66

Back at the hotel, Cyrus had put the food Mia had got on the table in the room. He turned to look at her when she rushed into his arms, enveloping hers around his waist.

He laughed, pulling her into him for a hug. “What’s this?”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She hugged him tightly, grinning from ear-to-ear.

He pulled her back at arm’s length to look her in the eyes. “You did this, not me. That was you on that stage tonight. I just showed my best friend your videos, and it snowballed from there. It was Gage’s idea to have you join IWX. The new storyline was his and my brother’s idea. All I did was agree.”

“Why are you being so nice to me? I’m a nobody. I’m just an average woman. There is nothing special about me,” she asked.

“Honey, you... you are everything. You’re not average. You’re a star. As far as me being nice, I have my selfish reasons for this. I care about you. I can’t explain all this. I just know, to me, you’re special.” He rubbed the back of his hand down the side of her face and she felt herself leaning into his caress. Feeling his warm skin on hers, she allowed her eyes to close, taking it all in.

After talking over the plans, they grabbed the food and found a movie on TV. Cyrus had gone to the restroom and removed his suit, pulling on t-shirt and gym shorts. Mia removed her shoes and sat on the bed watching X-Men and eating. As he came back, he stood and watched her for a moment. She was everything he ever wanted, and to make her happy made him swell with pride.

Once done with the meal, Cyrus took their food and threw away the containers. He noticed Mia shivering, and he went over and pulled down the bed, climbing in.

“Get in, sweetie.” He motioned for her to join him.

“Cyrus... I… we just met.” She looked so nervous he thought she might faint.

“I won’t try anything. You’re cold, aren’t you? I want to snuggle. Is that okay? We talked about wanting someone to snuggle in our messages, and now we actually can.” He pouted, “You won’t let me? I’ll be good, I promise.”

“I’m sure you are. That’s beside the point.” She giggled.

“For the record, I’m very good. One day I’ll show you. Come, let’s get comfortable. That’s all.”

He reached for her hand, and Mia moved to get under the blanket with him. He pulled the cover over her arms and felt her snuggle into his embrace. The warmth of his strong arms around her made a sense of calm fall over her.

Cyrus smiled with satisfaction and kissed the top of her head. “See. That’s much better.”

A sigh of rest escaped her as she snuggled into him, wrapping her arm over his abs. Instinctively, her fingers trailed lazy circles over his abs, making Cyrus smile at the peaceful nature of having her in his arms.

They sat watching the movie, and she looked up at him with a smile. “This is so much better than when we chatted online watching movies together. I honestly pictured that I was talking to you the whole time. I’m glad you came.”

“I’m glad too. Are you upset that I didn’t reveal who I was sooner?”

“No. This was better. Now maybe you see the real me, not some gold digger because honestly like you. I don’t care if you’re Cyrus the big IWX star. I’m a fan, but now I know that it was real, you’re so much more to me.” She traced her hand across Cyrus’ chest, feeling his hard body flex under her touch.

“Mia, I never thought you were. A gold digger would have been trying to hook up with me on my real profile after that comment I posted. Trust me, girls do it all the time. I came to you. You didn’t pursue me. I know you’re not like those other girls and that’s why I’m here.”

He took her hand and tenderly kissed her fingers one-by-one making Mia’s heart leap. He was such a large intimidating man but had the gentlest touch. His large, strong hands made her feel small in his presence, but safe.

“I’m scared. About, tomorrow. Being on the show. I’m not as good as you and Wraith and don’t want to make you look bad. I know you’re being nice but be honest. If I need work, I’ll do what I need to get better. I look up to you and your family and want to make you proud of me. I don’t want this average girl from Indiana ruining what you have with your brother either,” Mia sighed.

“I am proud of you. You were amazing tonight. It was like you belong on that stage. I just wish you could see what I see; a strong, beautiful woman. You are not average. Please, don’t say that anymore,” Cyrus assured her.

“But why me? I don’t understand any of this.” Mia looked to his eyes for answers.

