Chapter 6

A few minutes later they walked into catering and in an instant Lexi's anger returned as she spotted Jackie sitting on Heath Slater's lap. She took a step forward and Roman snagged her by the shoulder. "You promised not to touch her."

She looked up at him and cocked her head to the side. "Actually, I never promised."

God he loved her fire and passion, but he couldn't let her do this. "Lexi," he warned in his best Dom voice.

"Okay, fine. I won't lay a hand on her, but I am going to tear her a new ass. Any objections to a verbal assault?"

He released her and held his hands up in surrender. "Be my guest."

Just in case something went wrong, he followed close as she stalked toward Jackie. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" she grilled.

Jackie looked up at Lexi. "Oh hey, Lexi."

"Don't hey Lexi me. What in the hell are you doing in here?"

"She's taking a little break," Heath replied. "Chill out, will ya. It's no big deal."

"Stay out of this, Heath," Lexi warned. "It is a big deal and it's none of your business."

"Don't talk to him like that," Jackie defended. "And for your information I was taking a break."

Roman caught movement in his peripheral vision and glanced over to see Hunter had joined them. Though he doubted that Lexi noticed.

"A break!" Lexi echoed Jackie's answer. "You can't be serious."

"I'm completely serious." Jackie shot back. "Why? What's the probs?"

"The problem is that you have to actually do real work in order to earn a break," Lexi corrected. "All I've seen for the last month is you worm your way out of everything you're asked to do and spend all your time paying attention to the single wrestlers."

Apparently insulted, Jackie pushed off Heath's lap to face her. "Are you insinuating I'm easy?"

"I don't need to insinuate. I just wish you'd put half the effort into your job that you do trying to get into the wrestlers tights."

"You bitch!" The sound of flesh contacting flesh rent the air and caused the room to go silent as everybody stopped to watch the fallout. Lexi's head snapped back from the force of the blow and she immediately lifted a hand to cover her cheek. The stunned expression she wore lasted only a moment before fury replaced it and she lunged at Jackie.

Jackie let loose a high-pitched scream as Lexi grabbed her. Then chaos ensued and Roman jumped into the mix. Amid the commotion he fought to get a good grip on Lexi. Eventually, he managed to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her away from Jackie. "Lexi, knock it off."

"Let go," she squirmed against him. "I'm gonna knock some respect into that snotty little bitch."

"No you're not," Roman growled.

"Roman, get Lexi away from here." Hunter ordered. "Jackie, in my office, now!"

"That lazy little slut thinks she can do whatever she wants," Lexi yelled even as Roman dragged her into the hallway and directly across into an empty locker room. The entire time he fought to keep her from hurting him as she attempted to get away. His little spitfire was stronger than she looked. When the heavy door closed behind him on a thud, he loosened his grip and she pushed away.

Rage lit in her eyes as she turned to face him. "Let me out of here."

His only response was to fold his arms and widen his stance. No way would he allow her to do something that might get her fired.

She arched a challenging brow, then simply tried to push past him. He stepped into her path, blocking her escape. "Not until you calm down."

"Like hell," she snapped and shoved at him. To this point he'd found her temper and defiance cute and intriguing, but he was slowly losing his patience. The Dom in him demanded acquiescence and respect. Maybe it was time he taught her a little of both. In one smooth motion he turned toward her pinning her between him and the wall.

Shock registered in her eyes and she lifted her hands in defense. He snagged her by the wrists and pressed her arms above her head, holding her in place with ease.

In an instant the aura in the room changed as his body reacted to hers. He studied her expression, pleased to see the slight dilation in her eyes and the gentle parting of her lips as she complied. He doubted she even realized her response which made his discovery that much sweeter. Finding women to submit to him wasn't that difficult, but most of the time their submissions were acts or worse, forced for his benefit. A woman with a natural propensity to submit was much more difficult to find. Despite her strong persona and wrestling abilities, it was possible that deep down she was a natural submissive.

He could only begin to imagine the fun of working to release her inner sub. "Better," he whispered after she'd finally settled. He switched both her wrists to one hand and grazed a knuckle along the cheek Jackie struck and noted how the red angry skin had already begun to swell. She'd probably have a bruise there in the morning. He shifted his gaze back to meet her stare and noted how her breathing had shallowed and her speeding pulse had yet to slow. Until now, he'd been unsure if she'd felt their connection, but being this close, feeling her heartbeat, erased any remaining doubt.

He leaned in, pressing his body against hers and was overjoyed to feel her slight turn in to his touch. Whether she even realized it, she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. "Attacking her wouldn't have accomplished anything," he finally said.

"It would have made me feel better," she replied, her voice now softer in tone and laced with something akin to desire.

He did his best to hide the grin fighting to escape. "Only temporarily. In the end, the fallout would have been much worse." He lowered his head and grinned when she tipped her face up in response. "You feel it too, don't you?"

"Y-yes," she whispered.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No," she sighed, the regret in her voice caused him pause. "But I need you to stop."

Normally the word stop wouldn't hold any weight with him. That's what safe words were for. Since, he doubted she had a clue about the lifestyle he'd accept her plea to stop...this time. He pulled back and stared down at her. "Tell me why." At the very least he deserved to know her reasons for prolonging both their suffering.

Immediately she dropped her gaze and tried to turn away.

"Oh no, sweetheart." He curled a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "No hiding. Now tell me why."

"I-I need to know that this is more than just some insane attraction between us."

The pain and regret in her eyes clawed at his heart. Who had hurt her so badly that she'd chosen to close herself off and bury her passion? "You've been hurt before and you're wary."

She gave him a small nod and her eyes turned glassy. "I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry, sweetheart." He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over first one eye, then the other. As much as he wanted to take it deeper, to taste those luscious lips of hers, it wasn't what she needed now. A good Dom always put his subs needs ahead of his own. With regret, he pulled back. "I understand, but I promise that this is more than just some insane attraction, as you call it. I also know you need more than words for reassurance, so we'll take this nice and slow."

"Thank you," she cupped his cheek in her palm. "It means so much to me that you understand."

He took her hand in his, kissed her palm and stepped back. "You're welcome. Now let's get some ice for your cheek before it swells anymore."