In the movie theater, they managed to be the only ones there. Candy looked over smiling at Slade shyly.

“Thanks for watching this. I really wasn’t in the mood for a gory horror movie. Big strong Slade Logan watching a chick flick is a little creepy.”

“It’s fine. I’m not too picky. I just didn’t want to go back and sit in the hotel. It’s actually been fun today hanging out with you.”

“It has. I’m glad you thought of it.” Candy rubbed her wrist.

He looked down seeing two large sores had started to form under her cuff. “Sweetheart, is your handcuff cutting into your skin? It looks red and chaffing.”

“It hurts. It’s been a week. I think I can handle it. I have to. I can’t let them take your title shot away. After all, it’s my fault.”

“Candy, it’s both our faults.”

They heard someone behind them trying to hush them. Slade looked back seeing a little old couple. “Guess we’re not alone after all,” he laughed.

They started watching the movie and a romantic scene caught his attention. Slade looked over at Candy watching the light from the movie screen dance across her eyes. He felt his heart tighten. No matter how much he tried to convince everyone otherwise, Slade was falling for her. Being so close the past few days was harder than he expected. All he wanted was the slightest hint that Candy may feel something too. Since day one he taunted her just for even a second to be near her. Things got out of hand and now both their careers were at stake.

Slade noticed her hand laying on the armrest. He smiled a sly smile and looked up watching the movie. It worked when he was a teenager. Why not now? He slowly moved his hand over his knee to rest lightly against her hand on the armrest. She didn’t notice at first, so he ran his pinky finger across the side of hers.

Candy looked at her hand watching Slade caress her finger with his. She looked over to him finding Slade watching her with a hint of desire behind his eyes. Candy felt a lump rise in her chest almost unable to catch her breath. Slade's searing blue eyes were deep with longing and it heated her up, right to her very core. Slade took Candy’s hand in his lacing his fingers through hers. Candy looked back at the screen blushing and gave his hand a squeeze.

Slade chuckled softly to himself seeing her reaction and went back to the movie with a sense of satisfaction. Holding her hand was somehow invigorating. It felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. Slade knew it was crazy. It felt like two teenagers on a first date but he needed to be near her. Even if it didn’t last, this moment was what he needed to get by just a little while longer.

After the movie, they slid from their seats ready to leave. The older couple saw the handcuffs and the older man pointed it out to his wife.

“I told you, Stella. It’s Slade Logan and Candy.”

Slade chuckled. “We’ve been spotted, Sprinkles.”

The man walked up to the duo with a big smile. “Excuse me, kids. I noticed your handcuffs. I’m a big fan. I didn’t think this challenge was real. Looks like your really doing it.”

“Yes, sir. It’s been hard but one more week to go.”

Slade put his arm around Candy’s shoulders as if he was laying claim to her. To Candy’s surprise, she adjusted to the tether to allow it. It felt nice being close to Slade and she was going to enjoy it why she could.

“That’s great. Do you know what charity you’re going to choose?” The old woman directed her question to Candy.

Slade interrupted, “Well, mam, I was thinking of childhood leukemia in honor of a special little boy who passed away this year.”

Candy looked up with tears pooling in her eyes. Her heart leaped in her chest at the gesture. “Slade. For my brother? Really? Are you sure?” She grabbed him for a hug.

He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure.”

The old man shook Slade's hand. “Great choice son. We won’t keep you. Have a great afternoon. It was nice meeting you both.”

“You too, sir.” Slade watched them walk away.

“Slade…” She kept hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”

“I sort of owe you one for the photo. And, it seems like something we both would choose. Why don’t we head to the stadium and have the medic look at your wrist? I don’t want you to get an infection. I know we’re not supposed to be there, but I think this is a good reason to stop in.”

She rubbed her sore wrist and agreed.

***

Later that evening they went back to the hotel. Her wrist taped and wrapped for the cushion. Slade's were wrapped too giving them both some needed relief.

