Flames

Valentine's Day, part 3

That first kiss led to a second and third, four and more, making the quick walk back to the hotel stretch out into a spinning blur of kisses and glances and blushes. Their fingers would hook together—never their whole hands, Seth noticed—but as soon as they were within sight of the hotel, they both sobered up. It was easy to get lost in the whirl of sensation when they were on their own, but just ahead were their friends and fellow wrestlers, not to mention some of their bosses. Even though the traffic light was in their favour, they stayed well back from the corner, gazing up at the tall building.

"What are we doing about . . . this?" Becky asked, her fingers tightening around his for just a moment before slipping away. The gaze that had swallowed him whole was now riveted to the hotel looming in front of them.

"What do you want to do?" They were still across the street. Security cameras would only pick them up as people, nothing more. When Seth reached over and cradled Becky's jaw in his hand, turning her back to him, he could tell by the gleam in her eyes that she didn't really want to go back either. "Maybe we should talk about things tomorrow," Seth suggested, breathing still uneven, "when we're a little less. . . ." It almost felt like being drunk, but without the threat of a looming hangover.

Becky nodded. "Sounds good." Then she went up to the traffic light and pressed the button for the pedestrian crossing. "We should probably. . . ." She motioned vaguely over to the hotel.

"Yeah." It was hard not to reach out and touch her as they crossed the street, to not hold her hand or slip his arm around her waist. Every time their arms brushed against each other, they'd glance at each other and Becky would usually let out a little chuckle. Under the street lights, Seth could see her cheeks going faintly pink. "Hey. Even if this . . . you know, doesn't change anything, I really enjoyed tonight. I haven't felt like I could just be myself with anyone for a long time."

"Yeah, same." Becky's knuckles skimmed his as she let out a long breath. "I—" She stopped as someone walked out of the hotel and started towards them. Cesaro.

Seth swore under his breath. He had asked Cesaro to take part in some of the Deadboys Fitness videos too and they were supposed to talk about it this week. "Hey, man. You didn't wait up for me, did you? We could've talked tomorrow. No rush."

If Cesaro got the hint, he ignored it. If anything, he looked confused. "It's not that late." Taking a second look, he finally seemed to recognize Becky. "Hey, Becks."

"Hey." Becky quickly schooled her expression into a slightly tired smile, and Seth immediately missed the warmth he had seen in her eyes all night. "Sorry for keeping him out so late," she quipped. "I'll let you lads get on with things and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure." Seth wished there was something he could say, some kind of reference to the night that only Becky would get, but she quickly waved and headed inside. He tried to focus on what Cesaro was saying, but he was already thinking about tomorrow.