Free Wrestling Desire by Michelle Cary Page B

his said, his tone half statement and half questioning.
    “I do.”
    “Okay.” Derek nodded and appeared to calm a little.  “Let’s say I actually believe you.  You already have Emma which means you’re obviously not here to get my blessing.  So why are you here?”
    “I’m here because the woman you say you love is heartbroken that you’re angry with her. You heard Doctor Andrew’s the other day. We’re the reason she’s sick.  She’s carrying the weight of our war on her shoulders and it’s slowly sucking the life out of her.”  He began to pace again. 
    “It’s killing me to see her like this knowing that we have to power to stop it.”  He stopped and looked directly at Derek. “I know you and I have our differences and I know you loath e me because of the way I do business here, but if you love her as much as you say, then do what’s right by her.”
    “I don’t need you telling me what’s right.” Derek pointed a finger at him. 
    “No you don’t,” Holt agreed.  “Look, I’m not asking for you to like me.  Nor am I asking for your blessing. Hell, I’m not even asking for you to accept us.  All I’m asking is for you to separate your personal life from business.  Be there for her when she needs you and tolerate me when she’s around and I’ll do the same. The rest of the time you can hate me as much as you want.”  He shrugged.  “Hell, you can beat the shit out of me in the ring as much as you like.  Just don’t take our differences and place them on Emma’s shoulders anymore.”
    For s everal long seconds silence filled the air before Derek dropped do the bench and looked up at Holt.  “Okay.” He gave a nod of acceptance.  “You’re right. We need to find a way to get along for Emma’s health.”  He raked a hand through is long dark hair.  “Hell, maybe I have blurred the lines of reality and fantasy a little. For Emma’s sake I’ll try and separate the two.  But-” He lifted a hand and pointed a finger at Holt. “I’m telling you right now, if you hurt her I will hunt you down and make you wish you were dead.  Understand?”
    Holt gave a nod.  “Understood.”
    * * *
    Emma checked her clip board.  As soon as this match ended, they’d cut to commercial and then come back with a one night only DEVIOUS tag match. 
    “Jill,” she turned to her assistant.  “Let Garrett and Holt know they need to get ready.”
    Strong arms slid around her waist and warm breath drifted across her cheek as Holt’s low tenor registered in her ears.  “We’re ready.  Are you ready?”
    Unable to stop herself she sank into his embrace and turned her face toward him.  “I’m always ready,” she whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers. 
    “Don’t I know it,” he murmured before claiming her lips.
    “Would you two get a room?” Garrett groaned.  “Oh wait…you already have a room and this isn’t it.” Emma felt the impact of Garrett’s smack against Holt’s shoulder.  “Stop sucking face and get yourself together.  You can get your nookie later.”
    Holt was grinning as he pulled away then glanced over his shoulder at Garrett.  “You’re just upset because Gene sent Marissa home.”
    “I am not,” he nearly folded his arms over his chest like a petulant child.  “Why did he have to come up with that stupid storyline about her getting hurt?”
    Emma did her best to hide her grin as she stepped out of Holt’s embrace and proceeded to give Garrett a hug.  “She misses you too.”
    “Yeah?”  Garrett glanced down at her as she pulled back.  “How do you know that?”
    “I talked to her earlier tonight.  Gene is pissed about you two becoming a real couple and he’s trying to put some distance between you with the hopes it will blow over and you’ll both move on.”
    Garrett frowned.  “Really?  So he really thinks I’m some kind of a bad influence?”
    Emma could hear the hurt in his voice.  “It’s not that.  It’ just