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Stacy looked into the kind, concerned blue eyes of Christian as he examined her face. He touched her wrist very gently, putting the tiniest amount of pressure on it, as he knew that Test had hurt her when he'd held her tightly by it.
She allowed her gaze to slide down to her hand - the blond man had placed his larger one gently on top of hers after looking over her hurt wrist.
"Are you sure you're okay?" the Canadian asked in a soft voice.
Stacy gazed directly into his eyes, a small shudder going through her at the tender way he looked at her. The man's hand was so soft, warm and gentle, and he spoke to her so kindly. His voice was almost caressing to her ears.
"Yes, I'm okay - now," she replied evenly, surprised that a tiny smile was actually beginning to touch her lips. Mere moments ago, she felt as though she might never smile ever again.
"Don't worry about him," Christian said, raising his free hand to Stacy's hair. Very gently, he brushed a lock of golden blonde off her face, his knuckles just skimming her cheek. The tall young woman couldn't help the pleasant ripples that ran up her spine at the touch.
Stacy gazed into Christian's sky-blue eyes wonderingly. The man was treating her so tenderly, and it made her feel good. But as she suddenly thought about what had happened a little while ago, tears suddenly sprang to her eyes.
"Oh, sweetie...don't worry. Test is nothing but trash for what he did to you. He's just plain not worth it," Christian insisted, but instead of cheering up even one iota, the leggy blonde began to cry. The Canadian knew this had to be at least the third or fourth time the poor girl had shed tears tonight.
Damn it...
He ran his fingers gently over her smooth cheek, his thumb sliding down to her chin to keep her head up.
Stacy managed to keep her tear-filled gaze on him, and Christian spoke again.
"If Test - or any man, for that matter - can't see how sweet and wonderful and adorable you are, then he's just a fool...You deserve better, Stacy - you deserve way better."
The tall young woman blinked, and a fresh tear trickled its way down her cheek. She knew the blond man was right - Test was a jerk, and he wasn't worth it. And damn it, she did deserve better. If Test wanted to throw away everything they'd had for a single night of meaningless sex with some airheaded bimbo he'd probably never see again, so be it - he wasn't worth her spit - or her tears.
At that thought, Stacy straightened her shoulders, deciding she was going to stop crying. She was going to move forward, not dwell on the past - no matter how recent it was.
*
Across the room, Lita winced as she rubbed a hand over the sore spot on the back of her head from when Test had shoved her into the wall.
"Baby, are you all right?" Edge asked, his handsome face full of concern. He put his hand into her mass of red hair, wincing as he instantly felt the bump that was there.
"I'll be okay, Edge...it's just a bump."
"Damn it...I wish I'd gotten there a minute sooner. If I had-"
"Honey, don't...You couldn't have known Test was going to go nuts like that," the redhead said as her hazel eyes met his green ones. She moved her hand, placing it on his cheek. "I don't think any of us could have even guessed he was going to grab Stacy."
"I'll get him, you know..." Edge said firmly, his eyes growing hard as he thought about how carelessly and callously the bigger man had shoved his girlfriend into the wall... The asshole!
Also, as he gazed at Lita, his features softening as he thought about how much he loved the redhead, he wondered how any man could do what Test had done to Stacy - especially if he claimed to love her. Like his brother, he couldn't comprehend throwing away his entire relationship for the sake of an hour or two of meaningless sex with some slut - even though he did have a penis and got horny quite often. If Lita wasn't with him for a night or two, he damn well could restrain himself from picking up some bimbo to satisfy the desires of his body. Besides, that next time he and the redhead would get together would surely be amazing and unforgettable.
Edge reached out and pulled the woman he loved against him. He stroked a hand through her long red hair, holding her for all she was worth.
"I love you, Li...And believe me when I say that Test won't get away with putting his hands on you..."