44

Reaching the hotel, Gage had Isis’ eyes covered with a blindfold. It was hard to convince the people at customs at the airport it was a surprise for her. Being who he was made things easier because their fame was worldwide.

When they reached their luxury room, Gage took Isis to the window. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek while looking over the cityscape.

“Okay, my goddess. I’m taking off the blindfold now.”

He gently removed the fabric, and she rubbed her eyes to adjust to the sunlight coming through the window.

A huge gasp came from her. “Are we in Paris? Gage, is this real?” Is that the Eiffel Tower?”

“It is, my queen,” pulling her close. “I am taking you to a couple of places this week. I know you always wanted to see Paris. I remember you telling me the places you wished you could see. I wanted to be the one who did it with you. I want to show you the world. We will travel all over Europe and visit sites. Hopefully, we can start over fresh.”

Isis turned to him. “Start over?”

“I don’t need a submissive anymore, Isis. I need a confident, beautiful woman with her own opinions and voice. I want to be the man for you who comforts and takes care of you. Not control you. I still want to take the lead. I need to feel like a man. In the past, I had a relationship that made me feel emasculated. I’m an alpha male and truthfully that is who I am and will always be. I realized that you’re a woman that’s fine with that. I don’t have to control you. I just need a woman who understands who I am. I lost who I was, and you deserve the best of me.”

“I need you, Gage. I think I always have. I’m not strong like you. I pretend to be, but most days I’m scared. I want someone who can take the lead when I’m too shy on my own. Being shy is part of who I am. I can be a powerhouse on stage, but that girl is not the real me. I need a man who makes me feel safe. Even when we were fighting, I still felt safe around you. There were times you intimidated me. I never once felt like you would hurt me, and you have always been protective. It was like you could harass me, but if anyone else did, you would freak out. When other guys make me uncomfortable, you stand up for me. I knew you were still a good person. I’m glad you’re letting me see that first hand. I’ve been waiting to meet the real Gage.”

“I tried to dominate you, Isis. In the process, killed that little spirit in you. I hate to admit it, but as much as your attitude annoyed me. It also turned me on. As shy as you are, you’re a fighter when you need to be. You challenge me. You, Isis, are stronger than you know. I want to build a real relationship with you. I guess I needed you more than I realized.”

“I want that too.”

“Not once have you asked anything of me. I remember when we met you wanted a title shot. I promised and never delivered on it. You never have even mentioned it since that day. Why not?”

“Everyone is always coming at you to get ahead. I figure if I deserve it, it will come. I know you have a pull with Mister Preston and you’re making big decisions now. I don’t want to be another person using you to get ahead. I can do it on my own. If you decide I should get that chance, I will, when I earn it. Jacob said he thinks you have plans to let me try. Is that true?” She looked hopeful and starry-eyed.

He winked at her. “Yes. It was Davis’s idea, and I agreed. You worked hard for this.”

She threw her arms around him. “Oh, thank you! I’m so happy.” Isis beamed with joy and looked out the window. “So, I don’t have to be your submissive? Does this mean we will have a genuine relationship? I mean you still refuse to kiss me and most days it makes me feel like a prostitute.”

Isis hung her head down with that revolution she just made, tears welling in her eyes. She never heard herself admit it, but there it was.

He lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “I did all this because I have wanted to be with you for a long time.”

“Gage, anyone else would have already left. I stay because I love you. In the last few weeks, it hasn’t felt so impersonal. It felt more like you were trying and cared for me. I was ready to back out. Something in you has changed, I see you smile more.” Isis looked him in the eye lovingly, searching for the words she wanted to hear, and Gage realized she was right.

“You are not a prostitute, and I never meant to make it seem that way. I feel like ever since we met, I have done nothing but hurt you. That’s over now. I want to make you as happy as you make me.”

He kissed her nose and winked. She gave a smug frown and rolled her eyes, and he just laughed.

“Hey, I’m getting closer to that kiss.”

“Your aim sucks. I’ll be patient. If you ever kiss me, you better make it good,” she teased with a half-grin.