They had got into a heated argument about Slade trying to cut the time short on the handcuffs. He was worried about her wrist but Candy was not going to allow him to lose his spot in the company.

Davis had the medic wrap her wrist with something better than the thin wristband she was using. Davis convinced her it was her best interest to go the full two weeks. It was obviously bringing them closer together. Since Davis was at his wit's end with all his wrestler's antics as of late, he needed to show the roster there were repercussions to the drama.

“I thought you wanted to make up for the photo?”

“Damn Candy! Your wrist looks bad and it was getting infected. I was worried about you. Sorry for giving a shit about your well being. I thought today was good but you have to go off the deep end again and yell at me for being nice. I don’t know what to do with you.”

Slade watched the elevator numbers go up feeling defeated. They argued all the way to the room.

“...and what the hell is up with being all affectionate and holding my hand today? We agreed to not let this get weird.”

Slade was getting mad while trying to open the room door. “You’re such a…” He stopped himself and shook it off. He held his tongue from saying more while heading inside.

She yanked hard on the line. “I wish I had never met you! Call me a bitch! Go ahead, jackass!”

“Stop! I’m sick of this arguing.”

Slade yanked the line back hard making her tumble into him. He grabbed her by the waist pulling her into the room. Slade slammed the door and they stood glaring at each with rage burning behind their eyes. Candy went to slap him and he grabbed both arms pulling them on each side of her head while using his hard body to push her against the door.

“Stop. Let me go.”

His breathing heavy and chest heaving against her, Slade didn’t know if he wanted to hate Candy or kiss her senseless. Candy looked in his angry eyes with her own breathing intensifying. The heat between them turned feral. Her eyes becoming more seductive under the weight of his embrace. He noticed her lids become heavy with something other than anger. Desire maybe? Candy shoved her hips against his groin grinding into him.

Slade’s eyes narrowed in a deep lustful gaze as she stopped struggling. He stepped closer, pressing against her until they were so close they had to share the same air to breathe.

Slade released one of his hands and adjusted to keep both of hers pinned above her. Candy’s eyes went to his lips and back to his eyes. She licked her lips as Slade watched her body turn from rage to intense wanting. She teased with her lips to invite him in. His hand slid down to Candy’s waist thrusting her into his hardened manhood. A moan escaped her as his lips traced down her jawline. Slade watched her intently waiting for a cue to go further. In his mind, he was begging for it.

Candy relaxed into him and her lips searched for his. Slade released her hands expecting her to hit him or pull away. They fell resting around his neck and pulling him closer.

Silence fell between them, afraid to move as they stared into each other’s eyes. Candy ran her hand down his cheek and across the stubble of his faint beard. Slade feeling like his heart was going to break if she denied him swallowed hard. Almost a prayer racing in his mind for her to want him as much as he did her. He had never wanted someone so much. Hiding his feelings for so long had been too much to bear. Slade's eyes closed and he rested his forehead on Candy’s.

“Push me away. Go ahead. Candy, I know you want to. Please. Just do it. I can’t take this anymore.”

“I can’t. I don’t want to keep pushing you away. No matter how hard I try. I can’t get you out of my mind.”

He stepped back slightly to give space between them while keeping his gaze fixated on her eyes. Slade ran his hand to the back of her head lacing his fingers in her hair. His lips came crashing down on hers. A deep rugged moan escaped his lips as Candy parted hers inviting the kiss to deepen.

“I want you, Candy.”

“I... I want... I’m scared. We can’t do this.” She pushed back.

Slade's heart felt like it just crashed to the floor. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

“No. Slade. I want you too. Just... not like this. I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry. I thought…” Candy moved closer touching his lips. “I thought you really hated me.”

“I never hated you. I wanted you the moment I first looked into those beautiful eyes and that crazy candy outfit. I hurt you that day we met. Physically. I wanted to fix you.” He lifted her hand looking at the scar in her palm. “Every day since, we kept hurting each other emotionally. The scars we are causing each other are just as deep as the scar in your hand. Every time we fight it kills a little part of me. I know you feel it too. I know I can’t be alone in this.”

