Between The Ropes

By Ms Phoenix

Sienna Riddick is on top of the world. She is a successful talent manager for a popular independent wrestling company, New Original Wrestling. After a failed relationship with a popular wrestler, she avoided dating wrestlers. Until, she started secretly dating NOW's Heavyweight Champion, Aaron "Avenge" Maulalo. Being with him is like a breath of fresh air, but it is also against company policy. Will the relationship stand against their obstacles, or will her dreams keep them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ms Phoenix
• Release date: Oct 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370542741

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BETWEEN THE ROPES

BN EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Ms. Phoenix

BETWEEN THE ROPES

Copyright © 2016 by Ms. Phoenix

Thank you for purchasing this eBook.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

BETWEEN THE ROPES

Chapter One

Sienna, how long is this going to be a secret? Aaron Maulalo asked, as he pressed his long dark brown hair away from his face and sat up against the leather headboard.

At 6’5 and 250 solid pounds, Aaron Avenge Maulalo, the half-blood Samoan, was currently the New Original Wrestling (NOW) World Champion, his muscular chest glistened with sweat.

Though Sienna Riddick had her slender, toned, caramel back to him, she could still feel Aaron’s eyes scorching her like the sun as she yawned. They had been up for a while and couldn’t get back to sleep after tonight’s wrestling event in Baltimore, Maryland at the Royal Farms Arena, not too far from her apartment. It was almost a routine for him to come over and stay after a show.

Sienna couldn’t figure out why he was asking her this again. Her round hazel eyes focused on the clock—2 a.m. Her body shuddered as his fingertips traced the multi-colored rose on her upper back.

She exhaled, unsure how to explain their complicated situation. Her family might disown her and her friends would chastise her for dating a man who wasn’t the same ethnicity as her, and Mr. Richard, her boss, would have issues with them being together. It was against company policy for them to be dating, and both of them knew the rules.

You and I both know what the rules are at work. She bit her bottom lip as she focused on the picture hanging on the wall. They took the picture on a cruise they took last year for their vacation to the Bahamas. The couple looked so happy together.

Aaron stroked her back, and Sienna sighed. Please, at least turn around and face me. I need to see your face right now. He lay on his side and moved closer to her. I don’t like the feeling of being around you in public and not being able to touch the woman I’m in love with. It’s driving me crazy, Sienna. I don’t know how much I can take anymore.

He leaned forward, and Sienna’s body jerked as she felt his kisses trailing down her spine. Something about him drove her crazy. Many women would die to be in her shoes, but she was between a rock and a hard place. When asked about their relationship, she would brush it off and say that they were close friends.

Sienna turned around and gazed at him, admiring his long brown hair and tan olive skin from his mixed heritage of White and Samoan. It was evident his Samoan genes were more dominant, and his stone like gray eyes followed her every move.

Her eyes trailed on his tribal sleeve tattoo. She reached up to touch his arm, and he kissed the inside of her hand.

Aaron toyed with her honey blonde, dread-like twists as he looked into her eyes, smiling to reveal the gap between his teeth. No matter how much money he made, he wanted to keep his smile the same.

Sienna curved her full juicy lips into a smile at the man who stole her heart. I know this isn’t precisely the relationship you wanted, but maybe we could figure something out. I don’t want us to be a secret forever.

Well, how are we going to move forward? We’re running out of time. How long has it been? Aaron counted on his fingers. A year and some change. I’m becoming impatient with this whole ordeal, He said.

Sienna watched as his lips turned into a frown. Her heart ached whenever she saw him like this. Making him upset wasn’t a part of the plan, but now was not the time to come out as a couple. For so long, she continued to feed him excuses on why this wasn’t the right time. She reached up to touch his rugged beard and stroked it. You know we can’t come out as a couple because of company policy.

Aaron moved away from her and sat on the side of the bed. He leaned over to pick up his gym shorts off the floor. You and I know that’s complete BS. Mr. Richard doesn’t care who dates who, as long as we bring in money. That’s all he cares about. He put on his tank top and stepped into his gym shorts. But, whatever. I am not doing this anymore.

She wanted to cry out No! Please don’t leave me! I hate sleeping alone! You’re the only man I’ve ever loved! Instead, she chose something simpler and less vulnerable: Where are you going? Sienna climbed out of bed and followed closely behind him.

Aaron continued to walk out of her bedroom and headed for the front door. Being angry at each other, wasn’t the way she envisioned spending her night with her lover. He wanted something that she couldn’t give him. He acted like a baby about the situation, and she needed to tell him to stay with her.

Can you at least talk to me, please? She stood in front of him as she stretched her arms across the front door to her two-bedroom luxury loft apartment.

I’ve been trying to get you to see something for a year and a half now, Aaron said. But I’m not sure how I can invest any more time.

