Paul leaned his elbows on the desk. He rested his head on his hands as he felt a migraine coming on. Shit. His meeting with the investors was tonight. He was gathering the things he'd need for the meeting he was beyond nervous. If they couldn't come to an agreement than he'd have to sell almost half his gyms. That meant firing half his staff and putting them on the street.
He stuffed the paperwork in his briefcase and sighed heavily rubbing a kink in his neck. He heard a knock at the office door.
"Come in." He called.
Trish poked her head in as she gave a soft smile. He gave her a small one in return.
"Big meeting?" She asked sitting across from him.
"Yeah. Don't worry though I've got everything under control." He said with a forced smile.
"I'm not worried Paul. You're a smart guy."
Paul watched as she looked almost sad looking at him. He knew there was a lot that was still lingering between them but now was nor the time or place.
"Um look I just wanted to wish you luck but the truth is I am having a hard time not having you in my life." She said as she played with her hands.
"Look Trish it's not that I don't want you in my life it's just that its hard right now. I'm so conflicted with everything. Like the weight of the world is on me." He said as he squeezed his eyes shut.
"You can always talk to me, like we used to." She said taking his hand.
"Trish you admitted having feelings for me it changes things you know it does." He said loosening his hand from hers.
"Paul I can hold my own I wouldn't need to lean on you like she does."
"There's no need to try and battle with her Trish. I have a lot going on right now I need to get going." Paul said as he got up and walked around the desk.
"Just think about it." She said as she leaned up kissing his cheek. "Good luck."
Paul watched as she left first. He sighed as he made his way out to his truck. He threw his briefcase in the back as he headed to get Shawn. Trish wasn't making his situations any easier. He pulled out his phone looking at the contact name. He felt horrible doing this to Stephanie but he was responsible for all the people working for him. Almost like an army general, he couldn't fail them. He pushed the call button listening to the phone ring.

Paul knocked on Stephanie's door as he waited for her to open it. He heard the knob turn and she opened the door. He smiled at her she was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and shorts. Her hair was pulled up in messy bun and her glasses were on. She must have been up working on something. It was nearly midnight. She pouted at him as she pulled him into a hug. Paul held her close as he kissed her cheek.
"Come in baby." She said as she let him in.
Paul walked with her to the couch as he sat on it. She sat next to him and placed a hand on his thigh.
"Well how did it go?" She asked.
"I lengthened the time line." He said with a sigh. "I've got to pick up business but I've got to put some thought into it. I was given some options now I just have to make decisions." He said as he leaned into the couch.
"You'll do it baby, I can help you."
"Thanks." He said with a smile.
"What else is wrong?" She asked as he slid his hand in hers.
"Well there's an empty bed but two willing adults to fill it." He said with a pout.
"Paul... There's something else." She replied as she tried to look into his eyes.
He looked into hers and decided now wasn't the time to bring things up. They were both tired and he wasn't even sure what was going through his own head. He smirked as he jumped up throwing her over his shoulder. She squealed and smacked his back as he threw her on her bed. He jumped on her and began tickling her as she tried to get out from under him. This is what he needed just a night without thinking just to be with her and that's what he planned on doing.

