Chapter 22

Lexi stared out her bedroom window at the snowcapped mountains in the distance. She grew up staring at those same mountains, dreaming of the day she'd live life beyond what she could see from her window.

Now, she found herself right back right where she started, wondering what she was going to do with the rest of her life. Vince owned damn near everything that pertained to wrestling so going somewhere else wasn't possible. Short of signing on with Impact, her career as a wrestler was pretty much over.

Maybe she could go back and finish her degree in communications or maybe she could become a personal trainer. She'd almost forgotten to call her trainer and inform him of what what going on. He'd been disappointed, but understood. She wasn't his only wrestler and she doubted she'd be missed. Though she already missed her life inside the ring, her friends, and Roman. Almost immediately, her eyes stung as tears threatened to fall yet again. She'd only been gone a few days, but she missed him so much she physically hurt.

"Sweetie."

She turned to find her father standing in the doorway and quickly wiped her eyes. "Yeah?"

"Are you sure you don't want to go with me?"

She shook her head. "No."

"We'd only be gone a few days and it would do you good."

"I would really just rather stay here."

His mouth turned down into a frown. "Sulking isn't going to fix this, Alexandra.".

"Maybe not, but I think I have a right to wallow in my own pity for a few days."

He let out a long sign and crossed to where she sat, then crouched in front of her. "It's only been a couple of days since you left. You have to give this time to work."

"What if it doesn't, Dad?" This time she didn't bother hiding her tears. "What if I did all of this for nothing? Then I've given up my career and lost the love of my life."

Bret took her hands in his. "I know it's hard for you to see past the pain right now, but you have to trust me when I tell you that sometimes there are situations in life where you have to take a leap of faith."

She swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand, but the not knowing is just so hard."

"I know, baby." He tugged her into his arms. "I worked that roster a lot of years and I know Vince pretty well. I firmly believe you'll be getting a phone call soon. It's hard, but be patient." He pulled back and smiled at her. "I'm proud of you for standing on your principals, sweetie."

"Thanks, Dad."

"You sure you don't want to go with me?"

She shook her head. "I'm a big girl. I'll be fine here by myself for a few days."

"I know you will." He glanced at his watch "I gotta run or I'm gonna miss my flight. If you need me call my cell."

"I'll be fine," she said again. "Have fun doing your book signing."

"I will and remember, Alexandra, keep the faith."

She watched her father drive away, then crawled onto her bed and curled into a ball. Physically and emotionally exhausted, all she wanted to do was take a nap and try to forget.

Startled, Lexi sat up with a jerk and glanced around the room. What woke her and more importantly how long had she been asleep? She glanced at the clock, shocked to find four gone. Guess I was more tire than I thought! She barely finished that thought when the distinctive knocking on the front door caught her ear.

She pushed off the bed and hurried down stairs. Dad probably had Mrs. Reynolds look in on her. Sometimes he could be such a worry wart. The knocking continued as she crossed the livingroom to the front door. She reached for the door, then thought twice, deciding to peer out the window first. What if someone saw her dad leave and was checking to make sure the house was empty? Better safe than sorry,

She sidled up to the accent window that surrounded the front door and peered through the frosted panes. Shock then disbelief ricocheted through her system as her brain struggled to process what her eyes saw.

With a shaky hand, she flipped the lock, turned the handle and came face to face with the love of her life. God he looked amazing standing on her front porch, dressed in tight black jeans and and even tighter black T-shirt. For a moment she wondered if she was still sleeping and this was nothing more than some elaborate dream.

"Roman? What are you doing here?"

"I came here for you, baby. Are you going to invite me in or do I have to stand on your front porch until the neighbors call the cops?"

"Oh God, I'm sorry." She took a step back, allowing him to enter. He stepped into the room and immediately turned back to her. His big hand landed on the door above her head and he gave it a forceful shove. It slammed closed behind her a moment before she found her back pressed against the wood.

Roman's hands seemed to be everywhere, his mouth taking hers in a kiss so consuming she swore it melted her very soul. Desperate to feel his love, to feel his touch, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He picked her up and she hooked her legs around his back.

"You're mine, Lexi," Roman stated between kisses. "You belong to me."

"I'm yours," she echoed as she struggled to get closer to him. "I belong to you."

"Where's your bedroom?"

"Upstairs. The first door on the right." Still holding her against him, he crossed the room, climbed the steps and pushed open the bedroom door. He eased her down onto the mattress, then hovered over her, his gaze boring into her. "You're such a part of me, sweetheart. I've been lost these last few days without you."

"I've missed you so much," she confessed. "Please, Roman. Make love to me?"