Retreat

Prologue
I entered the cafeteria of the resort irritably. Some damn retreat this turned out to be. I came looking for solitude and insight on my latest work to find the place overrun. I got a series of curious glances which I blocked with my mirrored shades. I went to a booth and slid in watching the four lumbering giants cautiously.
The one on the end never dropped his fierce gaze and I breathed out. “What would you like hun?” the overly cheery waitress asked between smacks of gum.
“Coffee black and strong,” I stated flatly.
“Come on sugar you gotta eat something,” she insisted, “three days and not a bite?”
I opened my mouth to tell her to buzz off but was interrupted by the screeching chair. My eyes flicked up over the rims of my glasses. The lumbering giant with the fierce eyes was coming to my table. Damn!
“Get me two of the usual,” he barked and she nodded all but running away. He sat down across from me glaring blatantly. “I can tell by the looks you’ve tossed you know exactly who I am and my friends, so what’s your deal?”
“Excuse me,” I muttered giving the girl an irritated wave for my damn coffee.
He glanced back at his table pointedly. I saw the flurry of girls flock to the young wrestlers. Yeah I knew them, the lover, Jax Swan, the samurai Taksi Tehn, and the supernatural tsunami Lucas Storm. Across from me was the black mamba, Rex O’Connor.
“So are you going to shed a little light?” he grunted.
I looked up as the sobered woman’s hand shook filling my cup. She fled fast and I sipped the brew cautiously. I glanced at him through the lenses. “Yeah I know perfectly well who you are.”
He sat up stiffly. “You know most people who are fans try for autographs, photos, or at least a hello,” he offered.
“I think celebrities are entitled to their privacy,” I retorted sipping the coffee, awful. “So if that will be all,” I sighed dismissively.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Not even close,” he growled. “I’ve watched you for three days. You’re not here for the wrestling camp, so why are you here?”
“That really goes back to that whole privacy thing,” I muttered tossing down a few bills as I slid from the booth. “Good luck on your upcoming title match O’Connor,” I called exiting the cafeteria. I heard the snicker of his friends as the door shut.
Stupid jocks!









Chapter One

I heard the door chime and moved down the path towards the woods. “Wait up woman,” he called roughly. I turned fast cutting off his pursuit. His eyes flared darkly.
“What’s your deal meathead?” I growled moving to him.
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” he demanded. “No one talks to me that way.”
“Looks like I’ve offended your overly sensitive ego,” I smirked. “Why don’t you go back to those giggling groupies if you want kowtowing?”
He surged forward and I struck his side with my two fingers hitting the nerve cluster. He fell to his knees and I kept the pressure bending down so we were face to face.
“I’m going to say this one time Rex O’Connor. I like my privacy, I’m here for privacy, and you are invading my privacy. So leave me alone,” I barked twisting my fingers releasing him.
I turned and he grabbed my wrist strongly. “Just wait,” he breathed hard. “Who are you?”
“None of your damn business, let go,” I snapped.
He stood slowly but kept his grip firm. “At least can I walk with you,” he queried studying me with his fierce eyes.
“It’s a free country,” I shrugged glancing at his hand. He let go and I started walking down the path with him in tow.
“So you watch the show right?” he inquired after a while.
“Yeah,” I muttered turning left automatically towards by cottage. I stiffened slightly before revising the route in my head. There was one more branch that leads to the practice field they were using. I could leave him there.
“And are you a fan of mine?”
I glanced back at his unreadable stare. “Does it matter?”
“I’d like to know,” he offered.
“Yeah, I may not like everything your character does but I was always impressed with your skills as a wrestler,” I confided.
“Impressed huh?” he smirked.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” I muttered keeping an eye on him. He was moving to go behind me and I recognized the move. “Are you really planning on doing a snake snap on me?”
His lips curled up. “Yeah I was,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“To knock you out,” he retorted as if it was obvious.
“Why do you want to knock me out,” I clarified but he moved fast wrapping an arm around my neck and another around my head locking in a sleeper hold. “You’ll see,” he murmured as consciousness left me.



