Chapter 25
Lexi stepped from the bathroom and turned in a circle for her guys. "What do you think?"
Dean nodded and Seth grinned. Roman assed her then gave her an approving look. "Gorgeous."
"Are you sure you like my hair this color?" Part of her new persona was to dye her hair black. With long straight black hair, instead of the mahogany corkscrews she was used to wearing, she looked menacing, almost Gothic in appearance.
"I love the look. It's sexy as hell," he grabbed her by the waist and she enjoyed the heat of his hand against her bare belly. "I love the black crop tee and those black cargo pants give you a sexy ass kicker feel."
She cocked her head to the side and licked a path along the pulse in his neck. "You think me being an ass kicker, is sexy?"
"Oh yeah." He lowered his head and whispered. "I also love knowing that my little ass kicker will readily submit to me whenever I want." He nipped at her chin and pulled her bottom lip between his teeth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sank against him. No place in the world, not even being inside the ring, compared to the feeling she got when he held her like this.
"Down boy," Dean called from behind them. "Put your animal instincts on hold, because she's got a debut to make."
Roman cursed under his breath, then took a step back. "I hate it when he's right."
She grinned, then leaned into him and whispered. "After my welcome back party tonight I'm yours for the taking."
"I'm holding you to that."
The door opened behind them and Emma's new assistant Patty stuck her head into the room. "It's time, Lexi."
"Thanks."
She walked out and took the elevator to the main floor where she positioned herself and waited. The Shield music began and she glanced over her shoulder to make sure Roman was still here. He was her touchstone, her rock, and she needed him tonight.
Within seconds, she made her way down the steps and through the crowd.
Kaitlyn waited in the ring for her, amusement in her eyes, but a look of defiance otherwise plastered across her face. Lexi's guys assembled behind her, a protective wall of strength for her to draw upon. It was time to remove any doubt the crowd might have as to her allegiance.
She turned to Roman, lifted a hand to his cheek and brushed a kiss across his lips, then she backed away and slid beneath the bottom rope into the ring.
For the next ten minutes she worked with Kaitlyn, trading moves and putting on a show for the crowd. Kaitlyn played her part well and Lexi took a few good falls, playing up the pain for the crowd. Yes, she'd be sore in the morning, but some minor discomfort was a small price to pay for having her life back.
Enjoying the moment, Lexi climbed to the top turnbuckle, positioned herself and leaped, catching Kaitlyn in a flying kick. She hit the mat with a thud, then scrambled to her feet and quickly maneuvered Kaitlyn into the signature Hart Sharpshooter. Within seconds, Kaitlyn tapped out.
The bell rang and Lexi raised her hands in victory as Roman, Dean and Seth joined her in the ring. "Yeah," she yelled. "Believe in the shield!"
Without waiting for her after match interview with Matt Striker, she turned and motioned for them to leave. Roman slid from the ring and hopped the barrier, then lifted her up and over as if she weighed nothing. Later, she'd give her interview in a live promo that would tell the world why she'd joined The Shield. For now she'd have a bottle of water, a rub down, and enjoy the fact that for this moment in time, everything was right in her world.