Wrestling Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes.  “Whose side are you on?”
    “Mine.” Jill angled a thumb against her chest.  “I’m all for whatever will make my life easier and right now, you my friend are a basket case.” 
    “I am not,” Emma argued. 
    “Ha!”  Jill shot back.  “Have you looked in the mirror lately?  “You’ve been slowly sliding down the hill into insanity for several weeks now.”  Jill placed her hands on Emma’s shoulders and shook.  “As your friend, I’m begging you…If you have any love for your friends or co-workers stop the insanity.  Go claim your man before you completely tumble off the edge into madness.”
    * * *
    Jill’s words rang in Emma’s ears as she stood outside the locker room causing her stomach to roll.  Had this situation really escalated to the point that it now affect ed those around her also? Even if it had, none of that changed the fact that right now she had a job to do.  She steadied her nerves, shored up her resolve , and raised a hand to knock on Holt’s temporary dressing room door. 
    She didn’t have a very good feeling about this impending match , which only added to her anxiety.  William was in Derek’s camp when it came to opinions on Holt and he’d made his feelings known on more than one occasion.  There was no love lost between the men and Emma’s concern began to grow as she mulled over the match. Before she could knock, the door swung open and Holt shot her one of his million megawatt smiles. 
    “Hey, Gorgeous.  I’ve been waiting for you.”
    Her involuntary smile returned.  What was it about the man that always managed to pull that reaction from her?  “You always seem to be waiting for me.”
    “That’s because you keep turning me down.”
    She pushed past him. “I have my reasons.”
    He chuckled and let go of the door.  The solid thud of it closing sent a shiver up Emma’s spine.  Alone in a room with Holt Hendricks might be her secret dream, but no way would it bode well for her reality.  “Where’s William?”
    “He said he’d be here shortly.  In the meantime…”  He took a step toward Emma. The predatory look in his eyes had her taking a step back in retreat, but her back hit the wall. His piercing eyes stared down at her as he grazed a knuckle along her cheek, sending a flare of desire raging through her system.  “You’ve been avoiding me, sweetheart.”
    “N-no, I haven’t,” she whispered.  “Not intentionally.”
    His fingers slid along the nape of her neck, caressing her flesh. “You can’t lie to me, Em and you should n’t lie to yourself.”  He lowered his head toward her and her heart sped up as she realized his intent.  This was so not a good idea. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to stop him. 
    He brushed the softest of kisses along her lips and Emma’s knees threatened to give out.  “I don’t know what you’re so afraid of.” He kissed her cheek, then her other cheek.  “I know you have feelings for me and I have feelings for you.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “So why do you continually deny us what we both want?”
    She lifted a shaky hand and pressed it to the hard wall of his chest.  “B-because I don’t want to risk hurting my family or just become another of your conquests,” she finally blurted.
    He froze and the look in his eyes went from hunger to hurt as he slowly backed away.  “You were never a conquest to me, Em.  I really like you.”
    Guilt welled inside her like an inflating balloon.  “I-I’m sorry, but you have a reputation with the ladies.  Plus with the way you and Derek hate each other.  I just thought…”  Realizing she was digging herself a deeper hole, she let her sentence trail off. 
    “You thought I was trying to get at Derek by using you?”  He took another step back as the hurt look on his face grew.   “Do you really think so little of me?”
    “No.” Guilt turned to panic and Emma reached for him only to have him evade her touch.  The