I came around groggily. The first thing I felt was body heat. I was in someone’s lap. I shifted and he caught a breath. “Let go,” I warned and he tightened his hold.
“Come on this could be fun,” Rex murmured heavily.
I jabbed my fingers into his side and his arms fell. I stood keeping the pressure as I opened my eyes to him. “Where are my sunglasses?” I demanded but he was transfixed on my eyes. “Rex,” I barked and he blinked breaking the spell.
“There is only one way to get them back,” he breathed looking behind me. I glanced back seeing the ring and wrestlers with the groupies. “We are having a bet over whose girl would win. If you win I’ll give them back.”
“I need them,” I muttered. “My eyes can’t take the light.”
“I’ll give you mine,” he offered. “If you agree that is.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Beat them by submission or pinfall?”
He gave me a single nod. I removed my finger and he slumped forward. “That’s a hell of a trick,” he grunted pulling out a pair of wraparound shades. I took them slipping them on sighing in relief. “Better?”
“I still want mine back,” I warned.
“Then win them,” he teased motioning them over.
“So this is your competitor?” Jax queried. “She hasn’t even been in the program.”
“Wait a sec,” the blond girl gasped studying me. Shit! “You are . . .” she giggled rushing towards me. I backed up hitting Rex and stiffened. Her eyes narrowed. “You’re Tempest Rayne aren’t you?”
“No,” I said flatly. This was not good.
Her gaze turned critical. She shook her head stepping closer to me. “I saw you on Daily. You’ve never done publicity showings before but you are definitely Tempest,” she insisted waving her girlfriends closer. “Cindy, Tiffany, this is Tempest Rayne right?”
“Whoa,” the redhead gasped. “She looks just like her.”
"Who is Tempest Rayne?" Rex asked.
“OMG are you serious?” the brunette stammered. “Tempest Rayne is one of the most popular writers of all time. She has been sought after for interviews for the last five years. What made you break down and do the Daily?”
“I’m not Tempest Rayne,” I snapped.
“Then take off the shades,” the blond said snidely. “Tempest Rayne has very unique eyes.”
Rex caught my shoulder firmly. “I don’t take off my sunglasses. I have retinitis pigmentosa and I don’t appreciate being called a liar.” I reached into my back pocket and tossed her my license.
Her eyes flicked to my legal name. “Tia Vaughn,” she read sounding disappointed. She tossed it back and I pocketed it.
“Tia,” Rex repeated and the blond turned irritated.
“So if you’re not Tempest then you won’t flinch when I say Quentin,” she retorted watching me but I stayed blank. “Oh whatever . . .” she said in a huff.
“Let’s see what you’ve got Tia,” the brunette called motioning me to the ring. I saw the look pass between the wannabe divas. I followed after them feeling the eyes of the guys the entire way.
Drama and trouble, that’s what these people were. If I hadn’t already paid through the week I would have left. I watched the trinity slid in with a show like flare. I half wondered if they weren’t auditioning to be a tag team trio. They looked similar and the gimmick could work.
I even heard their supporter’s hoots of “Hex girls.” I jumped on to the apron and they gasped. I kept my eyes on them as I entered through the rope. I prowled to the far corner and they moved watching me.
I heard the bell. The blond and redhead slid out leaving me with brunette to start. She circled cautiously towards me waiting for my move. I knew better than getting rounded to their corner so I made her come to me. She lunged in a grapple catching my neck firmly.
I moved into her and hit her solar plexus. She dropped fast and I lifted my darkened gaze to the blond. She rushed in flipping fast. I took two steps forward and caught her throat as she came up from a flip. I lifted her and she struggled against my hold.
“Oh,” the guys whooped wildly.
I slammed her down to the mat and she blinked fast before she passed out. I stood up and the redhead lunged in fury with wild hits and kicks. I blocked them kicking her knee. She stumbled just enough that she gave me her back.
