Chapter 24

Happy for the first time in days, Lexi lay draped across Roman's chest. She tried to ignore the questions swirling in her head, like what was he doing here and when would he need to leave again? Instead, she wanted to focus on the all-encompassing feeling of contentment she currently enjoyed.

"What's going through that deviously little mind of yours?"

"Why?" She turned her head so she could see his face.

"Your body tensed."

The last thing she wanted was to weigh him down with her concerns. "It was nothing. Don't worry about it."

Before she could resist he'd flipped her over so he towered above her, his face a mask of impatience. "I grow tired of having to repeat myself, Lexi. Maybe, I should just flip you over my knee and spank that adorable ass of yours until you learn to share what's bothering you."

Her eyes widened in shock as her body tightened at the idea of his big hands controlling her body on such an elemental level.

He cocked his head to the side and a tiny smile tipped his lips. "Well isn't that interesting?"

"What?"

"I get the impression that you might actually like the idea of having your ass spanked." He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "I'll tuck that information away for later, for now you're going to tell me what you were thinking about a few minutes ago."

"Bully," she retorted.

He stared down at her in silence his brow quirked up in response.

"Oh fine," she finally said after a moment. "I was trying not to think about the fact that at some point you're going to have to leave again."

"And the idea of me leaving made you sad?"

She nodded. "I've missed you so much these past few days. I'm trying not to think about when you have to leave again."

His mouth turned up into a grin. "When I do you're coming with me."

She pushed at him. "That's not funny, Roman."

"Who's joking?"

"Oh, come on." She shook her head. "Would you please be serious?"

"I am completely serious." He rolled off her and moved to sit back against the headboard. "I actually came to retrieve you, but the moment I set eyes on you, I couldn't think past my own needs."

She slid up the bed and tucked herself beneath his arm. "I didn't mind."

He chuckled. "I'm glad. My ego might be bruised otherwise."

"Your ego is just as big as the rest of you. I doubt it could be bruised that easily."

Grinning, he shook his head. "You are such a brat sometimes."

"But you love me anyway."

"You're right, I do, but we're getting off topic. Like I said, I came here to get you."

"But I quit."

He narrowed his gaze. "I'm well aware of that very stupid move you made. However, Vince refuses to accept your resignation as do nearly the entire WWE roster." He curled a finger beneath her chin, holding her face still. "You've been overruled, sweetheart."

"What do you mean overruled? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that Hunter has arranged for you to come back. Everyone on the roster now knows the truth and the important ones, like Chris and Randy know about you and me. In fact, we all sat down with Hunter and created this great storyline for you that would tie perfectly into that whole kidnapping debacle. Which for the record, was my terrible idea."

"Really?" She arched a brow and chose to ignore his attempt at self-depreciation. "You sat down with Chris and Randy?"

He nodded. "And John, Dean, Seth, Miz and about a dozen other stars who wanted to do their part to get you to come back."

She tried to picture them all together. "That must have been one hell of a sight."

"Oh it was," Roman agreed. "I had no idea you have so many friends."

Hope welled in her chest. Was it possible that she might get to have her life back? "So what's this storyline you mentioned?"

"Oh it's really great." The excitement in his voice made her smile. She found the dichotomy between the sexy alpha male who had just ravaged her and adorable little boy she was now witnessing so endearing. "You're going to get pissed off," he continued. "Over what you see as injustice with regard to the fact that no one believed you weren't kidnapped."

So far, she liked what she heard. "And?" she asked, hoping there was more.

"And you're going to join The Shield." He grinned.

Joy slowly flowed through her, filling her heart it overflowed. "I like it."

"Me too. So do Dean and Seth. They miss you too, you know."

"Really?"

"Yes really. I know it's hard for you to believe, but you've become such a part of our lives, Lexi. Not having you around this past week has been like walking around with a limb missing and we don't want to do it anymore." He pulled her against him. "So what do you say, sweetheart? Will you come back and make us all whole again?"

"I'd love to, she replied, then frowned as a thought occurred to her. "Wait...I just thought of something."

"What?"

"How did you know that my father wasn't here?"

"What?"

"You were ready to strip me naked downstairs. No way would you have done that if you knew my father was home. So how did you know he wasn't here?"

"Oh that?" Roman grinned. "I called him the other day to fill him in on what we were doing. That's when he told me about his book tour."

"You called him? How did you get his number?"

"He gave it to me when you were in the hospital after I promised to take care of you."

She wasn't quite sure how she felt about Roman having a direct line to her dad. Edge never really liked her father. Of course the feeling was mutual, which put her smack in the middle of a constant feud. This time around it appeared as if the men she loved actually got along. How would that play out for her? "So how often to you talk to my father behind my back?"

"Only as often as necessary. You know he mentioned to me that he'd love to have a son-in-law."

Her gaze jerked to his face as shock rippled through her body. Stunned, she couldn't find the words to speak.

His grin widened. "I told him, I'd do my best to accommodate that wish, but I'd need some cooperation from his daughter."

"Roman," she whispered as hope lodged in her throat. She loved him more than she'd ever loved anyone. Was it really possible for her to have everything she'd ever wanted? Could she find the happiness that had eluded her so long?

He turned to her, his gaze filled with love and respect. "I'm not saying we run out tomorrow and get married, but maybe at some point in the future. What do you say, Lexi?"

Now riding high on the peak of that emotional roller coaster, tears welled in her eyes. "Yes. I say yes."