Paul woke up and went to reach for Stephanie. She wasn't there he looked at the alarm clock it was only 4 am. He sighed as he threw the covers off. He could hear the bath water moving. He walked to the bathroom as he knocked on the door before pushing it open. She was sitting in the tub staring as she rocked in it. He furrowed his brow as he walked in.
"Steph?" He walked closer seeing her shivering. "Stephanie."
Still nothing he grabbed a big towel off the rack and sat on the edge of the tub. He grabbed her arms helping her up as she finally looked at him. He wrapped the towel around her and carried her back to bed. He laid her in bed and climbed in pulling her into him as he wrapped the blankets around the both of them. She shivered as he rubbed her arms with his palms.
"Steph what were you doing?" He asked as he leaned his chin on her shoulder.
"I had a nightmare. About my uncle. I don't want to talk about it, will you just hold me?" She said trembling.
"Yes of course." He replied as he pulled her even closer. "It's ok Steph."
Paul felt her begin to relax as she gripped his arm tightly. His mind went back to Trish and what she had said. Yes Stephanie was somewhat fragile. Fragile and hard headed all at once. He had always had some sort of image of what the perfect woman for him would be and no Stephanie didn't exactly fit that mold but he was taken by her. She was different than any other woman he'd ever dated. It was refreshing and a little bit scary.
"You're in your own world again." Stephanie whispered as she turned her head looking at him.
"I'm sorry baby did you say something?" He asked as she turned in his arms facing him now.
Stephanie looked into his eyes and saw that he was in some sort of turmoil. She wasn't sure what was going on with him. It seemed like more than work though.
"Paul what's going on? Why are you so lost?" She asked as she ran her hand over his cheek.
"I've just been overwhelmed." He replied as she moved her hand away.
"It's me right? Am I too much for you?" She asked as she looked down.
Paul lifted her chin with his fingers as he leaned in kissing her soft lips. He leaned his forehead against hers. He wasn't sure if she was. Why was he letting Trish in his head? He suddenly felt frustrated with himself. With his thoughts. With everything. He saw Stephanie looking into his eyes for an answer. He suddenly had an urge to cease all thinking. He leaned on his elbow pulling Stephanie closer to him. He moved his mouth to hers as he began to slowly kiss her.
Stephanie moaned as she felt him move over her. He made her feel so safe. She felt him move his arm under her pulling her against him as he pressed her into the mattress. Their relationship was moving to another level she knew it she could feel it. It scared her in a way considering he'd seen her tonight at her most vulnerable stage. No other man had seen her that way. She gripped him around his neck as she felt him press into her moving slowly inside her. She moved her lips to his ear gripping his hair as she moaned in his ear. The way he made love to her was like nothing else. It was like they were the only two people in existence. He was taking it really slow and she had to admit she was really enjoying it. He moved his lips back to hers kissing her.
Paul held her hip moving in and out of her at a slow pace. It was almost like torturing himself but hearing her gentle moans of satisfaction was music to his ears. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel like she was some kind of burden to him.
Stephanie ran her hand down his back to his ass gently pressing on him. Paul took the hint and began quickening the pace. He ran his hand down the back of her head holding her as he moved against her. He couldn't deny that he felt like she was made for him. He felt her clench around him and moan into his ear as she came around him. He groaned pressing his head into her neck as he released inside her.
Paul felt her shaking against him and he tried to get up but she pulled him down against her. He kissed her cheek wondering what she was thinking.
"I know I might seem hard to deal with and I've pushed you away but I don't want you to go." She said softly in his ear.
"I'm not going anywhere Steph I promise." He replied as he kissed her shoulder. "I love you, just know that that means ill do whatever it takes to protect you."
"Paul what is going on?" She asked almost in a whisper. "You can tell me anything."
"Just trust me Steph, that's what I need right now." He said as he looked her in the eyes.
She nodded as she felt him roll off of her pulling her against him. He was giving her the same look her brother would give her when he had a case he didn't want her to know about. Yes something was definitely going on and she didn't like the look of it.

Paul got up and got dressed as he let Stephanie sleep. He checked his phone and saw a new message from Shane. He opened it feeling his heart race.
'Its all in place. Ill help you out but keep my sister out of this.'
'You have my word.' Paul replied.
'Meet at your gym Friday 2 am. The guys name is Eric Bischoff.'
'Okay man thank you.'
'Just make the deal and keep things strictly business. And like I said keep Stephanie out of it in every aspect.'
"You're up early." Stephanie said sleepily from the bed as she sat up.
Paul put his phone down as he walked over to her. She leaned her cheek into his hand as he smiled down at her. She moved over patting the space next to her. Paul sat as she climbed into his arms. He hated to keep things from her but he promised Shane that if he helped pull him out of this mess he'd keep her out of it. He was a man of his word. He leaned back against the headboard as she rested against him her gentle breathing soothing him. He ran his hand over her soft hair taking a deep breath. His guilt was alright eating at him but he had to remember that he was fighting to save the people who depended on him. Number one being Shawn. He closed his eyes as he felt Stephanie lightly snoring against his chest. He decided maybe some more sleep would do him but the thought if what Friday night held in store was new than a little unnerving...