A Rose Without a Thorn

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Chris scowled but then smirked as he spotted them outside the hotel. They were finally arriving, and late due to the little "gift" he had left Copeland.

He lowered the binoculars from his eyes, unable to stifle the small chuckle from emerging from his lips. They were pulling their wheeled bags along, engaged in what appeared to be serious conversation. No doubt, the tall blond man had called the authorities, but they would never do anything. The worst that could happen would be that the rental company would try to issue a fine for the vandalism. Nah... That wouldn't even happen, unless that redheaded bitch gave them his address.

His smile vanished upon that thought. He was angry enough at her as it was... Maybe he should get hold of her - physically, and teach her another lesson. He envisioned getting his large hands on her milky flesh and leaving dark marks on it.

In the middle of such thoughts, Jericho found himself clenching his hands into fists. Yes... If he could get his hands on her again, he'd make what he'd done before look like child's play.

*

As they crossed the medium-sized parking lot en route to the entrance, Amy felt a shudder come over her. She didn't know why at first. But it didn't take long for her to realize she felt as though she were being watched. In moments, she was lagging behind Adam as she craned her neck to peer up at the hotel windows.

The tall blond man abruptly stopped to look back over his shoulder, realizing she was no longer beside him. He'd been asking her whether she'd like to grab a bite to eat, but she hadn't responded. He watched her curiously for a beat before joining her.

"You shouldn't stand here," he said, giving her a small nudge. "This is an active parking lot."

The diva seemed to come back to her senses as she once again walked by his side.

"He's watching us."

"What?" Adam whirled his head her way, knowing full well who she meant, but he hadn't seen or even sensed a thing. And strangely, Amy's voice was so calm, as was her demeanor, at least on the surface.

"He is," she said. "I don't know where he is, but he's in the hotel, somewhere... And I know he's watching us."

Intense anger shot through the Canadian at that thought. He didn't like the idea that Jericho could actually be spying on them, that he could know exactly where they were when they had a clue as to his whereabouts. It seemed unfair, a joke.

Adam remained silent for a full moment, his jaw clenched in a stern manner. He could feel his blood boiling with rage as he glared up at windows on high floors of the hotel, exactly where Amy had been looking moments earlier. He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs to the fucker, tell him to stop being such a coward and show himself, but refrained from doing so. He wasn't going to scare the diva anymore than she'd already been spooked by the man she'd called her boyfriend.

"Come on," he said, tightening his grip on the handle of his wheeled suitcase. He gestured to the double automatic doors of the establishment, and Amy nodded. They continued inside and got their room number and keys.

"Here you are," the desk clerk said cheerfully. "Double room with single bed. Checkout time is noon."

Adam and Amy exchanged confused, awkward glances.

"Did you say 'single' bed? We need two beds."

The woman's smile faded at the blond man's words. She glanced quickly at the computer monitor in front of her.

"I'm sorry, sir, but that's all we have for you. We're booked for the night."

The two wrestlers again exchanged glances, and Amy bit her lip and bowed her head in embarrassment. Adam hesitated for a moment, about to protest, but changed his mind.

"Thanks," he said with a hint of irritation.

The pair headed up to the room in silence, and the tall Canadian cursed himself inwardly. This couldn't have been a more awkward situation.

"Amy, look," he finally said as they entered the room. Upon quick survey, he noted a sofa in the non-bedroom portion of the room. It wasn't much, but it certainly could do. "I'll take the sofa, and you take the bed."

She stepped inside after him, allowing the door to close behind her. Her eyes immediately scanned the area, and she frowned. There was no way Adam could sleep on that couch, and there was no way she would let him... It was so small! He was a tall man, and there was no physical way he would get any sleep on that thing.

"No."

He turned sharply to meet her eyes, noticing defiance in them to match the single word she'd uttered. Putting up his hands, he protested.

"I'll be fine. You need the bed; you've been through a rough time."

She shook her head.

"Adam, look at me..." She spread her arms and turned in a circle.

The blond man did so... But it wasn't as if he hadn't already been looking at her. She was such a beautiful woman, he hadn't been able to not look at her. Luckily, he'd managed not to stare thus far.

"I'm taking the couch and you're taking the bed."

The Canadian eyed her for a beat, noting the extent of determination on her beautiful face. He knew just as well as he knew his own name that she was not going to take 'no' for an answer. Reluctantly, he sighed and responded.

"Okay... Okay, Amy, you win."
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part 14

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