61
In the movie theater, they were alone in the empty theater. The afternoon crowd had dispersed, and the room smelled of popcorn and butter.
Candy looked over, smiling at Slade shyly. “Thanks for watching this. I wasn’t in the mood for a gory horror movie. Big strong Slade Logan watching a chick flick is a little creepy.”
“It’s fine. I’m not too picky. I just didn’t want to go back and sit in the hotel. Besides, if my sisters were here, we’d watch the same thing.”
"Outnumber, huh?”
“Yep. I don’t let them know this, but I would cave about things like this, just to make them happy. It’s been fun hanging out with you today, so as long as you’re having a good time, that’s all that matters.”
“It has been fun. I’m glad you thought of it,” Candy said, as she rubbed her irritated wrist.
He looked down, seeing two large sores had formed under her cuff. “Sweetheart, is your handcuff cutting into your skin? It looks red and chaffing.”
“It hurts. It’s been a week. I think I can handle it a while longer. I have to. I can’t let them take your title shot away. After all, it’s my fault.”
“Candy, it’s both our fault.”
They heard someone behind them trying to hush them. Slade looked back, seeing a little old couple. “Guess we’re not alone.” He chuckled.
As they started watching the movie, a romantic scene caught his attention. Slade looked over at Candy watching the film. Light from the movie screen danced across her eyes, making him smile to himself. She was perfect in every way, and he felt his heart tighten.
No matter how much he tried to convince everyone otherwise, he was falling for the pink-haired beauty. Being so close the past few days was harder than he expected. All he wanted was the slightest hint that Candy may feel something, too. Since day one, he has taunted her just for even a second to be near her. Things got out of hand, and now both their careers were at stake.
Slade noticed her hand laying on the armrest, and a sly smile crept across his face as he pretended to watch the movie. It worked when he was a teenager. Why not now? He crept his hand over his thigh to rest lightly against hers on the armrest. She didn’t notice at first, so he ran his pinky finger across the side of her hand.
Candy looked down, watching Slade caress her finger with his. Her eyes shifted slowly to him, finding him watching her with a hint of desire behind his eyes. Feeling a lump rise in her chest, Candy almost could not catch her breath. Slade’s searing emerald eyes were deep with longing, and it made every nerve tingle right to her very core. Slade took Candy’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together as Candy quickly snapped her head back to the screen, blushing. Squeezing his hand, she at the very least wanted to acknowledge his affection had stirred something in her. Yet she fought to not look in his direction.
He chuckled softly to himself seeing her reaction and went back to the movie with a sense of satisfaction. Holding her hand was invigorating. It felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest, but he wanted… no… needed her caress. Slade knew it was crazy. It felt like two teenagers on a first date, but it felt so right to be near her. Even if it didn’t last, this moment was what he needed to get by just a little longer, until he could show her how he felt.
After the movie, they slid from their seats, ready to leave.
The older couple saw the handcuffs, and the man pointed it out to his wife saying, “I told you, Stella. It’s Slade Logan and Candy Cane.”
Slade chuckled at the excited man. “They’ve spotted us, Sprinkles.”
The man walked up to the duo. “Excuse me, kids. I noticed your handcuffs. I’m a big fan. I didn’t think this challenge was real. Looks like you’re doing it, huh?”
“Yes, sir. It’s been hard but one more week to go.” Slade put his arm around Candy’s shoulders as if he was laying claim to her. To Candy’s surprise, she adjusted the tether to allow it. It felt nice being close to Slade, and she was going to enjoy it while she could.
“That’s great. Do you know what charity you’re going to choose?” The old woman directed her question to Candy.
Slade interrupted, “I was thinking of childhood leukemia in honor of a special little boy who passed away this year.”
Candy gasped as her heart leaped in her chest at the gesture. “Slade. For my brother? Really? Are you sure?”
He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure.”
The old man shook Slade’s hand. “Great choice, son. We won’t keep you. Have a wonderful afternoon. It was nice meeting you both. And Miss Candy, I’m sorry to hear about your brother.”
“Thank you, sir.” Slade watched them walk away with a sense of pride in his decision.
“Slade —” Candy leaned in, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”
“I owe you one for the photo. And it seems like something we both would choose. Why don’t we head to the stadium and have the medic look at your wrist? I don’t want you getting an infection. I know we’re not supposed to be there, but I think this is a good reason to stop in.”
She rubbed her sore wrist and agreed.
***
Later that evening, they went back to the hotel. Her wrist was taped and wrapped to cushion the chafing. Slade’s too, giving them both some needed relief. Davis had the medic wrap her wrist with something better than the thin wristband she was using once he saw what it had done.
Soon after, they had got into an argument about Slade trying to cut the time short on the handcuffs. His worry was more about her wrist than his job. But Candy would not allow him to lose his spot in the company for something so trivial. She had suffered worse pain than this in her life.
Davis convinced her it was in her best interest to go the full two weeks. It was obviously bringing them closer together. Since Davis was at his wits-end with all his wrestler’s antics as of late, he needed to show the roster there were repercussions to their meaningless drama.
“I thought you wanted to make up for the photo?”
“Damn, Candy! Your wrist looked bad, and it was getting infected. I’m worried about you. Sorry for giving a shit about your wellbeing. I thought today was great, but you have to go off the deep end again and yell at me for being nice. I don’t know what to do with you.” Slade huffed as he watched the elevator numbers go up, feeling defeated.
They argued all the way to the room when she said, “And what the hell is up with being all affectionate and holding my hand today? We agreed to not let this get weird.”
Slade was getting mad while trying to open the room door, venting, “You’re such a —”
He stopped himself and shook it off. He struggled to hold his tongue from saying more while heading inside. Just wanting to relax, he hoped she’d drop the subject for now.
To his dismay, she didn’t, yanking hard on the line. “I wish I had never met you. Call me a bitch! Go ahead, jackass!”
“Stop! I’m sick of this arguing.”
He yanked the line back hard, making her stumble into him. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into the room. Slade slammed the door, and they stood glaring at each other with rage burning behind their eyes. Just as Candy went to slap him, he grabbed both arms. Pulling them on either side of her head while using his hard body to push her against the door, he let out a growl.
“Stop. Let me go.”
“Stop fighting me,” he demanded
His breathing heavy and chest heaving against her, Slade didn’t know if he wanted to hate Candy or kiss her senseless. Looking into his angry eyes, her frustrated breathing intensified. The heat between them turned feral, yet within moments, the tension turned from anger to desperate need.