Everything he said was true, but she just didn’t think it was the right time. Being with him would cost her to lose everything she worked so hard for. He would never understand what it is like to be a woman in this industry.

Don’t leave me. I know I haven’t made the best choices, but I love you. Sienna admitted, as she wrapped her caramel colored arms around him and moved towards him, wanting a kiss.

Aaron nudged out of her embrace. No, you don’t, because if you did, you would allow me to be your boyfriend. When are you going to tell everyone we’re together? After we are married, and have children? He grabbed his jacket off of the couch. Please move out of the way.

I can’t afford to lose my job! she yelled.

He plopped down on the couch. So, tell me, why do you love your job more than me? You know that we can live together and you don’t have to work. If you would just have me. He moved her twists away from her eyes and glowered at her. You need to decide if you want that job or me.

Why would he give her such a hard ultimatum? How could he ask her to choose between the man she was in love with and her dream job? She needed both of them to give her fulfillment.

Her response caught in her throat. There is no way I can pick between the two things I love, she thought. Why can’t he understand that?

He shot his arms into his jacket. That’s exactly what I thought. You only care about yourself and your bank account. He rubbed his beard. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you are screwing the boss.

Sienna scrunched her face and glared at him. Are you serious? Why would I want to be with Richard? I don’t need to sleep my way to the top. I got here by my damn self, and I am not going to let you ruin that.

Again, I am done with this situation. You don’t think I am worth it, so leave me alone. Have a good life, Sienna. He stood and went to the door.

Sienna stepped aside and looked down because she couldn’t bear to look at him.

Aaron opened the door, stepped out, and closed it softly behind him.

Sienna wanted to chase after him and make him stay, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to follow him, and she knew he already made up his mind on what he wanted to do. She couldn’t believe that they had broken up. Sienna’s lip trembled as she slumped onto the couch and her eyes filled with tears.

What have I done? she moaned.

CHAPTER TWO

Sienna walked into her office on Park Ave., located about a mile away from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore. It was reticent. She had taken a week to clear her mind about her lover, Aaron.

To her surprise, it did not work.

But, she had to move forward.

Everything in her office was as she had left it: desk clean, laptop in place, and furnishings tasteful and modern. Everything had its place.

Except for that picture, the poster-sized picture of her and Aaron in the ring holding his championship in the air.

That night she decided she would sit in the crowd for once, and be a real wrestling fan. Even though, she already knew the finish for the match.

That night was magic, and she was so proud of Aaron for finally getting what he worked so hard for. Looking at that picture took her back to that night, and she never forgot the look on his face, and how his eyes were so full of promise and excitement to be the face of the company.

Sienna sighed as she saw the red flashing button on her office phone indicating the voicemails and calls she had missed for a week. She buzzed Robin, her assistant, to come into her office to brief her with morning updates. There was a strange inkling that something wasn’t right.

Good morning, Sienna. Robin handed Sienna a cup of Frappuccino from Starbucks.

Robin had always been a great asset to the company and had worked for Sienna for three years. Robin, an aspiring wrestler, prayed daily that Mr. Richard would give her chance to move from behind the scenes to the ring.

Robin wore a simple black pantsuit and black flats. She nervously tucked her long blonde hair tucked behind her ears. Robin wore black eyeliner to accentuate her green eyes, and she never wore concealer to cover her freckles because she loved her imperfections. The effect made her look much younger. Many male wrestlers admired her petite frame and found her attractive, but she didn’t want to date within the business because she didn’t want anything to get in the way of her becoming a wrestler.

Thank you, lady, Sienna said. So what is going on?

Robin took a seat across from Sienna’s desk and took a deep breath. Mr. Aaron Maulalo, a.k.a. Avenge, just brought his letter of resignation. He said he was looking at another wrestling company. He thanked you for everything you did and wanted to wish you the best of luck.

Sienna grabbed the letter and scanned it, her heart dropping as she thought about what this would mean for the company. She let out a shriek and banged her hands on the desk. Why, would our heavyweight champion just up and leave? Sienna stood and paced her office as she rubbed her throbbing temples. She felt a headache brewing and her head felt tight. How could he do something so insensitive and not discuss this with her first?

Ugh, Sienna said. What the heck are we going to do? We have the Hardcore Rules pay-per-view this Sunday, and he always brings in big bucks. I can’t have a title match without a champion. Did he say anything else?

Robin shook her head. No, he just delivered the letter and told me to tell you, um, thank you.

He thanked me?

Yeah.

When did you get this?

Um, first thing this morning.

You should have brought it to me immediately! Sienna shouted.

Well, I didn’t read it until he left.

When Sienna snapped up her phone and called him, the call went straight to voicemail. Who else would he go to so quickly? There is no way that CWE (Championship Wrestling Entertainment) could have picked him up so fast. He didn’t