I glanced at the knowing look on Rex’s face before I caught her neck with my forearm and pulled her back hitting her with my one knee. She rolled off landing on the blond. They guys started the count and I walked to Rex specifically. Those girls weren’t getting up anytime soon. His eyes were intensely impressed. “My sunglasses,” I reminded him.
“You did a snake snap,” Lucas said in awe. “Are you a fan?”
“I’ve seen a few shows,” I muttered keeping my eyes on Rex.
He pulled out my mirrored shades handing them to me. I closed my eyes as I replaced the lenses. When I opened them they were all smirking. “So who is Quentin?” Rex queried.
“How the hell should I know?” I grunted slipping out of the ropes jumping down beside him.
“So you’re not this reclusive writer Tempest Rayne?” Taksi asked closing me in between his buddies.
“Nope,” I said flatly.
“So why are you here Tia?” Rex questioned studying me.
“Vacation,” I replied. “Had I known this wrestling dream camp was going on I’d have gone elsewhere believe me.”
“Oh I do,” he assured. “You need your privacy right?”
I stayed quiet watching them darkly.
“How would you feel about another wager?” Rex teased catching a few strands of my wind strewn hair.
“I think I’ve been a good sport about all of this considering your assault alone,” I muttered. “Why don’t you just go back to your ubërfans and ignore me like good little superstars?”
Rex’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “If you can beat us you can go. If not you’re coming to the lodge with us.”
“I’m not doing anymore wagers,” I spat firmly.
“Then you’re coming with us,” he challenged stepping into me. I studied his relentless eyes. He was big trouble.
“If I win I go and you leave me alone,” I began and he nodded, “and you’ll convince those Hex girls I’m not Tempest Rayne?”
“I don’t think Brittany can be convinced,” he admitted.
“I don’t care what you tell her. I don’t want some obsessed delusional diva following me around,” I grunted.
“What would you recommend I say?” he smirked.
I closed my eyes thinking about that. Lying with just enough truth was always best. I really didn’t want them to know too many truths though. “Tell her you recognized me from a past diva tryout in Phoenix and wanted to use me as a ringer,” I offered. “That I was auditioning as Typhoid Tia but my aspirations were ended with a spinal injury.”
“You do act like a ringer,” Taksi agreed.
“There you go,” I shrugged hating the scrutinizing gaze. “I win you do that.”
“If you lose,” Rex cooed.
“Name it,” I offered and his eyes lit up dangerously.
“You my wannabe diva come back to the lodge, hang with us all night, and have dinner with me, which does translate to you eating,” he insisted.
Men! “One at a time or four on one,” I breathed and they passed a purely male look before smiling wickedly. “Fine four on one,” I nodded rolling back into the ring.
I went to the redhead and brushed her temple. Her eyes fluttered open. “Get up diva I’ve got another match.”
I touched the blond next letting her friend help her up before returning to the brunette. I untwisted the nerve cluster and she sat up breathing hard. “Deep breaths,” I murmured and she nodded slowing her breathing.
“Tiff?” the blond called.
“I’m ok,” the brunette Tiffany insisted, guess that made the redhead Cindy. The three exited the ring as the men entered. I moved to the middle as they went to the four corners.
“Ding, ding,” Brittany called. Jax and Taksi lunged first. I extended my hands and they hit full on falling forward. I stepped back and they fell. Lucas moved towards me cautiously in a grappling position.
I circled with him trying to keep a tentative eye on Rex. Lucas lunged and I caught his arms. His lips lifted as he put his hip into me flipping me to the mat beneath him. I blinked up and he was smiling pleasurably. Stupid men!
I rolled and he allowed it like I knew he would. I landed half on him smiling slightly. I pushed my two fingers into his solar plexus and he went still. I twisted so he couldn’t move and finished the rolling going to my feet watching Rex cautiously.
“Just you and me,” he smirked bowing down charging at me to do a spear. I rolled to the corner and he moved fast pinning me in. “You give?”
“Not even,” I assured slipping between the ropes moving along the apron. His eyes followed me with amusement. I entered the ring putting his friend’s bodies between us.