“Well, when I started talking to you, I just did it because you were pretty, and your post flattered me. I don’t even know why. People post stuff like that all the time. I looked at your profile and I was just amazed at how well rounded you were. I made up the profile just expecting to have someone to talk to outside of work. Someone who didn’t know I was Cyrus. You didn’t care who I was. You thought I was some fat dude in my mom’s basement with a ton of cats, for some odd reason. I don’t even have a cat. My cousin Isis does. That cat is freakin’ evil.” He chuckled.

“I like cats.”

“I suddenly think I need to get a cat.”

“Are you trying to impress me? With cute cats?”

“If that’s what it takes. Anyway… you still talked to me online. Even if you thought I was creepy, you still treated me with respect. Our conversations were real. The more I knew about you, the more I realized how much we have in common. Like camping and the outdoors, and your love for art. Mostly I saw how alone we both have been. I had to meet you and show you you’re not alone.”

“When I talk to you, I don’t feel so alone,” Mia stated.

“I needed to know that I didn’t have to be alone anymore either. My divorce ruined the person I was. Since I met you, I feel like I want to live life again. I needed this moment, more than you realize.”

“Cyrus, you have tons of friends, family, and fans who adore you. How can you even think you are alone? How can you want someone like me when you could have any woman in the world?” Mia asked.

“Someone like you? Someone who I have talked about my personal life, and you still don’t judge me. You listen to me when I need someone to vent to. You really listen and not just pretend to. For the past few weeks, I’ve felt more compassion from you than anyone I’ve ever known. I may have the world at my fingertips, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel lonely too. As you said, everyone needs someone to talk to. You became my friend first. Along the way, I needed more. That’s why I came. Your heart is bigger than anyone I know. I want to know you. I want to show you’re worthy of so much more than you let yourself see.” Cyrus looked down to see her response.

“What do you want from me?” she asked.

“You. Just you. And a chance to prove that. I’m not letting go of my flower now that I have you in my arms.” He took his fingers, raising her chin to meet his gaze.

Mia’s big eyes shone up at him as she asked, “Do you want me? I mean, can you see yourself with me? In a real relationship?”

“Yes, and the sooner the better, I hope.” Cyrus smiled assuredly.

“Even though it won’t be sexual at first? I can’t deny I want you in that way. I think about it all the time, but I can’t let myself do that. I promised myself I won’t rush into that and I am sticking to it. I hope my first time will be you, but I’m not changing my mind.”

“I’m willing to wait for however long it takes.”

“I told you a lot about my sexual desires regarding you. You told me stuff too. I thought it was a guy we were just friends talking in general terms. I didn’t think I was confessing my true feelings and sexual desires to the man of my dreams.”

“I don’t need to have sex with you to be intimate, Mia. Just holding you tonight is enough for me for now. If it comes to that, I would love to be the one to share the experience with you. I can’t lie. I am so sexually attracted to you I think I could explode. Last night at dinner, I wanted to take you back to your apartment and have my way with you, and again tonight. I think a lot of you and used restraint. If this means waiting, I will.”

Mia wanted to believe him. His eyes were telling her he was being real, but she had heard that before.

“Other guys have said they were okay with it too. After a few weeks or even days, they change their mind. If you do, I’ll understand.” She looked away, trying to hold back her emotion.

“I won’t change my mind. I want to ask you something. Tonight… sleep with me. No sex. Just let me hold you. I’ve waited to have you in my arms for weeks now. Let me have tonight,” Cyrus pleaded.

Mia sighed, “Okay. Tonight. I’ve never even slept over with a guy. So please understand, I don’t do this.”

“I understand.”

After the movie, Cyrus turned off the TV looking down, finding Mia had already fallen asleep. He’d given her a t-shirt to sleep in earlier in the evening, and she looked so peaceful in his arms.

He wanted her to be his. He’d never waited for a woman until now. Something about it seemed so perfect. Women threw themselves at him before his wife. Regardless of the scars, he never had a problem in that department.

Here was this girl he knew wanted him, and she was holding back because she was waiting for true love. For him, that meant no pressure. They could get to know each other on a more personal level. He never knew how it felt to want someone so much and be willing to wait for it. Something inside him knew for her he would wait a lifetime.