The phone begins to beep in her ear reminding her to hang up. Time almost seems frozen as she contemplates AJ's proposal. Her mind races in fifty different directions thinking about the possibilities. She drops the phone onto its cradle and looks at herself in the mirror across the room. Walking up to it she leans in to wipe away a smudge of eyeshadow. As if to psych herself up she runs a hand through her hair and let's out a huge sigh. She grabs her room key and leaves her cell phone behind on the dresser.
Making sure the door clicks shut behind her she makes the decision to go to AJ's room. The hallway is silent as she sneaks down towards the elevator. As she nears his room she's overcome by nerves. Turning away quickly she starts heading back towards her own room as she hears the elevator door chime and open. A hotel employee smiles at her as he hurriedly pushes a room service cart full of delicious smelling silver trays past her. She blinks and takes a deep breath before turning back towards his room with renewed confidence. She reaches the ominous structure and taps the door with two quick knocks. The door opens a few seconds later, just as she was getting ready to turn and run back to the safety of her room. AJ pops his head outside to see if anyone is watching. When he sees no bystanders he takes her by the hand and pulls her into his room. Barely inside he pushes her up against the wall. Sparks shoot through her body as his hand cups her chin. He moves in and kisses her. She reacts by grabbing a fistful of his tee shirt and pulling his body against hers.
"Mmm even better than I remember it," his accent sounds even hotter in that delicious throaty moan.
Her good arm reaches up and wraps her fingers into his shoulder length brown hair. Their mouths meet again, shushing him. They remain two steps inside the door in the small hallway of the room just exploring each other. She tugs his shirt up over his head and takes a moment to enjoy his bare muscular chest. Her hands roam his body while their tongues dance together. He lifts the hem of her shirt gently, to not hurt her shoulder, and tosses the garment to the floor alongside his. His strong hands travel down her sides coming to rest at her waist. With minimal effort he hoists her up, letting her wrap her legs around his hips.
They press their foreheads together and stare into each other's blue eyes. Hers more smokey grey while his are a crisp icy blue. AJ smiles playfully at the tiny frame straddling his body. He carries her over to the bed and sets her down gently. She thwarts his attempt to stand up by grabbing his belt buckle and pulling him down on to of her. She fumbles with his belt for what seems like forever. Finally she gets it undone and grins at him triumphantly. He smirks and slides out of his dark jeans. He captures her mouth in another flurry of kisses. His hands swiftly unsnap the button on her jeans and guide her out of them.
They lay together enjoying the closeness of their skin touching. Electricity seems to course through them at every point of contact. He gives her a look that asks permission to keep going. She runs a finger down his chest practically begging him not to stop. From that moment on there's no hesitation. The rest of their clothes are flung haphazardly to the floor. The room is filled with moans of pleasure as their bodies entangle each other in frenzied sex. The next twenty or so minutes are a flurry of pawing hands, tugs of hair and fulfilled desires.
Ravyn lies with her head on AJ's chest, both of them completely spent. "You know no one can know about this, right?" AJ says quietly.
She nods, still hazy from the experience, "Definitely."
A few hours pass with them laying together until Ravyn decides to go back to her own room. AJ walks her to the door, pokes his head into the hall and peers up and down each direction to make sure no one will see her leaving. As she steps into the hallway he pulls her in for a quick goodbye kiss. She hurries back to her room, desperately in need of some sleep before continuing the house show loop.
Early Sunday morning Ravyn's flight touches down in Dallas, Texas. Exhausted from the Canadian tour she drags herself from the plane to the baggage claim area. She checks a few voicemails on her way. Excitement fills her as she gets clearance from the head doctor to start working out more heavily. Tyler and Dango are waiting for her as she rounds the corner into the crowded space.
"Someone sure looks happy to be awake at four A.M," Dango stifles a yawn.
"Doc says if everything looks good today I may be able to get back into the ring soon," Ravyn beams.
"Awesome!" Tyler hugs her tightly.
Her smile just won't quit, "I'm officially cleared to start weight training again. And by tonight I think I'll be able to ditch this lame brace!"
Dango wraps an arm around her shoulders and kisses her forehead, "That's great. Let's get to the hotel so we can go train!"
"I'm going to take a nap first," Ravyn yawns as she walks to the carousel to grab her bag. As she yanks it off of the belt she locks eyes with AJ on the other side of the huge machine. He smirks and walks off before anyone can notice them. Ravyn blushes slightly and drags her bag back over to the boys.
They check into the hotel and get a few hours of sleep before heading to the arena early for the TLC PPV. Ravyn immediately goes to Doc's office after setting her bag down in the locker room. He pokes and prods her shoulder repeatedly and has her do some range of motion tests. Satisfied with the results he gives her some much needed good news.
"I think you'll be okay to start some light ring work. Nothing crazy," he warns. Just get back in there and start running some drills. Hit the ropes, get back into some of the basics. No bumping for a few more weeks, but let's start to shake that ring rust off." She nods excitedly. "I mean it," he says sternly. "Bare basics. Cardio Stuff. Low impact."
"What about the brace?" Ravyn asks hopefully.
Doc smiles, "You don't need it anymore. Maybe keep it packed for a few weeks just in case you're sore. But you should start weening yourself off of it."
She assures him that she understands, shakes his hand and leaves his office to go find her friends. She almost skips down the hallway which must be quite the sight for onlookers. Her tattoos, dyed hair, dark clothes and makeup don't exactly personify a sunshiny outlook. She runs into everyone at catering.
"Look at you," JJ smirks. "If you were anyone else I'd say you looked radiant. But since you're you... I'll go with less murderous and gloomy."
Ravyn sticks her tongue out at her friend, "I got cleared to do some light ring work."
"Friend! That's amazing!" JJ squeals. "Let me know when you need someone to run the ropes with."
"I'd like to get in there today if you have the time," Ravyn suggests.
JJ jumps up from her seat, "Yes! Let's go!" The girls giggle and race back to the locker room to get changed into workout clothes. As they sit lacing up their boots JJ makes an observation. "You're happier than you were last week. Even before you got the clear today. Something is different. But what?"
Ravyn shrugs not willing to break AJ's trust, "No idea." The two of them had been sneaking into each other's hotel rooms almost every night and going at it like rabbits.
They start to walk through the labyrinth of hallways to the arena itself. JJ observes her as they walk. "You've got that super sassy sex kitten swagger back to your w..." She pauses. "Oh my god! Did you get laid!?"
Ravyn slaps at her, blushing madly, "Shh! The whole locker room doesn't need to hear!"
"Who was it? Do I know him? Is he hot?" JJ's outbreak of questions begins.
"J, I love you. But I'm not spilling it," Ravyn laughs.
"That's fine. Don't tell me. Your best friend. Whose been there for you through everything. Who tells you every minuscule detail of her entire life," JJ guilts her jokingly. "I'll figure it out eventually.
Ravyn rolls her eyes and lies, "It's no one you know. Just a random hookup." She can feel her friend's eyes on her begging for more. "Yes, he was incredibly hot."