He prowled wide and I circled with him automatically. He smiled jumping his friend’s bodies swiftly. I ran to my left and he caught my wrist wrapping it behind my back tightly.
I moved to spin into him but he locked his other arm around my shoulders holding me against him firmly. “Not this time Typhoid Tia,” he chastised. I struggled against him and he tightened his hold pressing way too much of his body into me. “Give up Tia,” he sighed teasing hot breath down my neck. “You couldn’t beat me in Phoenix, you won’t beat me now,” he said loudly and my lips lifted softly.
“Submission or pinfall,” I recalled in a whisper. “I quit,” I called and the girl’s cheered wildly.
He lowered his arms brushing my chest blatantly. “Revive my friends Tia,” he purred letting me go. I backed away fast as they jumped to their feet itching for the fight.
Rex caught my shoulders pulling me into him. “Match is over boys,” he murmured. “I beat her again,” he cooed and they smirked.
“Again,” Brittany demanded entering the ring with the Hex girls in tow.
“Uh yeah,” he said sounding embarrassed. “Typhoid Tia was in Phoenix a few years back for diva tryouts. When I saw her in the cafeteria I asked her to be a ringer for me.” He rubbed down my arms warmly, “right Tia?”
“Right Rex,” I agreed leaning into him. He tensed slightly before relaxing caressing my arms in light lines.
“Why didn’t you make it as a diva?” Tiff questioned in awe.
“The man crusher, Jasmine Cain, did a spine breaker in our trial match,” I said letting the ache hit my voice. “She ruptured two discs and my spine had to be fused. It was over.”
“Shame too,” Rex agreed softly, “the WC never got to see that Typhoid touch.”
“What is it?” Taksi asked studying me.
“Nerve cluster,” I admitted, “hit just right and its lights out.”
“Wow,” Cindy giggled. “Sorry we thought you were Tempest, you just look so much like her.”
“I get that a lot lately. It’s real irritating,” I agreed.
“So what do you do for a living?” Brittany questioned.
“I coach the girl’s varsity wrestling team for the Phoenix Panthers,” I answered. “You know what they say if you can’t do you teach.”
“That must be very rewarding,” Lucas purred.
“Yeah it is,” I concurred glancing back at Rex, he smiled warmly. “So what’s at the lodge?”
“You’ll see,” he cooed. “Why don’t you guys head on we’ll be along shortly.
“Sure Rex,” Lucas laughed circling Cindy’s waist. “Come on let’s let the old friend’s get reacquainted.”
They took off in pairs down the northern path and when they’d gotten a good distance away I jerked from his hold. “What’s wrong Tia?” he teased leaning against the rope. “I thought we were old friends.”
“Funny,” I muttered rubbing his lingering heat from my arms. “What’s at the lodge?”
“What no thank you for protecting your nom de plume? Or is it a secret identity I can never remember,” he smirked.
“Just drop it,” I groaned.
“I saw your eyes Tia,” he purred walking to me. “If that doesn’t qualify as unique I don’t know what does.”
“I’m warning you O’Connor back off,” I snapped.
“Just tell me the truth Tia, please.”
I breathed out looking into his gray eyes. “Why is this so important to you?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’d just like to know the girl I’m lying for. That was brilliant by the way. Are you really a coach?”
“Yeah, volunteer,” I sighed.
“In Phoenix?”
“A few years back,” I replied tilting my head up his tall frame as he towered me.
“So?” he pried.
“Yeah I use the pen name,” I muttered and his lips curled wickedly. “Not a word to anyone superstar, I’m serious about my privacy.”
“My lips are sealed,” he promised. “So why are you really here?”
“Finishing a book,” I answered flatly. His eyes widened with questions. “I’ve come to Forest Retreat for the last five years whenever I get blocked. I really didn’t know the camp was going on.”
“And just to check you never auditioned to be a diva?” he guessed.
“Once,” I breathed.
He studied me intensely. “Just to make sure we get the story straight. That was smart using Jasmine. She was only in the WC four years ago and was fired for her spine breaker actually breaking spines.”
