Did he approve it?”

  “Yes,” Jason replied, his tone dour. “He thinks it’s a great idea.”

  “Since we’re new to the scene, we’re just going along for the ride,” Cole added.

  “Well, I’m not. I want to talk to them,” she demanded. Over the years, the writers had made a lot of stupid decisions, and Gene had taken a lot of dumb risks for the sake of the company. She shouldn’t have been surprised by this move, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to fight it.

  “Well, you can argue with them all you want,” Cole replied. “It doesn’t change the fact that I really do feel bad about what happened, and this will give me a chance to make it up to you.”

  Lexi reached a hand over her shoulder and patted Cole on the arm. “It was an accident, and I forgive you. Now you need to forgive yourself.”

  The elevator doors opened, and he wheeled her out into the hallway. They walked a few feet before Logan stopped and slid the key card in the door. The light turned green, Logan opened the door, and Cole rolled her inside.

  Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the room. “Hey! How in the hell do you guys score a suite when the rest of us are doubling up in rooms?”

  Jason crouched in front of her. “Honey, we have the suite because of you. Mark said Mr. France approved the suite so we wouldn’t be on top of each other while we’re taking care of you.”

  “It will also provide you with some privacy,” Cole added.

  She pushed up from the chair only to have Logan move in front of her. “Easy now.”

  “I will,” she replied. “I’ve never been in a suite before, and I’d like to look around.” She began to scan the room as she took one slow step after another. Immediately to the right of the door was a small kitchenette complete with minifridge, microwave, toaster, and a coffeepot. She eyed the basket of complimentary coffee. Maybe she could sneak a cup when they were gone.

  Tucking that thought away for later, she turned her attention to the living room. Beyond a small table rested a full-size couch and love seat positioned in an L-shaped pattern that defined the living area. A flat-screen television hung on the far wall. “Nice,” she murmured, then walked to the door on the left.

  “That’s Cole’s and my room,” Jason offered.

  Lexi glanced at them, then opened the door to take a peek inside. Two queen-size beds rested against one wall with a nightstand in between them. An entertainment center/dresser combination rested against the opposite wall, and the open door on an interior wall revealed a bathroom. “Spacious.” She closed the door and turned back to them. “I guess that other door leads to another bedroom?” She crossed in front of them, opened the door, stepped inside, and froze.

  Logan sidled up behind her. “Problem?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at Logan, then looked back at the king-size bed. “There’s only one bed.”

  His warm hands rested on her shoulders, and he squeezed. “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. The bed is all yours.”

  She cut her attention from the bed back to him. “Where are you going to sleep?”

  He gave her a small smile. “The couch in the living area folds out into an extra bed.”

  For a moment she simply stared at him. The man never ceased to amaze her. She looked back at the bed as she turned over the past three months in her mind. When she’d felt their relationship was moving too fast, he’d honored her request and slowed things down. He’d stayed by her side, continually thought of her on even the smallest level. He’d risked his career for her, and now he was sacrificing his own comfort.

  He wasn’t Aaron. It was time she stopped using her ex as an excuse to keep Logan at arm’s length. It was time for her to take a leap of faith. With her heart pounding, she turned to face him. “You don’t have to sleep on the couch, Logan.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

  She lifted a shaky hand to caress his cheek. “I mind.” She leaned toward him and rose up on her toes. “I don’t want you sleeping on the couch.” Before he could respond, she pressed her lips to his. For a split second, his body tensed, then immediately relaxed beneath her touch. His arms slid up her back, and he pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss.

  He moved beneath her touch, and she heard the door shut with a thud followed by Jason’s and Cole’s muffled chuckles.

  He pulled back slightly, his breathing ragged. “You should know, if we do this, I won’t be able to stop with just sharing a bed.”

  She studied his face, noting the passion and love in his gaze. “Then you should know I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  A low growl tore from his chest as he dipped his head and captured her lips a second time. Passion poured from him, filling her empty heart until it overflowed. Excitement, desire, love, everything she’d ever longed for from a relationship she found in that moment with him. How could she have possibly waited so long to reach this point?”

  Slowly he pulled back and gently caressed her cheek. “Right now I can barely think beyond wanting to strip you naked, lay you down on that bed, and make sweet love to you.”

  “So what’s stopping you?”

  He appeared to study her for a moment before he let out a regretful sigh. “Less than forty-eight hours ago, you suffered a fractured skull and a grade-three concussion. That’s what stopping me.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Lexi watched with interest as Logan stripped down to his boxers, threw back the covers, and crawled into bed. The man had the body of an Adonis, and that tattoo on his shoulder was sexy as hell. How in the world had she been the one to catch his eye?

  He took a moment to settle; then she rolled toward him, rested her head against his shoulder, and placed a hand on his chest. “This is nice.”

  He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. “It is.”

  “I’m still mad at Mark for how he’s handling the storyline, but I guess I have to give him some credit. If it wasn’t for this stupid storyline, I wouldn’t be lying in this big bed with you right now.”

  “I would have eventually gotten you here,” Logan observed.

  “I would like to think so,” she considered. “But after what happened before, I’ve done a real
ly good job of locking my heart away. I know this sounds ridiculous, but if Cole hadn’t kicked The Embalmer the other night, I’m not sure I would have found the courage to try again.”

  He rolled onto his side to face her. “What happened, Lexi?”

  The bluntness of his question gave her a jolt. She knew what he was asking, but did she really want to relive that trauma yet again? “It doesn’t really matter,” she replied, hoping he’d let the subject drop.

  A frown claimed his face, and for the first time, she felt the urge to shrink from him. “Lexi.” He propped up on one elbow. “If we’re going to have a shot at a real relationship, then you need to tell me what happened.”

  “Why?” She rolled away from him to face the window. “It’s over and done. At this point what will it accomplish except to hurt me again?”

  “My goal isn’t to hurt you, sweetheart.” He stroked a hand along her shoulder. “But I need to know what happened.”

  “Why? It had nothing to do with you?”

  “Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. You see, the moment I realized that you were my soul mate, it suddenly had everything to do with me.” With a gentle hand he pressed her down so she lay on her back, facing the ceiling. “I can’t help you to heal your wounds if I don’t know what they are.”

  In an instant, tears welled in her eyes. For so long she’d carried the weight of what happened squarely on her shoulders. “Okay, I’ll tell you.” She sucked in a ragged breath. “Five years ago I’d thought Aaron was my Mr. Right. Everybody said we made such a cute couple.”

  “Aaron? I always thought he and Eva was a couple.”

  She swiped a knuckle at the corner of her eye. “Most people did. That was the storyline. On camera she was his girlfriend. Off camera I was. Or so I thought.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing at first. At least nothing I knew about, anyway. Turns out he was cheating on me with Eva.” She sniffled. “I had no idea until two years ago when I discovered I was pregnant. I was so happy.” She let out a long-suffering sigh. “I had this grand plan to tell him at the Christmas party. Only when I went to look for him to share the good news, I found him screwing Eva in a storage room.”