“Baby, when I kiss you, I will ruin it for all other men. You will never want another man to touch those beautiful lips ever again,” Gage said with his typical sly smirk.

She rubbed her fingers across Gage’s lips. “I don’t want any other man’s lips on me, ever. You’ve already made sure of that. It may have been a weird experience, but I must admit it has been the most sexually exciting time of my life. I only want to feel you touch me. Gage, thank you for this surprise. This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“Why don’t we get changed and go have lunch and visit the Louvre Museum and the tower. Maybe do some shopping.” Gage went for his bag.

“Really? Yes, please. I’m so excited!”

“This is a new start, Isis.”

***

After a day of shopping and dining at the finest restaurants in Paris, they were walking around the Louvre and admiring all the artwork and sculptures. Gage was in awe at how intelligent she was. Isis knew a lot about many of the works of art on display and told him about her favorites, beaming with joy like a kid in a candy store.

He started telling her about one piece, and she stopped in her tracks.

“How did you know that? My big strong wrestler has a little culture I didn’t know about?” she joked.

“I was an art major before I became the wrestling superstar, Twelve Inch Gage. I have other interests too, you know. I’m not just a one-trick pony here, queenie,” he shook his head with a huff.

Isis went to him and put her arm around Gage’s bicep, resting her head on his shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to imply you don’t. I was just surprised you have seemed to enjoy art as much as I do. You have seemed so… I don’t know... happy today. I’ve never seen you like this. It’s nice.”

She cuddled into his arm as they stopped, looking at the Mona Lisa.

“I guess this one needs no discussion. Look at her expression. You can see she must have been in love with the painter. People say it was Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of himself. I don’t think so. Only a woman in love has that look on her face.” Gage stared at the painting, walking away from Isis to look closer.

“How can you tell?” she asked quietly, following him.

“Because I see that look on your face every day. That’s how you look at me.” He fought back his emotion. “I look at you, and all I see is love. After everything I have done to you, why do you still love me?”

Gage turned to her, rubbing his hand down her cheek, trying to gather his composure. He knew what he needed to do all day, and the perfect time had just not come yet.

Isis put her hand in his, entwining their fingers. “Because you deserve love. I see the real Gage. The man who would do anything for his friends, his job, his family. Any man who cares that much for people can’t be all bad. I won’t stop loving you. I can’t.”

“I don’t deserve you or your love.” He took a deep breath.

She felt his pain. Isis wrapped her arms around his waist. “But, you have it, regardless.”

He was enjoying every moment of her arms enveloping him. He took in her words like a breath of fresh air, feeling her passion and love for him. Pulling her at arm’s length, he looked into her big, smiling eyes. The time was perfect to show her how different things would be. To show her how he’d changed.

Pulling her to him, he ran his fingers across her lips and lowered his head to rest on her forehead. Taking his hands on both sides of her face, Gage took a breath and let out a sigh. Her eyes looked to his lips, longing for him to kiss her. He knew it was time.

“I love you, Isis,” he breathed, closing his eyes.

She narrowed her eyes as if she thought she imagined it. “What?” Her heart raced and her body trembled.

“I love you,” he whispered, with his lips hovering over hers.

Isis froze in place; afraid he would change his mind.

Gage slowly touched his soft lips to hers. Gently kissing feather-light pecks to pepper her lips. He slowly intensified the kiss and parted her lips with his tongue. “I love you.”

“Gage, I love you, too. Please say this is real.” She closed her eyes, thinking it must be a dream.

His head returned to rest on her forehead. “It’s real. I’ve been wanting to tell you for weeks now. I just... I couldn’t. Not until I figured everything out. You deserved all of me. Please forgive me. The night I told you I don’t kiss, I knew then. If I kissed you, I wouldn’t be able to control it. I’m sick of being in control all the time. I want to be with you, even if I have to let everything go. I was a damn fool and I know it now.”

He looked into her eyes, hoping she could forgive him for the pain he brought her.

“I forgive you.”

She hugged him tightly, burying her head in his chest and they stood for some time just holding each other, looking at the painting. He had envisioned this moment for weeks and when it finally came; it was so much sweeter.