Candy laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. “I never wanted it to be like this. Why can’t we stop fighting?”

“I think I know the answer to that. Come sit. We need to talk.” He led her to the bed. “Candy, I think we’ve had this overwhelming attraction to each other. At least I have for you. We fight it because we are both are dealing with a lot since the day we met. I think we take our stress out on each other. We have become each other’s lightning rod for all the shit that happens to us. Me with Jenna and the breakup and my own personal demons. I was worried for a while about losing my job because she is the boss's daughter. I love wrestling and I didn’t know if my job would end once I broke up with her. We were just not good for each other. She knows it too.”

“Jenna is nice. You are still friends. I don’t think she would do that to you.”

“Well, it got more complicated because I met you in the midst of it. I was afraid of moving on with someone else because it would put more stress on things. I didn’t know if Jenna would be upset and try to destroy our careers. She’s moved on and gave me her blessing to do the same. Jenna told me once she knew I liked you. You are just as passionate about this job as I am and we have so much in common. I tried to keep you arguing with me to be close to you. Even if it was fighting, at least I can still be near you. Crazy right?”

“I guess you’re right. I was using you to vent my hurt about losing my brother and things back home. I have a lot of personal things I have been struggling with. If I focused on fighting with you, it was easier than remembering that I was hurting. I knew deep down you were playing around with me. Jacob, mom, and I always teased each other. So in a crazy-stupid-way, it felt familiar. Most of the time you were just joking with me. I made it seem worse than it was. I sort of enjoy our silly banter.”

Slade snuggled her close into his chest. “Candy, I don’t want to be the enemy. I want to be your friend and support you. I know things are hard for you. I want to be there to help you heal. I… I think I’m falling for you. Each day we spend together the feelings get stronger. I need to know something. Do you think you might want to be with me? At least try.”

Candy cuddled into him taking in his inviting masculine scent of citrus and leather. “I don’t think, I know. We have to stop fighting if we are going to explore this. We have a week left in this challenge. I think we should use it to try to make up for all the hurtful things we’ve done to each other. I’m not ready for a relationship but that doesn’t mean that we can’t start to build on this.”

Slade chuckled. “Things we have done to each other? Like super gluing my hand to my crotch on the bus two weeks ago why I was asleep?”

She laughed. “Yes. Like you hanging all my panties up on Davis’s office door.”

“Or you, setting up a fart bomb off in my suitcase to go off when I opened it.” He looked at her waiting for her to admit it.

“I still plead the fifth on that.” She struggled not to laugh. “That was pretty funny. Your clothes smelled like farts for two days.”

“Haha. I couldn’t get the smell to wash out. Everyone thought I needed to see a doctor. Davis threatened to put me in medical leave. He didn’t believe you did that and thought I was sick.” He started laughing, “You are an evil woman.”

“One who you just admitted to having feelings for. Just think of the chaos we can do if we join forces.” She kissed his lips with a sweet little peck. “I guess I should admit that I have totally crushed on you for years. You’re freaking hot and it really annoys the shit out of me. I so wanted to hate you. I’m supposed to hate you. Not want to love you.”

He smiled. “Love me?”

“Don’t get too excited there, slick. I’m not there yet. We have a lot of making up to do.”

Slade kissed and nuzzled into her neck. “I can get on board with that. Making up can be fun.”

Candy leaned her head back moving her hair to allow him better access. “Mmm. It really could be.”

“Was that a hint of seduction in your voice? My Sprinkles finally going to give me a taste of her sweet candy center?”

“Play your cards right and I just might. Tonight, will you just hold me? I need you to hold me for real tonight. Not because of the cuffs.” She reached up rubbing her fingers through the short stubble of his beard that was starting to form from a few days of missing a shave.

“Sounds like a great start.” He smiled touching his nose to hers. Candy just smiled from ear-to-ear.

It felt foreign to feel happy, but with Slade, she thought maybe she could. She just hoped it would last. Nothing good for her ever did.