Chapter 12
With the cameras rolling, Lexi played up her injury, allowing Roman to lift her from the wheelchair and place her into the back seat of the big SUV. Inside, Seth grabbed her with gentle hands and pulled her across the seat to the center. Roman slid in next to her and Dean 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 Roman. He returned her grin, wrapped an arm around her, and gently pulled her against him. Content, she rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Lexi? Sweetheart wake up." The deep rumble of Roman'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 Seth pushing her chair, they rolled her into the lobby and she noted the absence of people she knew. Usually, in any hotel they stayed, the lobby, sitting areas, pool and dining areas were filled with WWE superstars and staff. She didn't recognize one person. Confused, she looked up at Roman. "Where is everyone?"
Roman pursed his lips, the concern in his eyes evident as he looked down at her. "Hunter made sure to book us into a different hotel."
"What? Why?" She looked from Roman to Dean. Their silence spoke louder than any words. "Oh God, he's making this into some big secret, isn't he?"
Dean 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 Randy, John and Chris. They've worked with me for years. Randy and I practically grew up together. Chris is my best friend. They're not going to react well to this situation."
"Which is exactly what Hunter and creative wants," Seth added as they entered the elevator.
She shook her head as anger began to build. "This is a stupid idea. Hunter knows that when storylines turn personal people tend to get hurt. He's risking careers by doing this. Does Vince know about this decision? Did he approve it?"
"Yes," Dean 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," Seth added.
"Well I'm not. I want to talk to them," she demanded. Over the years, creative had made a lot of stupid decisions and Vince 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," Seth 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 Seth 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 Roman stopped and slid the keycard in the door. The light turned green, Roman opened the door and Seth 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?"
Dean crouched in front of her. "Honey, we have the suite because of you. Hunter said Mr. McMahon 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," Seth added.
She pushed up from the chair only to have Roman 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 mini-fridge, microwave, toaster and a coffee pot. 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 loveseat position 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 Seth and my room," Dean 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.
Roman sidled up behind her. "Problem?"
She glanced over her shoulder at Roman, then looked back at the single 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 last three months in her mind. He'd never once tried to take advantage of her or push her into something she wasn't ready for. 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 for her.
He wasn't Edge. It was time she stopped using her ex as an excuse to keep Roman 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, Roman."
"It's okay, I don't mind."
She lifted a shaky hand to caress his cheek. "I mind." She leaned toward him and lifted 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.
His body moved and she heard the door shut with a thud, followed by the Dean and Seth'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, nothing 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 she heard the regret in his sigh. "Less than forty-eight hours ago you suffered a fractured skull and a grade three concussion. That's what stopping me."