“Yeah well that had a little bit of truth,” I confided and his eyes flared. “She was touring local women’s wrestling teams and we got into a match. That part about my back is real.”
“A little bit of truth, a little bit of lies,” he nodded, “storyteller.”
“Bingo.”
“We should probably get going before they assume the worst,” he replied glancing down to my lips before back to my sunglasses. “Is that part about your eyes true?”
“Yes.”
“It will be interesting learning the fact from fiction when were alone later. Come on,” he purred taking my hand helping me from the ring. We got to the edge of the north path and I tugged his hand stopping him. He turned looking down at me questioningly.
“Tonight I’ll play along O’Connor but any talk about Quentin is off limits,” I warned.
He nodded slowly. “Just one thing then . . .”
“Yeah,” I queried when he didn’t continue.
“Are you single? I mean Quentin he’s in the past right?”
I went still trying to combat my natural instinct. It had been five years since Quentin died. He’d have loved meeting the superstars. He was an ubërfan actually. “Quentin died five years ago, so yeah I guess that makes me single.”
“Damn I’m sorry for your loss Tia,” he murmured pulling me into a hug. “We won’t mention him at all. We are just two people having fun, ok?”
“What’s at the lodge?” I repeated and he pulled back smiling slightly.
“I’ll show you,” he assured tugging me down the trail. I followed putting all warning bells on snooze. No matter what a deal was a deal, he won the match fair and square. It was only one night after all.
We reached the end of the trail and I saw an enormous wood and glass ski lodge looking building. The WC logo was bannered outside and I saw the swarms of champs and divas mixed with geeked fans and wannabe’s.
I stopped firmly and he gave me an amused glance. “I don’t do well around people.”
“You’ll be fine,” he soothed. “I’ll be with you the whole time, promise.”
“Rex,” I groaned.
“A quick round of hello’s and we’ll find a private quarter to chill in ok?” he offered.
“This goes way beyond one win,” I sighed.
“One win, one back story, and one mum’s the word secret for life doesn’t equate to a quick hello to the superstars you watch and a pleasant evening with your favorite wrestler?” he teased facing me head on.
“Who says you’re my favorite?” I scoffed.
“You couldn’t take those mirrored eyes off of me for the last three days,” he taunted catching the arm of my glasses lowering them slightly so he could see my eyes. “Just admit it you’re intrigued by me.”
“Nice to see your ego’s intact,” I murmured studying his bluish-gray eyes. They were lighter without the darkened lenses.
“Wrestlers have thick hides,” he assured, “and writers are cleverly evasive. You haven’t said I wasn’t your favorite or that you’re intrigued by me,” he noted.
“True,” I smirked.
“So?”
“Fine, let’s go meet and greet,” I consented pushing my glasses back up. “Quick hello though please.”
“Can’t wait to be alone with me huh?” he chuckled.
“Something like that,” I breathed tilting my head up.
“Quick it is then,” he nodded leading me toward the lodge.
We entered the front door and were bombarded with hellos. A few divas even stepped forward claiming to remember me. I recalled them from the school and agreed we’d met once before.
“So this is the teacher Tia,” a deep voice called over the others. I went stone still beside Rex.
“Hey Victor,” Rex greeted blankly. “Tia this is . . .”
“She knows,” Victor interrupted and I stayed rigged, “hello again Tia Vaughn.”
“Hello Victor,” I muttered hating the growing crowd which included the Hex girls.
“I must admit I’m surprised to see you here, on the arm of a showman no less,” he said snidely.
“How do you know Tia?” Brittany asked and in that moment I hated her more than I’d ever hated anyone.
“Tia and I are old friends. I even talked her into her diva training huh Tia?” he smirked. “Still using that special touch?”
“It was just wonderful seeing you again Victor,” I said cheerfully. “If you’ll excuse me though,” I slid from Rex before he could stop me and went straight for the door marked Women’s. I went in and bolted it breathing hard as the nausea overtook me. “Bastard,” I growled irritably. Damn, damn, damn!