72

Later that night, Mia sat in Cyrus’ brother Wraith’s locker room, watching the show on the monitor.

When the segment with Cyrus and Kelly came up, it sickened her at the sight. She just focused on her man and tried to block out who he was standing next to. When the simulated sex scene began, Mia’s eyes fixed on Cyrus. Wishing she could make him feel that way, she blocked everything else from her mind.

She felt her hands wander over her body, thinking maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe she could lower her defenses for him.

She shook off the feeling of pure arousal and walked around the room to calm down. Why was he so hard to resist? She had never had such a hard time resisting her urges before. Deep down, she didn’t want to. She knew full well she wanted him. It was just a matter of time before Mia let Cyrus have her.

Mia finished watching the segment and turned off the TV. Seeing Cyrus ogling a group of girls as they entered his makeshift office made her nauseous. She didn’t realize how jealous she was acting. This wasn’t like her. Mia assumed that only meant she had feelings for him.

The sexy scenes were all set up by Gage’s team to keep control over Cyrus’ on-screen character. She knew it was just a TV show. It had never bothered her before. Sure, she hated to see him touch other women on TV, but tonight it was more than she was ready for. Mia knew at the end of the day she would have him in her arms again, so she needed to get control of her emotions.

She wished some part of her was like those women. That she could be like Kelly and give herself to him freely. But some part of her knew waiting was the right choice. Jumping into things was never her way.

A knock came on the door, and it slowly opened.

“Mia, sweetheart. Are you in here?” Davis walked in finding Mia sitting in a chair holding her head in her hands. “I guess you saw the segments.”

Mia looked up with red eyes from holding back tears. “I did. It’s just for show, right? No big deal.”

“Gage and Cyrus were right, and I didn’t listen. I should have thought about it. I forgot what this week was about. I’m sorry you had to watch that. If it is any consolation, he cares deeply for you. Cyrus didn’t want to upset you or do the segments at all. I am sorry I didn’t think before inviting you to the show,” Davis said, seriously apologetic.

“Davis, it’s fine. I understand it’s for the show. I’ve seen it before. It’s just, Kelly is…”

“A ring rat. Trust me. I know. That’s part of why we wanted to bring you in. We need to slow the sexual stuff down and get back to Cyrus teaming with his family to torment me and my crew. It’s time we turn away from allowing that behavior here. I let it go on too long.”

“I agree. Things are changing. There is no reason for those ladies to act that way. I know it has been part of the wrestling scene for years, but it’s uncalled for now.”

“I agree, and I realized recently, what Cy needs is his family. It’s who Cyrus is. This overblown womanizer persona on screen is not him. Without family, he’s not the same man. I hope you can forgive me.” Davis walked over, extending his hand to her in remorse.

Mia got up and hugged him tightly. “I forgive you.”

“He really cares for you. Cy has been a wreck trying to think of a way out of doing the segments. He worried about how you would feel. I think he found someone special in you.”

Davis patted her back and headed back out the door, just in time for Wraith and Cyrus to enter the room. Cyrus motioned at Davis questioning, as the man walked out of the room.

“What was the old fart doing in here?”

“Apologizing.”

She went over and hugged Cyrus with a comforting sigh of relief. It surprised him she didn’t get upset about the skits.

“I’m sorry I questioned you. I trust you. It’s me I don’t trust.”

Cyrus pulled her to the side as Wraith rummaged through his gym bag. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think I can trust myself around you. I have fantasized about you for years. Do you know that? Since we met, I feel like I can’t control myself. Honestly, I’m not even sure I want to anymore,” she sighed.

“It’s going to take both of us to control ourselves. I want to wait until you’re sure you’re ready.” Cyrus held her close, smelling the sweet fragrance of her shampoo. Everything in him meant those words.

Big brother Wraith sat down on the bench listening to the couple. “Can I interject here? It’s not my business, but I’m old and know a few things. Sit.”

Mia looked at Cyrus with shock. Did he tell his brother?

“He knows, baby. I needed to talk to someone. Wraith’s my brother and I can trust him with anything.”

Mia shook her head in approval. If he was going to talk to anyone, she was glad it was his family. She knew how important their brother bond was to them.

“Listen, I think the two of you trying to wait for each other is great, but you’re looking at it all wrong. Stop looking at it like you’re having something taken away. Look what you’re going to gain. Trust, honestly, learning to love each other without the pressures of sex looming over you. Most of all, you are going to have each other to share experiences that most people miss out on because they rush into things.”

Cyrus sat next to his brother, rubbing his head in frustration. “I just don’t want her to think I’m pushing her.”

“If you did, you would have me to deal with, brother. I just met her earlier today, but I like this girl. Mia, sure Cyrus has been with quite a few women in his time, but I know he only had sex with a few he didn’t care for after his divorce. He was pretty screwed up for a while. Tammy really hurt him. The rest of the women in the past were in a real relationship, and that was long before they married. The latter are gold-digging cunts who were just out for his money.”

“Wraith! Watch our mouth. You’re in front of a lady.”

“What, bro? It’s true.” Wraith smirked with a wink in Mia’s direction. “Listen, Cy. You are learning for the first time what it’s like to have a relationship with someone who will save herself for you. If that happens down the road it’ll be more special. Mia, you’re going to learn trust and maybe even explore intimacy you never knew you could have. Cy is a passionate guy, and I’m sure he will focus all his affection on you. I know you both feel pressure to have sex. We all do at some point, but now you can see what it is like to have someone who genuinely wants you for you.”

Mia sat on Cyrus’ knee, wrapping her arm over his shoulder to play with the hair on the nape of his neck. “I don’t want to hold out on you, Cyrus. It’s just the way I am. I had a lot of jerks who pretended to like me, just to sleep with me. It’s not like I want to wait forever, just until I’m sure I’m doing it for the right reasons.”

“I know my brother and he doesn’t care one bit about the sex part. Old Cy fell for the woman online; crazy as that was. You’re the one woman who listens to him. He says you talk to him on levels he has never had before. I am sure you know how extremely smart he is. Deep conversations mean a lot to him. You both are gaining a lot. I just wish I would have been able to say the same with Lilly and me. Saving ourselves would have been special. We’re just lucky to have learned later how important it is to bond with someone. We were all over each other the first night we met.”

Wraith looked at Cyrus, seeing his brother was almost in tears. He had been struggling for so long over his divorce and needed something good in his life again. He needed someone on his level to understand him.

“My brother is taking a huge leap of faith, Mia. You’re changing him for the better. Since you two started talking, I see my brother again. Not this corporate stiff he’s become. Maybe you can get him out of those damn nerdy bow ties and back in the woods where he belongs.”

Cyrus looked up, wiping his eyes. “Wraith, I love ya, brother. You’re right. I’m not losing anything, but I’m gaining a lot. Mia, I’m willing to wait for you, just be patient because this is all new to me. Women throw themselves at me. To be honest, for a long time I let them because I didn’t feel good enough for anyone. But I need you. I need this.”

She wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his neck. “For the record. I need you too.”

“Just because I like you two, doesn’t mean I want you getting all lovey-dovey in my locker room. Get out. I need to take a shower. All this mushy crap is making my cold dead heart melt.”

Cyrus laughed. “My brother doesn’t deal well with his emotions. He’s a grouch.”

Wraith just growled under his breath as Cyrus rushed over and hugged him. He started kissing all over his face as Wraith tried to push him away.

“Give me a kiss, you big grouchy monster.”

“Damn it, Cy. Get the fuck off me, you freak. You and your emotional bullshit.”

“Feel the love, my brother. Feel the love.” Cyrus hugged him tightly, laughing with a big cheesy grin. “Just accept it. It’s okay. We won’t tell anyone that you have a heart.”

Wraith just stood motionless, waiting for his goofy brother to let go. Finally, he broke into a smile and hugged him back. “I hate you sometimes.”

“No, you don’t. I’m the best brother you ever had.”

“You’re my only brother.”

“Exactly.”